If you can just get home early enough, make it up to your room before Dad gets home, then you can fake being sick or being on your period and he won't come looking. Maybe then he won't see. Because if he saw, he would go mad. His daughter was supposed to be strong, he raised you to be strong and resilient and ready to stand up for others who can't stand up for themselves.

When in reality, it's you who can't stand up for yourself.

Berated everyday by a group of your peers who are supposed to be your friends, your closest companions. Instead, you can only feel pushed away.

Your key clicks in the lock, hood up, hair in front of your face and headphones blaring anything to distract you from the ache and the pain. What you weren't expecting is for your father to be home early. And for his entire squad to be sitting and lounging around in the kitchen and sitting room each nursing a drink or snacks while chatting idly.

You couldn't walk quick enough past all of them to get to the stairs to escape. You knew you were caught.

The chatter dulls as the door clicks shut behind you, eyes still cast against the floor. Maverick calls your name from the kitchen, assuming that you're back from school.

"Do you want anything to eat honey? We've got a whole spread in here."

Rooster is the first one to actually see you though. He moves in quick to hug you hello but pauses as you shrink away, pulling your hoodie tighter around yourself.

He calls your name softly, ducking down to try and see your face beneath your hair. "Kid? What's up-"

You can pinpoint the exact moment he sees the bruising and the blood and the cuts.

"What the hell happened to your face?"

At those words the whole gathering goes silent. Dead silent. Maverick leans around the kitchen pillar, trying to see what's going on and sees Bradley taking your arm and sitting you into an armchair. Your flinching at every move he makes, face still not visible as you shift uncomfortably in the chair.

Bradley calls your name again, brushing away a tear from under your eye. "What happened? Who did this?"

You shake your head, trying to push yourself to standing so you can retreat to your room, or at the very least go upstairs out of the way.

You shouldn't be interuptting. They were all having a good time before you arrived and now you've ruined the whole gathering, you've gotten in the way yet again, you shouldn't have come home.

"Look at me."

"'M fine."

You move to untuck your hair from your ear, to hide again and close further in but your Dad has moved from the kitchen to the sitting room, catching your wrist in his hand. You glance up at his face.

It's like thunder, absolutely out of his mind with anger.

You mistake it as directed at you, supressing a whimper as you tug your wrist from his grip. He lets you go easily, pulling back like he's approaching a wounded animal, giving you space to move freely.

"Who did this? Is it people at school? Is it from the street?"

"Nothing." You protest but the words come out weak. "I just fell. Don't make a big deal out of it. I'm fine."

Beside Bradley, Phoenix's eyes narrowed. She'd been a teenage girl like you once, she knew what other girls were like. She also knew how to sniff a lie out of anyone. She knew.

Hangman stands looming but sheepish over her shoulder, his usual demeanour crumbling down. "Can we have a look at it? We can patch you up." His voice tries to be warm, tries to hold you together but you're starting to break away piece by piece.

Maverick whispers something and Fanboy rushes off to the kitchen, returning with the first aid kit that get's used far more often than it should whenever your dad tries to cook.

You peel back your hood, tucking the hair back behind your ear as you finally look up at the group, staring through them so as to not accidentally catch someone's eye.

Your dad peels open a cleaning swab, holding it out to you. "Can I?"

Numbly, you nod once, not really even feeling the coldness as it wipes around your injuries. There are several looks passed around through the group, murderous glances and silent plotting but they all stay quiet for you. Waiting for you to say something.

It's only as your dad holds an ice pack to your eye that you murmur, "I didn't fall."

Bradley has to consciously unclench his jaw as he takes your hand, squeezing softly. "Is someone hurting you at school?"

Your heart pounds so loud you can swear they can hear it too, blood rushing in your ears. Tears burn behind your eyes but you don't let them fall. You can't let them fall.

"Please don't be mad."

Phoenix leans in closer, "At you? Never. It's okay, you can tell us. We won't be mad and we're all here for you."

Your eyes drop to the floor again, wanting nothing more than to crawl back into your hoodie and hide.

Hangman, trying to be helpful but being anything but adds, "Whoever's hurting you has no idea what's coming for them. We got your back."

"Please-" You cut him off. "Please don't make this a big deal."

Mav makes a sound like he'd shocked and disgusted at the same time. "Not a big deal? This is a huge deal. Someone is hurting my kid." His voice stays calm while he feels anything but. "We're all being calm right now but you don't deserve this, alright? You're a good kid."

