Heart on Hold:

Simone’s Notes:

Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a socially or ritually recognized union or legal contract between spouses that establishes rights and obligations between them, between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws. The definition of marriage varies according to different cultures, but it is principally an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually sexual, are acknowledged. In some cultures, marriage is recommended or considered to be compulsory before pursuing any sexual activity. When defined broadly, marriage is considered a cultural universal. Individuals may marry for several reasons, including legal, social, libidinal, emotional, financial, spiritual, and religious purposes. Who they marry may be influenced by socially determined rules of incest, prescriptive marriage rules, parental choice and individual desire. In some areas of the world arranged marriage, child marriage, polygamy, and sometimes forced marriage, may be practiced as a cultural tradition. Conversely, such practices may be outlawed and penalized in parts of the world out of concerns for human rights and because of international law. In developed parts of the world, there has been a general trend towards ensuring equal rights within marriage for women and legally recognizing the marriages of interracial, interfaith, and same-gender couples. Oftentimes, these trends have been motivated by a desire to establish equality and uphold human rights.

Rog rested his chin on Anjia’s shoulder. “I want a autumn wedding.”

“Why is that?” she asked.

“My mother always loved the colored leaves.”

A smile crossed her lips. “That would be nice, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“I love the lake by this house.” She turned to him. “I always wanted to get married there.”

“Then let’s do that.”

“You serious?”

“Yeah.”

She let off a low whistle. “Wow.”

“I’ll do you one better.” He leaned in close to her ear. “You would look great in mom’s dress.”

She turned around blushing. “You mean the one with the pearls?”

“That’s right.”

“Oh! I could just kiss you right now.”

“Do it.”

She leaned and pressed her lips against his. In those fifteen seconds, his right hand slipped down to her perfectly round bottom. She playfully pushed him off. Rog gave her a strange look.

“What?” he asked. Anjia giggled at him.

“You naughty boy!” she shouted.

He gave her a little shrug. “What can I say? I miss your fine ass.”

Another thought crossed Anjia’s mind. “You know something, we’ve never done it.”

A naughty smirk came across his face. “We haven’t.” He looked her straight in the eye. “Do you want to… now?”

“Do you?”

One breeze floated over the pond and they disappeared back into their future house.