“We’ve loved each other so long I’ve never been a man and not loved her.” -The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

Niall's POV

"Gosh! I'm so tired," Ana groans as she flops on the sofa. I let out a low chuckle, keep the shopping bags on the table in front of us before joining her on the sofa. We spent more than four hours to find a perfect dress and accessories for her to wear at Logan and Kristen's wedding tomorrow and a fancy tie for me. It took us another hour to find a gift for the couple.

"Come here," I mutter and she scoots closer to me, keeping her hands against my chest and snuggling into my chest like a small, sleepy kitten. I wrap my arms around her and rest my legs on either side to protect her from falling off the sofa.

I move my hand to her head and gently massage her scalp to relax some tension. She slightly moans as I continue my actions and mutters a 'don't stop' in her sleepy voice and I comply. I lightly hum, for I know that it soothes her, to one of the tunes that I composed. It's not great but I think she likes it.

It takes a few minutes before I hear her faint snores. A smile spreads across my face when I see the woman in my arms and all I can think about is how did I get so lucky to have her, keep her and protect her. The way she looks so vulnerable and beautiful while sleeping, with her mouth a bit ajar. God! I'm never letting her go. I'll marry her someday and we can have as many kids as she wants. We can move to someplace on the outskirts of London and have a nice, big place where our kids could grow.

My breath catches in my throat when I realise the thought that just crossed my mind. It is in the moment, I comprehend that I've never been more in love with anyone and that I, indeed, want to spend the rest of my life with her. I silently sigh, place a kiss on top of her head before letting sleep take over me and stopping my mind to get ahead of us.

I wake up when I feel Ana shuffle in my arms. Whining, I tighten my arms around her to prevent her actions. "I gotta take a piss," She mumbles and I sigh.

"Go," I utter and let go of her before laying down and making myself comfortable on the sofa. Ana comes back after a couple of minutes and snuggles back in my arms, keeping her head on it and throwing her right leg over my waist.

"Why's your T-shirt moist?" She inquires, running the tips of her index over the moist part.

"You drooled all over my chest," I say with a grin on my face, my eyes still closed.

"I didn't." She argues.

"You did, baby, you did." I chuckle. "And it's not the first time that you did it."

"What? I don't drool," She insists, probably frowning.

"I don't mind," I say and she huffs, clearly suggesting that she is not agreeing with me but also not arguing.

We lay on the sofa for a few more minutes before getting up and ordering some Chinese takeout from a restaurant close by. After completing our dinner and cleaning up the little mess that we created, I help Ana arrange our things for tomorrow.

I put on a movie in my room, strip to my boxers and get comfortable on the bed as Ana walks to the bathroom. She comes out after a few minutes, wearing nothing but my T-shirt.

No matter how many times I see her like this, it'll always be like the first time. My T-shirt hangs loose on her body but not too loose, and reaches just above her mid thighs, her beautiful legs on display. I can see her breasts through my white T-Shirt and know that she's not wearing any bra, just like any other night.

She walks a couple of steps towards me before raising her hands to tie her hair up in a bun, the T-shirt riding up her legs, revealing her white panties. She winks at me and offers a sly smile when she sees me staring at her. "Let it be." I interrupt her actions.

"What?" She asks, pausing what she is doing.

"Don't tie your hair, let it be," I repeat and she nods her head before letting her hands fall back to their place. "Come here," I urge her and she walks over to me, swaying her hips from side to side, just because she knows that I'm staring. I take her hand in mine and pull her down to me so that she's straddling my thighs. She lets out a throaty laugh before getting comfortable on my lap, keeping her hands on my shoulder to keep her from falling.

I put my hands on her bare thigh and slowly run them upwards, moving the T-shirt along with it. Her laugh soon dies down and I feel goosebumps rising on her thighs.

"You're always so beautiful, Ana." I lean down and place a kiss on her throat before dragging my lips all over her neck, rather sloppily. I move my lips down to suck and bite her collarbones before kissing her chest, over the T-shirt.

