thank you so much for reading, for the kind reviews and favourites :) I honestly thought nobody was reading this
When she wakes up she's sprawled on top of him. Her head resting on his broad chest. Arm clutching his bicep. Legs tangled with his.
For a little while, everything feels right. She's happy. She shifts her head to look up at him. Runs her hand over his chest, kisses him softly. Breathes him in.
She's smiling but quickly frowns when she remembers.
Shit.
They need to talk. They need to figure this out.
It's back. That clench in her stomach. It's hard to breathe again. She holds him tighter for a while. He's going to wake up soon. She could spend the day right here.
She moves gently. Tries to leave the bed without waking him. He stirs. She wants to cry.
He breathes peacefully. His hair is a mess. Makes him look adorable. She wants to kiss him. Wants to run her fingers through his ruffled hair. Bury her face in his neck. Snuggle deeper into his arms. Hmm.
Instead she walks away. Goes to the kitchen and attempts to make some coffee. They're going to need it.
He usually doesn't wake up easily. He's a heavy sleeper. But when something troubles him, he wakes to the faintest of sounds.
The bed is still warm. But she's gone. That's when he hears the sound that woke him. She's making coffee.
They need to talk.
They have serious communication issues. It's bad. Half the mess they are in could have easily been avoided by talking. Just sitting down and talking. They did it well when they started out. Why did it stop?
He takes things slow with her. Obviously because she's different. He knows he can't push her. She feels smothered easily. Also he rushed his last two marriages. Look what happened there. He's careful with her. Apparently too careful. But it's just because he really wants this to be it.
He loves her.
He tries to give her the space he thinks she needs. It was too much.
He knows she'll take the job. But if that's what she really wants, he won't let her turn it down.
He didn't feel like this yesterday. But he thought about it. Last night, while she fell asleep in his arms. While her breath eased and slowed. Her head resting in his chest. Right next to his neck.
He loves her. He can be selfish. But he can't be selfish with her. When he bought the ring he wanted her to know that he's serious about this. Maybe that would change her mind.
Maybe that would make her stay.
But when he got down on one knee, he knew that's not why. When he asked her, he knew.
He doesn't care. She can choose to stay or go. Whatever it is, he's with her. They will make it work. He can't make her choose. No. He loves her.
Time to let her know. Again.
He gets up. Moves to put some clothes on, but remembers they're alone. Instead he goes to the bathroom. Washes his face. Needs the cold water to wake up a little.
He looks in the mirror. I'm such an idiot, he thinks. He needs coffee. He needs to tell her.
the next chapter will be the last. thanks again for reading :)