He places the ice cream in my hands and his lips bend into a smile. He doesn’t linger, even though I’m sure the question is written on my face. Instead, he sits next to me on the couch with his own ice cream in hand. His right elbow rests on my left knee which is folded up underneath me. Just that little touch enough to sooth the remaining stress from my body and mind. I always feel better when he’s around.

“Thanks,” I say quietly with a matching smile of my own.

We’re quiet for several minutes as the sounds of a laughter track on our favorite TV show plays in the background of our evening. My heart speeds up a little when I think about all the things we have experienced and all the things we will get to experience together.

“Jonah?” I start.

“Rue?” he replies, our silly routine of addressing each other to break the silence and talk.

“I love how you love me.”

“I love that you love how I love you.”

We smile ridiculous smiles at each other as I finish my ice cream and grab his waiting hand with my own cold fingers, turning back to the TV and this wonderful life we share.