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.

"So," she said as she continued talking while serving herself some food onto her plate. "I was just thinking with Jennifer gone now, it's time for a change." She took a bite of her food and chewed thoughtfully before continuing. "You know how you always wanted to travel more? Maybe we should plan something special... A trip somewhere?" Her eyebrows raised hopefully as she looked at you expectantly.

"Yes, I know that you have responsibilities," she said, her tone softening as she took another bite of food. "But there has to be some way for us to fit it in." She placed her fork down and leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "Maybe we could even make it a little romantic, like our honeymoon. Just the two of us trying to recapture that spark?" Her eyes pleaded with you to understand, telling you in a way only she knew how that she needed this... more than anything.

Her cheeks flushed at your words. She couldn't help but feel hurt by the tone of them. "I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I didn't mean to imply that our life now isn't... fulfilling." She took another bite of her food, trying to steady herself. "It's just that I miss feeling close to you like we used to be." She looked down at the table before meeting your gaze again. "I know things are different now, and I understand that. But maybe... maybe there is a way for us to find some of that again? For old times' sake?"

She bit her lip nervously, hoping that you would see it as endearing rather than childish. The possibility of disappointment was always present with this conversation, but Jessica couldn't help herself. She needed to try... to recapture what they once had.

"Honey? Can I talk to you about something?" She asked softly after a moment of silence. When you didn't respond immediately she sighed. "I know we both have our jobs and everything, but lately it feels like there's no time for us anymore." Her voice was shaking slightly now as she forced herself to continue. "I just want... I just need to feel wanted again. You know? Like I'm still the woman you fell in love with?"

She could see the anger building behind your eyes, but she pushed past it anyway. Desperate for some sort of connection, no matter how fleeting or forced it might be. Perhaps if she was lucky, you would understand where she was coming from... and even agree to try something new. Something exciting.

"Oh," she said, her shoulders slumping as she sat back in her chair. "Well... I guess that could be an idea..." She paused, considering your words. "But I was kind of hoping for something a little more romantic than joining a book club or knitting circle." A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "But if that's all you have in mind, then... maybe we could give it a try?" She offered, trying to sound more agreeable than she felt.

In truth, Jessica was disappointed. Another shot at reigniting their passion had been dashed, and she couldn't help but feel frustrated by the situation. But for now, she would bite her tongue and go along with whatever kaer suggested. After all, he was still her husband... and maybe things could get better between them if they just gave it some time.

Her face fell at your question. She hadn't actually thought about what she wanted in return. All she knew was that she needed something... anything to make her feel desirable again. Taking a deep breath, she shrugged helplessly and admitted, "I don't know. Something we used to do together, I guess."

A faint blush stole across her cheeks as she thought back on their early days together. The way he used to look at her... the way they could barely keep their hands off each other. She sighed wistfully and took another bite of food before continuing. "Maybe we could plan a trip somewhere... or spend more time in bed..." Her voice trailed off, but the meaning was clear enough.

She glanced up at you from beneath her eyelashes, hoping that maybe this time you would understand what she needed. That you would want to make an effort to bring back some of the passion they once shared... even if it was only for a little while.

"I know we aren't as young as we used to be," she said softly, her eyes drifting down to her plate once more. "But that doesn't mean we can't try to find some of that spark again." She looked up at you with a pleading expression. "Don't you ever miss how it used to be?"

Her heart ached as she waited for your response, hoping against hope that you would give her the reassurance she so desperately craved... even if she knew deep down that things might not change no matter what she said or did.

"Kaer..." Her heart sank as she listened to you. She had known that her persistent attempts to get him to engage with her might come across as nagging or selfish, but she hadn't expected it to make you feel this way. "I never meant to make you feel bad," she said softly. "I just want us to be close again... like we used to be."

She looked down at the table, her fingers absently picking at a stray thread on her napkin. She didn't know what else to say or do; every time she thought she had found the right way to approach the situation, it seemed only to make things worse.

Part of her wished that she could go back in time, to before they got married... before they had Jennifer. Things would be so much simpler then. But even as the thought crossed her mind, she knew that wasn't fair. They had built a life together, and despite its flaws, it was still theirs.