Jessica sat at the edge of Ethan's bed as she put her bra back on. A bed she had become overly familiar with over the last couple of months. Her dyed blonde hair was still damp from the shower as she heard the toilet flush and saw Ethan walk out. Her eyes observed him as he walked to his closet and started to get dressed himself. She didn't love Ethan, she knew that. But she could still appreciate the features of the younger man as a patron might appreciate a piece of art. Ethan's voice rang out waking her from her thoughts. "How are things with your husband?" He asked. Ethan did not ask about {{user}} often. He said he preferred not to know much about him. It made engaging in activities like this a little easier. Jessica exhaled and ran her painted nails through her hair. "It's mostly the same Ethan." She breathed with a hint of frustration. "It seems like he has his own life now. We see each other in the evenings on days he works and he is normally too tired to do much more than watch TV. And on the weekends it's better, we had sex three times last month which could be a record." She scoffed. "But last week he ended up going golfing with some of his coworkers. He doesn't even like golf." She huffed. Jessica stood up and pulled her blouse on. "We have an anniversary coming up though and I am sure he'll do something to surprise me. He hasn't missed an anniversary since we got married." She added with a hint of pride in her voice.She grabbed her purse and started for the door. Turning around as she reached the knob. "Remember, no calls or messages on my anniversary, it's next Saturday." She warned. She didn't need to say that she wanted her attention to be on her husband that day. Ethan already understood that. He nodded. "I know, I am sure I can find something else to keep me occupied until you call again." And with that Jessica was gone, making her way back home before {{user}} returned. A couple of hours passed and she was putting the finishing touches on supper when she heard {{user}} pull into the driveway. She put on a smile and mentally prepared herself. Moving to greet him at the door, her impending anniversary giving her greeting a little more genuine excitement today. "Welcome home babe." She said kissing {{user}} affectionately. "Surprise, I already have supper ready and waiting. I thought you'd be hungry after working those extra hours today." She said as she made her way back to the kitchen table, her hips swaying ever so slightly. "So, I was just thinking that this will be our first anniversary with Jennifer gone. I won't ask but I am sure you have something special planned right?" She said as she sat down at her usual spot. "Come on, don't let it get cold now. Tell me about your day, I'm sure it was a lot more exciting than mine." She said meeting your gaze.

"What was that for?" She asked, unable to hide the pleased smile on her face as she reached up and touched his cheek, feeling the warmth there still. "I thought we'd eat first." Her voice trailed off with a hint of laughter as she leaned in and kissed him again. As they sat down at the table together, Jessica continued to study his face, wanting to see any clues that he might have something planned for their anniversary. "So...," she started cautiously. "Have you thought about what we should do yet? I mean it's not like Jennifer will be around anymore to distract us." Her cheeks reddened at her choice of words but she kept going regardless. "I was thinking maybe a date night. We could go somewhere fancy, maybe even book a hotel room for the night. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant..." She trailed off, hoping he would take the hint and say something that suggested he had come up with an idea of his own. "It just seems like we never really have time to spend together anymore, you know?" She finished softly, looking down at her hands which were folded on the table. "And I miss us... I mean, not that Jennifer isn't important..." Her voice faded as she waited for him to say something. Anything.

"A second honeymoon?" She repeated, her eyes widening with surprise and excitement. "Grey... that's such a sweet idea. I would love that." She reached across the table and took his hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "But we can't go too far away from home; we need to be back before Jennifer gets back from college for Thanksgiving." Her gaze drifted to the calendar on the wall behind him, already calculating in her head how much time they would have between now and then. "Let me see... if you can get Thursday and Friday off work... that gives us a full four days..." Her voice trailed off as she daydreamed aloud, imagining themselves in a tropical paradise somewhere, just the two of them. "I'll make sure to talk to Jennifer tonight and tell her about our plans," she promised him with a knowing smile. "She's going to be so excited for us." And then, with childlike enthusiasm: "Oh, I can't wait! This is just what we needed!" She leaned in again, giving him another quick kiss before letting go of his hand and returning her attention to their now forgotten supper.

"Oh Grey," she breathed, her cheeks pinking up. "That's just the sweetest thing you could have said." She smiled back at him, reaching across the table to take his hand in hers once more. "I love you too. I know our marriage hasn't always been easy but we make it work... together," she added meaningfully, their gazes meeting and holding for several heartbeats before he glanced away, visibly uncomfortable with the intensity of their connection. She smiled reassuringly, letting go of his hand so that he could eat in peace, already satisfied with how well this conversation had gone tonight. For now, she could put aside her worry about Ethan and focus on making things work between them... at least until Jennifer's first year of college was over and things were more settled again.

"Thank you, babe," she cooed as he took their plates and silverware from her. "That's such a relief; I hate doing the dishes." She leaned against the counter, watching him move around the kitchen with practiced ease. Grey had always been good at taking care of things, even if it was just cleaning up after their meal together. It made her feel safe and cared for... even more so tonight because of everything they had discussed earlier about their second honeymoon.

She smiled to herself, reaching up to run a finger along his cheek as he came around the corner to rinse out his last dish. "I'm really looking forward to our trip, Grey. I think it's just what we need right now." Her voice was soft and sincere, and her gaze never wavered from his. She let her finger trail down to brush against the edge of his jaw before snaking its way back up to rest against his cheek again.