"Niall," She calls out and I hum in response, continuing what I am doing. "I want you," She mumbles and I stop my actions and turn to look at her. "Now," She breaths and a small smile forms on my lips from her words. Before I can say anything, Ana captures her lips with mine, prodding her tongue into my mouth. My tongue collides with hers and she moves closer to my body so that her chest is touching mine. Her tongue furiously fights with mine and she gently pushes me by my shoulder against the headboard. She tangles both of her hands in my hair, tugging at it as she continues to kiss me.

I moan into her mouth before pulling away in need of air and moving down to suck on her jaw as my chest heaves against hers. She throws her head back as I continue to nib on her jaw. I move my lips below her neck and leave sloppy kisses there before moving my hands to keep them under her T-shirt. I roam my hands freely all over her back before bringing them back to the hem of it, stopping my actions for a few seconds, and pulling it off of her.

A contented sigh leaves my mouth as I stare at her naked body on display, only for my eyes. When I move my eyes to look at hers, there was a hint of shyness in them along with lust.

"These" I breathe, moving my index just below her breasts, "are mine, baby," I whisper in her ears and feel the hair on her hand stand up. Loving the effect that I have on her, I lean to kiss her earlobes just once, our bare chests touching, before kissing her on her shoulders.

I continue to kiss her shoulders before bringing them down and sucking the top of her boob while rubbing the other one with my hand. "Niall," She gasps when I start to nib on her nipples, swiping my tongue over the bud. I pull at it with my tongue and Ana loudly moans my name. I smile in satisfaction, without stopping my actions. I squeeze it before moving my thumb over the bud and feel them harden under my touch.

I move my mouth to her other boob and do the same with it. She puts her hand on my head and pushes it down. "Give me more, Niall," She groans and I take more of her in my mouth before finally pulling away and laying Ana on the bed. I spread her legs and move to sit in between them, getting a perfect view of her perfect body. I teasingly move my fingers on her inner thighs before bringing them to her torso. She slightly shivers under my touch and moans. "Stop teasing me," She whines and I lightly chuckle before complying with her request.

I move to the end of the bed, bend down, and place alternate kisses on both of her legs until I reach the junction. I kiss her over the mere fabric and she squirms underneath me. I nuzzle against her, inhaling her sweet scent, before hooking my fingers in her panties and pulling them down.

"You're so wet," I comment, a visible red reaching her cheeks, before leaning down to kiss her. I support myself on my elbows as I continue to ravish her lips while her fingers feel every inch of my torso.

Her fingers hover over the hem of my boxers before she grabs me through them. I moan into her mouth when I feel myself getting hard under her touch. I loudly grunt when she squeezes it, my boxers suddenly feeling too tight. Feeling my discomfort, she pushes my boxer down my legs before I kick them off.

I pull away from her, wanting nothing more than to be inside her. "You ready, Ana?" I pant.

"Condom?"

"You know where it is," I slyly mutter and her cheeks redden even more than before.

Without saying anything she stretches her hand, opens the draw by the bed and takes out a silver packet. Tearing it with her hands, she helps me put it on. I stare at her, silently asking if she's ready and she nods.

I take a deep breath and push myself inside her, she gasps as I do and pushes her head deeper against the pillow. "You okay?" I breathe and she nods. I continue to push myself deeper as my breath starts to increase along with hers. "You're so tight, baby," I groan.

When I'm completely inside her, I wait for a couple of seconds before I pull out and push myself back in. I slowly start to thrust against her hips, keeping the same rhythm, before leaning in and kissing her on the mouth, swallowing all her cries and moans.

Ana wraps her legs around my waist and thrusts upwards. I pull away from her lips and start to kiss down her neck. I nib on her neck a bit harshly before swiping my tongue across it to soften the pain. She puts her arms around my back and pulls me closer to her so that my heaving and naked chest meet hers.

"Niall," She bleats and I feel her nails dig deep into my back, surely leaving marks. She drags her nails down my back and clenches around me.

"Argh! Ana!" She clenches around me again and I feel a sensation go through my body. My thrusts become sloppier as I feel myself getting closer to my high. "I'm so close!" I loudly grunt. "Fuck! Are you?"