Bradley tries again. "Who's hurting you?"

You sniffle, wiping away the few tears that managed to escape. "There's these girls in my class, army brats. Their parents let them get away with everything. I tried telling my teachers but they don't care."

There's a sharp intake of breath around the room and you spiral back down to doubting yourself and everything you've said.

"I'm sorry. I ruined your night. I should go- I should go upstairs. It's nothing. It's fine. I'm fine."

Your dad leans forward and pulls you into his arms, cutting off your rambling. His heartbeat sounds so loud next to your ear, your own slowly synching with it as he whispers nothings into your hair and holds you even closer.

"We'll figure this out okay? We'll figure it all out. You're okay. We're here. You're not alone."

It made you think back to yesterday.

Christmas morning started so soft and relaxing. After you woke up, you cuddled for a while and just enjoyed being in each other’s arms. Later you had breakfast and already noticed that Bob was a bit nervous, you thought that it’s because of his present for you or maybe he is just happy and a bit nervous about spending the first Christmas with you. Even though you have been dating for two years, this is your first real Christmas that you celebrate together.

When you finished breakfast, you reached for his hand and guided Bob over to the Christmas tree in the living room. You gave him your present first and he was so happy when you gave him your present.

Then it was time for his present. When you opened his present, your smile grew. It was a photo album. On the first page Bob wrote a little message for you, you decided to read it a bit later and look through the pictures first.

“I know this is a bit cheesy, but I wanted you to have this. So, that you can look at it whenever you miss me.” Bob said with a smile. You started to look through the pages. Every page was filled with a picture of the two of you or a picture with the dagger squad. Next to the pictures he wrote some short messages, some jokes or something that reminded him of this moment.

“It’s perfect. I love it so much Bob.” You said and looked at him with a bright smile. Bob smiled back at you and you continued to flip though the pages. You smiled and even had to laugh at some of the pictures. When you landed on the last page you started to read the message that Bob wrote there:

Hey my love!

I love you so much! ♡

We already shared so many memories together and I already know that this won’t be the last photo album that we will fill together.

I planned something very special for today. There is an important question that I thought about asking you for a while now and today I will finally ask you.

You stopped reading even though there was still something more written there. You looked at Bob who was now reaching for something in his back pocket and started to kneel down.

“Bob, honey are you really doing this?” You asked because you were so excited but also a bit nervous. Bob chucked and had the brightest smile on his face when he opened the small box and revealed the gorgeous ring that was inside.

“Yes, darling I am. But I think I just forgot everything that I wanted to say.” Bob said, fixing his glasses while he held the box with his other hand. You giggled and smiled at him.

“It’s okay, love. Just say what’s on your mind.” Bob nodded and smiled at you. He took a deep breath and took a moment to collect his thoughts.

“Sweetheart, you’re the love of my life. Every day that we spend together I fall even more in love with you and when we’re separated, I miss you so much that I probably annoy the others because I always talk about you. The last two years that we spent together made me so happy. Would you like to make me even more happier and marry me?” Bob asked with a smile and with every word that he said you began to smile more.

“Yes, yes Bobby.” You said excited and Bob chuckled. Then he gently slipped the ring on your finger. When Bob stood up again you jumped into his arms and Bob held you tight.

You smiled at the memory of yesterday and looked at Bob, who also had a smile on his face.

“I love you so much.” You both said at the same time which made you chuckle.

“I’m so excited to see how the others will react when we tell them.” You said with a smile.

“Me too.” Yesterday you and Bob decided to surprise the others at the party today. You thought that it’s the perfect opportunity to do it during the secret santa. You had Natasha, so you decided to write a little message in the card that you had for her. Asking her if she wants to be your maid of honor.

A bit later you arrived at Bradley’s house. Before you both walked inside you looked at the ring again and then smiled at Bob. Bob reached for your hand, lifted it to his mouth and kissed the back of your hand.

“I love you so much.”

“Love you too.” Bob pulled you closer and was about to kiss you when suddenly the door was opened by Jake. You quickly hide your hand with the ring behind your back, not wanting the surprise to be announced yet.

“Oh, look who finally arrived.” Jake said with a grin and quickly hugged you and then Bob. You followed him inside and took off your jacket. Bob carried the bag with the presents.

“Guys, the lovebirds have finally arrived.” Jake announced and you rolled your eyes at the nickname that he always gives you and Bob.

“Hey.” Bradley greeted you and Bob.

