wild summer | #wattys2021

chapter fourteen

Maisie's pov

A yawn escaped my lips as I fought the chance to let my eyes stay open while I unlock the front door. I just got back from the shooting set, we finished pretty late today before we wrapped up.

Once inside, I felt like I was dreaming or hallucinating because my eyes landed on an imaginary James sitting on the couch looking at me. I widened my eyes at first and my hands came up to rub it before I realized that I wasn't imagining.

James quickly crashed his arms around my shoulder and kissed my head repeatedly. I can feel my eyes became wet with tears. I missed his touch.

"Hey sweetheart," he chuckled.

"Hey," I replied, still cannot believe he is here with me. "You should have called me."

"I did, but it didn't get through," he said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Sorry, my phone is probably dead, I forgot to bring a charger," I explained to him. "I was so worried about you, James. You haven't called or texted me back. I thought something happened to you. I thought- I thought you left me," I said, my voice breaking.

Tears welled and fell down my face. In that moment, I reached for James and hold him tight. I'm afraid if I let him go, he will disappear and this will only be a dream.

I hate crying but James is actually here, really here with me so I couldn't help it, I let it out.

"I'm here Maisie. I'm here with you." James soothing voice calms me down.

"Don't leave, please," I begged him. What a silly thing to say, I thought. It's not like he's breaking up with me.

James wrapped his arms around me, keeping me safe. I missed the warmth of his embrace.

"I'm not leaving you, sweetheart. Now let's take you to bed."

I stripped myself off my thin sweater and leggings. James helped me change into one of my pajama shirts before crawling into bed and lay down beside me. I sighed contently as I snuggled against him.

He's here. He's actually here.

I noticed the way James would slowly rub my skin as I hold onto him and then our breaths would sync up instinctively.

For the first time after a long time, James breathes out the three words I've been missing and dying to hear again from him. "I love you," he affirmed.

"I love you," I replied quietly, my voice a little worn out after crying and also because I'm tired.

I don't know why but I can feel James wrapped his arms around me to get me closer to him than I already was. It's been a while, and I missed him too so I don't mind. I don't plan on leaving the bed anytime soon anyway.

It was around seven thirty when I woke up the next morning. I was confused when I heard sounds coming from the kitchen as I walked through the living room. I saw James' tall figure stirring the coffee in his mug.

"Morning," I greeted James before I took the mug from his hand and took a sip. He's having black coffee, which is not my favorite. I always prefer tea or at least latte.

"Good morning." James' voice filled the small kitchen.

I returned the mug to James and he took a big gulp of his black coffee before putting the mug down.

"When did you get up?" I asked him. "I missed you in bed."

"I woke up at six thirty," he stated shortly. "Come sit, I made breakfast."