I wake up in an empty bed with a stiffness in my left arm from it being tucked underneath my sleeping form for the majority of the night. I lay still for a few moments, allowing myself to feel more awake before tossing back the bed sheet. I spend seconds searching through the clothes on the floor and when I can't find my shirt from last night, I grab a fresh one from the drawer and toss it over my head. It barely covered my arse but I was pretty certain that, wherever my favourite red head had got to, she'd be alone and she definitely wouldn't mind the view. It had only just passed half eight and with Olivia having a sleepover at Katie's, coupled with our intense love making that continued into the early hours, I wasn't expecting Emily to even be awake, never mind actually be out of bed. In fact, I distinctly remember her insisting that we spend the majority, if not all of this morning in bed together.
Padding into the kitchen, stifling a tired yawn, I find her. She's finishing off breakfast, in between randomly singing along to the music on the radio. I lean against the doorframe and admire her for a quick few seconds, standing there in nothing but the shirt I had on the night before, which explains why I couldn't find it. Although from here, it looked much better on her than it ever did me. She always had that ability though. To make absolutely anything look fantastic on her. I eventually move, wrapping my arms around her waist before she barely knew I was there.
"Morning," I whisper, placing a wet kiss on the base of her neck. "So this is why you aren't in bed,"
"It's not breakfast in bed if you get up," she giggles her infectious giggle and wriggles herself around to face me, giving me a lingering morning kiss. "Bacon and eggs okay? I wanted to surprise you,"
"Perfect. And you did," I confirm. "I wasn't expecting to find a half naked, beautiful red head in my kitchen this morning,"
"No?" She laughs. I slowly trace the tips of my fingers up her bare thighs then run them along the bottom of the fabric which barely covered her. "Was the first thing I found this morning,"
"It looks good on you,"
"Yeah?"
"Definitely," my fingers trail further and I quickly discover the heat between her legs isn't covered by any sort of fabric at all. Naked. "Fuck, Em,"
"It was also the only thing I found this morning," she winks at me, her teasing seductive tone sending shivers right through me. Naked. Emily naked. From below the trim of that t-shirt at least. She chews her bottom lip rather knowingly. "So, two eggs or one?"
"Ummm,"
"Two, yeah? You're always hungry in the mornings,"
"Emily," I almost groan. She knew exactly what she was doing, the sneaky smirk plastered across her face said it all. She always did love teasing me until I could barely take anymore of it. I clasp her hand with my own, tugging her body closer to mine again. "Come back to bed,"
"What about breakfast?"
"It'll come in handy after we've worked up an appetite," I suggest, leading both of us towards the stairs, caressing her soft lips with my own in between. "I'm hungry for the taste of something else right now,"
"Jesus,"
"When was the last time we done this?" I ask, stroking random lazy patterns on Emily's bare stomach with my index finger. Her post sex look was always one of my favourites. Her darker eyes, her cheeks flushed. I catch her casting me a look with a knowing smile attached to her lips. I chuckle, knowing exactly what she was thinking. "I don't mean that. I mean this, us being in bed till past lunchtime,"
It was almost 1pm but as we lay tangled up in each other's bodies under the bed sheet, neither of us cared for the time.
"Not for a while," she admits. "It's pretty difficult with Olivia getting us up early and sneaking in between us,"
"Yeah, that has to stop," I laugh. "I'm not used to this not sleeping naked thing,"
"Almost forgot what it was like until last night,"
"Well once our little monkey starts staying in her own bed in the mornings, there won't be a chance for you to forget,"
"I think I know why she does it," she whispers, running her fingers along the length of my own before she clasps them together. "To make sure you're still here, to make sure you haven't left,"
"What, really?" I feel a lump in my throat from nowhere. Whatever sort of tough outer shell I used to envelope myself in, Olivia has well and truly broken it down. She was scared to lose me, that alone tugged at my heart strings. I gently squeeze her hand in mine for a brief few seconds. Reassuringly.
