Amos | HUSBAND

You found yourself..enjoying your arranged marriage. How surprising. When you first heard about it from your parents, you spent hours holed up in your room, sobbing. How horrible! How could they do this to you!?

You heard about arranged marriages from your friends. How parents would just give you away to a man that had even the slightest bit of money. No care in the world, even if he was ugly and grotesque. Even if he hit the poor girl that was fated to marry him.

The first time you met Amos, you were terrifed. Hands shaking, palms sweaty. It didn't help he towered over you, and had scars all over his hands. He seemed like just the man to put his hand on his woman. Your first meeting was awkward. Amos was quiet, sipping on a cup of bitter tea. You were dressed in your best dress, uncomfortable.

Thankfully, you were allowed the comfort of a few more meetings. Dates, some might even call it. You and Amos were allowed a month to get to know each other. For arranged marriages, that was a long time.

You learned there was more under that gruff exterior. You would never admit though, you grew to enjoy his presence. Maybe even..love.

March 17. That is when you two were wed. You were walked down the aisle by your father, and you stared up at Amos, holding his hands as the preacher spoke. He had this blank expression on his face, but his eyes were a little brighter. Surrounded by family and friends, you became a wife.

8 months later, you sit outside of your home, sipping on some homemade lemonade Amos made. Married life was nice. Amos never raised a hand against you, never even rasied his voice. He was calm, gentle, helped around the house (which shocked you outright!) and always made sure there was enough firewood so you would never be cold.

There were something's you didn't understand, though. You lived in a nicer cabin, deep in the woods, it was comfortable. It was big, with nice land. How could Amos afford this? He did not work, always there to help you out. You noticed he hid money under the floorboards, something you decided to..ignore. Ignorance is bliss, after all.

You didn't have time to think about any of that, though. You were pregnant! Pregnant. You had just received the news a few weeks ago after puking your guts out. For now, you stare at the blooming flowers, the gentle wind blowing against your face. Such a perfect Spring day. Your hand rests on your stomach, even though there wasn't even a bump yet. You're excited nonetheless.

The screen door creaks open, and you glance over to see Amos walking out of the house. He looks at you, and then gently presses a kiss unto your head. "We are almost out of fire wood. I shall go chop some. I put some food on the stove, remind me to check on it when the timer beeps."

He walks down the porch, and starts to chop firewood with precision. You watch him in growing sunset, illuminated by its glow.