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Tweak says, "Let's party like it's 1999"

Morgan Happy Stark (maguna) wrote in somerealityrpg,
@ 2019-12-22 17:53:00

Entry tags:

active: morgan stark, inactive: markus

morgan & markus
First Christmas

Who: Morgan Stark and Markus
What: First Christmas
Where: Markus’ Apartment
When: Forward dated to Christmas night
Warnings: TBD but much mush
Status: Threading

Morgan’s first Christmas in Goodland was nothing short of magical. Spending the day with her entire family and extended family alike had been something she dreamed of for years, and having Markus there with his family as well had made it that much more perfect. To say she was incredibly happy would be a colossal understatement. The holidays were her favorite time of year, and she was reasonably sure that this was her best Christmas yet.

As the day wound down, she found herself anxious to have her private celebration with Markus. The girl had worked tirelessly for days in her lab on his present. Sending Markus ahead, she promised him she would join him soon. She would have just left with him, but she needed to gather his gift from her room.

A small part of her worried it might be too much or over the top, but she tried to remember what her father told her; that he would love it because of the thought she put into it. So, shaking off her worries, she threw her bag over her shoulder, told her parents how much she loved them and set off to his apartment.

Grinning outside his door, she gave it a knock.

CODE BY TESSISAMESS

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jericholeader
2019-12-23 12:48 am UTC (link)

It had been a beautiful day and Markus couldn't have hoped for a warmer welcome for both himself and his android family. It had given him a lot to think about, with the traditions and meanings finally extended to his people, he finally found himself feeling the spirit of the season. Watching the joy in Morgan's face had been infectious and he found himself understanding why these gatherings meant so much to families.

Markus knew Alice was missing Kara and Luther and Connor was missing Hank, but he hoped that the raucous Starks helped to show them they were wanted just as much here as in Detroit. He had to believe they felt it, because he knew he did.

Though the day was wonderful, he found himself looking forward to the evening when he and Morgan could share a little time alone together. As fun as the mayhem was, there was a peace that came with just the two of them and Markus craved it a little more each time they were together.

When her knock came, he jumped to answer the door and pulled her into a loving hug. "Merry Christmas," he said, for possibly the hundredth time that day, but this time Markus gave it every bit the emphasis of 'I love you' as he held her tight. "I wasn't sure you'd manage to escape," he said with a soft peck on Morgan's lips, "but I'm glad you did." He stood back to let her into the apartment, feeling blessed that his life had taken this incredible curve.

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maguna
2019-12-23 01:14 am UTC (link)

Having Connor and Alice, there meant the world to Morgan. She knew they meant a lot to Markus, how could they not? They were his family, and she wanted them to feel wanted here. She hoped that they had enjoyed the day as much as she did.

Morgan's smile widened when he opened the door, and she wrapped her arms around him tightly, simply breathing him in for a moment before pulling back to look up at him. "Merry Christmas, Bambi," she said softly- using the nickname that was reserved for his ears only. She could feel the love in his words and combined small kiss to her lips? Well, it made her heart flutter in the most beautiful way. Morgan wondered if there would ever come a time that the slightest touch from him wouldn't draw such a reaction from her, at that moment in time? She highly doubted it. "Hell, I wasn't sure I would manage to escape," she teased- brushing by him to slip into the apartment.

Spinning around, she flashed him another smile. "So, how was your first Christmas?"

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jericholeader
2019-12-28 01:38 am UTC (link)

"You've been waiting all day to call me Bambi, haven't you?" he said with a smile. "If you'd been prevented from coming to our after-party, my entire opinion of your awesome family would have to be revised," he teased gently as Morgan headed inside and Markus followed. He would always follow, that much he knew, no matter where she went or why, he would have to be in her wake.

He raised his eyebrows at her question. "It was... informative." Markus knew that wasn't entirely the right answer and tried to put his real feelings into words. "There was a joy that seemed to captivate your family today and it was infectious," he said smiling Morgan's way. "I liked it. A lot," he told her, "and although it was crazy and chaotic, it was really good to be part of it." It was about family, he knew that, and watching Morgan bouncing off the people she loved most was a thrill in itself, even if he also loved the times they were alone together.

