I had always loved to sit and watch the rain, the way the water splashed against the window pane, it had always soothed me. But the rain had come unexpected, pounding insistently at the glass and seeping in through the cracks. Johnny seemed unaffected, snuggling deeper under the protection of the duvet, reaching blindly for my form in the dark room. Even so, I knew how the weather affected him, ever since the accident the rain made him moody and temperamental, snapping at anything that spared him a passing glance. Sighing, I slipped out from under the warmth, wrapping a silk robe around my form and slipping my feet into my favorite pair of ratty slippers. Best to make him something to eat and have the hot chocolate ready in his favorite mug, and the morning paper that had been delivered over an hour ago.

Stepping out into the open, I revealed in the felling of a New England winter morning. It had been a gift for our third anniversary, to be brought to the place of my birth for the week. I took the soggy plastic bag in my hands, before slipping back inside the warmth of our vacation home, throwing the bag into the trashcan. The smell of melting chocolate wafted throughout the house, along with the scent of perfectly cooked bacon and eggs. I heard the shuffling of material against the hardwood flooring before he rounded the corner, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he plopped down in his favorite chair. “Are you feeling alright love?” He shrugged, “I made you breakfast, eat up.” I nudged him gently, pointing to the bacon and eggs sitting before him. He mumbled something under his breath that sounded vaguely like ‘not hungry’, but I let the comment slide. Instead of eating, he grabbed the paper, the wet material clinging to his hand. That seemed to be all he could take, and I slowly ushered him back to the bedroom, tucking him under the mound of blankets.

The rain stopped early into the afternoon, and the sky seemed to crack down the middle as light flooded forth. I shifted on the couch, adjusting my pillow before returning my attention to the yellowing pages of my novel, the book had been in my family since my mother’s grandmother. The pages were filled with ancient remedies for illness, and mystic potions that witches supposedly used to heal the terminally ill. I knew the pages had no scientific basis, but it was entertaining enough to keep me occupied while I waited for Johnny to wake up. Soon enough, a soft hand was placed on my shoulder, along with an apologetic kiss to the top of my head. “I’m sorry hun, let me make it up to you.” I smiled, “You know you have nothing to apologize for.” “Still, I….” he searched for the right words “want to spend some time with you.” I closed my book slowly, sliding off of the sofa and turning to face him, “Alright, I will get ready.”

--

I eyed my work appreciatively, feeling the small velvet box in my front pocket. The remnants of the previous rain shower still clung to the windows, illuminated by the flickering candlelight. My mind wondered to Josie, wondering what her reply would be when I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. I did not have much time to worry about the answer though, because she quickly approached me, her lips meeting mine softly. Her kiss was so soft, her lips ghosting over mine, it left a slight tingling sensation that I could not let drift from my mind. If she rejected me tonight, I would have that memory forever. “You look beautiful.” My fingers snaked around her waist, holding her to me, in hopes that nothing would ever come between us, that we could remain this way forever. The pendant that I had given her for Christmas dangled between us, and I took the golden teddy bear in my hand, the pale eyes glistening back up at me.

We ate dinner in relative silence, occasionally making small talk. “You really outdid yourself Johnny. It is beautiful.” “Not as beautiful as you.” Her cheeks flushed slightly, blending perfectly with her scarlet hair. The glass of red wine met her lips slowly, and she took a generous swig. “Josie, I have something I need to ask you.” She looked up expectantly, before I took her hand, helping her to her feet. I knelt down before her, fishing the box out of my pocket and flicking it open with a skilled finger. “Josephine Lovett, when you walked through the doors to my hospital room, announcing that you were to be my nurse for the remainder of my stay, I was mesmerized. I knew from that moment on that you had to be mine, and I can’t imagine my life without you, I don’t want to. Would you marry me?” Her green eyes grew wide, a small smile gracing her features. “Of course I will marry you.” I relaxed, slipping the ring on her finger easily. “Bloody hell Johnny, what did you think I was going to say? Were you that worried that I was going to reject you?” “I honestly don’t know what I was thinking, Jo.”

Her lips met mine slowly, sensually. Her arms wrapped around my torso, fingers rubbing small circles on my back. “I love you Johnny, nothing is ever going to change that. I would do anything for you.”

--

I woke in the middle of the night, to the sound of water rushing through the drain pipe. Johnny lay fast asleep beside me, one arm wrapped loosely around my torso, pain contorting his features. Frowning, I gently massaged his temples, leaning over to grab the ice cold wash cloth and mug filled with the Lovett family remedy for hangovers. Yes, I would do anything for Johnny Storm, even nurse him through a hangover at one in the morning.