Without You Around

[6 Months Later]

I gently laid down the box labeled dishes on the already full kitchen counter and let out a sigh of relief. Danny and I were moving into our new place together and we were finally done bringing all of our stuff in.

“Alright, this was the last box in the truck,” Danny said holding a box labeled kitchen, “Now to start putting all of this stuff away.”

“Ah, finally!” I said adjusting my messy bun, “But I guess the hard part is just beginning. Wanna start in here?”

“Yeah, let’s start,” he said heading to open up the box he had just set down.

I started opening the box that said dishes and unloading them into the wooden cupboards. Danny started unpacking all of our glasses and we let the conversation flow as we put everything in its respective place.

Once the kitchen was all put together, we moved onto the living room. I let Danny hook all of the stuff up, seeing as he knew how to do it unlike me, and I put all of DVD’s and games into the cabinets under the TV.

“I’m pretty sure we could watch a different movie every day for the next year, and still not watch all of these,” I said to Danny as I opened the 2nd box of movies.

“You’re probably right,” Danny said laughing a bit, “But it’s a great thing we both love movies.”

I nodded in agreement, and put the last few DVD’s into place, before starting on Danny’s video games. He didn’t have a ton, but he had enough to fill the drawer that was under his 360. I made sure they were in alphabetical order, letting my slight OCD show, before closing the drawer and smiling at my work.

“While you finish setting everything up, I’m going to move onto the bedroom,” I said standing up and stretching.

“Alright, this should only take a little longer, we just have a lot to hook up,” he said looking at me.

I nodded and walked towards the new master suite, and almost groaned at all of the boxes. I decided to start on the closet, since the boxes with clothes were on the bed. Thankfully, we both had packed the clothes on hangers, so it was just a matter of putting the right clothes together on the right side of the huge closet.

“Whoa, its even color coordinated!” Danny said as he walked in a few minutes later, “Thanks babe.”

“I like to know where my stuff is,” I said shrugging, “And you’re welcome. The only thing left of yours is your box of shoes, they’re out by the dresser.”

“Alright, I’ll put them away, and then unload the dresser boxes,” he said exiting the closet.

I grabbed the last pair of my shoes from the box, and realized I had filled 4 full shelves with my shoes. I made sure they were in color order before grabbing the box and placing it on the stack of empty ones right outside the door. Danny carried his box of shoes into the closet and kissed my cheek as he walked by.

I smiled at his small gesture, and took a minute to just think about life. Danny and I had been going strong for almost 9 months, and I could tell that we were going to last. He had just taken up the offer to be Pete Wentz’s personal assistant, which was the deciding factor of him moving out to LA. Since my lease was up, we decided to get a place together, knowing we would be moving in together anyways.

We had chosen a small, but roomy house in the suburbs, which allowed room for us to grow if that opportunity arouse. We had a huge backyard, with a pool and hot tub, as well as a deck and outdoor kitchen for entertaining. We had had the house perfectly landscaped before we moved in, and I couldn’t wait to be able to relax in the backyard when we were completely moved in.

I decided to make the bed first, since we needed a place to sleep in a few hours. We had decided to use my bed frame, which was black metal, and had four posts that looked like trees. We had also chose to use my bedding, seeing as it was practically new, and matched the newly painted red walls. I placed our mounds of pillows onto the freshly made bed, and smiled at my work. Danny emerged from the closet, and started on the dresser, which meant only the bathrooms, and spare bedrooms needed to be put together.

Finally, around midnight, Danny and I were able to say that our house was almost completely put together. We were both even too exhausted to eat, so we trudged upstairs and decided to get ready for bed.

“Are 9 month is on Thursday,” Danny said as he flossed his teeth.

“I know! I can’t believe it’s been that long already,” I said pulling my hair up and walking to the bed, “What should we do?”

“I have it all figured out,” he said joining me in bed, “All you have to do is be with me.”

“Okay babe, I can’t wait to see what you have planned,” I said as I leaned up and kissed him, “Now lets get some sleep, we have another long day tomorrow.”

“Goodnight Addison, I love you,” Danny said placing another kiss on my lips.

“I love you too Danny,” I said snuggling into him and letting his heartbeat lull me to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I smoothed my dark grey tank top down and adjusted my dark denim crops as I waited for Danny to come down from taking a shower. I decided to update my twitter, and just as I hit send, Danny walked down the stairs.