"How about you? Did you have a good day?" Markus knew that was a silly question, but he wanted to hear how it had been from Morgan's perspective. He wanted to see her eyes light up as she talked about her people. No matter how many times he saw it, he would never get enough of Morgan's smiles.

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maguna
2019-12-28 02:24 am UTC (link)

"I have," she replied- raising onto her tiptoes to brush her nose with his playfully. "I deserve an award for my willpower, do you have any idea how hard it is to not call you 'Bambi'?" Morgan laughed a little at his words. "And we wouldn't want to put them under revision now, would we?"

Her head tilted as he spoke, and she listened, taking in what the entire experience had meant to him. "I'm glad you liked it and that you were able to learn and be a part of a family's Christmas celebration. I'm sorry if it was at all exhausting, I know how crazy our events can be, but I'm so glad you were there." Morgan couldn't have imagined that day without him, he was an essential part of her life now in so many ways, and Christmas wouldn't have been complete without him.

Morgan's face lit up at his question. "I had a wonderful day. This is the first Christmas my family has been whole and all together. It was...does it sound silly if I say 'magical'?" She asked, before kneeling to rummage through her bag for her suits' gloves- trying to contain her excitement.

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jericholeader
2019-12-28 03:30 am UTC (link)

"Your willpower is entirely appreciated," Markus answered with a soft chuckle as he nudged his nose to hers in appreciation. "Maybe I'll have an award for your due diligence," he said with a wiggle of his eyebrows, wondering if the tease would get Morgan's curiosity going. "Absolutely no revision required on the family," he assured her, "they were good to me earlier and the were good to me now. A+ for the Starks," he said with a nod of appreciation.

Markus gave a slight smile, "it's hard to wear me out. I'm robust enough, even for a Stark Christmas," he reminded Morgan gently. Of course he'd loved it, even if he hadn't entirely understood the entire process. Particularly not the traditions and varied associations, but being in the midst of all that love? Yeah, Markus enjoyed that and if every family was as much fun, he understood why the tradition had lasted. Of course, if Morgan hadn't been part of his life, he wouldn't have experienced any of it, which was just one more blessing to add to his growing pile.

"You looked happy," he answered with a smile of his own, "and it doesn't sound silly at all. This place may have it's place in science, but we would be crazy to think there wasn't a touch of magic thrown in too." Everything about Goodland seemed touched with magic, so why not the science-family too? "What are you up to?" Markus asked as Morgan started rummaging. "You've got that look on your face that says you're about to pull a rabbit out of a hat..." and now he was curious to know what she'd got in the bag. He sat down on the sofa and looked at her, waiting for her to show him.

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maguna
2019-12-28 03:51 am UTC (link)

Oh, the tease definitely got Morgan's curiosity going, and her eyebrows arched- letting him know just how much. "What sort of award are we talking about here? I'll have you know; I'm an excellent award recipient."

"I envy your stamina," she replied with a smile. "I'm sure as soon as I stop moving, the exhaustion will catch up to me." Morgan was thankful that it didn't seem like the day had been overwhelming for him. She knew he was accustomed to being in crowds, but making small talk with numerous people? That was an entirely different story, which is why she stuck close to him as much as possible. To be honest, she wouldn't have had it any other way? Morgan never wanted to be far from wherever Markus was. "I'm interested to hear about the informative side of things."

"I was happy," she murmured with a tuck of her hair. "I'm still happy. I never believed in magic before coming here, but Goodland has made me a believer." Giving him a mischevious grin, she stood up, gloves on her hands. "Your Christmas present." By the time she made it to the couch, her suit had enveloped her completely sans the helmet. Sitting down close to him, she leaned forward to press her lips to his- lingering for several moments before pulling back so her helmet to lockdown in place.

"Put your hand on mine," she said softly as she held out her hand, palm facing upward.

