Present day, Maximus (Max)-

I step through the front door, the weight of the day’s work lifting off my shoulders as I enter our home. The apartment is quiet, save for the gentle hum of music drifting from our bedroom. With a smile, I kicked off my shoes and made my way down the hallway. As I push open the door to our bedroom, I am greeted with a sight of what I consider to be my bliss. Elio stands in the corner of the room. He is facing away from me, bathed in the golden sunlight that is filtered through the curtains.

The record player is spinning. The crackles of the vinyl mix with the music. Filling the air with the soulful melody of our favorite jazz album. Elio glides while rearranging our bookshelves with gentle precision. I watch him for a moment as he rearranges rows of books. I'm captivated by the way his curls catch the light. His hair is usually slicked back to keep it out of his face. But today it hangs in ringlets around his face, making him look younger than his thirty-four years. Unable to resist any longer, I step forward and wrap my arms around his waist, pulling him close.

"Elio, my love,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to the nape of his neck. "I've missed you.”

He starts slightly at my touch. Then he relaxes into my embrace, leaning back against me with a contented sigh. He pushes his glasses back up his nose.

“What time is it?” he asks, turning around to face me.

I glance at the clock on the bedside table. We still have a little while before we've got to pick up the kids from school. 

“We still have some time,” I reply, nuzzling my face into the curve of his neck. “Enough for a dance or two.” 

Elio chuckles. His eyes sparkle. He loops his arms around my neck, pulling me closer until our bodies press together. We move in time with the music. We've danced in our bedroom until the vinyl played out and the clock neared school pickup time. I still can’t believe this is the person I fell in love with before I was old enough to know what love was. And I can't believe how much we have grown.