First Date - Jalex oneshot

"Alex? Honey, you're shaking."

The soft, humorous voice snapped me out of my day dream. My vision was focused on the steering wheel in front of me, on my (slightly shaking) semi-wrinkled hands that were gripped tightly around the leather. A golden wedding band, which was stuck on my left ring finger, shone in the car light when I flexed my hand. I forced a small, panicked laugh and peeked at the passenger's seat out of the corner of my eye.
A man in his mid thirties glanced at me. He offered a careful smile on his thin lips, his laugh lines becoming more visible. Stubble littered his slightly rounded chin; it was a pitiful attempt of a beard. Jack could never fully grow one.
His wide, tear drop eyes searched my face. There were slight wrinkles around the coffee-bean eyes: crow's feet. Unruly inky black hair was combed over Jack's olive-toned face, hiding his right eye slightly. Thick, long-lashes peeked out.
"Are you okay?" he asked calmly. When I nodded slightly, a brief look of disbelief flashed over his face, but it was gone as soon as it came. Jack scratched his chin, muttering something about 'shaving this damn beard'. My eyes caught the identical golden ring on his left hand; it brought a tiny smile to my face.
"So where are we going tonight?" Jack asked. His tone was casual, but there was a hint of anticipation behind his words. He was like a child that was anxiously waiting for a birthday present.

"It's supposed to be a surprise," I mumbled shyly, putting my silver Volvo into drive.

Jack pouted, crossing his arms over his chest. He sighed and whined, "I hate not knowing…" His lower lip jutted out in a small pout. However he laced our fingers together, his attention turning to the passenger's window. The sun had started to set, casting dark orange and pink hues across the sky.

"It's a good surprise though." At that, Jack's pout turned into a smile.

Today, on August 6th, was our anniversary. He was playing with his ring absentmindedly; the ring I had bought him the minute he turned 18 and we both graduated high-school. About three days into being engaged, we ran off to Vegas to make it "official".
Twenty-one years later, things were still official. There wasn't a day where I regretted marrying my high-school-sweetheart, and I knew Jack felt the same. Every night, I'd fall asleep with my arms wrapped around Jack's belly, his head tucked in my chest.
Or I'd fall asleep into his warm embrace, his chin resting on my head. Jack would listen to me complain about my day wordlessly; he'd hold me until I fell asleep , his arms wrapped protectively around my body; as if he could shield me from anything bad entering my dreams.

(He probably did)

Jack was fiercely loyal to me; he did whatever he possibly could to help me and more. Though it was quite the opposite for me. It seemed like I couldn't do anything to help Jack, he was independent, out-going, and just an amazing person.

…Which was why I was so nervous about tonight.

The sky was dark blue when I pulled up to our destination. Looking straight out the window shield, all you would see was a small beach, miniature waves crashing down on the sand with a board walk going through. A look to your right would reveal a carnival and shops around the board walk.
Jack's brown eyes lit up in excitement, memories flooding over him. A wide grin swelled up on his face as he stared in amazement. He started, "Is this-"

"-Ocean-City Boardwalk-"

"-Our first date?"Our voices overlapped, excitement in Jack's, nervousness in mine. I blushed when I heard Jack's answer; he was right.

I re-created our first date. Well…I attempted to anyways. Our first date happened over twenty-three years ago, when we were both 16, at this exact boardwalk. I squeezed Jack's hand and led him out of the car. We walked hand-in-hand, our bare feet digging into the cold sand.

The night sky was being illuminated with the lights from the carnival behind us.

"Oh my god," Jack breathed. "This is exactly like I remembered it…" he glanced to his right, to the flashing lights and flashy sounds of the amusement park. A smile tugged lightly on his lips. "I remember that day so clearly…you were such a bad-ass back then, Alex. But you won me a stuffed elephant."

I smirked. "Do you know how nervous I was? I couldn't eat…God, you were my first boyfriend…I-I mean I've dated a few girls before, but…"

Jack giggled as he nuzzled my neck, his head resting on my shoulder. We sat on the sand, the waves lapping at our feet.

"You little slut," he chuckled.

"You know it."

Jack sighed through his nose, his smile never leaving his face. "Are you going to win me another pink elephant?"

"It was not pink," I protested, scoffing a little. Never-the-less, I got up and brushed the sand off my pants. I started to walk towards the carnival.

Jack's hand shot up, his fingers wrapping around my wrist loosely. His humorous grin was gone; replaced by a serious, small smile. My husband pulled me down to the sand, his back to the floor. Our faces were inches apart. Jack was trailing a finger up and down my chest.

"You are the sweetest thing ever…you know that? I would've never thought of this…" He lifted his head up a few inches, our lips meeting for a few brief seconds. "I love you. This is perfect; you are prefect."
The corners of my mouth twitched into a large smile. I bent down and kissed him; this one longer and more passionate. The waves crashed up against our sides, though neither of us cared.

As long as I was in Jack's arms, I would be okay.

…and there wasn't any other place I'd rather be.