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jericholeader
2019-12-31 12:23 am UTC (link)

He chuckled as he saw the curiosity grow in Morgan's eyes and he could only hope the 'award' would be worth the tease. "It's an award I'd only give to an incredible girlfriend, and the love of my life," Markus answered with a soft smile, "and I have no doubt your acceptance will be perfect."

Although he understood why Morgan envied his stamina, it was a strange subject to him. A lot of the problems in his world had been created because the machines could work harder and longer than humans. Still, he gave a small smile and rested an arm around her shoulders, "so long as you're here with me when you stop moving, I won't disapprove." Markus should have expected her to want to know about his impressions of the day, and he was happy to share them with her. "There were things that didn't make sense," he said with a small frown of remembrance. "It seems strange to me that you would bring a tree inside in order to put lights on it. It looked pretty, but I felt a little sorry for the tree," he said softly. "The gifts made sense, because the Wise Men brought the child gifts and I can see the correlation, but there were definitely traditions that baffled me."

He gave a laugh, "you spent so much of the day smiling, I'm a little surprised your face doesn't hurt by now," Markus said in teasing amusement. "I loved seeing you so happy," and never would get bored or tired of it. He raised an eyebrow, wondering what on earth Morgan could have bought for his Christmas present and then took notice of the gloves and gave a smile. "You invented something." He said, his mind reeling with the possibilities and knew that there was no way he could predict what she'd come up with. Instead he watched the beauty of her suit enfold her and by the time she kissed him Markus was both intrigued and excited.

Markus gave a nod and rested his hand on Morgan's. "Is this where you take me flying to my gift?" he asked with a grin. He would like that, but he always enjoyed flying with her.

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maguna
2019-12-31 02:12 am UTC (link)

"The love of your life?" Morgan asked softly, tangling her fingers with his. She knew without a shadow of a doubt that Markus loved her but hearing him phrase it that way made her heart feel like it was going to beat right out of her chest. While she was still very curious as to just what her 'award' was, those thoughts were pushed aside, and she smiled happily up at him.

"I fully intend on being here with you long after I stop moving," she replied before listening carefully to his impressions of the day. Morgan couldn't help but grin. One of the many things she loved about Markus was how observant and inquisitive he was. She was so thankful that she had met someone whose curiosity rivaled her own. "The tradition of the trees goes back hundreds of years. It wasn't something that was even implemented into American culture until the 1800s. You're correct about the gifts, though. The Wise Men and the child, and all that." Morgan wasn't very religious, but she knew the basics.

"No," she whispered. "This is the part where this happens." At those words, she gave her suit the signal to send him a memory. It wasn't much, because she didn't want to overwhelm him, but it was from that day back in September. It was the way she had felt when he walked through the door, and her thoughts about that little coffee date as she wrote in her journal later that night- when she realized her feelings for him may have run deeper than just friendship. It was a sweet and innocent memory, one that she could have never put into words. So, when he told her about how they communicated memories and feelings through touch back home, she knew she wanted to replicate it somehow.

After it was sent, her helmet fell back so she could look at him properly, wanting to commit his reaction to yet another memory.

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jericholeader
2019-12-31 03:56 am UTC (link)

He lifted their entwined fingers to his lips and kissed her fingertips and whispered in soft agreement, "the love of my life." He really didn't know what he would have become here if he hadn't met Morgan when he did. She'd given him a whole new verve for life and renewed his excitement and curiosity.

"That is good to know," Markus said softly. When Morgan started to explain the culture of the inside-tree it still didn't make a lot of sense, though he'd read enough to know that superstitions arose from the smallest of things. "What about the bauble-things? Do they have a reason behind them? and the striped canes?" he asked curiously, "because hanging candy on the tree and expecting the kids not to eat it seems a little cruel," he said with a gentle chuckle.

His eyes widened at Morgan's words and almost immediately he felt a incoming transfer that sprang to life in front of his eyes as though he were watching and feeling the moment for himself. Markus blinked as he watched the scene unfold with those first nervous moments when their connection had seemed fragile and delicate, but so precious. He realised that, by the end of the memory, his eyes were damp with tears of joy, both at the precious gift Morgan had given him and also the technology she'd designed. "You're incredible," he managed to tell her, meeting her eyes in wonder. "Just when I think you can't surprise me more - you do. Thank you," he said cupping her cheeks in his hands and kissing her softly.

