If You Only Knew

Chapter 11

I woke up the next morning to a soft, golden light sneaking through the cracks in the blanket fort. The warmth of the sun kissed my skin, casting dappled shadows across the cozy little space we had created. I felt the comforting weight of Louis's arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer in my sleep, his chest rising and falling with a steady rhythm. The peaceful quiet of the morning was only broken by the soft rustle of the blankets as I stirred, my heart swelling with affection.

I stayed there for a moment, simply watching him. His face was soft in slumber, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of his lips, his messy hair falling across his forehead like he didn't have a care in the world. His breath was warm against my neck, and I felt the urge to just stay like this forever—safe, tangled in the warmth of his embrace.

But the craving to do something special for him tugged at me. I didn't want this moment to end, but I also wanted to give back in my own way. Slowly, I eased out of his arms, careful not to wake him, and padded quietly to the kitchen. The soft creak of the floorboards beneath my feet was the only sound as I set to work, my heart light with happiness.

I started by making French toast, the sweet scent of cinnamon and vanilla filling the room as I carefully dipped each slice of bread into the egg mixture, watching as it turned golden in the pan. The rich smell of sizzling butter mixed with the sweetness of the toast. I cut up some strawberries, the bright red fruit so vibrant against the dull kitchen counter. It felt like the perfect morning, even in its simplicity.

As I flipped the last piece of French toast, I felt familiar arms snake around my waist, pulling me back against a warm body. My breath hitched at the closeness, and I smiled as Louis's voice whispered against my ear, low and warm. "Good morning, baby."

I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. "Good morning, Boobear. I made us breakfast!"

"Thank you, love," Louis murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the back of my neck. The touch sent a little shiver down my spine, and I smiled, feeling a rush of affection.

I placed the last piece of French toast on the plate, then turned to face him. Without thinking, I pressed a quick kiss to his lips, my heart fluttering at the softness of it. "Come on, Boo. Let's go eat."

Louis released me with a playful grin, and we walked back to the fort together, our hands brushing as we moved. The air between us was warm, charged with the intimacy of the morning. When we settled down, our legs tangled together under the blanket, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.

As we dug into our breakfast, the peaceful silence was broken by the familiar ping of Louis's phone. He picked it up lazily, glancing at the screen with a smirk.

"Oh, Niall texted me. He said the boys want to go to the field today and play some footie. Are you in?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with a playful gleam.

I giggled, feeling that familiar warmth spread through my chest. "Do you even need to ask, Haz?"

Louis laughed, his voice light and carefree. "Okay, I'll let Niall know we're in."

As I watched him type a response, I couldn't help but smile at how natural everything felt between us. It was the kind of day that made the world feel small and right, like nothing else mattered except the two of us, and the laughter we shared.

Not even thirty seconds later, Louis's phone buzzed again. He read the text aloud. "Okay, Niall said the boys want to meet around 5 pm. Does that sound good for you?"

"Sounds good to me," I said, glancing at him. My heart fluttered again, and I suddenly felt a little shy. "What do you want to do in the meantime?"

Louis raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "What's got you so shy, Curly?"