New Year, New Us
Chapter 48: New Year, New Us
“Okay, now kick your leg up in the back.”
Tawan snapped a few photos of Ira in front of the Hudson Bay then angled their Sony camera to also include the Statue of Liberty in the distant background.
It was New Year’s Eve and they had spent the last few days exploring New York City for all of its wonders and unknown plunders. They went to the Metropolitan Museum, Chinatown, Little Italy, the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan, Times Square, and Central Park. They spent hours in various other museums, boroughs, and shopped in fashion districts like Soho, Fifth Avenue, and other hole in the wall boutiques.
They spent so much time eating and drinking from various restaurants, shops, kiosks, and food trucks that they lost count. Every time they walked down a street they found something new and fun to do. They even took a quick trip to New Jersey just so they could say they visited the area for all it had to offer.
Today, they planned to take it easy and spend just half the day exploring a little more before they would head back to their hotel to rest until that night. Tawan had booked them dinner at a very fancy restaurant that was on a closed rooftop that allowed for them to enjoy the New York skyline when welcoming in the new year. So far, her plan to spoil Ira until she could not take anymore showers of love was going perfectly.
“Come take one with me,” Ira said, stretching her hand to her and flexing it.
Tawan smiled and walked over to her so they could pose in front of of the bay again with the Statue of Liberty in the background. Ira fished out her cellphone from her back pocket then hugged her from behind to snap the pictures since she was the tallest, pressing their heads together. She took a few of them smiling then a few of her kissing her cheek which made Tawan cheese her eye whiskers into the lens.
They pulled apart and looked at their photos, smiling and commenting on each one. Tawan nodded as she hung their Sony camera around her neck since it sometimes irritated Ira. She turned her wife around and placed her hands on her hips to push her up to the railing so they could view the water and look at New Jersey across the bay for a while.
Tawan wrapped her arms around Ira’s waist from behind then rested her chin on her shoulder.
“We’ve been here for three days and I still can’t believe we’re really here,” Ira sighed contently, pressing their heads together.
“And we still have a week left,” Tawan added, kissing her cheek.
Ira smiled as she stared out across the water and pressed the sides of their heads together again, loving how warm her wife’s skin was in the cold. Though it seemed to be a warmer cold for the locals, to them it was still chilly enough to cause a shiver. The weather also gave them a chance to shop for a few essentials like puffer coats - which they were currently wearing - and faux fur lined hooded coats which would come in handy when visiting Hong Kong.
Despite the cold weather, Ira would not change it for the world and especially because when they arrived it snowed a few hours after they got settled into their hotel room. Her wife saw how she bounced on the balls of her feet as her eyes lit up with childlike wonder, so she took her out for a short walk to enjoy it. Ira had so much fun looking up and watching the snow fall, holding her hand out to it and sounding like a little girl which warmed her wife's heart.
Tawan noticed what she was doing to warm herself up some, so she pressed her front more into her back and wrapped her arms tighter around her to give her some of her warmth. She pressed a long kiss to her cheek again then the spot behind her ear, smiling at her when she pulled back. Though it had been a while since she experienced the cold back home, growing up and visiting Hong Kong gave her a little acclimation.
Them both unknowingly thinking of Hong Kong also took Ira’s mind to something else.
“What do you think the twins are doing right now?” She asked before nuzzling her cheek.
“Hmm,” Tawan hummed, pressing her skin more into hers. “Since my mom went with them to spend some time with my brother, I’m sure she’s making them every single dish she can think of including whatever my brother is begging her for, too.”
They both laughed at the thought knowing how excited Wei was when his and Tawan’s mother told him she was coming to visit, too. She was overdue for a vacation, and since their father was busy consulting a few friends on a new business deal, he told her she should go visit their son since their grandchildren would be there, as well. It worked out perfectly for Tawan and Ira since it allowed for them to fly straight to New York rather than to Hong Kong to drop the twins off with their uncle before heading out.
“I’m glad they’re having fun and he gets to see them,” Ira smiled in thought. They had FaceTimed them all once a day to see their little faces pressed together on the screen and to check on everyone.