"Does it work both ways?" he asked as his mind reeled at the possibilities.

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maguna
2019-12-31 06:26 am UTC (link)

Tiny little sparks of delight shot through Morgan at every kiss to her fingertips. "Markus," she began- her voice barely a whisper. "I love you so much." She never wanted him to doubt that, no matter what the universe threw at them, she wanted him always to know that he had her heart. Meeting him changed her world in so many ways. She couldn't imagine her life without him now.

"Curling up with you as the exhaustion hits sounds like the perfect way to end a perfect day," she murmured before smiling at his next set of questions. "I believe the decorations come from trees in biblical and nativity plays being decorated as set props for their performances. After the plays were banned due to the rowdiness, people took to replicating those trees in their homes."

Morgan met his tearful eyes with a soft loving gaze, her heart fluttering at his words and her lips meeting his happily. Reaching to wipe at his tears, she cupped his cheek gently- her eyes never leaving his. "Now you know how I felt from that first moment. It was something I haven't been able to put into words, but I wanted you to know, and I can show you it all now. You can see how I see us, and you through my eyes."

Grinning again, she leaned forward to press her forehead to his. "It works both ways. I wanted to make sure that it would."

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jericholeader
2020-01-02 01:28 am UTC (link)

Markus smiled at her words, not doubting Morgan's affection for a second. Something magical had happened between then and he would never stop feeling like the luckiest person in the universe to have found her. Not would he take her for granted. "I love you too," he said with his eyes fixed on hers, wanting her to see that it wasn't simply a pat response.

"Sounds pretty damn perfect to me too," he answered brushing her hair behind her ear and tracing the line of her jaw with his fingers. Markus cocked his head and listened, always happy to learn a new fact from Morgan. "So it's a little like Neuschwanstein Castle?" he said with a raised eyebrow. "Built to look like a fairytale but actually based around Wagnerian theatre sets? At least, the same idea on a far larger scale," Markus had to admit. "People want to bring the theatre to life in their own homes," he gave a nod of approval at the concept as a whole. "We should go to the theatre some day soon," he said with a smile, "we're in New York, after all, it should be a must, right?"

Markus gave a tentative nod, still a little shell-shocked from both the vision and emotion Morgan had allowed him to share. "I think you put that perfectly," he said with more emotion than he could possibly explain. She allowed him inside her head, which was no small show of trust. "Should I see it all, though?" he asked softly. "Don't you want to keep a little just for yourself?" As much as he would experience her memories entirely and with a thirst she wouldn't be able to understand, he never wanted to intrude where she didn't want him. The honesty they had was immense already and Markus treasured it. This enriched it, but he didn't ever want her to feel she had to share.

"I had hoped you would say that," he said with a small smirk of satisfaction. "You really are quite the most incredible person I've ever met!" It took less than a second for Markus to come up with a memory he wanted to share back, one that Morgan hadn't been present for, but it had meant just as much to him as their first meeting at the coffee shop. He pressed his palm against hers and closed his eyes, letting the first day at school play out in front of Morgan's eyes. How nervous he'd been about being accepted and how worried he'd been that he wouldn't be good enough to do the job that he craved. And then he walked into his classroom and on the desk was her gift. The jewelled apple. The first time anyone had deemed him worthy of such a favour. The emotion it had unlocked in him, that Morgan had seen him - really seen him - as a person. He'd kept the apple there all day and any time he'd felt doubt, he'd glanced at it and it had bolstered his belief in himself. She had not only given him his first gift, but hope of a new life.

