Tired and sore Jim Braddock wasn't sure how long he was going to last during the reception. Normally the squeeze Ivy had given him wouldn't have bothered him even with bruised ribs. He wondered to himself if he should have had them x-rayed. Probably just cracked he thought to himself, as he shifted trying to find a more comfortable position.

As the reception wound down he was glad the boarding house was so close. Reaching the top of the stairs he breathed a sigh of relief. Home for now was a few short steps away. He wanted a shower, aspirin and sleep. Following Ivy into thier room he sat down on the bed and watched her as she went about her bedtime routine.

She brushed her hair and teeth and put on her nightgown while she was in the bathroom. Hanging up the dress she wore to the wedding next to the red and gold dress she wore earlier in the day, she took out a hanger for his suit. "Jim did you want me to hang up your suit?" she asked quietly.

For a moment he was silent. He wasn't pondering her question, he was considering her. Reaching out towards her, he motioned for her to come nearer. She smiled at him as she stood before him. Taking her hands in his he raised her arms out from her sides and just looked at her.

Giving her one of his most sincere and crooked smiles he lowered her arms drawing her into an embrace. Closing his eyes, he breathed in her scent. Looking up at her, he softly kissed her lips. "Missed you Ivy" he whispered.

Kneeling beside him on the bed and wrapping her arms around him she said the only thing that conveyed everything she felt at that moment. Her face filled with love and concern for him she simply said one word.....his name. "Jimmy."