I took his attire, black Dickies shorts and a purple Y&R shirt, before standing up and slipping my bag over my shoulder. I grabbed the keys to my beloved A4 from the hook by the door and walked out as Danny shut the door behind us.

“You look stunning babe,” he said placing his arm around my shoulders and kissing my cheek.

“You look great as always,” I said squeezing his side and unlocking the car, “Now where am I driving to?”

“I figured we could go shopping at the shops by the beach,” he said as we slid into the car, “Then maybe a dinner at that seafood place on the pier?”

“Sounds perfect,” I said sliding the key into the ignition and starting the car.

The short 10 minute drive was filled with The Weakness playing lightly through the sound system and idle conversation. When we got to our destination, we decided to park away from the restaurant so we could have a walk on the beach after dinner.

We walked into a few shops along the pier, and window-shopped at others while just enjoying each other’s company. We went into one of the small clothing shops, and I ended falling in love with one of the dresses. It was a simple, red, strapless dress that was adorned with white polka dots. There was a small keyhole in the middle of the chest, bringing it to a bandeau type of top, before flowing out and ending just above my knees. I also found a pair of simple bamboo soled, white strapped flip-flops that completed the look of the outfit.

Several hours, and multiple stops, later, Danny and I decided to place our purchases in the car, and eat dinner. We walked in, and had no wait considering it was around 7 on a Thursday night. We both ordered are favorite dishes, as well as a Blue Moon with orange.

We sat at dinner for a good hour, the last 20 minutes or so just spent finishing our beers and talking, before we paid our bill and made our way out onto the beach. I slipped off my flip-flops, allowing my toes to sink into the sand, and held them in the hand what wasn’t latched to Danny’s.

“I think I could sit on the beach and just listen to the waves for hours,” I said as we paused to look out at the ocean.

“I could do anything forever, as long as it was with you,” Danny said leaning down and catching me in a kiss.

Before he could break the kiss, I slinked my arm around his neck, only deepening the kiss. When we finally had to separate for air, he placed a kiss on my forehead, and backed a way a little.

“Addison, I’ve done some thinking lately, and I know that what I’m about to do is the best decision I’ll ever make in my life,” he said as he dove his hand into his pocket and pulled out a Tiffany’s ring box. My hand flew up to my mouth and I could feel tears stinging the back of my eyes. He dropped down onto one knee, and I could feel my heart beating extra fast.

“Addison, every moment I spend with you means the absolute world with me. I can be myself around you, and that’s what means the most to me. You’re smart, funny, beautiful, snarky, and that’s exactly what I look for I someone I want to spend the rest of my life with,” he said as he opened the top of the box, “When I lost you for almost a month, my life was a wreck. So will you, Addison Marie Bell, make me the happiest man ever, and be my wife?”

I couldn’t find my voice, due to the emotion I was feeling, so I just nodded as fast as I could. As soon as Danny saw my conformation, he slipped the ring onto my finger and stood up. He pulled me into a hug, picking me up and kissing me with passion.

“Yes,” I said finally finding my voice, “Yes. Yes. A million times, YES!”

As I found my voice, Danny twirled me around a bit before setting me on the sand, and giving me one final kiss.

“You have no idea how happy you have just made me,” he said as he latched onto my hand and we started walking, “I love you.”

“I think it’s somewhere close to how happy you made me,” I said smiling up at him, “And I love you too.”

As we finished the walk to the car, I couldn’t help but to admire my ring. It had a large circle cut diamond in the center of a white gold band, that had small square diamonds set into it. The moonlight reflected off of it just perfectly, and I couldn’t help but smile as wide as I could.

I called all of the necessary people when we got home, with Danny doing the same in the next room, earned a bunch of congratulations with every phone call. Once I called everyone that needed to be called, mainly just my immediate family and best friends, I ventured up to bed where Danny was finishing the phone call with his parents.

I walked into the closet, slipping my jeans and tank top off, before grabbing one of my over sized shirts I slept in and slipping it on. I pulled my wavy hair up into a messy ponytail, before walking into the bathroom and doing my nightly routine. Danny came in just as I was finishing, so I climbed into bed first, situating myself on the soft sheets. Danny came in moments later, and I instantly cuddled up to his side.

“I love you, Addison,” he said giving me a goodnight kiss.

“I love you too, Danny,” I said as we broke the kiss and fell asleep in one another’s arms.