“All that bribery he did for you and all it took was us needing to get away for a while,” Tawan mumbled into her shoulder and chuckled.
“Your brother was so serious,” Ira giggled, looking at the New Jersey skyline. “You know, he could’ve just asked at anytime. He didn’t have to bribe us.”
Tawan belly laughed and squeezed her. “Don’t say us, my love. He was nervous you would say no since you can’t be away from them longer than a couple of hours,” she corrected.
Ira smacked her lips and rolled her eyes. “I’m not that bad,” she disagreed lamely.
“Sure, babe,” her wife snickered and squeezed her again.
“I’m not!” Ira insisted, trying to not laugh.
Tawan loosened her hold some so she could look her in the eyes playfully but also dead seriously.
Ira squirmed under her stare then quickly looked away to the Statue of Liberty to avoid her. As much as she wanted to deny her wife’s allegations, she knew it would be a losing game to even try. This would be the longest she was away from her babies, but she was also handling it rather well so far in her opinion.
Then she remembered coming back home early from Paris and tried to hide both her defeated and amused smile.
“Just now was the first time I mentioned them,” Ira reminded her like it was a huge accomplishment.
Tawan chuckled again then nodded in agreement. “At the very least, I will give you that,” she said as she went back to holding her.
Ira snorted and grabbed her hands. “This coming from the mom that got sad looking at the kids ice skating with their parents at the Rockefeller Center,” she mumbled, pulling her tighter around her.
“Oh, come on,” Tawan laughed and looked at the side of her head. “You did, too. Don’t act all tough now.”
“Yeah, but I thought you were going to cry,” Ira added and tried to stop her grin. It was both the cutest, most precious thing, but also the sweetest, funniest thing watching her wife’s eyes glisten as she watched other parents have fun with their kids.
“I told you the cold wind was making my eyes sting,” Tawan lied poorly.
“Suuure, babe. Whatever you say,” she laughed then kissed her cheek.
“Hmph,” Tawan mumbled, trying to not smile shyly. She was very envious of the parents teaching their children how to ice skate, something she would do growing up with her mother back in Hong Kong.
“We will definitely bring them back here around Christmas so we can all go ice skating,” Ira promised as if she could read her thoughts.
Tawan smiled at the thought then kissed the back of her head in thanks.
They had made a promise to each other after their first day in the city to take more vacations for just the two of them and also together as a family. Life was too short to only work as hard as they do to not take time to reap the rewards of it, especially when it came to their children. They wanted more out of life, and especially after both the huge year they had and the pain they finished on.
“Let’s go get some hot chocolate to warm us up before we head back to the hotel,” Tawan offered by her ear.
Ira nodded profusely, needing the warmth but also excited about the sweet treat, making Tawan laugh at how much she looked like Sammy. She stepped back so Ira could adjust her cross body bag then grabbed her hand when she was finished. They headed over to the coffee shop they passed by on their way over to the bay, and Tawan ordered their drinks with extra whipped cream.
“For my lady,” Tawan chimed, smiling the same as she handed her drink to her.
“Thank you, darling,” Ira grinned brightly, grabbing it with both hands.
Tawan led them to a small table in the back corner so they could enjoy their drinks and warm up a bit before heading back to their hotel room. They sat down and talked about their dinner plans for that night and what they had planned for the rest of the trip. Ira was in the middle of telling her wife that she wanted to go back to the shopping districts when she started giggling out of nowhere.
“What?” Tawan asked confusedly, licking her lips.
Ira, still laughing behind her hand, shook her head at her then reached over to carefully wipe her hand over the tip of her nose a few times for her. Her wife was so engrossed in how delicious her hot chocolate was while also trying to concentrate on her wife’s words that she got some whipped cream on her nose. She smiled both bashfully and in thanks at her before reaching for some of their napkins.
“You’re so cute,” Ira cooed, reaching over again to remove a spot near her cheek.
“It’s really good,” Tawan nodded, carefully taking another drink.
“You look like Star when she has cake,” Ira laughed, wiping her hands on a napkin.