“Hey Bradley.” You greeted him with a hug. After you both greeted Bradley you walked over to the others and greeted each one with a hug. It was difficult to hide the ring but you tried it because you wanted it to be a surprise later. While you were talking with Natasha, Bob placed the presents under Bradley’s Christmas tree.

While talking with Natasha, you looked over to Bob and smiled as he was talking to Mickey and Reuben.

“You look happy.” Natasha suddenly said and you looked back to her.

“I am, I’m very happy.” You said with a bright smile which made her smile as well. You continued talking to her and after a while Bob joined your side again. After a while the others all sat down on the couch and started to tell some stories. It was difficult to hide your ring, and you started to get a bit nervous. Bob noticed and softly placed his hand on your thigh.

“So? Are we gonna start with the presents soon or?” Mickey asked and some of the others chuckled.

“Are you really that impatient to wait?” Javy teased him but Mickey just shrugged. Bob noticed that you began to smile as Mickey asked for the presents, knowing that you finally wanted to tell them.

“Yeah, we could give each other the presents now.” Bob suggested and you gave him a smile as a silent thank you.

“Looks like Mickey is not the only one who can’t wait.” Reuben said with a grin.

“Or maybe I’m just excited to give someone my present.” Bob said and the others all looked curious now.

“Okay, now I’m curious.” Jake said and some of the others nodded.

Then everyone walked over to the Christmas tree. Bradley was first and handed his present to Jake, Jake handed his present to Natasha. After a while it was finally your turn to give your present to Natasha. You handed her the box that was filled with some of her favorite things. Natasha thanked you with a smile and then was about to put the box away.

“You should read the card.” You told her with a smile.

“Oh yeah, of course.” Natasha said and then reached for the card. She started to smile when she read what you had written inside.

“Oh my god. Yes, of course.” She said with a bright smile and pulled you into a hug. You hugged her tight and heard the others talking in the background.

“I’m so happy for you both.” Natasha mumbled.

“What is happening?” Jake asked.

“No idea.” Bradley said and Bob chuckled. When you broke the hug Natasha looked at you with a big smile.

“I need to see the ring.” Natasha said and you finally showed her your hand with the ring. The others walked closer and all admired the ring with a smile.

“Finally, Bob asked you.” Mickey said excited.

“Yeah, it was about time.” Jake agreed with a grin.

“Congratulations you two.” Javy said first and then the others all started to congratulate you and Bob.

“So, now we really have something to celebrate.” Jake announced.

“Bradley come bring out the good stuff.” Jake said and Natasha chuckled while Bradley already made his way to the kitchen.

A bit later you were all sitting together and clinked the glasses together.

“To the future Mr. and Mrs. Floyd.” Natasha said and you looked at Bob with a smile. Bob smiled back at you and couldn’t be happier.

“I love you, sweetheart.” Bob whispered.

“I love you too Bobby.” You whispered back with a smile.

The rest of the night was filled with sharing some stories, laughing, playing games and sharing some soft glances with Bob. You had a lot of fun with them, and you all felt so happy at this moment. Especially Bob and you.

Taglist:

@iristheplanet16 | @lovesflourmorethananything | @teascorner |

“I don’t believe that,” Hangman teased Payback. 

“I’m married,” Payback pointed out. 

“So you tell us, but we’ve never seen your wife,” Rooster taunted. 

“Her picture is on my dash,” Payback said. 

“Could be anyone,” Fanboy joined in. 

“You’ve met her, Fanboy,” Payback said. 

“You can’t prove anything,” Fanboy teased. Bob was quietly enjoying the conversation as he grabbed the rest of his things. He slipped his bag over his shoulders and closed his locker. 

“See y’all tomorrow,” Bob said as he headed out to meet you in the lobby. When he rounded the corner his smile widened as you stood to greet him. You were wearing paint stained jeans and an old t-shirt that used to be Bob’s, but it had been years since that was true. It was yours now, just like he was. 

“You changed out of the flight suit,” you said forlornly when Bob walked up. 

“It was all sweaty, angel,” Bob told you.

“I wanted to take it off you though,” you whined. Bob gave you a cheeky grin. 

“You want me to put on the white uniform when I get home?” Bob offered. He leaned down and kissed you tenderly before you could answer. 

“The hot girl is your girlfriend?” Hangman practically shouted from behind Bob. He turned over his shoulder to see the whole squad watching the two of you. 

“Wife, actually,” Bob said. “Been meaning to introduce ya.” 