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maguna
2020-01-02 09:20 pm UTC (link)

Morgan's eyes closed briefly as his hand ran through her hair and brushed over her face. "I have the best ideas," she murmured- trailing her fingers up his arm slowly. Opening her eyes to look at him again, she smiled as he seemed to understand the tree tradition a little more. "Yeah, it's a little like that. People wanted to bring some of the magic they witnessed on stage into their homes. All traditions begin somewhere, but they change over the years as well, so while it may not be exactly how it was back then? At least now you know the origin." She raised her eyebrows when he spoke of going to the theatre. "It's definitely a must, but it has to be a musical."

Morgan trusted Markus completely, and allowing him inside her head was a testament to that trust. While she was an open book with him and had shared things with him before that she hadn't shared with another soul? This was entirely different. For years, she kept certain things locked up so tightly. She became an actress who wore a mask to benefit those around her, and sometimes it was hard for her to remember she didn't have to do that here- especially not with Markus. "There will be things I keep for myself," she answered quietly. "Places in my mind that even I don't want to see." Such places like the fear she had that she might one day push him away. "I promise I won't ever share anything that I don't wish to."

She bit her bottom lip with a smile at his words. Her cheeks flushing ever so slightly. "I'm so glad you like your gift. I was worried. Anxious that it may be too much? I try to reel in my tendency to go over the top." When his palm pressed to hers, and the scene unfolded, Morgan couldn't help but gasp. Markus had told her what the apple had meant to him, but to actually witness the memory through his eyes was indescribable. Seeing the impact she had on his life, firsthand was emotionally overwhelming, and when it ended, she realized that tears were falling from her eyes. "I didn't know," she began softly. "You told me, but..." Allowing her suit to retract back into the gloves, she discarded them quickly so she could lean forward and wrap her arms around him. "...I didn't know."

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jericholeader
2020-01-03 01:58 am UTC (link)

"I think it's quite likely you do," he answered with a broad smile. "And how am I just learning you like musical theatre?" Markus asked with a soft laugh, that contained no judgement or ambivalence. It just seemed such an odd match. His futuristic, robo-princess and Andrew Lloyd-Webber? An odd match indeed, but he was game for almost anything. "What's your favourite musical? We'll find it, somewhere, and add it to our list," he told Morgan with a bright smile.

He gave her a gentle hug, letting her know that he entirely approved of her response. "I trust you with everything I am and everything I've ever been," Markus whispered into her hair, "but, I think, there are some experiences I'd like to protect you from." His world had been harsh and ugly, not only to androids. At times there was little respect for human life either and though he would tell her about the things he'd seen he didn't think Morgan needed to see everything either. "I love you more for wanting to keep those parts secret," he said with a kiss, "and that we get to share our highs and lows is just incredible!" As was Morgan, in every sense.

"You don't ever have to worry about that with me," Markus told her with a smile of amusement. "It's not too much... it's just right," he said happily, "and it's the best Christmas present I've ever had," he couldn't help it. It was his first Christmas and the gifts he'd received, although lovely, couldn't possibly match up to this! Morgan knew it, too. "We're out-gifting each other, remember? There's no such thing as over the top," he told her with a grin.

When her suit retracted, Morgan wasn't the only one with moist eyes. Seeing her live the moment with him was like a shot of electricity to his veins. "Hey, you're not supposed to be crying," Markus said as he brushed the tears from her eyes and enveloping her tightly in his arms the second she made the move to. "You see? When I told you you made me a better man, I meant it with every ounce of my being," he said clutching her tight. "And know you know what you mean to me, too," he said softly.

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maguna
2020-01-03 02:46 am UTC (link)

"I'll have you know I have quite a few secret interests you have yet to discover," she said with a smirk and a playful nudge to his shoulder. "Phantom of the Opera, although I am loathed to admit it." Shaking her head with a laugh, she arched her eyebrows again. "And now you know my secret."

Morgan laid her head against his chest, her fingers fiddling with the collar of his shirt. "There are things I want to protect you from, too, things that I don't want you to see, not because I don't trust you but because I'm not sure I want to go back there." She thought about her childhood, and what a dark place she could find herself in back then. Then she thought about the maze, and how she had been ready to die. These were not things that she ever wanted him to see. Sure, she had and would tell him everything...but telling and experiencing were completely different animals. Looking up, she returned his kiss sweetly. "I love you for understanding without me having to say so that there are some things that I want to keep secret. Just like I love you for wanting to protect me from things you've experienced...and I would never push you to show me."