Tawan winked at her then took a bite of her whipped cream mountain. Ira smiled at how much she looked like the little girl from her pictures growing up, then she sat back to observe her for a bit. Her wife, clearly not knowing she was watching her, looked out the window for a second before she started telling her a story from her childhood about her mom making them hot chocolate growing up.
“Do you want anything else before we head back?” Tawan asked, looking down into her almost empty cup with a slight pout.
Ira was still watching her with the faintest of smiles on her lips, completely lost in thought at the woman before her. She admired how soft her wife was both as a person and with her as if she handled her with delicate gloves. This trip had barely started, but Ira knew it was going to be one they talked about the rest of their days.
The best part was that it was just getting started and Ira promised herself she would live in every single moment of it.
“Do I have some more on my face?” Tawan asked a little worriedly, looking at her as she reached her hand up to her face.
Ira snapped out of her daze and quickly smiled. “No, baby. You’re perfect,” she replied, waving her hand at her.
Tawan looked at her then blushed furiously. “You flirt,” she mumbled jokingly.
Ira wiggled her eyebrows at her as she finished the last of her hot chocolate. Tawan chuckled then stood to gather their trash to dispose of to give her some time to get ready to head back out. Ira stood and put her bag back on just as Tawan came back to grab her hand and lace their fingers together to lead them back outside.
“Thank you for my hot chocolate,” Ira said sweetly then kissed her cheek.
“You are always welcome,” Tawan smiled back, shaking their hands.
Ira used her other hand to grab her arm to hold so she could snuggle closer to her as they walked down the busy and crowded streets back to their hotel room. Tawan was people watching and observing their surroundings while she thought about their dinner reservation for tonight. Ira was so excited knowing that her wife would go all out to give them the best experience money could buy and that the city had to offer.
“I’m so excited for dinner tonight,” Ira said gleefully, body starting to buzz with anticipation.
Tawan chuckled and squeezed her hand. “Me, too. Nothing but the best for my woman,” she joked, bringing her hand up to kiss.
Ira laughed and snuggled back up to her as they turned the corner to their hotel room. Both women were exhausted from being on the go the last few days, so they were glad to be heading up to bed for a long nap before dinner. The thought alone made Ira yawn and Tawan smiled as she led them to the elevator to head up to their room, glad that they had did so much in such a short amount of time.
Ira shucked her jacket off and tossed it on the ottoman. “So comfy,” she moaned as she fell into their pillows.
Tawan laughed as she pulled her jacket off and set it beside hers before going over to her feet that were dangling off the bed and removing her shoes for her. Ira sat up when she finished and grabbed her hands to pull her down on top of her. They both were in a fit of giggles as Ira wrapped her arms around her neck to press a kiss to her warm lips.
“Save some…for tonight,” Tawan whispered between slow kisses then molded her mouth to hers. She kicked her shoes off with her toes as she smiled against her mouth.
“Tell. That. To. Yourself,” Ira responded, breathless between kisses before smiling up at her.
Tawan smiled mischievously as she hovered her mouth near hers again to mix the heat of their breath. She pressed their fronts together and watched her wife's eyes flutter as she tried to refrain from reaching up to her just as she reached down to kiss her. Just before things could get heated and they did the opposite of resting, she rolled off of her and grabbed her hand to tug her up to the pillows so they could rest.
“Not this again,” Ira groaned, pouting at her.
Tawan laughed heartily and forced her to lay down. “Tonight doesn’t end with dinner, my darling wife,” she promised, getting herself comfortable.
Ira sighed a little frustratedly, laying her head on her shoulder. “You always call me a tease but I think you enjoy doing it more than you want to admit,” she grumbled as she snuggled more into her.
“I just like foreplay,” she corrected, squeezing her closer then kissing her forehead.
“Call it whatever you want, it's still teasing,” Ira mumbled, trying to stifle yawn.
Tawan chuckled and kissed the spot between her eyebrows before settling back into her spot. She drew lazy circles on her wife’s shoulders as she thought about her itinerary for the night for what felt like the millionth time since she planned all of this. Everything had to be perfect, and she took meticulous and detailed efforts to make sure everything went to plan without any hitches.
