Present day, Maximus (Max)- 2025

I step through the front door, the weight of today’s work lifting off my shoulders as I enter the house. The house is quiet, except for the gentle hum of music drifting from our bedroom. With a smile, I kick off my shoes and make my way up the hallway. As I push open the door to our bedroom, I am greeted with a sight that never fails to make me grin. Elio stands in the corner of the room, bathed in the golden glow of the 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 sound of our favorite jazz album. Elio glides while rearranging our bookshelves with gentle precision. I watch him for a second while he’s moving books around. I’m captivated by the way his curls catch the light. His hair usually slicked back to keep it out of his face while he is at work. But today it hangs in ringlets around his face, making him look younger than his thirty five 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 missed you.”

He starts slightly at my touch. Then relaxes into my embrace, leaning against me with a sigh. He pushes his glasses 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 have to go 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 arm around my neck, pulling me closer until our bodies press together. We move in time to the music. We dance in our bedroom until the vinyl plays out and the clock nears school pick up time. I still can’t believe this 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.