Moving In With The Enemy

Chapter 67 ~ "Don't Freak Out"

I wake up in the middle of a large bed with Walker beside me. We were completely tangled in bedsheets, just beside each other in a beautiful room. I sigh, feeling my body ache and my head pound, but it's bearable. I shuffle over slightly, laying my head on his chest and snuggling back into his side.

That seems to get his attention, he moves under me and groans slightly, eyelids fluttering. I feel his lips press a simple kiss to my temple and I smile.

"Hey Annie." He mumbles.

"Hi." I whisper back, watching his eyes open slowly. He grins at me easily, running a hand through my hair.

"How do you feel?" He asks and I shrug.

"I have a headache and I'm tired, but I'm okay." I sigh, tracing my fingertips down the centre of his chest. "I had a lot of fun last night."

"Good." He whispers, putting his hand over mine on his chest. "I know how hard you've been working and all the crap we've been dealing with." His voice is thick with sleep, deep and raspy.

"It was nice to have a day that was all fun." I admit. "You really surprised me."

"Tough to do, you're always so on top of your shit." He laughs and I smile too, wrapping my arms tighter and bringing him closer. "Happy birthday, Annie." He adds, giving me a squeeze and I smile.

"Thanks."

"I can't believe you're older than me." He mumbles. "Feels unfair."

"When's your birthday again?"

"May fourteenth." He sighs. "Not for a while."

"Good, I'll have lots of time to plan." I tease, leaning down close and pressing a quick kiss to his lips. "It'll be hard, but I plan to top mine."

"Big talk." He mumbles, pressing his lips quietly to my temple and I grin. "That'll be right around six months for you and I." He says quietly and I blink, realizing he's right.

"Yeah." I nod, reaching my hand out to lace our fingers together. "How does that make you feel?" I ask, genuinely wanting to know and he nods, suppressing a smile. 

"Good." He answers. "I want that for us, you know? It feels a little scary and everything, it's a big deal, but......I don't want anything else." I smile, feeling touched and he sighs. "Sometimes I get freaked out when I look down the tunnel, A. I......I've never wanted to admit that because I feel like it makes me sound like I don't believe in us.....but that's not it, it's just me."

There he went, calling me "A" again. It did remind me of Pretty Little Liars, but he didn't even know what that show was. He was giving my nickname, a nickname.

I snap out of that thought train, knowing it's not important at all. Listening to what he's telling me is important right now, because the last thing I want is for him to run for the hills.

"Look, I know this is scary." I whisper, giving his hand a squeeze. "And I understand why you feel like it's hard, it makes a lot of sense. But......I want you to understand that there's nothing to be afraid of. We've been through the worst of it already. I love you and I always will."

"Even if I mess up?" He asks quietly and I nod.

"Even then." I whisper. "Especially then." I chuckle and he gives me a weak smile. "I want you to trust yourself and trust me. We've made it work this entire month and everything's been perfect, I know it's hard to imagine our relationship a long time from now-"

"No, that's not what I'm nervous about." He says quickly. "It's the opposite, Annie, I do see us together for a long time. I see it all the time, it's......"