Lightweight

Chapter Twelve

Annie slept better than she had in a long time. It was a mixture of sheer exhaustion from the previous day's events and the toll it had taken on her both physically and emotionally and the fact that she was in Niall's arms that helped her to sleep so soundly. Nothing felt better than the way his arms felt around her. Nothing gave her as much comfort and security as knowing the fact that Niall held her in his arms.

Not usually being one to dream, or remember the ones that she had, Annie was surprised when thoughts of Niall filled her brain during her slumber. It was beautiful. Images from Annie's memories of Niall were replayed for her to bask in. How he smiled down at her at the pool, the smirk he wore at the club, how sexily fierce he had gotten when seeing that she was the main focus of other men's attention, all of these played out in her mind. The only thing that could pale in comparison to them was the actual real thing that just so happened to be curled around her and snoring in her ear quietly.

Niall's arms were constricting her in such a way that it made moving near impossible and breathing effectively a difficult task. It was as if he were holding onto Annie for dear life, afraid she would slip through his arms if he lessened his hold on her just a bit. As much as she hated to do it, Annie had to wriggle out of his hold. The bathroom was calling her name and her bladder ached in pain. If Niall did cooperate soon a very awkward situation would emerge. He was in such a deep slumber, probably just as exhausted from yesterday's events, that when Annie forcibly removed herself from his embrace he barely stirred, replacing Annie's body with a pillow.

Before Annie left to relieve herself she took one last look at the sleeping angel in her bed. How had she gotten so fortunate to be the one who he decided to shine his light upon? She didn't deserve the happiness he brought her and Annie was more than aware of that fact. Tearing her eyes away, she went to the bathroom to relieve herself.

Stealing a glance at herself in the mirror while washing her hands in the bathroom sink, Annie was shocked at her appearance. Used to the unsatisfied feeling she got when peering at the image usually reflected to her from the mirror, Annie was no stranger to wishful and unaccepting sighs at her appearance. This was different. Annie looked different. Her eyes were more hollow and her cheeks less round showing off her cheek bones even more than usual. Pulling down the collar of her shirt, Annie revealed the sunken in hole between her protruding collarbone and her shoulder muscle had deepened. Was this a good thing or bad thing? Annie had no idea. She thought she looked good but come to think of it, she couldn't really remember the last time she had eaten. That began to worry her.

"Annie?" Niall's worried voice called from her bed.

"One second Niall," Annie called back and fixed her hair, messy from sleep, into a tight braid.

There he was, lying in her bed. Looking exhausted and beat to hell but he was there. More amazingly, he wore a smile. After all Annie had put him through he was still happy to see her and that amazed Annie. She could never be that forgiving. Ever.

"What time is it?" Niall asked, sitting up in the bed and looking at the curtained window, bright light shining through the cracks where the pieces of dangling fabric didn't fully meet up.

"Does it matter?" Annie asked with a smile, remembering her promise to Niall the night before. For the day, Annie belonged to Niall completely and she fully intended on carrying out her promise.

"I guess it doesn't," Niall smiled and got out of the bed and walked over to Annie. Snaking his arms around her waist and pulling her closer to him he looked down and asked, "What do you want to do?"

"It's up to you," Annie smiled back up at him.

"You really shouldn't give me that kind of power," Niall said in a low voice that sent shivers down Annie's spine.