Finding Her Again

13 - Milo

natalie

I woke up with her in my arms, but this time, I'm not going anywhere.

And I didn't want to move because I didn't want to wake her up. She's laying right next to me with her head buried in my side with her legs and arms curled up. I can't wake her up when she looks this cute. So I just laid there, staring at the ceiling.

Mackenzie and I are on the road to actually getting back together. But how will that effect my media presence? How will that effect her?

She's not famous. People don't know who she is. I don't know if she can handle this all.

All the paparazzi, the intruding fans, the danger that is being famous.

She took a deep breath and rolled away from me, still on top of my arm.

I took my left arm and ran my fingers through her beautiful hair.

"Mmm." She turned back to face me with her eyes still closed, "G'morning."

"Good morning, pretty lady." I put my hand on her cheek.

She blinked her eyes a few times and a smile came over her face, "This has to be a dream."

I shook my head the best I could, "It's not."

She snuggled closer to me, "You have no idea how much I've missed this."

"You have no idea how much I've missed this."

She shook her head, "I have to go check on Kat and Milo."

"Milo?" I raised my eyebrows.

She rubbed her eyes, "My new cat. I figured Kat was lonely so we got him a friend."

"Logical." I nodded and kissed her gently. "I think I've missed kissing you the most."

She rolled on top of me, "Wanna have morning sex?"

I smirked, "I thought you would never ask."

<><><><>

We were sitting on my couch. I took the day off from everyone. Meaning I left my phone sitting on my bedside table after telling everyone I was sick.

Her head was resting in my lap. I was stroking her hair. We were watching Grey's Anatomy. Life was perfect right at this moment.

"I never understood why they killed off the best character." Her eyes were glued on the TV. And mine were glued on her.

How could I have let someone this wonderful go? I'm such an idiot.

She looked up at me, as if reading my mind, "What's on your mind?"

"I can't believe I wasted five years of my life without you. I've missed so much."

She scoffed and sat up, "What have you missed?"

I rolled my eyes, "You're a Doctor, you have cats, you surf, so much more."

She shook her head, "I'm a boring person. I got my PhD in Sociology last September because I graduated a semester early. And now I sit in my house, surf, or go out with Abel." She stroked my leg, "You haven't missed much."

I put my hand on top of hers, waiting until she looked back at me, "You're not boring. I wish I was there for those accomplishments in your life, smart ass."

She smiled and shook her head, looking down. Then she looked back up at me, "What about what I've missed with you! You're a superstar. How many awards?"

I rolled my eyes, "I don't care about that stuff."

"How many?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

"22. Four Oscars, one Emmy, six MTV awards, five Golden Globes, and two Teen Choice. A few others but you wouldn't really know them." I smirked at her, "Is, uh, what I would say if I cared." I tucked a loose piece of hair behind my ear in a non-Debby Ryan way.

"Right." She shook her head then looked at me, "You're so wonderful, Natalie. What happens when you leave my house? You're famous. How are we supposed to see each other? Go out on dates? How are we supposed to be normal?"

I kissed her gently then rested my forehead against hers, "We can be normal. We just have to soft-launch. I have to talk to my team and we'll figure it out."

"But for now?" She didn't move away.

"For now, we keep it a secret." I kissed her again, "But I love you. I won't keep you hidden forever."

She kissed me, this one rougher than the last, "Say it again."

"I won't keep you hidden."

"The other thing."

"I love you."

She smiled, "I love you too."

"I love you the most."

"Impossible."

I shook my head and leaned over to kiss her again, "I love you."

She giggled.

I smiled wider and kissed her again, "I love you." I kissed her again as she leaned back on the couch, "I love you." She was laying down now, "I love you."

She was breathing heavy and looking up at me.

Then she started to cry.

"Oh baby," I put my hand on her cheek, "am I hurting you?"

"No." She wrapped her arms around me, preventing me from moving away, "I just missed you so much. I've missed those words."

"I've missed you too, Mackenzie Valentine." I looked between her eyes, "I love you. Always have. Always will."

"Promise?" She held up her pinky.

I smiled and interlocked our fingers, "I promise it. Swear it. Cross my heart."

She looked at our pinkies then back at me, "If you break it-"

"I have to cut off my pinky. I remember."

She nodded, "I love you."

I wiped her eyes, "I love you more." I kissed her gently.