“We have to be there at 8:30 sharp, babe,” she reminded, resting her lips near her forehead. “We’ll hang out at the bar for the rest of the night to ring in the new year.”
Silence.
“Baby?” Tawan asked, leaning back some. “Did you hear what-,”
The sound of a light snore stopped her from finishing her sentence, and she angled herself to look at her wife to see she was knocked out cold asleep. Tawan bit her bottom lip so she would not laugh and disturb her slumber. She knew these last few days would see to Ira crashing at some point, so she squeezed her close in comfort and kissed her forehead before getting ready to join her.
Tawan smiled sleepily as the last coherent thought she had was how they still had one more adventure left for today.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Do you like your dinner?” Tawan asked, smiling with a twinkle in her eye. Her eyes whiskers had been on display the whole evening as she watched her wife express without words how delicious her dinner was, but she still had to hear her say it for confirmation.
Ira nodded and gave her a wide smile. “It’s so delicious. I can’t believe I’m not full yet. How about you?” She asked, looking and pointing her fork at her plate.
“It’s very good. I’m glad we did the eight courses,” she agreed, forking some steak.
Everything so far was going to plan and they could not be in more bliss between the many plates of food coming out to them to the second bottle of wine they had opened to help wash their meal down. Paired with the intimate setting of the restaurant - the low lights, candles, soft music, the hums of tables whispering, and their table small enough to where they could reach over and hold hands occasionally - it was like a perfect first date. Tawan was jumping up and down in triumph on the inside at how successful the night had been, and she was getting antsy at one more surprise she had for Ira.
Ira leaned more into the table and grabbed her wine glass to take contemplative sips as she observed her surroundings. Her wife really did go all out with her selection for their New Year’s Eve dinner at this very dazzling, ritzy, upscale restaurant that was surrounded by glass walls. Everywhere she turned, her lips curled over her teeth in a smile at being met with tall skyscrapers that really lent to the magic of New York City.
Tawan noticed that she was lost in thought so she thought this was the perfect time to complete her last task for the night before they rang in the New Year. It was just past 10:30 PM and she wanted them to head over to the rooftop bar to get a seat near a patio heater. She could not wait to sit down with another bottle of wine or something a little stronger to gaze their surroundings and talk about random things as they waited for midnight.
Ira took a sip of her wine and smiled as she watched a young couple a few tables over sitting intimately close together whisper and laugh to each other. It reminded her of when she and Tawan would run away on the weekends to the beach down south or to Hong Kong for a quick getaway. She sometimes missed those days of being able to just pick up and go, the spontaneity giving her a rush of excitement and adventure.
“Where should we go next time, just me and you?” Ira pondered, slowly tearing her gaze away from them.
Her eyes were met with the most beautiful ring she had ever seen and she let out a squeal as her hands shot to her mouth. Ira looked from the ring on the table in front of her to her wife’s eyes that danced like the diamonds below under the soft light. Tawan was smiling at her with all of her teeth as if she knew she was going to extract this exact reaction from her.
“Tawan,” Ira cooed, holding her face now to cool her flushed cheeks.
“Happy New Year, my love,” Tawan told her in the softest tone she ever heard from her.
Ira’s eyes started to water and she let out a laugh the same when her wife handed her, her dinner napkin to dab at her eyes. Tawan removed the ring from the case and grabbed her right hand to slide it onto her ring finger perfectly. She sat up from her chair some so she could lean over the table to kiss it then her hand before sitting back down and letting her hand go.
It was a miracle she was able to keep this surprise as long as she was able to on top of making sure Ira never found it. She had to hide a few times her scrambling when Ira would be looking through their dresser drawers at home or cleaning around the house or her home office or helping to pack their bags for their trip. Tawan pulled the trigger and bought the ring over a month ago after having planned for it for months.
She wanted the perfect gift for Ira to cap off a successful year of work, so she was going back and forth on a ring, necklace, or bracelet.