"It's just kids talk you know. I think Rebecca's Mum and Dad have split up. Apparently, her Dad left town for work a few weeks ago, without saying bye to Becs and she hasn't spoken to him since. She doesn't understand, poor thing," she trails off momentarily, gazing down at our entwined fingers. "I think it just scared Liv a little bit,"
"That won't happen to us. You're both pretty much stuck with me now," I joke bringing laughter to both our lips. "I'm not going anywhere,"
"I know,"
"And only way I would go anywhere is if you and Liv are right behind me," I edge forward a few inches and leave a soft kiss on her lips before settling my head back down on the pillow we have been sharing all morning. "It's so quiet without her, isn't it?"
"Hmm, it's nice for us to spend some time together though,"
"I wish we could stay like this all day today,"
"Me too but I need to go to the airport soon, remember?" She says, like I could forget. My guts were ever so slightly churning at the thought of the impending visit from Emily's parents. I wasn't even nervous for me. Jenna Fitch never did hide her opinion where I was concerned and anything she was likely to throw at me later, I'd heard from her before. More than once no doubt. I could handle that but I'm not sure Emily is the same. "My Dad said their flight arrives at four o'clock, Katie is bringing Olivia home at three,"
"Do you need me to do anything?"
"Just to keep Olivia preoccupied until we're home,"
"What about the club, it's delivery day isn't it?"
"Yeah but Brandon's dealing with all that," she explains. "He knows we've got a lot on today and I'd rather you were here,"
"No problem,"
"Are you okay?"
"Just preparing myself mentally for your delightful Mother,"
"It'll be alright," she whispers, burying her face into the crook of my neck. I'm not sure she even believed that really. "What's the worst that could happen?"
The worst? That Jenna turned round, got back to the airport and back on a flight to England. Or would that be the best? I daren't discuss with Emily.
"I dunno," I offer a shrug. "I guess it scares me a little to think she could come between us now, after everything we've worked to get back,"
"I'll never let her do that," she says adamantly, stroking my cheek softly with her thumb. I close my eyes before I feel her gentle loving lips cushion my own. She wants me to look at her, so I do. "Never, okay? Anyway, it's not just me she'd have to work on, it's Liv too and good luck with that because no one is making that girl change her mind about you,"
"I love you,"
"I know. I love you too and no one is going to change that," she smiles that smile, god that smile. I stare for too long without saying anything. "What?"
"Nothing. It's just sometimes I wonder what I ever did to deserve you,"
"Guess you just really really lucked out Naoms," she winks cheekily, her fingers trailing up my stomach then circling my left breast. Jesus. "I should really get up and get showered,"
"Five more minutes," I almost groan, I really didn't want her to stop what she's started.
"Okay but I wasn't suggesting I go alone," her seductive throaty whisper lingers in my ear before she nibbles my lobe. I curse out loud.
"What's got into you this morning?"
"Excuse me, may I remind you it was you that impatiently dragged me back to bed this morning? Anyway, with my Parents in the next room for the next week, I'm barely going to be able to touch you,"
"Fuck. Can't they just stay at Katie's?" I suggest whilst pouting in her direction, she laughs at me and slaps my shoulder playfully, reminding me that her Sister doesn't really have the room, at least not like they would have here. "So, we're basically on a sex ban?"
"Not for at least another hour,"
"Shower," I mumble lazily against her mouth, kicking the sheet from our bodies at the same time. "I'll be there in two minutes,"
Scrolling through my contact list on my phone with my thumb, I find the name I was looking for and tap the green call button. It rings but only for a few seconds.
"Naomikins, how the fuck are ya?"
"Hi Cook, are you free?"
"Course babe, always for you," he says, his obvious charm bringing a smile to my face almost instantly. "How's sunny Cyprus treating ya? You missing me?"
"Every single day," I answer. I really did. This was the longest I've ever went without seeing him. We always stuck together. He always had my back.
"Miss you too," I hear him exhale a cigarette and the noise in the background goes a little quieter. "How's Emily?"
"She's great, sends her love by the way,"
"I miss that girl man, she not around?"
"She's at the airport," I say, Cook quips up some predictable joke about how she's had enough of me already but I continue over his laughter. "Picking up her Parents who are staying with us for a week and they know fuck all about me being here,"
"Shit," he still laughs. "That'll be a lovely surprise for her Mum, reckon she'll burst into flames when she finds out you and Emilio are muff diving again?"
"You're such a prick," I roll my eyes. "Is Zo' not around, I could do with some decent conversation and advice?"
