Thank you to Frannie and Dani!
Day 19: April 1, 2020
Emmett
6:23 PDT
Los Angeles, California
Rose catches me as I slip back into our room. "What the fuck are you doing?" She groans, glancing at her time on her phone.
"Sorry, Baby. Did I wake you?"
She rubs a hand across her eyes, frowning. "Why are you up so early?"
I shrug lightly. "Had a few things to do."
Rose raises an eyebrow, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from confessing. Instead, I pull my shirt off and climb back into bed. She side-eyes me for a minute before shifting to curl into me. I grin, pulling her closer to my chest.
Fuck, I love her.
It's getting harder and harder not to say it. I know she was scared about us living together so quickly, and after Edward was done quarantining, I'd half expected I'd have to bunk with him, but so far, Rose hasn't made any mention of getting our own space back yet. I wonder if it's something I should bring up.
I fight with myself for a moment, warring about the best way to bring it up, when Rose taps my chest lightly. "Hey," she murmurs. I glance down at her.
"Yeah?"
I can feel her swallow against my chest. "I'm glad you're here."
My heart flips over in my chest. "In bed?" I ask, unsure how literally to take her. She taps my chest again gently, and I feel her lips move in a smile.
"Yes. In bed, in this room, in this house, in my life," she pauses, looking up at me. Her blue eyes are so bright and wide with her vulnerability; it takes my breath away. "I know I was a bitch about this whole thing, but I'm glad you're here, with me."
Now's the time. I have to tell her how I feel; it's right there, on the tip of my tongue.
I open my mouth, but Rose speaks again, her eyes trained on her fingers as she traces patterns across my abs. "This is so much faster than I would have ever chosen to move, but it's less scary with you," she whispers.
My words catch in my throat. She's not ready. She's still trying to come to terms with us dating; if I tell her I love her, she'll freak out. I think she feels somewhat close to that for me, but I don't want to rush her.
So instead of saying the words that so desperately want to come out, I squeeze my arm around her, leaning over to kiss the top of her head.
"I wouldn't choose to be anywhere else," I tell her honestly. She looks up at me, and I see it in her eyes; tender, terrified love. It's there, and maybe she can't say it yet, but I can see it, and for now, that's enough.
I love this softening Rose and Sweet Emmett. So sweet together!
Okay, for those of you who have been paying attention, and I mean REALLY paying attention. Tomorrow is the day!
See you then!