Have I Told You Lately…

Max pulled up under the carport, cut the engine and sighed. It had been a long day. Glancing at his watch, he saw it was 4:30. He was usually home from the bank by 2:30. He opened the door and slowly dragged himself out, stretching and breathing in the fresh country air. He loved it here, especially now that it was the beginning of autumn and it was beginning to cool off a little.

He grabbed his briefcase from the front passenger seat, slammed the door shut and headed for the house. He was ready for Ceri to read him the riot act for not calling to let her know he was going to be late, but as he opened the door he was welcomed with soft music and the welcome aroma of fresh baking.

Dropping everything by the front door and taking off his shoes, he padded quietly through the lounge room and through to the kitchen. Ceri was there, looking beautiful with her hair tied up loosely from her face and flour on the tip of her nose.

Max smiled. How could a woman who was always so organised get in such a mess when she was cooking? He didn’t care; the end results were always worth the cleanup. He walked silently up behind her and kissed the back of her neck. “I’m sorry, Love.”

Ceri sighed at his touch before turning round and wrapping her flour covered hands round his neck. “Bad day at the office, darling?” she asked before kissing him.

“I should have called.”

“I figured that if you were too busy to get home on time you’d be too busy to call. If anything was wrong I know someone would have gotten hold of me. I decided to keep myself busy until you got home.”

“What would I do without you?”

“I’m sure you’d find something,” Ceri smiled in reply. “Go make yourself comfortable and I’ll bring you a drink.”

“Thanks, sweetheart.”

“Hot or cold?”

“Tea would be great, thanks.”

Max wandered back into the lounge room and laid his jacket on the back of the sofa. He’d already taken his tie off…he had an idea it was still in the car. He put his feet up on the coffee table, closed his eyes and made himself comfortable. That’s the way Ceri found him ten minutes later…fast asleep. She put the tray down on what little space was let of the coffee table before leaning over and kissing the top of his head.

Max muttered in his sleep and sighed. Ceri waved the cup under his nose, which began twitching. He opened his eyes to see her smiling at him. “Hello, sleepyhead. Do you think you can manage this drink, or would you rather go to bed?”

“Thanks for the offer, beautiful, but I think I’m too tired to go to bed.”

Ceri swapped him around the head gently before arranging a cushion behind him and putting his tea within reach. He looked over at the tray.

“Wow…you really have been busy,” he remarked, sitting up and taking notice of the cakes and pastries decorating a plate. Ceri picked it up and offered it to him. He decided on a muffin and grinned as he took a bite.

“You relax here, lover; I need to get the dinner on. I’ll be right back.”

Max watch as Ceri went back to the kitchen. “I’m a lucky bastard!” he though to himself.

Dinner finished, and the dishwasher stacked, they both went out onto the porch and sat comfortably on the swing seat. Ceri had her legs draped over Max, and he was using his to push the swing slowly back and forth. The music from the CD made its way through the open patio doors. Van Morrison was singing, and Max gathered Ceri into his arms and sang along…”Have I told you lately that I love you?”

Ceri stopped him with a kiss…