[right][sub][color=lightgray]TIMESTAMP: The Morning before Beau’s Retirement Party.
[i]Life is but a dream…[/i][/color][/sub][/right]
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[indent][indent]Like many days in her bedroom, though this time they had a small home of their own, sun rays of brilliant colors eased their way into an open window, the light making Penelope Decker’s skin glow. A nearly translucent white curtain swayed with the morning breeze calling for her to rise. The girl whose skin was that of the purest white snow, whose eyes were like an enchanting forest, something that could silence clocks, silence minds and whose body had become ravishing, over the course of time, more womanly in a sense, was peaceful and sound asleep.  

The dark haired woman was still petite and delicate but she had grown in an unexpected and more sensual kind of way. Or perhaps that’s how she carried herself? Confidant, self assured and centered. Happy and full, with no unanswered questions, just how life was supposed to be. She could say she did that all herself but the reality was because she had everything she wanted and needed, all in the form of a boy she couldn’t live without, Poppy was complete. Poppy was whole. Poppy was happy. 

The friendship quilt that she helped sew with her sister that consisted of memories of her, Charlie, Decky and Jade was hanging off the bed. Two of the blocks were Decky and Danny’s first [url=https://i.imgur.com/XKlHgE8.jpg]kippahs[/url] and another block was a pattern Max help design with Jade, which had [url=https://i.imgur.com/yiTOAsK.jpg]angel wings[/url], representing everything Jade felt she was and colors to showcase her outlook in life. Poppy’s form was hardly covered, seeing how most of the blanket was almost on the floor. She wore one of Charlie’s shirts, a mustard colored checked flannel, that was gigantic on her. Everything of his was huge on her. Especially on her. It had risen up throughout the night and now she was curled up and sleeping on his pillow. 

Waking up was the worst part of the day. While she loved being productive and immersing herself in the community of her home, Blue Hill Reservation — she and Charlie had moved there right after graduation — she also liked this bed and how comfy it was. The pillow smelt like Charlie too. This was a trap which only forced her to go into a deeper sleep and never want to wake up. Oh, how wonderful it felt to feel comfort, to feel safe and to feel loved wholeheartedly by the one person you’ve loved with every bit of energy and soul, for as long as you could remember.

Charlie Jay. Her forever. Her always. Her entire world.  

He tried to pull into what would be considered their driveway as quietly as possible. Though their driveway, like most of the area around their home by the foot of the Blue Hills was just dirt and rocks. When Charlie and Penelope had opted to make their lives together on the Reservation, they made the conscious decision to not live at the Silverheel ranch, no matter how much his little sister Mitena begged. Not that she was there herself, too busy shacking up in Pinehurst with Lexie and teaching kids all about music. No Charlie knew that despite their relation, he was no Silverheel, that was Tena’s birthright. He was a Strongbow, the son of James. Which was why when they arrived, they found his old familial house, which sat empty and abandoned and decided that it would be where their future together started.

They didn’t have a lot of money to start with, especially considering how quickly they got married but things took a sudden change when Poppy took it upon herself to send out copies of Charlie’s novel to publishers across the country, after some expert editing from her of course. Eventually, someone decided it was worth a damn and picked it up. What followed was an absolute whirlwind for Charlie. Something about the book resonated, especially with younger people and over time it became a New York Times best seller. The young native could never have expected such a response to the thoughts and feelings he wrote in his journals as a teenager and now his publishers were screaming for more, though for the last year, Charlie had been suffering some writer's block.

Poppy had been great in supporting him as wife, as his editor? That was a different story. Penelope Decker was a hardass if ever there was one. It was her that suggested giving Beau an advanced copy of his latest works in hopes that their former English teacher might provide Charlie with the same inspiration that he had given him as a teenager. There had never been a bigger proponent for the talent of Charlie than Beau except maybe his mother, Ronnie. Having just undergone successful surgery on her eyes, things were looking good for Mama Decker. She had gotten back to work, taking a part time job at Main Street Music and she was dating again for the first time in a long time. Amongst all her trials and tribulations, Ronnie never once ever stopped believing in her son, she never gave up. Not once.

