After a while, Lyman finally opened his eyes. He looked down at her, a soft smile ying at his lips. "Good morning, Mrs. Etheridge."


    Effie''s cheeks flushed pink as she murmured back, "Good morning..."


    Lyman leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his tone warm and teasing. "Say it-call me ''husband.""


    Blushing even harder, Effie shyly whispered, "Husband."


    The word clearly pleased Lyman-he couldn''t hide the effect she had on him. "Thank you. That makes me very happy."


    Effie''s face turned an even deeper shade of red as she mumbled, "Why are you thanking me...? We''re married. That''s what married people do."


    Lyman just chuckled and pulled her closer, saying nothing more.


    For a few long, quiet minutes, they simplyy there together, soaking in the rare sense of peace and intimacy.


    Eventually, Effie''s stomach grumbled, breaking the silence. Lymanughed and sat up. "I forgot you must be hungry. Why don''t you rest a little longer? I''ll make us some breakfast."


    "I should get up too. Nita''s meeting me for a little shopping this afternoon," Effie said, pushing herself up despite the deep ache in her body-it felt like she''d been run over by a truck.


    After she finished washing up, she found Lyman already setting out breakfast in the kitchen.


    "Once we eat, I''ll drive you into town," Lyman said as he poured her a cup of coffee. "I''m meeting Vinson Elliottter anyway."


    Effie nodded. "Alright."


    Still, afterst night''s intimacy, Effie couldn''t help feeling a little self-conscious around him. She kept her head down as they ate, cheeks tinged pink.


    After breakfast, Effie changed into a long dress that covered her from neck to ankle, then applied a touch of makeup before heading out.


    She met Nita at the entrance of Neo-Arcadia''s most luxurious mall. Nita spotted her right away and waved her over with a grin.


    As Effie walked up, Nita gave her a once-over and teased, "Well, well. There''s a certain glow about a woman in love. You''re positively radiant this morning!"


    Nita winked at her, her smile full of sly amusement.


    Effie''s face turned crimson as she nudged Nita''s arm. "Oh, stop it. I''m no different than usual. Don''t exaggerate."


    "I''m not exaggerating," Nita insisted, looping her arm through Effie''s and lowering her voice. "Look at you your cheeks are so rosy, like you''ve been dusted with blush. Did something happenst night? Lyman sure looked—"


    “Nita!” Effie interrupted, mortified, her ears burning.


    Nita onlyughed harder at her embarrassment. "Alright, alright, I''ll drop it. But seriously, Lyman is so attentive to you. He even insisted on driving you himself. I''m jealous!"


    Effie pressed her lips together, a little smile tugging at the corners, but she kept up herposure. "He was just heading the same way. Don''t read into it."


    Nita raised an eyebrow. "Please. When does a man as busy as Lyman ever ''happen'' to be going your way? Just admit it, you''re lucky."


    Effie couldn''t help butugh, shaking her head in resignation. "Enough about me.


    You didn''t drag me out just to tease me, did you?"


    "Of course not! We''re shopping. I need a new purse, and I want your expert opinion," Nita said, pulling her along.


    Nita always relied on Effie''s designer''s eye when it came to fashion.


    "Alright, let''s go," Effie said, linking arms with her.


    As they walked, Effie suddenly remembered—on the day they got their marriage certificate, she''d nced at Lyman''s birthdate. His birthday wasing up in just a few days.


    Maybe she should start thinking about what to get him for a present.