saving grace

Chapter 41: Desperate Exchanges

It had been three weeks since you had come back from Ohio, Cate staying one week before she took off to New York for the short film. You missed her like crazy, lonesome and anxious feelings creeping in almost immediately without her presence. Although Dash had basically moved back in with his mom, and he was there with you most nights, you couldn't sleep without her in that big house. You had never known the luxury of a home like Cate's, having stayed in different apartments for most of your life. As a child, your mother and father owned a house together, but it was only a two bedroom, nothing fancy by any means. Cate's home, well your shared home now, was nearly 12,000 square feet, and boy, did you feel every inch of it without her there.

Cate being in New York wasn't the only thing bringing about those anxious feelings, given you were scheduled to start your new job. Your nerves were absolutely shot. You paced almost the entire night, your mind running rampant, sleep not even an option. When it came to be 5:30 a.m., you let Blue out, then forced yourself to hop in the shower. You really really wished Cate was there. She always knew what to say, when to say it, how to say it.

You were grabbing your towel when a FaceTime call came through, Cate's contact name running across the screen. A smile drowned your face as soon as you saw it. You quickly fastened the towel to cover your chest before swiping to answer and setting the phone up against the backsplash. As your phone's connected, you placed both elbows on the counter, leaning in for the most perfect view of your girl.

"Hi bug," you nearly whispered when it finally loaded. Cate appeared to be walking out of a trailer, looking as beautiful as ever with her perfected messy bun and light pink lips.

"Good morning, princess," she grinned, her eyes wandering to the phone's face momentarily, before looking back in front of her to navigate her direction. "How are you feeling?"

"Not great," you admitted, surprising yourself.

Cate waited to enter another trailer and take a seat before responding,"Why aren't you feeling great, baby girl? Anxious?"

You simply nodded your head, tears pricking your eyeballs from all of the built up emotions.

"Hey, don't cry. Should we breathe together?"

You nodded again and closed your eyes, mimicking Cate's loud breath patterns for about a minute and willing the tears away.

When you opened your eyes again, Cate smiled at you. "You look beautiful."

"Stop it," you whined, running a finger under your eye to rid a fallen drop of water. "I miss you," you spoke quietly.

Cate attempted to reassure you, "I miss you too, baby girl. Only five more days until I'm home for the weekend."

"Yeah but then you leave me again..."

"I know, darling. I'm sorry," Cate apologized with a pout.

"No, don't be sorry," you returned, standing up straight and fixing your towel, "I'm just a baby."

You peered down to see Cate's eyes on the towel you just fixed.

"Eyes up here, Ms. Blanchett," you teased, reaching to grab your brush. You grinned at her before looking in the mirror and starting to comb through your hair.

"You know, you could just flash me," Cate encouraged with a sly smile, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms over bust.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, missy."

The two of you let a comfortable silence wash over until you decided to speak.

"How much longer do I have you for?" You asked, moving off to the side to start getting dressed.