Five More Minutes
Seattle Grace Hospital, Washington 2008
Lexie woke before her alarm. A first, surely. Today something was different, normally she would turn over and go back to sleep. But when Mark was in bed with her, she either snuggled into his side, or drew her eyes over his jawline. Or the curvature of his chest. She lifted her head from the pillow and kissed his cheek. He was still asleep, his breathing still a calm exhale, his chest gently rising and falling. Her hand rested over the top, feeling the thumping of heart. The feeling that always calmed her, made her feel safe, because she knew he was there. Present, even when he was asleep.
When the corners of his mouth began to curl at the edges, she realised he was having her on. Then one eye opened and he began to smile properly. She poked him in the ribs and his eyes opened, his torso bending over slightly as he overdramatically reacted to the poke. "Ow, what did I do to you?" He said, smirking slightly. She did nothing but smile in reply, closing her eyes as she pressed her lips to his, her hands either side of his face. "Okay, this is a little nicer."
She lay back with her head on his chest and her whole body relaxed into him. He kissed the top of her head and breathed deeply. "Do we have to get up?" Her voice was small, but present.
He looked over at the clock on his nightstand and then sighed. "Yeah, I have a cleft palate fix on a little kid this morning."
She turned round to face him, her chin on his chest and her arms folded. "Can I scrub in?"
"I thought you were on Derek's service today?"
She smirked, "well I'm supposed to be, but see my boyfriend's the head of Plastics and I was hoping-"
He kissed her to get her to stop talking, "maybe I'll think about it."
She looked at him bluntly and put her hands together, "please." Then she kissed him again, sitting up so that she was in his lap. "Please." She held off kissing him until he opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Oh-oh you're serious," he said,
She nodded, biting her lip. "Is there anything I can do to convince you?"
He lifted an eyebrow, "ohh, I see how it is." He grabbed her by the waist and rolled over so she was lying back on the bed. "I think there are a few things you can do for me," then he delved into her face. His hands over her waist, squeezing lightly to tickle her.
"Hey!" She squealed, her fingers brushing through his hair. Then her long arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him back down.
"Five more minutes." And they had it, their five more minutes in bed. Their five more minutes before they got up and faced the patients, faced the day.