Across the Ocean - Kyra Cooney-Cross

Chapter Twelve - Je t'aime

Waking up in Steph and Dean's house was as comforting as the morning before, except this time, Kyra was there. Her arm was draped over me, holding me tight as if she were awake. 

In the chaos of the past two days, I hadn't even realized she was flying in last night. I hadn't expected to see her right off the plane, so it didn't even cross my mind.

I quietly shifted, allowing her arm to loosen and fall from my skin. I tiptoed past the bed and gently creaked the door open. 

I could hear muffled voices downstairs, so I closed the door behind me and followed the sound. As I took the last step, I was met with Dean and Steph, both standing in the kitchen with a coffee each. Their conversation immediately stopped.

I rolled my eyes, jokingly saying, "If you're going to talk about me, at least do it somewhere else." 

Steph immediately placed her cup on the bench, and as I walked toward her, her arms opened, a soft, empathetic look smothering her face.

"Elmo," she murmured as she came close. 

I'd never had a proper nickname before, and when Katie McCabe screamed it at me one night after playing cards, it stuck. It was special and just for me. 

Steph's hug was warm and felt like home. 

"I'm so sorry," she said, shaking her head as I pulled away.

I smiled softly, "I'm okay, seriously." 

I glanced at Dean, indicating it was thanks to him. He smiled in return and clearly said while placing his mug on the bench, "Breakfast?" He pointed at me and squinted his eyes, "I think you feel like avocado today."

I giggled, he loved guessing what I felt like. I nodded with a grin. 

Steph shook off her sorrowful empathy and scoffed pointing at the stairs, "Go wake her up. She slept the whole flight and all night." 

She rolled her eyes, and I nodded, turning back around and heading back upstairs.

Kyra was still perfectly asleep, the blanket now gripped in her hands in the absence of me. I leaned over her, caressing her shoulder. 

"Darl," I whispered, shaking her softly. 

Her eyes fluttered awake, and with a very cute, tired voice, she asked, "What? Are you okay?"

I smiled at her concern, "come on, breakfast." 

She stretched and groaned, slowly waking up.

Kyra sat up, rubbing her eyes. 

"What time is it?" she asked, her voice still thick with sleep.

"Time to eat," I replied, trying to keep my voice light and cheerful. 

She gave me a sleepy smile and swung her legs over the side of the bed, standing up and stretching her arms above her head.

As her body relaxed from it's stretching her arms dropped from above and she instantly slung them over me. 

"I'm hungry" she was so carefree and silly, I giggled against her. 

"Of course you are" I said rolling my eyes. 

She leant back placing a quick kiss on my lips and pulled away just enough for her hand to slip down my arm and grasp my hand, our fingers intertwining. 

We made our way downstairs, and as we entered the kitchen, Steph and Dean were busy preparing breakfast. The smell of freshly toasted bread and coffee filled the air. Dean looked up from the stove and grinned at us.