Chapter Text
Kurt was driving. It was midday and the hot summer sun was high in the sky. The car was surrounded by green fields that were occasionally interrupted by small towns.
Turning his head, he saw Diane soundly sleeping with her legs curled up and her body wrapped in a light floral dress; something so different from what she usually wears. He stared at her peacefulness for a few seconds, probably longer than was safe considering he was driving, but she was so damn beautiful that he couldn’t bear to look away any sooner.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last week Diane got a call from her sister Emily, asking for her help: she had planned a short vacation, but she couldn't bring her dog, and she asked Diane if she could take care of him for a week. At first, Diane said no, she has work and a new husband. She couldn’t just put her life on hold without much notice. Or so she thought until she talked to Kurt.
They had been married for just a few months now, but they never had a real honeymoon because of issues at the firm. Kurt suggested that they take a week off for themselves, one completely without work. So, they accepted Emily’s proposal and decided to turn the week into a makeshift honeymoon.
Emily lived in the spacious lake house where she and Diane grew up, although it has been renovated since then. The home is located a few miles from the nearest town but it’s a six-hour drive from Chicago.
Emily lost her husband some years ago and she’s lived here alone with her dog ever since. Her daughter lives 10 minutes away, so she spends most of her days surrounded by her two grandchildren.
Kurt has only met Emily once, last year in Chicago. He was struck by how different the two sisters are. They have very different styles, mannerisms, and lifestyles. And physically, there were almost no similarities, except for intense, deep blue eyes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diane had spent much of the previous night trying to finish up as much work as possible. She didn’t want to have any worries for the next days. She really wanted to spend the entire week just relaxing and being a wife. Kurt deserved to see the more serene side of her.
Country music played softly as he drove his sleeping wife. As much as he loved seeing her so peaceful, it was time for her to wake up, they were only a few miles from their destination. He reached out and gently rubbed his warm hand on her leg. “Diane. Dear, wake up. We are almost there.”
She sighed and blinked her eyes slowly. She smiled as she came back to reality and realized where she was. “Oh my God! Did I sleep the whole trip?” She asked surprised. “You should have woken me. I wanted to help with some of the driving.”
“Don’t worry, it was an easy drive. And you looked so peaceful to wake.” He smiled at her before focusing again on the road.
“Thank you, honey,” she replied yawning and stretching. “I really needed some sleep.”
“I know. We both need a week of relaxation. But now I need you to help me to get to the house. I don’t think the GPS can help me from here.”
“Oh right, I forgot that you’ve never been here. You’re going to take the next left and then when you get to the big oak, take a right.”
Kurt giggled. “Listen to you… at the big oak, take a right,” he mocked her. “Don’t they have signage here?”
“We never needed signage, we have the big oak,” she explained, pretending to be offended.
She hadn’t been back to her birthplace for several years, and only at that moment did she realize how much she’s missed it. She loved living and working in the city, but she always felt right back at home every time she came out here.
After a couple of miles of unpaved road, they saw the big white house and the well-kept garden that extended out to the water.
As soon as Kurt parked the car, he saw a big black dog, barking and wagging its tail start running across the garden toward them.
Diane got out of the car and stooped on her knees just as the dog jumped into her arms with a licked-filled greeting. “Hi, Charlie!” She greeted him back, stroking him and laughing. “Yes, yes! I missed you too.”
Kurt walked around the car towards his wife, watching the scene with a silly smile on his face. He always loved dogs and always owned one until a few years before. He believed that you could learn a lot about a person by seeing how they are treated by a dog.
Diane turned towards him, still laughing, and said, “Kurt, do you remember Charlie? You two met once in Chicago.”
Kurt’s smile widened as he replied, approaching them, “Of course, I remember him. Hello, boy.” He reached out for the dog's big, fluffy head.
Diane continued, “Now Charlie, he is my husband now, so you must be gentle with him. Don’t be jealous, you will always be my favorite boy.”
“Hey! What if I am feeling a little jealous?” He protested.
She stood up to face him and said seriously, “He’s the only other man, I promise.” She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
They grabbed their luggage and Diane led him to the front door. Emily had left early that morning, but she left them a welcome note on the table with some helpful advice about the house, the garden, and Charlie.
“So, this is where I grew up,” she said, almost embarrassed, avoiding his eyes.
She had never shown that house to anyone else and, at that moment, she realized that bringing him there and spending a whole week with him in that place was going to be an intimate experience for her.
Kurt understood what this meant for her, he reached his arm around her shoulder and brought her closer to him. “I’m glad you decided to show me this place, you know?”
She stared into his eyes intensely, asking herself how he always managed to say the right thing. How did he always read her mind?
“I love you, Kurt,” she stated simply.
“I know,” he replied with a smirk. “That’s why you married me, remember?”
She laughed as he kissed her gently. It quickly turned into a deeper kiss, as he grabbed her ass and pulled her closer.
They parted only when they both craved air.
“Come, I’ll show you the rest of the house,” she said taking his hand in hers, as they walk towards the living room, Charlie always at their heels.