Charlie crept into his home, having taken his shoes off on the porch and tried to silently make his way towards the back of the house where no doubt he would find his forever love starfished across the bed. He didn’t really know why he was trying to be a ninja because Poppy Decker could sleep for the dead. He slithered into their bedroom and caught sight of the sun illuminating her pale features as she slept. Creator, she was absolutely perfect. Gently placing himself down the bed next to her, Charlie softly caressed her long brown hair, a smile across his face.

He was happy.

Feeling his gentle touch caused her to stir in her sleep. Subconsciously and habitually, she moved toward the heat that was radiating off her husband. Nuzzling her face against his chest, she took in his natural odor, which was much stronger than the scent remnants on his pillow. She slid her hand around his body, intertwined her legs with his, straight into a lovers’ knot, and held him close. The flannel she was wearing was loose and had gradually fallen down her shoulder when she moved closer to her beloved. There was no doubt he could see what was underneath by simply glancing down. Her eyes had yet to open and her chest moved with soft breaths. Penelope was still asleep but now she held him captive. 

For someone so small, Poppy had the strength of a Boa Constrictor. Maybe she was secretly hitting the gym with her Uncle Craig on the sly. Charlie didn’t mind though; whenever she was touching him or even just in his vicinity he felt pure joy and elation. Sliding down the bed slightly to give her more room to snuggle into him, Charlie leaned his head forward and pressed a soft kiss to Pop's cheek. He was quite possibly the luckiest man alive. He had found his person early in life and he was never going to let her go. Their love was profound and their lust was intense. She was the main character in his book and she always would be.

The way his shirt fell off of her shoulder was all it would take to put Charlie into a certain kind of mindset. His large hand moved to allow his fingertips to dance over her shoulder like the morning sun as it kissed her skin. How could he ever want to be anywhere else than with his wife, on the Rez and surrounded by people that adored them? It just wasn’t a reality he would want to be a part of. This was home.

[color=D3D3D3]“Rise and shine, Mrs. Decker.”[/color]

[color=fe6f5e]“Mm…”[/color] Penelope whined, not wanting to open her eyes. She was too comfortable and she wanted to cuddle him forever. Sure, today was a brand new day and she likely had a few things to do, but did any of that matter when she was exactly where she wanted to be? [color=fe6f5e]“But Charlie,”[/color] she softly protested. [color=fe6f5e]“I don’t want to,”[/color] she continued to complain. She really did not want this dream to end. For how long they’ve been married now, this all felt surreal. Some days she thinks back on their hardships, especially when he was stuck in his head throughout middle school and into highschool. She looks back and wonders how did they make it this far when there were some days she worried he’d succumb to his self doubt and pain. None of that mattered anymore because they made it. They were here. Both well and alive. He was her’s, she was his and they were together. 

Sluggishly, and begrudgingly, Poppy opened her eyes. Her pretty greens didn’t take long to go straight to those earthy hues that connected her to his soul. She drowsily smiled. She loved waking up to his face. Her hand, having released him from its hold, slid up his chest before finding its destination. As she stared at him adoringly, completely and utterly in love, she booped his nose, [color=fe6f5e]“Good morning, Choo Choo.” [/color]

[color=D3D3D3]“Good morning, my heart.”[/color] Charlie leaned and kissed Poppy’s soft, pouty lips gently. Breathing in her scent was the best part of his day. Staring into those big green eyes was the best part of his day. Holding her warm, ghostlike skin between his fingertips was the best part of his day. No matter the chaos of his mind, which still raged ever onwards and despite therapy with Shannon, Charlie found an anchor and a home with the girl next door, the girl he had loved all of his life, Poppy James or should he say Poppy Decker now?

It didn’t take much for the writer to pull Penelope into his lap where he held her close. The decision to move to Blue Hill was her idea. Poppy had visited with Charlie a few times when they were still in high school and she fell in love with the place and its people. She especially loved the Chief of the Reservation, Chris Coldwind. Part of the reason for their move was because of the beauty of the place, the other because Poppy thought a change in scenery might inspire Charlie’s words. His first book had so much darkness, so much pain, perhaps she thought the light of Blue Holl would penetrate his soul. Charlie wasn’t so sure, as good as his life was at that present time, there was still a black spot on his soul.