"She's at work and anyway you called me first," he points out. I couldn't see him but I know he had that stupid Cook smirk on his face. "Come on Naomikins, I'm only messing. I'm sure things won't be that bad,"
"You do remember her Mum, right?"
"Briefly,"
"She fucking hates me,"
"And Emilio loves you, so fuck what her Mum thinks. It's not like you haven't dealt with her before is it? Anyway, from what I've heard, Katie is a lot more in your corner these days and if you can win frosty knickers over, anything is possible,"
"I really miss you," I say through a grin. "I hope you are treating my friend right,"
"Course I am. Things are pretty mint, I really like her," I refrain from saying 'I told you so' and let him continue for the next while. He sounded happy, from the texts I'd received from Zoe in recent days, she was happy too. Knowing they had each other, it made it easier for me to be here even though I missed them both dearly at times. "I got your picture you sent me yesterday, Olivia really is Emily's mini me huh? You look so happy, the three of you,"
"I really fucking am," it almost sounded so unbelievable. "Jesus, we both are,"
"About time huh?"
"Yes,"
"Ack, we both got there in the end," he adds casually. "It's just our way to take the longer road,"
"Serial fuck ups, that's our thing,"
"Or it was,"
By the time I hang up the phone, the call duration shows that our call lasted forty five minutes. We used to literally talk about all kinds of shit for endless hours when he stayed over at the flat I had in Bristol. Forty five minutes to us was nothing really but it was enough to take my mind off tonight. At least for a while.
I slip into some clothes that are more appropriate seen as we'll have guests later and make my way into the kitchen just as the front door shuts.
"Naomi hiiiiii," Olivia exclaims excitedly, her cute little hyped up giggle filtering through the room. She sprints the last few yards from Katie to myself and launches herself into my welcoming hug. The feeling it gives me, I don't think it will ever disappear or even falter. She hadn't even been gone twenty four hours and it was like she hadn't seen me for a whole lot longer.
"Hey monster," I affectionately kiss her cheek and lower her back to the floor. "Hi Katie. Coffee?"
"Oh please," she accepts gratefully, sitting herself down at the table as I set about making the drink I had just offered to her. "Is Em away to the airport then?"
"Yeah," I glance a look at my watch. "She'll probably be there about now, reckon they'll be home about six. Are you staying?"
"Going to pick up Jake then we'll be back, wouldn't miss the impending car crash,"
"Not helping," I frown slightly, passing the mug of coffee to her.
"Yuk, I said no sugar babes," she quickly pushes the mug back in my direction, screwing her face up at what she's just tasted.
"Sorry. I'll make you a fresh one,"
"You're nervous," it was more of an observation than a question.
"I'm fine,"
"There's about five sugars in that mug. You aren't fine," she pushes her chair back and leans against the counter next to me as I make another pot of coffee. "Naomi, I know she's my Mum and everything but sometimes, she really needs to open her eyes and see what's right in front of her face,"
"She won't like what she'll see. I think that's the problem,"
"She'd see Emily happy with her spark back. She'd see her Granddaughter have a bond with someone who is willing to be there and give her everything a parent should. Most people run a mile when a kid is involved. Fuck, you only need to look at that pathetic weasel that got Emily pregnant to know that. He's not a Dad, he's nothing to Liv but you are. You're the one that's going to be their for birthdays, days at college, to hopefully advise her away from every single thing we did,"
"Fuck yes," we both laugh.
"You'll judge every boyfriend, tell her the skirt she's wearing is far too short, you'll see her get married,"
"That's a long time away. You really believe I'll still be with Em even then?"
"Yeah," she says genuinely. "At least you better fucking be because I told you what would happen if you upset my Sister again,"
"I do recall,"
"You're alright really," she confesses from behind the coffee mug, it just about hides the tiny hint of a smirk appearing on her face. "When you aren't being a complete asshole that is,"
"Sheesh, a compliment from Katie Fitch herself,"
"Don't get too used to it, Campbell. And don't tell Emily,"
"Emily knows you're soft as shit,"
"Maybe but trust me, Miss bitch Fitch is still in here, you keep that ridiculous goofy smile on my Sister's face and you won't ever need to find that out,"
"I'll bare that in mind,"