Captain

Part twenty two

August 2014

Why was tonight of all nights the night where sleep escaped me? The one night that sleep would do me some good, the night before my wedding.

I had done everything, drank hot tea, read a boring book that I kept avoiding, took a hot bath, and listened to white noise to drown out the city sounds. But nothing.

Here I was tossing and turning while my mind raced, thinking about the events taking place tomorrow. Each time I moved new emotions overtook me. Excited. Nervous. Over the moon. Terrified.

"Agh!" I sat up and fought out of the sheets. Finally, my feet hit the floor sending goosebumps up my body. I glanced at the clock on my nightstand as I headed to the living room.

1:00 AM

Great! Only one... two... six hours till morning. I slumped onto the couch hoping sleep would find me there.

I rested my chin on my hand and stared at the black TV screen before me. Counting sheep was one thing I hadn't tried.

"50...51....52.....53......54," my eyelids finally grew heavy. Peaceful sleep had come up on me at last!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Falling, it felt like I was falling.

"Ahhh!" I yelped. One thing you should not do when trying to fall asleep is rest your head on your hand, slips too easily.

Giving up I headed back to my room to make triple sure that I had everything I needed for tomorrow. Other than sleep that is.

"Shoes, check. Dress, check. Makeup bag, check. Ring, check. Hair-" my train of thought was cut off when my phone lit up.

A message popped up on the lock screen. Steve. I should have known he would be awake too. I opened my phone to read the message.

Steve: Are you awake?

I was just about to answer when another text came through.

Steve: Who am I kidding you never sleep

(Y/n): Am I really that predictable?

Steve: Kinda 🤷🏼‍♂️

(Y/n): Why are you up? Nervous?

Just as I hit send Steve's caller id overtook my screen.

"Steve?"

"Hey, come to the door."

"Come to the door? By that do you mean my door?" I was surprised by the request.

"Yes, just come here," his tone was giddy. Childlike.

"You know we're not technically supposed to see each other until we walk down the aisle."

"We won't see each other," I could just hear him grinning. "I'll just sit on this side of the door and you'll sit on that side in your apartment."

"You have this all planned out don't you?"

"Yes," he chuckled, "planning is one of my strong suits." I'm not going to argue with that.

Some shuffling came from the other side of the door, as I assume he sat down.

"Hi," I whispered breaking the dead silence of the night after taking my place at the door.

"I have something for you," more shuffling came from his side of the door. "Could you open the door just a hair, it won't slide under."

"Sure." I reached up and opened the door just enough for him to set a gift bag in my apartment.

"Can I open it?" I asked after closing the door.