The next time my eyes start to flutter open I feel a familiar warmth against the front of me as something tickles my skin. I open my right eye to see that it's Alison's famous golden locks, that are now a perfect mess. What an oxymoron, she's messy yet the most beautiful human being I've ever laid eyes on. Her innocence shines through in her sleep, as if she's this untouched diamond. No one knows of her innocence the way I do and that makes it all the more special that I am the only one who can bring it out of her, that she feels safe around me to be completely vulnerable.
"You know staring is a form of stalking," she says with sleep laced in her voice.
"And you know it's not stalking when said person is your lover and they love it," I tease and she chuckles in defeat.
"We should get up and go home so you can spend some time with your dad," she says and it reminds me that today is the last time I'll see my dad for a while. I should be used to it by now after all the years of him being in the military, but it never gets any easier knowing that he may not return. He's my rock, he's the glue that holds everyone together.
"Yeah," I say reluctantly and grab the covers to reveal her pale skin.
"Hey!" she yells.
"No need to be modest, I've already seen and touched everything," I wink at her and she punches me lightly.
"Just because you've seen everything doesn't mean I want to be naked all the time in front of you," she reasons.
"But what if I want you to be. I think that should be a rule implemented. Whenever we're together and alone, we shall wear our birthday suits," I laugh.
"Oh I bet you'd like that, but remember there's no chance of my mom walking in, and last time I checked, your mom strongly believes in no sex before marriage," she says.
"Ugh you totally killed the mood with the mention of her and that disaster of a talk," I groan and roll onto my back.
"Serves you right for taking my only source of heat," she says playfully.
"I can always warm you up," I wink.
"No I think I'll just take a nice hot shower," she says and stands in all her glory and it makes my mouth go dry.
"Can I join?" I ask standing up long forgetting the covers.
"You wish," she says and walks away and I feel crushed. To busy myself I start to tidy up the room before going to use another bathroom. It takes me ten minutes before I walk back into the room to see her already dressed in the clothes from last night. After getting dressed I wash the dishes and dry them before locking up the house while she waits in the car.
"Are you ready?" I ask once I sit into the car.
"Yes, but I loved this. We should come up here some other time," she says.
"Whenever you want," I say as we take off down the winding roads that were too dark to see clearly last night.
"It's so beautiful," she remarks taking in the different color trees as we're wrapped in the center of nature.
"Not as beautiful as you," I say and grab her hand to kiss it.
"You're so sweet Em, I really don't know what I'd do without you," she says.
"Ditto," I say before returning my attention to the roads. The rest of the trip was spent in a comfortable silence. The travel time was not bad at all since traffic had dissipated hours before. It's not long before I'm pulling up outside her house and I look over to see her asleep against the window.
"Babe," I say and shake her and she wakes immediately with a jump.
"What?" she asked nervously.
"You're home," I say and smile at her.
"Sorry, thanks, see you tomorrow?" she asks and I nod before leaning into kiss her.
"Love you," I say.
"Love you too, text me tonight if you need me," she says. I'm only five minutes away from her by car so I was at my house in no time.
"Dad! I'm home," I yell out as I close the door.
"In here Emily," my mother replies from the kitchen.
"Hey Em," my dad says and I hug him tightly.
"Don't go," I say and he chuckles.
"You used to say that when you were younger," he says.
"Why didn't you ever listen?" I ask.
"Because it's my job," he says and I leave the topic alone.
"How was your night?" he asks and my face goes flush as I look at my mom.
"Oh don't think I don't know what's going on. Were you safe?" she asks and I roll my eyes at the topic reoccurring.
"Yes mom," I groan.
"Good, glad I'm getting through to you," she says satisfied and returns to making dinner.
"So how was your night?" he asks again.
"It was great," I say. "The restaurant I went to, Manny is the chef. I told him to come by for dinner soon".
"Oh Manny, how's he doing? I haven't seen him in years since he went to Paris for that internship with a chef," my mom beams at the thought of him.
"He's great, healthy, enjoying his work. Same old Manny," I respond.
"That's really good, I'm so proud of him," my mom says.
"Alright I'm going upstairs to rest," I say.
"Yeah we all know Alison didn't let you," my dad whispers under his breath loud enough for the room to hear.
"Where did you learn to whisper, in an airplane?" I say sarcastically.
"Oh hush you two. Dinner will be ready in an hour, I'm making your dad's favorite," my mom says playing the mediator. For being a full Filipino, my dad is pretty Americanized; he loves my mom's homemade burgers, barbeque sauce and sweet potato fries.
"Sounds good mom," I say and stalk off for a nice nap.