[color=D3D3D3]“So…”[/color] The indigenous man placed his hand on Poppy’s thigh and wrote her name with his finger atop her skin. [color=D3D3D3]“What are your plans today? After we get breakfast first of course, I’ve already texted Resi for the bagels.”[/color]

With her long, beautiful dark hair cascading down and tickling his face, she leaned toward him and cradled his head, brushing her nose with his. With her mind finally processing the new day, the do-list came rushing in, as it always did when she woke up, [color=fe6f5e]“Breakfast always first then I was going to say hi to Landon and Bucky, see the progress with the educational center renovations. Afterwards, I was going to help with the community garden with the Summerhill girls and I promised the Chief I’d also help paint his house!”[/color] The more Penelope talked, the more she realized she might’ve overbooked herself, [color=fe6f5e]“But have no fear baby, I know today is Beau’s retirement party and I’ll be ready. I promiseeeee. Plus Maxie needs help setting things up. Heh...”[/color] Poppy scrunched her nose, she really did have a busy day ahead of her. Even with all that being said, her mind still left plenty of room for Charlie, [color=fe6f5e]“Were you able to give your draft to him?”[/color] She asked curiously.

[color=D3D3D3]“Poppy Decker, you are such a Rez Dog.”[/color] Charlie culled his wife’s face, his thumb dragging tenderly over her lower lip. She was perfect and she was his, no matter how busy she made herself. [color=D3D3D3]“Yeah I handed it over. I re-read it before I took it to town…so yeah I haven’t slept. I must say your snoring is a great way to stop me falling asleep whilst I read.”[/color] Sleep was something that had avoided the Decker boy his whole life. It was something he had grown accustomed to lacking and didn’t bother him anymore. In spite of this, Penelope and Ronnie both were insistent he see someone about it for medication or techniques. It made him feel loved. [color=D3D3D3]“I’m not sure it’s good though, Pops. I think it’s lacking something, I just don’t know what.”[/color]

When he commented on her snoring, Penelope casually rolled her eyes before attentively listening to him and his concerns. He was always hard on himself. That, no matter the day or age, would ever change. [color=fe6f5e]“Well…”[/color] Penelope responded, stroking his hair and thinking on his words. Even with his circumstances getting better, even with him being happy with attainable goals and a support system that loved and adored him, he was still the saddest boy she ever met. His issues would not be fixed overnight nor would they be fixed in a year. This is who she chose to be with and everything that came with him. His sadness, his need for alone time, his mind that harbors so much chaos and so many questions, his heavy heart, his tender soul… this is what their love looked like. 

Through the course of their life she learned rather quickly that love was difficult. Full of pains. Love requires determination and a deliberate choice, everyday, that this is your person and they will always be your person. Love was once lonely but love progressed into light. Hope. Something beautiful. Something for her to call her own. No matter what tomorrow brought, they’d have each other and would go through the highs, the lows and everything in between together. Love changes all the time, never granting permanence but something you never want to let go. Penelope keeps an open mind, taking things day by day but the one thing that would never change for her is who she’d wake up next to, who she’d eat bagels with and who she’d cry and laugh in front of. Without Charlie, her Charlie, she would be lost and that’s because there was no other choice but him. He was who she loved.  He was who she chose to be with. 

Instead of going on and on and on about things that were beyond her, like making suggestions to help his writer’s funk that he may not want to hear, Penelope decided to speak in his language and quoted, [color=fe6f5e]“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know. Ernest Hemingway.”[/color] Everyone has their personal truths, something that would be so fascinating if it was written out into a story. Writing even one sentence, that is always knocking at your mind’s door, putting pen and paper together, and just letting your heart bleed out, that’s when the words start to come. That’s when things get easier and all those words at the tip of your tongue flow out like this was exactly what you were meant to do. That this, whatever it may be, was your purpose. Charlie was talented. He was so capable of moving others, romancing his reader and guiding them on a journey, but even one person was enough. If he could make one person cry, one person laugh, one person feel, wouldn’t that be enough? It only takes one person to make a difference and she knew in time, he’d say exactly what was on his mind. He just needed to take a moment to breathe. Just breathe. If there was anyone that Poppy believed in, it was him. 

