"It''s not that. I just know you''re busy. If it''s something I can handle myself, I don''t want to bother you," Calliope said sincerely.


    "I''m your husband. You''re supposed to lean on me," Ss replied, sounding a bit frustrated. "When you need something, I should be the one you turn to. If you''re in trouble, I want to be the first person you call, not anyone else."


    Even if she could handle things on her own, he wished he could be the one standing by her side, helping her through it. She was so capable, so independent, he barely ever had the chance to step in. And honestly, that kind of bummed him out.


    Calliope looked over at Ss, cautious. "Are you mad at me?” she asked, inching closer, cheeks puffed out as she spoke softly. "I didn''t mean to, it''s just... you''re always so busy. I don''t want to make things harder for you."


    "It''s not hard for me. Helping you makes me happy," Ss said, still a little sulky. "I want to do these things for you. I want you to rely on me."


    They''d been married for years, but whenever trouble came around, her first instinct was always to handle it herself. Whatever it was, she''d deal with it without evering to him. She could easily just let him take care of things, but she never gave him the chance.


    "Don''t be upset," Calliope pleaded, exasperated.


    If she started bringing everything to him, wouldn''t he get annoyed?


    If it was something she could fix herself, why bother anyone else?


    Sure, he wasn''t exactly "anyone else," but if she kept pestering him with every little thing, who''s to say he wouldn''t get tired of her one day?


    "Okay, how about this," Calliope said, trying to make peace. "From now on, whenever somethinges up, even if I can handle it, I''ll talk to you first. I won''t just go off and do things on my own. Even if I don''t need help, I''ll check in with you, alright? If you''ve got time, you can help me. If you''re busy, then I''ll take care of it myself. Deal?"


    "Ss?"


    "Honey?"


    "Please don''t be mad anymore!" she begged, grabbing his hand and shaking it, doing her best to look adorable.


    Finally, Ss cracked. He couldn''t help it.


    "You said it. No take backs," he grinned, eyes bright as he looked at her, hope all over his face.


    Calliope gazed at him, heart


    fluttering. He really was handsome. She realized she''d never truly noticed before how good-looking he was. Once upon a time, she''d been so hung up on Gideon. Now, thinking back, that felt like another lifetime. She was so d she''d chosen Bs. in this one. She was happy, truly happy.  s


    "I promise Calliope said, leaning


    "I pro Ss''s shoulder. "With you


    against


    by my side, I feel like don''t have to do anything at all, right?"  s


    "Of course," he replied.


    "I''m so lucky to have you." She tilted her head to look at him, the two of


    them so


    se they were almost


    the same breath.


    belongs to s><fn9685> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n f?ndnovel</fn9685>


    Ss''s gaze dropped to her lips, then back to her bright eyes. He couldn''t resist.


    He cupped her chin and kissed her.


    The kiss was deep, hungry, and full of feeling.


    After a long moment, Ss finally pulled away, breathing hard, trying to get himself under control.


    "Are you hungry?" he asked gently.


    "Yeah," Calliope murmured.


    "Then let''s get some dinner," he said, linking his fingers with hers.