“You didn’t say you have a wife!” Phoenix exclaimed. 

“Didn’t come up,” Bob said. “We’ve only known each other for a month.” Everyone gawked at Bob, thinking a month was plenty of time to let your friends know you have a wife. 

“He likes to keep me protected from his work,” you piped in when Bob failed to explain himself. Bob wound his fingers between yours. He lifted your hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. 

“What’s your name?” Phoenix asked. 

“Y/N,” you told her. 

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” Phoenix murmured. You could hear in her voice that she felt betrayed by Bob. You knew he wouldn’t notice though. You wanted to stop him from hurting her more.

“I keep my ring on my dog tags,” Bob said, pulling them up from his shirt to prove it. 

“I thought it was your dad’s,” Phoenix told him. “You always talk about him.” 

“Bobby’s told me a lot about you,” you interjected. “I was hoping you would have dinner with us. I’d like to make the pilot who saved my Bobby a good meal.” Phoenix met your eye and you gave her a warm smile. She gave a tiny nod and smiled back. 

“I’d love to, ma’am,” Phoenix said. 

“I’m her wingman,” Rooster called. “Could say that I kept Bobby safe too.” Bob blushed brightly. 

“Payback and I were on the mission,” Fanboy said.

“I saved Bob’s wingman,” Hangman added. You looked up at Bob in question. 

“They know you’re the one who makes my lunches now,” Bob said. You giggled. You always made Bob his lunches. When he was deployed he didn’t get good home cooked meals, so you made sure he had them three times a day when he was home with you. 

“Well, some of you might have to sit on the couch, but I’d be happy to cook for my husband’s friends,” you said.  

“I can’t believe that baby on board has a wife and you don’t even have a girlfriend,” Hangman teased Rooster. 

“You don’t either,” Rooster spit back. 

“No woman can hold me down,” Hangman joked. 

“He’s the one your sister would like, right?” You asked, trying to keep your voice quiet. 

“You’ve got a sister?” Hangman called out. 

“Yeah,” Bob said. “And I’m quite sure she could hold you down if she wanted.” Hangman’s eyes widened. You chuckled. 

“You’re going to set him up with your sister?” Rooster complained. 

“That’s y/n’s scheme. She wants my sister to live near us,” Bob explained. 

“She’s funnier than you, Bobby,” you said. 

“You do spend a lot of time laughing at me together,” Bob teased. He didn’t really mind though. Everytime he had come home to find you and his sister in tears from laughing so hard it had made him even more sure that he’d chosen the right person to marry. 

“Well, when do I get to meet her?” Hangman asked, a wide smirk on his face. 

“I’ll have her come over for dinner with all of you,” you said. “Next Sunday at 6:00. Don’t be late,” you told them. Then you tugged on Bob’s hand, signaling you wanted to go home. 

“Bye, guys,” Bob said. “See ya in the morning.” With that he slung his arm around your shoulders and led you out of the base. 

“I can’t believe Bob didn’t tell us he has a wife,” Payback muttered. 

“I can’t believe Hangman’s the first choice for his sister,” Fanboy said. 

“Why not? You think Bob wants to be related to any of you?” Hangman asked proudly. Rooster snorted. 

“Yes. I would have thought he’d want any of us before you.”  

Warm morning light was already starting to filter through the half open blinds, rousing you slightly, when you felt your husband slip softly out of bed.

Reaching out to chase his warmth, you grumbled sleepily, barley cracking open your eyes, "Where're you goin'?"

Bob tangled his hand with your gently, a chuckle escaping his lips as he leaned over to press a soft kiss to your temple, "To fix us some coffee, darlin'."

"How did I get so lucky?" You grinned, blinking up at Bob's sunlight dappled face.

"Been askin' myself that all morning." He whispered, leaning in again to meet you for another, longer kiss.

After a few long minutes where it seemed like you might almost be successful in luring him back into bed, he finally disentangled himself, padding out of the bedroom, with the promise of coffee. You watch him disappear down the hall, before turning to look around the newly furnished master bedroom with a satisfied sigh.

~~

You had officially moved into the new house two days ago, and what a chaotic day move in had been. Somehow between all twelve of the daggers, two of their commanding officers, and Jake, Brigham, and Ruben's trucks, everything from the old apartment, as well as your storage unit, had made it to the house by noon. The rest of the day had been utter chaos as the aviators moved around furniture, sorted boxes, and did their best to unpack helpfully.

