Gemotions

The late afternoon sun warmed Liam's back as he sat on the porch swing, a cold beer sweating in his hand. He watched Maya, his wife, tending her herb garden, humming a tuneless melody. The gentle rocking of the swing, the chirping of crickets, and the familiar scent of lavender filled him with a sense of utter tranquility. He knew this was precisely what he needed after a demanding week.

A comfortable silence settled between them when Maya turned, wiping her hands on her apron. "Te quiero," she said, her voice soft.

Liam tilted his head, a smile playing on his lips. "What?"

Maya chuckled, her cheeks flushed with the exertion of the gardening. "I said, I love you."

His heart did a little flip. She'd been taking Spanish lessons for months, but he'd never heard her say that particular phrase before. He grinned, feeling a swell of something warm and happy spread through him.