I have only loved two women in my life.
The first allowed me to be driven with the goal of making a better life for both of us. It was this that unintentionally led to her not telling me about her cancer until she was in the final stage. There were literally a few months between the time she told me and the time it took her away. My mannerisms were based on my drive. I was fiercely loyal to her and my best friend. I was known as the Lion mostly because of my first name (Leo obviously), but also because when Matt and I were together I was considered the muscle. Missy was content with my emotional moments being behind closed doors because she felt like the world didn't deserve anything less than Leo at full strength. The punching bags, and the therapy were two ways of dealing with the emotional baggage I brought with me from childhood. Still, Missy loved me and supported me. When we moved to the cul-de-sac next to Marcie and her husband, it was in a house that Missy designed and decorated. The same house became my prison for a bit during the latter stages of her illness and for months after her passing.
The love for the second developed after Missy's passing. Marcie introduced herself and her husband to us around the time we finished building the house. Missy seemed to open around Marcie. They became fast friends while Mitch and I went along for the ride. During those five years before Missy's passing, Marcie learned much about me. Missy shared many things I was scared to talk to Marcie about when we were dating. Everything from my emotional baggage to some of Missy's and my activities in the bedroom were discussed. Marcie was there during my grieving period, watching out for me like my guardian angel even when she lost her husband. Our relationship began to evolve from there after the moment we were with each other for the first time and throughout that first year. To this day, Marcie seems to be my biggest inspiration. Where Missy allowed me to be the driven, brooding workaholic, Marcie encourages me to take better care of myself and allows me to allow the façade to fade when dealing with people.
It was the morning after New Year's. We slept in our own bed because we wanted to celebrate on our own at that time. We ended up staying up close to 11 before we retired to get some sleep. I woke up and draped my arm over Marcie as she was still sleeping. I held her tightly. One of the benefits of being married to a gorgeous woman I surmised were moments like that where her beauty was just inches away from me and I could hold her. I savored that moment. My moment ended quickly when I started feeling her begin to stir and she started scooting closer to me until she was pressed against me.
"Good morning, baby," she whispered.
I felt myself reacting to her words and her body pressed against mine.
"Good morning, Amor," I responded.