At one point, sensing the anxiety on both of your faces, Natasha had all but dragged you and Bob out of the house, sending you on a trip to pick up anything you had forgotten, and promising that they had everything handled.

When you two had returned to the house an hour later, every car but her old wrangler had disappeared, and she sat with Callie on the front porch in the patio furniture they had assembled, discussing plans for the following weekend.

Natasha had grinned as you came back up the walkway, explaining that she had sent the rest of the guys away, and that she and Callie had undone whatever messes they had made in the meantime.

~~~

When the smell of coffee began to float through the house, you finally managed to tug yourself out of bed, padding down the hall toward the kitchen. Pausing at the end of the hall, you drank in the sight of Bob moving around the kitchen, setting out coffee mugs beside the humming machine, before moving back to pouring pancake mix into the pan already settled on the stove.

It was as easy as breathing to move across the floor and wrap your arms around his waist from behind, nuzzling your face into his back, "Morning, Bobby."

"There you are," You could hear the smile in his voice, and he reached down to squeeze your hand with his free one, "Coffee should be ready in a second."

You humed absently, pressing a kiss to his shoulder before pulling away and beginning to assemble a plate of fruit, and other pancake fixings. When the coffee pot had filled, you quickly fixed Bob's mug the way he liked it, sliding it along the counter to him before making your own.

A few minutes later, after the pancakes had come off of the stove, you found yourself seated across from Bob at the breakfast nook, discussing your plans for the day.

"Javy said he'd bring over things for the grill, so we're all set on that front," Bob took a swig from his mug, glancing up at you, "But if you're still making that pasta salad we'll need to hit the store eventually."

You nodded, hooking your ankle around his under the table, "Well I'm sure if we take inventory, we're gonna realize there's other stuff we still need. We can go in an hour or two and still have some time before everyone gets here."

Bob hummed in agreement, and a quiet, comfortable silence settled over the kitchen. Outside, a breeze ruffled through the leaves on the trees that lined the far end of the backyard, the windchimes Billy and Neil had hung proudly at the corner of the house singing merrily.

~~~

Yesterday had been spent, first cleaning up and reorganizing from the chaos of moving day, and then continuing to unpack and settle into the rest of the house. While Bob had finished hanging photos and organizing the bookshelves in the living room, you sorted dishes into their proper places in the kitchen, singing along to your shared playlist and pausing to admire each others work every now and again.

It wasn't quite perfect yet, there were still some things here and there that needed a new coat of paint, and you would have to wait until the following weekend to begin planting in the flower boxes that lines the windows, but it felt perfect all the same. That night, you had tucked yourself into Bob's side on the sofa, looking around like you still couldn't quite believe it.

Bob had smiled sweetly, leaning in to capture your lips in a kiss, "Welcome home, baby."

~~~

A few hours later, you found yourself in the grocery store, winding your way through the isles as Bob followed behind with a cart, reminding you of the list as you went.

As you stood, debating between pasta shapes, Bob leaned against the cart, a small, fond smile on his face.

"-cause the cavatappi comes in a bigger box, so we'd only need two, but Mickey always claims that bowtie 'holds the flavors better'..." You turned toward your husband, trailing off when you spotted the look on his face, "What? Am i overthinking it? What's going on?"

"Maybe a little," He admitted with a chuckle, reaching up to push his glasses farther up his nose, "I'm just- happy."

"Because I've been holding us up in the pasta isle for ten minutes with my indecisiveness?" You raised an eyebrow, biting back a laugh of your own.

"Because we're grocery shopping. Because it's you I get to be grocery shopping with. Because I get to hold a housewarming party with you. That I get to listen to you debate over pasta shapes," He grinned, moving around the cart to wrap an arm around your waist, his hand, warm and sturdy against your side, "Cause I'm so lucky that this gets to be the rest of my life."

You couldn't help but smile into the chaste kiss you pressed to his lips, "You sweet thing... I love you too, Bobby."

The two of you stood there, lost in your own world for a few long moments before someone walking past cleared their throat, loudly, rousing you from whatever trance you had gone into. Bob glanced down at the floor, red tinting his cheeks as you laughed.

~~~

At home, as you put away the last of the groceries, Bob was busy arranging the flowers he had managed to purchase and get almost all the way back to the house without your knowing.

The endless stream of jokes from Jake and Javy about your husbands stealth pilot abilities really hadn't prepared you for just how secretive the man could be. It seemed he was nearly constantly cooking up some sort of simple surprise for you, be it sneaking away from you while grocery shopping to get flowers, or bringing home a book you had added to your TBR but could have sworn you hadn't mentioned.