The jeweler she had been working with saved her life with this piece that was unique and specially made just for her wife. It was a beautiful piece - two thin, silver, stacked rings with a gold infinity sign laid in the middle. The bands were half encrusted with tiny diamonds and the infinity sign had 3 small diamonds inlayed close together on one side, all glittering like magic.
Ira did not have to ask what the three diamonds on the infinity sign represented.
Tawan sighed contently as she watched Ira hold her hand close to her face to inspect it, grinning before she held her hand out in front of her to look at it from different angles. It was a joyous feeling watching her wife’s gums light up the room after everything she had been through this year. She started to think about what else she could do going forward to replicate this image.
“Do you like it?” Tawan asked, still needing the utmost assurance. If she did not like it then they would go straight to a jewelry store tomorrow to find her something she loved.
“Do I like it?” Ira said incredulously, laughing some as she looked at it again before flashing it to her. “I fucking love it, babe! Thank you so much. Its so beautiful.”
Tawan laughed at her choice of words. “It’s only as beautiful as the wearer,” she smirked, eyeing her flirtatiously.
Ira smirked back, holding her finger out to tell her to come here as she sat up some out of her seat to lean over the table. Tawan cheesed as she obeyed and closed her eyes as her wife grabbed her face to give her a kiss. It seemed that the restaurant patrons all were so lost in their significant other’s presence as the room was filled with so much love and passion to lead up to a new year.
“I have something for you, too,” Ira whispered, pecking her lips before carefully wiping them.
She smiled into her eyes, rubbing her thumbs over her cheeks affectionately. She had her own plan to surprise her wife with a special something, but of course she would beat her to the punch first.
“Baby, you didn’t have to get me anything,” Tawan replied, shaking her head at her.
“Sit,” Ira commanded before kissing her one more time.
Tawan chuckled as she did as she was told and scooted her chair back up to the table. She should have known that Ira would also have something planned considering she was infamous for her gift giving at random times just as much as she was for special occasions. It made her mind go back to her surprising her for Christmas last week with a first edition of one of her favorite books, The Count of Monte Cristo.
Ira smirked proudly, her lips pressed together in anticipation like a circle as she started to get giddy with excitement. She had been keeping this gift a secret for weeks now even hiding it at Mali’s so that she did not spoil the surprise too soon. She pulled a green box out of her purse and placed it on the table as she watched her wife’s eyes light up at what she knew was inside.
“Rolex?” Tawan said out of breath, her hand going up to her neck.
“The one and only,” Ira grinned, nodding as she slid it to her. “I had it specially made for you after my shoot with them. They were so helpful in making sure it was exact just for you.”
Tawan was speechless to say the least as this was something she had been wanting to add to her watch collection but much later on down the road. It was going to be a gift to herself for all of her accomplishments. Despite her winning an award and starting her own magazine, she still felt she needed to wait and save up so as to not spend any unnecessary money at this time.
This was something Ira knew which was why she decided to do it for her as both a congratulations for FleurDe and thank you for always sticking by her side.
“Open it, baby,” Ira prompted, scooting it closer to her.
“Babe, you didn’t have to,” Tawan said quietly, trying to reign in her emotions.
“And you didn’t have to buy me my ring but you did,” Ira countered, ignoring her as she flashed it and smiled. “I love you, Tawan. Now, please open it.”
Tawan swallowed hard at how simple and sure she always made things to be for her when she would try to brush off praises and gifts. She often wondered if she would ever be able to shake off her imposter syndrome, but she was confident in knowing that Ira would always be there to remind her that she deserved good things. With that thought, she smiled as she pulled the box closer to herself then grinned as she opened it.
Inside was a silver day date watch with a black face, gold trim & bezel, and diamonds for the numbers.
Tawan’s jaw dropped knowing that this was not cheap and cost about as much as the investment into FleurDe. She slowly took it out of the case and opened it so she could slide it on, her jaw somehow dropping more as her eyes looked the same while she stared at it the whole time. She lifted her hand up and out to look at it more closely and from different angles before her eyes started watering in amazement and gratitude.
"Read the back," Ira told her softly.
