Getting back to "Normal" | Rhekker

Chapter 76- Bagels and Breakthroughs

Ava stayed in but until nearly midday, tried from her impromptu drink and heavey season the day prior. Connor had rose to us the bathroom and get some light breakfast that he also offered to Ava before returning to bed himself, wrapping a strong arm around her that sat heavey on her waist.

Ava rolled towards the mattress, turning to face Connor. He stroked her head lovingly , seeing the ghost of a smile on her lips. "You're awake" Connor stroked her cheek.
"Mhm, nope" Ava buried her face into his chest, turning her nose towards him.
"Oh, so Dr. Bekker sleep talks now, mhm?" He teased.
"Mhm Huh, now shhh" Ava reached an arm up, placing a finger on Connors parted lips.
"Sleep well, Aves" he brought his bottom lip to brush against her forehead.

Hours went by before Connor left the bed again to stretch his legs. He made his way to the kitchen to get a coffee, letting the machine heat up with his cup ready for the hot liquid.
Connor heard shuffling behind him and turned.
"Hey sleepyhead" Connor grinned, meeting Ava half way.
"Hi" she yawned.
"I just got to stretch my legs and get a coffee. I was going to come back"
"It's fine, I wanted to get up for a glass of water"
Ava bit her lip lightly.
"I know I'm sleeping a lot lately, you know you don't have to stay with me if you don't want" she told him.
"I know, Aves. But that was all I wanted, when you were gone. To have you in my arms" Connor ran a hand over his beard.
"I suppose I'm being greedy, now, that I have you here again I don't want to let you go"
"Stay as long as you want, me just don't want you to feel like you had to" she told him.
Connor closed the gap between them, wrapping his arms around her he rested his head on hers. "I want too"

Connor stepped back, keeping Ava's arms in his hands.
"You hungry?" He asked.
Ava thought for a moved before nodding.
"I'll make you something, salmon cream cheese bagel?"
"Thank you"
Connor dropped her arms, going to the fridge to start on Ava's late lunch, sipping his coffee as he went. Ava went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. While she was there Ava ran a hand through her curls, she pursed her lips, brushing her hair behind her back again. Ava went back into their room picking mismatched a silky robe to cover herself before walking back into the kitchen.

Connor plated a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel with a side of fruit at the dinner table. The majority of Ava's meals consisted of a large portion of fruit or veg to get her vitamin levels up. "I'm going to have a shower, there's more grapes in the fridge if you'd like" He told her, touching her arm briefly before moving past her to the bathroom.

Ava sat down at the kitchen table, dropping her robe from her shoulders she took her first bite from her bagel, wiping her excess cheese from her face. Ava looked out the window, dropping her bagel she leapt out of her chair, sending it screeching against the floor.

*

"Ava?" Connor wandered into the main part of the house, his hair fluffy and freshly dried. Connor sees her robe on the chair and the half eaten bagel but didn't spot her anywhere. He turns away from the kitchen, something catching his eye on the balcony.
"Ava!" He flung the door open, wrapping an arm securely around her waist.
Ava was stood barefoot in about three inches of snow, in nothing more than a light nightgown. Staring deeply at her hands.
"Ava you'll freeze to death" he tugged her inside, keeping a hold of her hands he kicked off his slippers, guiding them in front of Ava.
Ava swallowed and stepped into the shoes that were far too large for her.
"The snow" she turned to look out the window, "And the wind, I- I forgot what it felt like" she muttered softly, looking back to her hands that were damp with melted snow.
Connor glanced between Ava and the outdoors.
"We can go out, if you'd like" Connor broke his hand away from here, reaching out he brushed the back of a finger against her cheek, getting her attention.
"Yeah- yeah okey" Ava nodded, looking at their still joined hand.