WHEN YOU FINISH SAVING THE WORLD ✸ Joel Miller

i. Calm Before The Storm

[ CHAPTER ONE ! ]

the calm before the storm

SEPTEMBER 26, 2003

THE DAY I DIED WAS ALREADY off to a bad start when my alarm failed to go off. Maybe it was a sign. 

Sarah stood on the opposite side of the door, banging as she shouted the word "alarm" at Joel and I. While Joel took his time to rub his eyes before turning over, I was focused on checking the time. 7:09. "Shit. Get up." 

I slowly rose from the bed with a yawn. I threw my shirt over my head and exchanged it for the first I could find hung on my side of the closet. Then, slid a simple pair of jeans over my legs. 

Joel was just then getting out of bed when I made my way over to him with a smile. "Happy birthday." 

My arms wrapped around his waist as he kissed my temple. "And happy birthday to you." 

Some have said that Joel and I were soulmates just because we had the same birthday. Like it was some sort of perfect reasoning for us to be together. 

Today's also our anniversary. We met ten years ago today. Married four years ago. Today.

"So what type of birthday gifts do we get today?" Joel asked me with a small grin, the very grin I fell in love with. The one I've watched fade over the years.

I shrugged at his question. "Sarah's making us pancakes." 

He pulled away from me with a puzzled gaze. "I hate pancakes." 

I nodded. Then beamed. "But I love them." 

He copied my smile and nodded as well. He seemed suddenly okay with having pancakes. "Whatever you want, I'll have." 

This was the perfect response. A refreshing response. Both Joel and I had always been far too arrogant to show one another affection. These quick compliments and looks of love were things neither of us was used to receiving, and we were okay with that. 

I was okay with that. The looking away when getting caught staring, the small smiles, when our hands would brush against each other's and it was like the biggest deal. Like we were two pre-teens falling in love for the first time again. 

"What're you thinking about?" 

I was returned to reality when I hear this question. I look back up at him and shake my head. "Nothing. Let's go. I'm hungry and feeding for two." 

This made him smile. The look in his eye was as if he just found out about the baby boy growing in my stomach. Our baby boy.

AS I WALKED DOWN THE STAIRS, I was immediately met with the scent of bacon and eggs. I turned the corner and see Sarah standing over the stove, cooking bacon and eggs.