Tawan looked up to her both quizzically and curiously before she took it off to turn over and see what she meant. She was smiling the whole time, but when her eyes met the message on the back, it fell just the shortest. Her heart skipped a beat at the inscription that held so much meaning.
"Forever with you."
Tawan read it to herself a few times before looking back up at her. "Babe," she whispered.
“Timeless with you, my love,” Ira whispered, eyes conveying so much emotion. "Do you like it?"
Tawan took a moment before swallowing hard again. “My love…this is fucking amazing,” she breathed, touching it carefully. She carefully put it back on and realized that she had never had this much money in her hands before let alone on her wrist.
“Only the best for you,” Ira nodded proudly.
“I don’t know if I’m worth this much money,” Tawan mumbled to herself, twisting her wrist around to look at it more.
“Tawan!” Ira laughed, reaching over to grab her hand. “You are worth more than an eternity of those watches. Be serious, darling.”
Tawan chuckled, squeezing her hand then kissing her fingers. “I love it very much. Thank you, baby. I mean it,” she assured, eyeing her the same.
Ira looked away shyly at how much she could convey her love in her stare, the intensity always making her knees buckle under its pressure. Tawan smiled at her reaction then pressed her lips to her fingers for a moment before releasing her hand. She sat back in her chair and looked over her watch again, her grin threatening to break her face. Ira smiled at her before looking at her ring adoringly and realizing they both had won tonight.
“Are you ladies ready for dessert?” Their waiter asked, appearing out of thin air and smiling.
Tawan broke her gaze from another one of her most prized possessions gifted by her wife to her most prized possession to see if she was ready. Ira nodded excitedly and Tawan laughed as she looked to the waiter to give him the okay. He was back in less than a few minutes with their dessert and they conversed between bites about the rest of their plans for their trip.
After they finished eating, Tawan handed their waiter her credit card and she settled their check quickly to get the next part of the night started.
“You still have energy for the bar?” Tawan asked, looking down to adjust her watch.
Ira smiled in achievement as she watched her. “If we don’t ring in the new year then how can we consummate it later?” She asked innocently, giggling at her head shooting up to her.
Tawan blushed furiously and coughed into her fist. “Why would you say that knowing we still have over an hour left before midnight,” she grumbled some as she looked off to the side and cleared her throat.
Ira laughed as she stood to grab her coat and purse. “Let’s hope time moves quickly then,” she grinned mischievously and reached her hand to her.
Tawan chuckled and shook her head at her as she accepted her hand and grabbed her coat. Ira laced their fingers together to lead them to the outside bar where they ordered cocktails before heading to a small high table by the railing. With the warmth of the patio heater above their table, they set their coats on the back of their chairs.
“Comfortable?” Tawan asked as she pushed her chair in for her.
Ira leaned over to give her the softest kiss she could in thanks, her hand holding her under her jaw. When she pulled back, she smiled at her wife’s closed eyes then grinned before leaning back in to press her lips harder against hers. It was hard not to get sucked into how romantic their current setting was given their surroundings of the city and the other lovey dovey couples.
The moments they had just shared inside the restaurant were still fresh on their minds, too.
“I love you,” Ira whispered, eyes roaming her face. She waited for her to open her eyes and smiled into them when she did.
Tawan looked at her lips then her eyes. “I love you more,” she whispered back.
Ira cracked a wider smile as she watched her lean back to her and captured her lips in a more passionate kiss, hoping she could feel how much of what she said was true. It was hard not to feel like she was in one of her favorite romantic movies and it made her stomach flutter at what was still yet to come. She could sense her wife forgot they were in public, so she giggled as she grabbed her face with both hands to slow her down and touch their foreheads together.
“Darling...,” Ira breathed, trying to catch her breath. “Save some for midnight.”
“Huh?” Tawan said confusedly, eyes dazed as she stared at her lips.
Ira chuckled, rubbing her thumbs over her cheeks like she was smoothing away the flushness in them, then pecked her lips a few times. She released her before she got any more ideas to pick up where they left off before grabbing her drink with one hand to take a sip and grabbing her arm with the other hand to push to her to seat. Tawan shook her head as if she was trying to rid the fantasies inside it as she sat across from her, making her laugh at how lost she still kind of was.