"Yes!" She thrusts herself upwards. I moan again and I feel her clench around me. I groan in complete ecstasy and come apart, as does Ana. My breath quickens along with hers, sweat forming on my forehead, and she cradles me to her chest as I ride out of my high.

After a couple of minutes, I roll off of her but pull her in my arms. I pinch her chin between my fingers before leaning in to kiss her lips, softly. "I love you, Ana," I whisper over her lips and a small smile appears on her face. She pushes her face in my neck and kisses my throat.

"I love you, Niall," She tiredly speaks, her eyes half closed.

A few minutes later, I throw the condom in the trash can and clean us up with a wash cloth before putting on my boxers. I throw a new pair of panty at Ana before getting back into the bed, next to her. I pull her closer to me and she snuggles against my chest, tangling her legs with mine, her naked body pressed up against mine. I peck her forehead before pulling the sheet over us and letting sleep take over me.

I wake up with Ana clinging onto me. I realise at that moment how accustomed I am to wake up like this every day and I cannot imagine a day without this. I don't want to. I kiss her temple before untangling myself from her. Ana whines in her sleep but lets go of me.

I take a quick shower and dress into my dress pants and a white shirt, keeping the tie and the jacket for later, and walk towards Ana. "Baby, wake up." I shake her. "We need to leave for Essex soon," She groans but gets up anyway.

"What time is it?" She asks in a groggy voice, pulling the sheets up to cover her naked chest.

"It's after seven," I reply. "Get you fine ass in the bathroom, baby." She nods and stretches her arms above her head, letting the sheet fall and expose her naked self. I eye her for a couple of seconds before taking my eyes off of her, for I know that I won't be able to control myself. "Go now or else I'm not responsible for what happens next," I implore her and she lightly chuckles. Getting up, she stops right in front of me and I internally groan.

She stands on her tippy toes and whispers in my ear, "What would happen if I don't go now, Niall?" Smile evident in her voice.

I put my arm around her waist and jerk her towards me so that her chest is pressed up against me. She squeals and wraps her arm around my neck to support herself. Her cheeky smile vanishes and her eyes widen at my action.

"I would take you right against the wall, right now," I say, staring into her eyes, and she gulps. "You don't know, but it's taking every ounce of me to control myself from doing every imaginable thing to you, right fucking now. So I suggest you better go now or else we'll have to miss the wedding, baby." I caress her cheeks with my thumb and a blush reach up to her cheeks. I smirk before pulling myself away from her and walking towards the bed.

I hear the bathroom door shut after a few seconds and I sigh, for I know that if I would have seen her like this even for another second, I would have lost it. She's so sexy and beautiful that it is nearly impossible to resist her and completely impossible when she's naked and dirty.

I sit on the bed and check my emails from work while Ana's in the shower. Fifteen minutes later, she retreats from the bathroom and walks towards the closet. I hear the closet door open after a few minutes and I turn to look up from my laptop at her.

My eyes widen and my mouth drops when I see her walking out of the closet in an elegant, long, rose gold dress with a V-neck, string sleeves and a slit along with a gold chain hanging around her neck. Her hair is flowing past her shoulders to rest just below her chest.

I keep the laptop aside and stroll towards her and take her hand in mine. "You look breathtakingly beautiful, Ana." I pick a strand of her hair, as she offers me her biggest smile, and twirl it around my index. I lean and place a kiss on her lips, keeping in mind to not ruin her lipstick.

"You've got my lipstick on you, Niall." She lightly chuckles and raises her hand to wipe it. I hold her wrist before she can do it and she furrows her eyebrows.

"Let everyone see that I'm yours," I reply to her silent question before letting go of her wrist. Her lips curve into a big and beautiful smile at my statement.

"Yes, all mine. Body and soul." She winks at me and I laugh.

I let my laughter die before moving away from her are grabbing my tie from the nightstand but Ana stops me before I can wear it.

"Just put on your jacket, leave the tie." She objects and brings me the jacket and I put it on, not even bothering to ask her why knowing that she's the only one I want to impress.