[color=fe6f5e]“I love you, Charlie.”[/color]

Marinating on her words, Charlie was reminded once again why he loved Poppy. Why he chose her to give his heart to. No matter how dark the cloud that hung permanently over his head was, she always found a way to be his sunshine. [color=D3D3D3]“I love you too Pops.”[/color]  He had said those words a thousand times before and would a hundred thousand times again. Three little words which lose meaning for a lot of people but not Charlie. He meant it the first time he said it at a party freshman year and he meant it now, in their marital home. [color=D3D3D3]“And ma’am?”[/color] He rolled over with Penelope in his arms, resting himself on top of her and kissing her nose. [color=D3D3D3]“Quoting Hemingway to me? Mrs. Decker, are you trying to seduce me?”[/color]

Penelope gently smiled. She radiated warmth and joy. She couldn’t believe this was her life and he wanted her. Everyday he wanted her. If she could stay like this, in space and time, in their own little bubble she would. This was their world and from the day he confessed to her to tomorrow, they would continue to write their love story. They would never stop writing their love story. Even after they died, and their children have children who have children, their love would live on. They were soulmates after all and that would never change. [color=fe6f5e]“When am I not…”[/color] she whispered, bringing her hand to his face, running her fingers across his cheek until they met with his lips. She traced his mouth, staring at it but not going in for a kiss. [color=fe6f5e]“…trying to seduce you?”[/color] she teasingly purred, before making eye contact once more, her lips slightly parting. Her body relaxed from under him as she silently yearned for his touch, hopelessly devoted to him. Always.

Charlie’s hand slowly unbuttoned the long shirt of his that she wore so much better than he did as he lost himself in those heavenly green eyes of hers.  As his fingers explored her now bare torso, his wanting gaze fixated on his Penelope, Charlie took the opportunity of her lips parting to meet her in a deep kiss. Drinking in her love with his tongue, allowing it to fill his heart up, the writer could not hide both his desire and worship of his pale Goddess. The sun kissed her alabaster skin and made her glow in a way that was beyond comprehension, like the angel that she was. As the breath left his body and their souls sanded together, Charlie stopped for a moment to look at Poppy’s face once more.

[color=D3D3D3]“I love you so much.”[/color]

Unreserved fire and passion bottled inside her, Penelope strained against his body, leaving no room between them. Her delicate hands and legs wrapped around her lover as she pressed her forehead against his. She craved to be touched and to touch. She craved to be wanted and feel needed. She craved Charlie and she wouldn’t stop craving him because she knew, since the beginning of time, she was his and he was her’s. 

They were meant to be.

[color=fe6f5e]“I know,”[/color] she breathed. 

Ernest Hemingway had said: Show the readers everything, tell them nothing. Penelope believed that could be said with love too. Hearing him say those words meant everything and more to her but she wanted to show him his love would never be in vain. The only thing that would take her away from him was death itself so while they lived each day in togetherness, creating memories after memories until they couldn’t anymore, she would show him so much love it would overwhelm him, overflowing in his soul to the point that he was addicted. She would give him enough reason to never let go. She would be the one that grounded him when the chaos of his mind became too much. She would stay and wait for him. She would be his constant. As long as they had each other, that’s all that mattered. He loved her and that was more than enough to make her the happiest girl alive. 

With her heart beating fast as if this were their first time, she insistently kissed him, letting the intensity gradually grow as she clung to the person that was her world. All she could do was breathe him in like he was the oxygen that kept her going. She was floating in this feeling as he drove her mad. She hoped he knew how crazy she was about him. How mad they were together. There should be no doubt in his mind that Penelope loved him and that she was completely and utterly his. 

She hoped he knew that.

That she was his and he was deserving of her.

Charlie Decker deserved to be happy.[/indent][/indent][/color]