With the dawn of a new year moments away, the vibes of freshness and new beginnings consumed them as they took in their surroundings. They started talking about the plans they had for next year and any aspirations they wanted to achieve. Tawan’s centered a lot around FleurDe now that they had secured the backing of the investor they met last month while Ira was focused on being an ambassador for her top five luxury brands.
All of these were well on a path for achievement, so the excitement about the journey to get there was palatable.
“It’s cool that Cosmopolitan wants to meet you for a quick chat since you’re already in the city,” Tawan mused, smiling in thought.
Ira smiled the same, chin resting in her hand. “They seem really nice. I can’t wait to work with them,” she agreed, thinking about all the possibilities.
Tawan looked to her and stared in awe at how far she had come in such a short amount of time. What Ira had achieved these last few years would be deemed impossible by most and especially in an industry as ruthless as fashion. It was no wonder that she was being seen as a role model for women their age while also still having the flocking of younger women.
This was on top of her having shared her survival story and the slew of new followers who saw so much of themselves in her.
“Next year is your year, my love,” Tawan predicted thickly, her eyes watering as she stared at her.
Ira looked to her and her tone, trying to not lose it at how much love and pride beamed from her.
She thought about how her unwavering love and support was the reason she was sitting here right now and it made her emotional. Tawan had so much going on in her own career, but she never let it affect how she showed up and supported her or their family. She would spend this life and the afterlife thanking her for her boundless love and selflessness.
She then thought about how far Tawan had come from working in journalism to being a writer at Vibe/Me followed by its managing editor and editor-in-chief.
When things got tough at her job and it was difficult to push through, never once did her wife come home and ever show or say anything that resembled resentment or regret. She never took her frustrations or anger from work out on their family. Tawan always stepped up and showed through her actions that everything she did, every sacrifice she made, was for the safety and security of her family so that they never had to want or worry for anything.
Everything Tawan did was out of pure love and dedication to her family.
“You know, you always make me feel like I can reach up and pluck the stars from the sky,” Ira said quietly in thought, sniffing and smiling before looking into her eyes. “How do you always do that?”
Tawan smiled and grabbed her hand to press a kiss to it. “Everything is so easy with you. You make everything so simple and easy, my love. All I do is return the favor,” she said against her skin, winking before kissing her hand a few more times.
Ira smiled into her eyes for a moment. “You are going to go places you thought you never could, Tawan. You never cease to amaze me, darling. It’s not only your year, but your forever. I’m so proud of you already, baby,” she said so surely, her voice cracking.
It seemed like Ira was always so blissfully reminded every single moment of her life why she fell in love so suddenly with Tawan.
The weight of her words and the emotions behind them slammed into Tawan's chest, knocking her back in her seat with a very emotional reaction on her face. It was like her wife was both thanking and appreciating her for everything in their lives. It made her body want to float away at how light her wife’s words made her feel, as if she was having an out of body experience.
Ira smiled at her then stood from her seat to go over to her to grab her face to kiss her with all the love she possessed. Tawan opened her legs and she stepped between them so they could be as close together as space would allow. She turned her head just as her wife grabbed her waist to pull her closer, melting against her and molding to her mouth.
Suddenly, a loud boom broke their kiss, their lips smacking as they looked up at fireworks going off all around them.
They had been so lost in their own world that they missed everyone counting down to midnight. With the sides of their heads pressed together, Ira smiled up at the fireworks and the booming sounds they made. Tawan pulled back some so she could watch her, smiling as she occasionally caught a glimpse of the show in the reflections of her gorgeous amber eyes. She pressed a kiss to her cheek then pulled her closer to wrap her arms around her waist to hold her flush against her so they could stare up at the sky.
“I love you,” Ira said, eyes never leaving the show as she wrapped her arms around her neck.
“I love you more,” Tawan responded immediately, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek as she squeezed her waist.
Tawan looked up to stare at the fireworks with Ira, cheek to cheek, and they both got excited about what next year was going to bring to them.