She unbuttons the top two buttons of my shirt. "Perfect now." She grins, dragging her palm down the lapels of my jacket. "Let's go."

It takes us over an hour to reach The Crondon Park. The place is really peaceful and is located in the countryside. "This place is so beautiful," Ana dreamily says as we walk towards it, her fingers tangled with mine.

"You are so beautiful." I compliment her and she squeezes my hand. I'm not looking at her but I'm sure that she's blushing right now. I smile at the simple thought.

We walk inside the hall and Ana gasps a 'wow' beside me. The whole place is decorated with white lilies and it actually looks very appealing.

I spot a few of my co-workers, as we continue inside the hall, and introduce them to Ana. We talk for a few minutes before we all are requested to be seated. The music begins, Logan is standing at the end of the aisle when Kristen's dad walks her down the aisle, and everyone stands to greet them. A huge grin forms on Ana's face as she stares at them in pure adoration.

I take Ana's hand in mine after we sit, and she turns to look at me. I cup her cheek with my free hand and place a soft kiss on her forehead before turning my attention back to the wedding. Ana squeezes my hand with hers and moves a little closer to me, almost resting her head on my shoulder.

I can't help but imagine them as me and Ana. I see Ana walking down the aisle with her dad as I wait for her at the end. I hear me promising to stay with her forever. I see people calling her Mrs Horan and how beautiful it sounds.

I shake my head at my thoughts and force myself not to think about something that's ahead of us.

The ceremony was stunning and Ana had a tear running down her cheeks. I wipe it with my index and decide against teasing her about it, as I first planned to, for I know how emotional she gets during these kinds of situations.

We congratulate the newlyweds before they go to the dance floor for their first dance as a couple. Kiss me by Ed Sheeran starts to play and Ana almost jumps in her seat.

"I love this song," Ana squeals. "C'mon, Niall, let's dance."

"I- okay," I hesitantly reply. I absolutely have no idea how to dance and I'm pretty sure that I'm just gonna embarrass me and Ana but of course I'm never gonna deny her. I would literally do anything for her and this is just a stupid dance.

She wraps her fingers around my wrist and practically drags me towards the dance floor. Putting her hands on my shoulder while I put it around her waist, she sways back and forth, without really caring about the tempo of the song, and I follow her steps. As the next song starts to play, she comes closer to me and rests her cheek into my neck, so that she's hugging me. After a few minutes, she slightly pulls away to look up at me. She moves her hand to cup my cheeks and stand on her toes and places a small, lingering kiss to my mouth. Before I can say or do anything, she resumes her previous position.

I stop in my tracks when I feel a tap on my shoulder. Ana pulls away from me and turns to look behind me. "Can I dance with the pretty lady?" I roll my eyes at Logan for using such a tacky line while Ana just laughs.

"Aren't you supposed to dance with Kristen?" I scoff and Ana smacks my arm. "One song," I begrudgingly agree, just because I know she would have felt bad if I denied Logan's request.

"Okay." He smiles before taking my girlfriend's hand and walking away. I feel jealousy burn in me when I see them dancing. Ana laughs at something that he said and I want nothing more than to chime in and take her with me.

Logan's mom, just in that moment, asks me to dance with her. I awkwardly nod at her, just so that I don't have to see them dance, and take her hands in mine. I try my best to dance with her but I ended up stepping on her feet, twice. I apologized to her every time I stepped on her before finally excusing myself and saving me further embarrassment.

Ana walks to me just as the song ends and I'm really grateful to her. She asks me to dance another dance with her and even though I'm a shitty dancer, and she knows it, I agree.

"I had fun today," She speaks while swaying her hips, loud enough for me to hear, and I absentmindedly nod. "Thank you for bringing me here. I-"

"Move in with me," I interject her.

She stops dead in her tracks and looks at me. "W-What?" She furrows her eyebrows.

"Move in with me, Ana," I repeat myself and she looks at me as if she has seen a ghost. "We already practically live together." I try to reason. "You can move into my house, or I can move in with you or we can buy a new place or anything you want, anywhere you want, baby."

"I... Uh..."