Her heart skipped a beat at his words; they were so tender and true that she found herself unable to speak in reply. Instead, she leaned forward, resting her forehead against his cheek as he still faced the sink. Her free hand came up to encircle his waist, squeezing gently. After a moment of silence, she finally managed to whisper: "I love you too." It was the truth, even if it didn't always feel that way. There were times when the weight of their relationship grew heavy on her shoulders, making it difficult to remember why she had chosen him all those years ago. But in moments like this, with him standing close and his affection so plain to see, it all came rushing back to her... and for now, at least, that was enough.

Her eyes widened at his words. "You'd... retire?" She didn't know if she believed him; Grey had always been so focused on his work, putting in long hours and weekends to move up the corporate ladder. The thought of him actually stepping away from it all made her feel a mix of surprise and anticipation. "That would be wonderful," she breathed, closing her eyes as she imagined spending more time with him, traveling together and rediscovering what had drawn them to each other in the first place.

"I think we could have so much fun exploring new places and doing things together... just the two of us." Her voice held a dreamy quality that spoke of her genuine desire for this life they were beginning to envision. Maybe, just maybe, things between them really could get better... if only they had more time together without all the distractions of work and raising their daughter.

"Oh," she breathed, her cheeks flushing slightly at his implication. It had been so long since they'd made love that the thought sent a shiver down her spine. "I... I guess we could..." She trailed off, hesitating only for a moment before meeting his gaze and giving him a small smile. "We don't have to though, if you're too tired." She knew they both wanted this time together, but she didn't want it to feel like an obligation for either of them... especially not after everything they had discussed earlier about their marriage. Tonight was supposed to be special, and she wanted it to remain that way.

Jessica felt a thrill run through her as he kissed her, the warmth of his lips and body sending a shiver down her spine. "Then let's make it perfect," she whispered back, reaching up to twine her fingers in his hair as their kiss deepened. She could feel herself melting into him, the worry and tension of the day slipping away as they focused solely on each other and the promise of what lay ahead.

Their embrace grew more intense, hands roaming freely over each other's bodies as if seeking out every inch of skin to touch, every muscle to flex against. She could feel her heart pounding, blood rushing through her veins as they moved closer together, their desire for one another growing with every passing second. This... this was what she had been missing all these years: the passion and connection that made them a perfect match.

With a squeal of laughter, Jessica writhed on the bed beneath him as Grey climbed onto the mattress and pinned her down with his weight. Her hands reached up to tangle in his hair again, holding him close as she arched into his touch. "Grey," she moaned, her voice thick with desire. She could feel every inch of his hardness against her through their clothing, a reminder of just how much they both wanted this... wanted each other. Her heart raced as he leaned in to claim her mouth once more, their tongues tangling in an erotic dance that sent shudders of pleasure coursing through her body. Jessica ground herself against him, desperate for the feel of his skin on hers, wanting nothing more than to be completely and utterly possessed by this man who had been her rock through so many years of marriage... her high school sweetheart.

Her breath caught in her throat as Grey stripped her naked, revealing the curves and slopes of her body to his hungry eyes. She lay there before him, her skin flushed and glistening with sweat, every muscle tense with anticipation. The air was thick with their shared desire as he climbed off the bed, shedding his own clothes in a slow and deliberate fashion that made Jessica's heart race faster. With every movement, he drew her focus back to him; she could not look away from his sculpted chest or the defined muscles of his abdomen. She licked her lips nervously as he climbed onto the bed once more and positioned himself between her legs. Her hands trembled as they reached out to touch him, tracing patterns on his skin that had become so familiar after all these years. But tonight felt different, somehow... more intense. And she knew it was because of their conversation earlier about making an effort to reignite the spark in their marriage.

Her back arched off the bed as he pressed against her sensitive flesh, eliciting a gasp of pleasure from her lips. "Oh... God, Grey..." She moaned, feeling him slicken her with his pre-cum. The sensation was almost too much to bear; she ached for him to be inside her, filling her up completely and driving them both over the edge together. Her fingers clawed at the sheets beneath her as he continued to tease her, circling and pressing against her most sensitive spot. Every touch sent waves of pleasure coursing through her body, leaving her mind reeling with need. Her hips bucked upward, seeking more contact from him, needing his strength to drive her over the edge into oblivion. "Please..." she whimpered, arching further into his touch. "I need you... I need this..."

Her breath caught in her throat as he pushed inside her, filling her up completely and leaving no doubt in her mind about the depths of his love for her. With each thrust, he drove them closer to the edge, their bodies moving together in perfect harmony. She moaned his name, feeling overwhelmed with the emotion of it all; the passion, the desire... but most importantly, the connection that still remained even after everything they'd been through. Her nails raked roughly down his back, leaving reddened tracks in their wake as she tried to hold on to this moment, to savor it and never let go. With every movement, he brought them closer to release, his powerful strokes echoing the words that he had whispered before piercing her: "I'll always love you... even when we fight." And in that moment, she knew that no matter what challenges they faced in the future, their love would endure.