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Chapter 5: Snow On The Beach

Y/N POV

"Good morning, darling." Are the first words I hear as my eyes flutter open, spoken softly into the quiet of the morning. I can't help but smile as my eyes settle on what I'm positive is one of my favorite sights as Florence strides towards the bed from the bathroom.

"Morning." I manage to rasp out, my own voice thickly coated in sleep.

Florence crouches down beside the bed, facing me. She leans in and presses a gentle kiss against my forehead before running her fingers soothingly through my hair. I relax into the sensation happily, letting my eyes fall closed once more for a brief moment.

After a moment, I open my eyes once more to find Florence staring at me. Her eyes are focused on me, her expression curious. "What's that look for?" I ask with a smile. Florence lets out a small chuckle at my question, or maybe just at the fact that I've caught her staring.

"Just....you." She says simply. "You know, I've been privileged enough to be able to wake up in many places with many beautiful views. But I'm certain that none of them ever have or ever will top this."

"This?" I question.

"This. You. The way you look when your eyes first open in the morning. They shine different. It's like the new day brings this brightness to them that time hasn't had the chance to touch just yet. It's mesmerizing. You are mesmerizing." She says.

I'm not sure if it's because of how taken aback I am by the beauty of the compliment or the fact that I woke up five minutes ago, but I can't seem to find the words to respond. Instead, I do what I think might actually be better than any verbal response I could give.

I move so that I'm propped on my own arm and lean forward just slightly, connecting my lips with Flo's softly. When I pull back, I notice her expression is one of joyous relief. When she opens her eyes to look at me once more, they're now alight with a brightness all their own.

"Oh thank god." Florence breathes out with a satisfied sigh of relief. I quirk my brows at her in question. She looks down shyly before responding.

"I've wanted to do that since I first laid eyes on you when I woke up. But I didn't know if I could...I didn't know if yesterday was different, like a one time thing or...." I cut off her rambling with another soft kiss before pulling back and leveling my gaze on hers.

"Florence, of course you can do that. For as long as you'll let me, I'll welcome them from you just the same. Yesterday was different. But I wouldn't call it a one time thing. Unless that's what you wanted it to be..." I trail off, suddenly too aware of my own nervousness in this situation.

She cups the side of my face gently, running her thumb against my cheek as she shakes her head. "Don't worry darling..." she begins with a cheeky grin that makes me roll my eyes playfully at her. "I want this. I want you. And while much of yesterday was actually a once in a lifetime sort of deal, I promise you that you and I are most certainly not."

I smile at her reassurance. "We've got infinity." I say softly. "We've got right now and infinity, my love." She adds with a smile of her own.

She leans in and presses one more soft kiss against my forehead before standing up. "I'm gonna go run and check on Granzo, I'll be right back. Do you need anything?" She asks. I shake my head. "Just you." I reply honestly. With a small nod of her head, she turns and pads quietly out of the room, clicking the door closed behind her.

I figure since I'm already awake, I may as well stay that way. I push the covers off of myself and climb out of bed, heading for the bathroom. Once I've taken care of the morning basics, I make my way back towards the bed.