Chapter 40 Today vs Tomorrow

One year later

Stefani looked at her right side. Then to her left. Then slowly, she took a long deep breath. Suddenly, the sound of the shower came to her ears and Stefani jumped. For the thousandth time!

"Stefani, f-focus! Focus on your breathing!" Stefani told herself as she stood by the foot of the bed.

Jonathan and Stefani's bed.

It was a king sized bed that Mr. Hernandez had chosen himself and considered a "gift" along with the whole penthouse they were currently in right now, a yacht, and a villa he bought for the two of them. Not to mention, everything that was inside of each as well.

Again, the sound of the water from the bathroom made Stefani jump. She could hear how loud her heart beat was making against her chest. It had been a year since they started dating officially, what more, they just got married earlier! What more should Stefani feeling nervous for?

For the past year, Stefani has been in and out of Jonathan's apartment. Because Jonathan was still a workaholic man, Stefani respected his space and just came over when Jonathan wasn't too occupied with workload. Though she had come about five times a week so giving the older his "space" was pretty useless in reality. Not that Jonathan would complain though as he had always wanted and would prefer Stefani to stay close to him as much as possible. It was only Stefani who had a completely different and complex idea of what space meant.

So they were now finally married and will spend their first night together as a married couple. Stefani wouldn't lie and say the truth that she was extremely nervous. During the past year, all they had done was hug and kiss and nothing more. She remembered Jonathan saying along the lines of being prepared and waiting for Stefani until she was ready. Is Stefani ready now though?

"S-Should I put a line again?" Stefani thought to herself as she stared at the bed and gulped down hard.

She remembered the comic books Bridget and Ivy forced her to read. They said it was a "guide" for her and Jonathan's first time but they all looked horrifying enough Stefani felt she'd faint if she continued reading. Obviously, her friends’ tastes were too extreme for her to test herself.

In the end, Stefani decided to put the pillows in the middle of the bed yet again, creating a line.

Just then, Jonathan opened the door from the bathroom with only a towel around his hips and Stefani almost let out a squeaky sound like an animal caught in a trap.

Jonathan was drying his hair with another towel when he noticed a line of pillows were placed on the bed, specifically in the middle.

"What are you doing?" He asked the younger casually.

Stefani gulped down hard as she stared at Jonathan's half-naked body in awe. Why is this man so perfect from every angle?! Not only is he blessed with intelligence and good looks, but his body! God, his body!!! Stefani screams internally.

Shaking her head, Stefani cleared her throat, "T-This is a line."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow, "Line for what?" He took steps forward until he reached the bed, noticing how similarly the situation was from a time ages ago.

Stefani avoided eye contact and just pointed out the bed, "This part is mine and that part is yours. Y-You can't cross the line or I'll kick your face!"

Jonathan, still having an eyebrow raised, thought of it then slowly chuckled. "Why does this feel like a deja vu?" He shook his head, smiling. Jonathan's smile became wider as he walked towards Stefani, who was standing at the other side of the bed.

"W-What now?" Stefani stuttered as she noticed Jonathan slowly approaching her.

The smile on Jonathan's face disappeared as his face turned serious, his eyes just looking at Stefani as he reached her. In a swift movement, Jonathan pulled Stefani and enclosed him to a hug.

"Stefani," Jonathan called out in a loving tone. "Stefani."

"W-What?" Stefani asked, feeling Jonathan's body against her, her heart uncontrollably beating so fast as she felt Jonathan's hot breath against her neck.

"I'm sorry," Jonathan suddenly said, voice low and soft.

Stefani's heart made a deafening loud thud, her shoulders went stiff then slowly began to relax.

"I'm sorry for making you wait so long to this day," Jonathan whispered as he tightened his hold around Stefani. Jonathan considered it as a second chance. When Stefani mentioned about his broken promise, Jonathan felt the most despicable man on earth. He clearly didn't mean to make a promise he couldn't keep. Though he knew, everybody knew how much he wanted to marry Stefani, Jonathan still felt bad for hurting Stefani. It was his biggest sin he would forever repent. If only he could marry Stefani again and again, he would. Well, that gave him an idea. Next year, he would surely love to marry Stefani again. It doesn't matter when, how and where, as long as it's Stefani.

Slowly, Stefani's arms moved, circling Jonathan bare back. Words, again, Stefani couldn't find them as she openly listened to Jonathan. The world had stopped once again and everything around them became a blur. But it didn't matter.

Stefani closed her eyes as she let herself feel the warmth from Jonathan's body and words. Jonathan pulled away briefly, only to place a soft kiss on Stefani's lips. It was a small kiss that lasted for five seconds or maybe less, but Stefani felt it real, genuine, theirs.

They pulled away and stared at each other's eyes, only to pull back for another kiss. This time, sweeter, longer, deeper, a kiss full of wonderful emotions only the two of them understood well. Jonathan circled his arms around Stefani's waist and pulled her even closer as the kiss deepened, their hearts interweaving in every beat.

Then, Jonathan lifted Stefani up and placed her to the bed. Jonathan hovered above Stefani and started to undress her while peppering her with soft kisses. Stefani was losing her breath in every kiss. Every touch Jonathan made burnt her skin. Stefani was blushing too hard. She knew exactly what would come next and her heart was pounding so loud in both fear and excitement.

"C-Can we do this next time instead?" Stefani blurted out suddenly.

Jonathan paused, stared down at her and uttered in a low raspy voice, "No."

Stefani blushed harder and was about to argue but was cut off when Jonathan suddenly kissed her hand.

"I've waited long enough, too," Jonathan exclaimed as he stared straight at his wife's eyes. When Jonathan said this, he meant all the times he took a step back, to respect Stefani and her unready, young, and innocent state. They could've done it a long time ago but Jonathan chose to wait. Not only because Stefani was still young but Jonathan also wanted to let Stefani know he was damn serious and could endure everything for her.

But then everything has a limit, and Jonathan's long time of endurance of doing things more than hugging and kissing, of wanting to touch his woman, reached its end tonight.

"I want you to be mine, Stefani."

Then slowly, Jonathan leaned down and claimed Stefani's lips, body, heart, and soul.

Jonathan and Stefani. Stefani and Jonathan. When they first met again after ten years, all they ever did was hate each other. For some reason, they couldn't stand each others' presence. It turned out it wasn't just hate that they felt but something more. Something that could conquer all the emotions that existed, including hate itself.

If this feeling we have has a name, I think I know how to call it now.

Love.