pass us by

If you were to enter the small apartment with Christmas light still glowing in late January, the smell of gingerbread and peppermint leaking into the hall would flood the senses of the brown-eyed woman. She takes a moment before unlocking the door. The second thing she noticed is the poorly placed shoes in the entrance of the hallway as she tripped over them.

“Steve! You’ve got to move your shoes!” She yells as she pushes her wavy red hair from her face and begins to get up, checking the groceries on her arm. “I swear you're tryin’ to kill me.”

A soft chuckle comes from above, “Sorry, Lizzy.” He holds out a hand with the gold engagement ring glittering nicely in the light, a soft contrast to his deep brown skin. “You got the stuff for the Mac?”

“ ya, Ya, Yah know I did,” Elizabeth mutters xey gruffly takes the hand of her own light tan skin, a nice contrast to xer own golden ring. “Gonna let me in?”

“Ope sorry,” Steve mutters, moving out of her way, as she passes. He grabs her waist, giving her head a quick kiss before closing the door.

Elizabeth feels her face heat slightly at the kiss as she gives a soft giggle. “Yah know, ya' have a funny way of talking.” Xe enters the kitchen, placing the groceries on the counter.

Steve hums softly, the light glittering in his eyes, and he wraps his arms around xem. “I do? Do I?” He nuzzles his face into the crook of his neck, giving it a light nibble. “I thought you liked my words.” He mumbles, eyes flickering to their rings and humming softly. “I can’t wait to marry you.”

Elizabeth hums, turning her heart to kiss him in a moment of brief pause to her heavy beating heart. “I can’t wait either. And yes, dear, I like your accent.” She gently pushes him away from the counter, “Now.” She hits his chest softly twice, causing him to fake groan in pain, leading me to roller xer eyes. “Go pick up your shoes.”

Steve nods and gives a small salute. “Yes, Ma’am.”

The light bubbling of the pot as the mac is stirred in. “So tell me, my love, how was your day?” Steve hums, grabbing the grater and cheese.

“Well, I will have you know that the design for the new telescope is going quite well; it's so weird. Seeing stars up close despite how far away they are.” She drains the pot of all the water, keeping some stored away.

“Hmmm, any stars I'd know?’ Steve asks as she pulls out the casserole dish.

“Zet UMA is the one we are looking at trying to capture,” xey says as she begins to mix the grated cheese into the pasta. “It’s in Ursa Major. I am very excited.”

“Hmmm.” Steve hums, nodding. “Thats the big bear?”

“Yep! Still one of the easiest ones to find despite…you know.” She points out the window at the smog and lights of the outside world, including their lights, causing the wonderful stars to be hidden from sight, impossible to the naked eye.

“Hmm, you sure that's not the clouds' fault?” Steve says, kissing her hand.

“I mean, yes, but also it's the world and its uses and vices that cause harm.” The disgust and contempt in her voice as xe begins before Steve cuts her off with a kiss.

“And that's my job to fight.” He mutters as he pulls away. He takes the pot from her hand and takes over. His eyes widen slightly, and his lip falls into a small pout. “Please?”

Elizabeth sighs, “Fine. I trust you.” She stands back, tapping her foot, and slowly her eyes fall upon the pair of mail stacks piled higher than they should be. “Paid the taxes?” Her brows furrow as she walks over.

“Yes, those are just other mails. You can go through them if you wish.” Steve says as he begins to season the cheese with onion, garlic, mustard powder, and paprika. The smell is wonderful, and he can't help but sneak a small handful; neither could his fiancée.

The cooking of the lovely meal causes a glorious aroma to fill the room, and with time, the meal is done. “Can you move?” Steve asks, holding two bowls of mac and cheese, the mail blocks half the table, Elizabeth looks up and blinks. She begins to stash away the mail and takes her bowl with a soft hiss.

“Thank you.” She says with a whisper. Steve responds with a kiss to her head.

“You’re welcome.” He whispers, kissing her cheek.

Dinners like this lead to a swirling within the heart and stomach, the sounds of the cars outside and people arguing in the other room apartment fill the air of their wordless eating. Once the food is consumed and the dishes washed, the world seems to have fallen further away. They move slowly to the couch and routinely move, and Elizabeth slips under Steve's arm, her head burying into the crook of his neck. And with the silence, as it always does comes thoughts, her mind begins to swirl and the soft pain comes through.

“Do you ever think that life is going to pass us by? That we didn’t get the chance to live?” Elizabeth whispers against his neck, her voice no louder than a whisper. She blinks hard, fighting the sting on the edge of her eyes.

“No.” Steve's voice does not waver; it holds ringing softly within Elizabeth's head. ”No. In fact, I know we have only begun living, for us at least. We want our lives to be ones of dedication to one another, and once you know that love is one for the rest of this time on earth, you wish to be with one another forever. I want to be with you until we see our last sunset together.”

Softly, tears had begun to fall xer face as a small smile made its way to her face. “And sunrise?”

Steve has a soft smile, “If we die when the sun rises, then what a beautiful way to die. To see the world move on one last time and know we have changed it in perhaps a small way.”