As you folded the last grocery bag, Bob placed the vase of wildflowers on the kitchen island in front of you, "What do you think?"

"Their gorgeous, Bobby," You gripped his hand over the counter, "You didn't have to."

"I wanted to," He grinned, before leaning over conspiratorially to whisper, "Plus, I may or may not have heard that Jake's going to bring you flowers, and I can't have him out doing me, can I?"

"Well that's a shame, I was figuring all it would take for him to steal me away from you was one cliche red rose bouquet." You teased, giggling at the look Bob shot you in response.

You rocked forward to press a kiss to the tip of his nose in apology before straightening and moving to pull a pot from the cabinet, "Well, I'd better start on that pasta, or we'll never be eating."

"You need any help?" He asked, watching you intently.

"Start on the veggie board for me?" You asked, glancing back over your shoulder at him.

He smiled, already moving to get a cutting board, "Course."

~~~ The sound of a car pulling in the driveway, followed by chattering voices and a knock at the door sounded just a few minutes after you'd deposited the finished pasta salad into the fridge to chill.

You pulled away from Bob with a chuckle, "You ready?"

"As much as I can be, with these guys." He quipped, tangling his fingers with yours as he followed you toward the door.

Almost as soon as the door was open, Natasha was barging in, the crockpot in her hands held aloft, "I come bearing buffalo chicken dip!"

Behind her, Callie, Mickey, Ruben and Neil shuffled in off the porch, each carrying various other contributions to the cookout/potluck, and asking where they should be put.

It didn't take long for the whole house to fill with noise as the rest of the daggers appeared, spilling out into the backyard as Javy started up the grill. As the counters grew fuller with dishes to pass, Jake appeared with the promised bouquet of roses, which naturally, paled in comparison to the wildflowers already adorning the center island.

"Always have to one up me, don't you Bob?" Jake sighed dramatically.

Bob grinned triumphantly, slinging his arm around your waist and pulling you in, "Well, someone's got to put you in your place, Bagman."

He threw his hand over his heart, "Bobert how dare you?! I'm crushed!"

Bradley patted his shoulder in mock sympathy, herding him out towards the patio, "One day you'll manage to actually pull someone, Hangman."

The next knock at the door revealed Pete and Tom, who you quickly ushered in, "Thank you both so much for coming."

"Of course kiddo, we're happy to be here," Pete handed you the bottle of wine he carried, "Here, Ice picked it out, I have no sense for good wine."

"Consider it an apology for leaving you stranded amid a sea of aviators who can barley follow instructions on a regular day, let alone on moving day." Tom grinned, giving you a knowing look.

You smiled back, leading them through to the kitchen, "I appreciate that, sir."

Pete got one glimpse of whatever was going on in the backyard, and made a beeline for the door, already calling for Javy to surrender the grill, leaving you alone with the admiral as he looked around the newly decorated kitchen.

"Well, I must say, you've done a wonderful job with the place." He said.

"Thank you sir."

Tom chuckled, leaning back against the counter, "You can just call me Tom, okay? How's it feel, finally moving into your first house?"

"It was a little scary, at first. Between taking out the loans and moving in... it was a lot," You glanced around the kitchen, landing on the vase of wildflowers, before turning to look out the door, eyes finding Bob easily amid the crowd of other aviators, "But I'm glad we made it here. I can't think of anyone I'd rather make a home with."

Tom's eyes followed you own out the door, finding Pete where he was now forcibly giving Javy pointers, "I understand the feeling."

~~~

Later as everyone squeezed around the long dining room table, you cleared your throat, grabbing your glass and standing, "Excuse me, everyone, I'd like to say a few things before we really dig in here."

Bob squeezed your hand from where he sat at your side, two chairs splitting the head of the table.

"I just wanted to say thank you to you all, for being here today, and for helping us move in. I know it was a bit of a struggle, but we got there in the end," Your eyes roamed the room as you spoke, before dropping back to your husband at your side, "But more importantly, I'd like to thank you, Bobby, for taking on this incredible journey of making a home with me. I'm so happy that this gets to be the rest of my life. Cheers!"

As everyone around the table chorused, "Cheers!" And the room was filled with the sound of excited chatter and clinking glasses, you sat, eyes fixed only on Bob.

He raised your intertwined hands to press a kiss to your knuckles, "I love you too, darlin'."