seven [j.m.k]

X

"Harry!" I said in a rough, sleep deprived  british accent, lifting up the small black cat with that name. "Are you excited to be on the road for 14 hours? I sure am."

"Oh that reminded me! I'll go fill up a water bottle for his bowl." Josh leaped up and started filling a large water jug, perfect to refill Harrys bowl as needed.

We had a 14 hour drive ahead of us, from here to back home. We'd been planning the trip since March, wanting to visit for the fourth of July.

"Okay so getting everything clear, we're doing driving shifts right? Switch every- what did we say? Five hours?" I asked with a yawn, aimlessly reaching my hand out for the coffee Josh was drinking. He laughed and handed me the mug, taking it back when I took a sip.

"Yep. I'll drive first, you sleep for a bit." He pat me on the shoulder and I chuckled.

"I'm so excited." Josh giddily jumped up, and I yawned in response.

"Me too. Kinda nervous though. Haven't been there in almost 16 years." I raised my eyebrows, stroking the cat that had just curled in my lap.

"That's such a long time. I know my Mom is so excited to see you. She's gonna cry though, just wanting you." Josh smiled, and I fondly grinned.

"Oh mine too. I'm excited for everyone to meet Roman. They're gonna love him."

"They will. Here." He handed me a fresh cup, and I smiled gratefully.

"Thank you." I told him, and scrunched my nose with a smile as he gave me a kiss on the forehead.

"I can't believe no one wanted to road trip with us. We're gonna have so much fun. They're gonna be stuck in the stupid air port, and we don't have to do that!" I hopped in the passenger seat of Athena, thinking back to the last time we had loaded into here.

"C'mere." Josh giggled, and urged me to scoot up beside him. He tapped my nose with his fingertip and I rested my head on his shoulder.

"You ready, mama?" He asked as he started the car.

"Yep." I smiled as I curled up closer to him.

I quickly dozed off as Josh got onto the interstate in the late hours of the night, his warmth relaxing me as he drove. Harry was situated between us, and my hands sleepily rested on his fur.

When I woke up, sunlight was creeping into the sky.

"Oh shit, is it my turn to drive?" I sat up and asked, music playing quietly in the background.

"Good morning." He smiled at me, and I fully woke up, taking in my senses.

"Morning. If you stop at the next exit I'll drive." I looked up at him and he and he nodded.

"You wanna get breakfast? We can switch out there." He had already pulled up the name of a small diner on the gps, and I smiled.

Over pancakes, we discussed our trip.

"Sam told me about his fireworks plans. He has many. And Hannah's coming. He's super nervous about that." Josh sleepily nodded as he talked about his brother.

"How much fireworks?" I laughed, and Josh scoffed.

"You can never have too much." He yawned, and I smiled at his face.