the dinner table is set, and jim makes sure heâs in casual, yet⊠still stylish clothes. after all, they only get to celebrate their anniversary once a year. of course, regardless of the occasion, he likes to go all out. birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries, sometimes he thinks, to georgeâs dismay.Â
still, he is giddy, and seeing george will bring a broad smile to his face. george falconer still gives him butterflies every single time. but seeing that look upon his husbandâs features, jim has the right sense to look apologetic, and heâs glad he jumped the gun on making sure to apologize straight out the gate. hands will slide underneath, wrapping around georgeâs middle as jim will pull him in close, kissing him soundly on the lips.
          â yes, professor. â is said quite solemnly, at least for jimâs standards, though he wonât be able to completely hide the slight quiver of a grin that wants to form. â iâll make it up to you, i promise. scoutâs honor. â heâll say boldly, pulling george with him now to the dining room where jim has set out their fancy plates and glasses. where he he has put on their song on on the record player, and where heâs perhaps filled about half the room with roses.
         â our favorites from coppa entoca. they sent a very nice bottle of wine just waiting to be opened. donât stay mad at meâŠplease? â and here, another kiss, this time on georgeâs forehead.Â
         THEREâS A   sigh  on  his  lips  as  heâs  slowly  led  by  jim  from  the  foyer  toward  the  dining  room  .  not  for the  first  time  ,  the  image  of  jim  is  likened  to  one  of  their    puppies   in  his  mindâs  eye  .  how  jim  manages  to  make  that    ENDEARING   ,  george  has  no  idea  .  but  when  he  sees  the  spread  in  front  of  him  ,  the  food  ,  the  roses  ,  the  music  ,  georgeâs  irritation  melts  .  not  that  their  evening  was  in  particular  danger  of  being  ruined  by  it  anyway  ,  but  this  certainly  soothed  it  even  more  .Â
         â   jim . . .   â  he  says  quietly  ,  taking  it  all  in  .  heâs  pulled  back  in  from  it  by  the  kiss  pressed  to  his  forehead  .  he  winds  an  arm  around  the  other  manâs  middle  and  glances  over  at  him  .  â   i  wonât  stay  mad  at  you  .  but  if  you  do  that  to  me  on  our  anniversary  again  ,  iâm  packing  the  house  and  taking  the  dogs  .   â  it  would  be  a  more  commanding  threat  if  there  wasnât  a  smile  worming  its  way  onto  his  lips  .Â