Morgan's face lit up when Markus said that it was the best Christmas gift he ever received. Sure, she knew it was his first Christmas, and he really didn't have much to compare it to, but it made her incredibly happy to hear it all the same. "Speaking of out-gifting. Is it time for my award?"

"I can't help it," she whispered- leaning against his hand as he wiped her tears before curling up against him, one arm wrapping around his waist. Although usually, Morgan didn't like feeling vulnerable, all of that went away with Markus. He was her safe place, and she felt at home in his arms. "It's almost hard to believe. That any of this is possible? That one person can have such an impact on your life, and can change your entire world for the better."

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jericholeader
2020-01-06 12:49 am UTC (link)

He raised his eyebrows in curiosity, "and I look forward to discovering your layers, one by one," Markus told her with a tender smile. "Personally I preferred Cats, though I never could figure out the story," he said with a laugh. "Always was a sucker for T.S. Elliot, though, so I suppose it's a given I would like it." And now Morgan knew one of his too. He had no doubt they'd find more as they spent time together, because there was so much to do with this lifetime they'd been given.

Markus nodded as she spoke, his hand covering hers and stroking it tenderly. "We've both been to some pretty dark places," he said softly, remembering some of the things he'd been forced to do during the revolution. "I think that's why we're so ready to be happy now," he said meeting her eyes tenderly. "You never have to go back there, not for anything," he told Morgan softly. "But, I'll always be open to seeing whatever you want to share," he told her with another soft kiss. "Whatever it is, I'm here for you," always.

Ahh, the subject of her gift... Markus should have given it to her earlier, when they'd been with her family, but he couldn't help but want that moment for the two of them. "Yes. It's definitely time for your award," he said leading her away from the sofa and towards the bedroom, which he'd made into a work room and study. In the corner, where it always stood, was his aisle, with an oil cloth covering it. "Go on," he said giving her a gentle nudge towards the painting, that had taken him countless hours to get just right.

The picture depicted Morgan, though you wouldn't know it unless you knew exactly the time and place it had been captured. At the centre was an ice-skater - hair-flipping around to cover her face, with just a hint of a smile showing amongst the strands. He'd caught her mid-jump, showing the catlike agility and strength in her muscles. As beautiful as she looked, this was no swan, this was a goddess taming the environment to her will. And in the foreground was a shadow, just touching the surface of the snow and, if you knew how to read it, it might look a little like him. "I couldn't stop thinking about that day," he said softly. "Do you like it?" Of course, there were up to date editions of her comic book too, but those could wait for now.

Markus answered with one phrase, that he knew he'd use so often when it came to their relationship. "Don't question it, it's just magic," he told Morgan with a tender smile of love.

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maguna
2020-01-12 01:43 am UTC (link)

Morgan let go of a happy sigh when his hand covered hers. She could always count on him to calm her fears, and to slow down her mind when it was spinning in relentless circles. "I think that's why we're ready to be happy now, why we found each other when we did. Somehow whoever is pulling strings knew." She held his gaze, her eyes soft and full of adoration. "You never have to go back to where to you don't want to go either, and I will always be here for you- in whatever way you need."

She couldn't help but feel giddy as he led her away from the couch and into his study. Her eyes were scanning the room and easily finding his aisle that was covered- hiding its secret beneath. Looking at him, she smiled brightly before moving to lift the oilcloth slowly.

What she saw beneath took her breath away. "Markus," she uttered in barely a whisper. The way he had captured that day on the ice made tiny little goosebumps raise up across her skin. For a few moments, she couldn't form words at all. He had somehow managed to make her look more beautiful than she had ever felt in her entire life, and when she finally turned to face him, there were fresh tears in her eyes. "This is...I..." Morgan was struggling to find the proper words to describe just how much she loved it. Markus did have an uncanny way of leaving her speechless, and surprising her in the most wonderful ways.

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