Chapter 1

I woke up and sighed contentedly when I recognized the familiar weight of Ruth’s furry arm draped over me. It was Sunday and two days after I’d proposed. Neither of us had any major plans, but I didn’t like sleeping in too much on the weekends or Monday morning would hurt. That said, I also knew was gonna need coffee soon or I’d be dragging all day, especially since in the wake of our engagement Ruth had been hot to trot when we went to bed. In the end, we’d stayed up indulging our passions until late! I carefully slid out of bed, trying not to wake Ruth, but despite my efforts she stirred anyway.

“Morning, Darling,” she said sleepily with her eyes cracked.

“Morning Sweetheart.” Her eyes turn up into a smile, and in the dim light I saw her fiddling with the still-unfamiliar ring on her finger. I leaned down to kiss the top of her fleshy muzzle. A moment later Ruth turned her face up and captured my lips with hers for several moments.

“Cuddles?” She asked quietly after I pulled away. As much as I wanted to, I needed caffeine! Sensing my hesitation she doubled down. “We could have some fun while we’re at it...” she added suggestively.

“Sorry Honey, I really need coffee soon or this is gonna be a rough day,” I said with a chuckle. Ruth let out a pouty whimper and my heart melted. “Later though,” I whispered in her ear.

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Okay,” she conceded. I caressed my fingers up the side of her face and down her neck once making her shiver.

“I’m gonna go make that coffee. Love you!”

“Love you too, Dear.”

On the way to the kitchen I grinned. After proposing on Friday, Ruth had been downright bubbly on Saturday! We’d yet to come up with any actual wedding plans beyond some daydreaming, but I loved seeing her embracing the idea!

After getting coffee going I decided to make breakfast and started making oatmeal for the both of us. Ruth came out dressed in one of her nightgowns right as I’d finished.

I dished her out a bowl and sprinkled a mix of berries over the top of it, as an extra treat

“Yum,” she said with a smile and I chuckled. I made a bowl of my own and sat at the table.

“After breakfast I think we should break the news to our families,” I said, blowing on the hot oatmeal. “Not that anyone’s gonna be very surprised.”

“No, I suppose they won’t be. Do you want to start while I do dishes?”

“Ok, but I think we should both be there for my parents.” Ruth frowned.

“I’m nervous about your father.”

“I know, but I’m sure mom will have him on his best behavior.”

“That’s true.” She scooped up and ate her last couple of berries, then after clearing the table she went to the kitchen.

Neither Tom or Jill were surprised when I called. Jill was as incorrigible as ever, though after she’d finished teasing she offered to take some engagement photos with a new camera she bought recently. I liked the idea, but told her I’d have to talk to Ruth first.

Since Tom knew I was proposing anyway, he obviously wasn’t surprised. He’d pretty much given up on teasing me about being with Ruth since he started seeing Alice too, so he just offered a heartfelt congratulations. I also asked him to be my best man, as he was the natural choice, which he accepted.

By the time I was done talking to them, Ruth was back. She started her calls with Rebecca while I sipped on my coffee.

It was a little hard to tell from only hearing one side of the conversation, but it seemed like Rebecca was confused as to why Ruth was even bothering with marriage. Sara, on the other hand, was the total opposite. The second Ruth said the word ‘married’ Sara squealed so loud that Ruth had to pull the phone away from her ear! Ruth then gave some one-word answers to a great many rapid-fire questions, but overall it sounded very positive. A few minutes later they hung up and Ruth sighed.