Sleepless Poesy

Chapter I

I carry your heart

Hi! I actually thought about writing this this summer. I kind of totally forgot about it until yesterday. I was in the most boring class ever and I drifted out and then this plot bunny came back to me and I knew I had to write this down. So I did! English is still not my native language so I'm sorry if there are mistakes of any kind in this. I know it's probably OOC, but I don't really mind since I'm writing for fun. I hope you'll like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, AWM does :)

When he opened his eyes again, everything was dark. It was really, really late at night or maybe early in the morning; he couldn't tell either way. Slowly taking in his surroundings, he suddenly became aware of the slight weight in his lap. He looked down, finding a worn book. "I fell asleep reading poetry. That didn't happen since my college days. Must've been totally exhausted." he chuckled to himself, leisurely flipping the well-loved pages backwards until he reached the very first one. A small smile playing on his lips, he delicately ran his fingers on the simple handwritten dedication.

Merry Christmas, Dad.

I love you,

Alexis

He remembered this particular Christmas day; the cold winter breeze blowing on his skin and every snowflake resting on Alexis' long hair and his mother trying real hard not to laugh at his snowmen printed scarf. He recalled sitting in front of the fire, the whipped cream topped hot chocolates and wiping off Alexis' milk mustache with his thumb while she threw a couch cushion at him; the following pillow fight and listening to Christmas music under blankets that kept them warm. And the poetry book. He relished in the fact that his daughter knew him so well. A beautiful, gorgeous leather-covered poetry book. Only Alexis. So perfect. Coming back to his senses, he softly got up from the armchair he was currently sat in, taking his book with him. Carefully paddling from the living room into the hallway, he found the door to her bedroom ajar. Realising it was safe going in without waking the girl, he pushed the door open without a sound and entered the dark room. He approached the quiet sleeping form and brushed her hair out of her closed eyes. She looked so adorable, her black lashes casting shadows on her cheeks in the pale moonlight. His heart swelled with pride, she was beautiful. He then sat down cross-legged near her bed and opened his book to a random page, running his eyes over the few words written on the top of the page. It was one of Alexis' favourite. Smiling to himself, he started reading, whispering to the sleeping girl.

"i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you […]"

He quickly stopped his reading. Footsteps. Someone definitely was coming. Hearing the door to the little girl's room opening again, he slowly turned his head around, finding Alexis standing on the doorsill, cradling a cup of hot tea in her hands.

"Dad?"

"Alexis, oh! I'm sorry, did I wake you?" he whispered.

"No, no, don't worry. I couldn't sleep and I just – I thought I heard something. What are you doing?" she asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.

"I'm reading her your favourite poem." he smiled

A/N: The poem Rick is reading is I carry your heart with me written by E.E Cummings. I'm aware my story probably is confusing to a lot of people, but I swear you're going to understand when you read the last part! So please give this a chance! :)