The Space Between

FOURTEEN

I wake up to the sound of Malia's 5:30 alarm going off on her cell phone. I groan and reach over to hit the snooze button, wanting nothing more than to stay in bed with her for a little longer. Malia, however, is already stretching and preparing to get up.

"Five more minutes?" I mumble, pulling her closer and kissing her gently.

She laughs softly, "I wish, but I have to get ready for set."

We lay there for a few more precious minutes, embracing each other and sharing soft kisses. Eventually, Malia sits up and heads to her dresser to pick out some clothes. Suddenly, I remember the gifts I bought back while I was on tour.

"Hey, I have something for you," I say, reaching over to my tote bag. I pull out the diamond earrings I found at a farmers market in Philly and the assorted box of chocolates from a candy store in Pittsburgh.

Malia's eyes light up as she sees the gifts. "Oh my gosh, Kylie, these earrings are beautiful! I'll wear them after my shower. Thank you! And the chocolate, I'll savor later." She gives me a quick kiss before heading back to her dresser. "I have something for you too."

She hands me a cream hoodie that says "To the Moon and Back" with planets and stars around the words. "I got this from a boutique when I was hanging out with Ruby."

I smile, feeling the soft fabric between my fingers. "I love it, and I'll wear it today."

"Oh, and Ruby's in L.A. for some modeling gigs," Malia adds casually.

"Really? Awesome! I'm thrilled she's in the city," I reply, genuinely happy.

After exchanging our gifts, Malia asks, "So, what are your plans while you're here?"

"I'll wait for you until you are done with set," I say, my voice sincere and sweet.

Malia smiles, "I always have time in the afternoon to grab lunch and hang out with Ariana and Priah. You should join us."

"Sure, that's cool! We can decide where to go later," I respond, feeling excited about the day ahead.

Malia looks at me with concern, "You really didn't have to cancel some of your tour shows for me. I feel like I'm holding you back. I know how much performing means to you."

I shake my head and pull her into a kiss, my hands around her waist, eventually reaching down to grab her ass. "It's not a problem at all. You are more important to me, baby. I want to be where you are for now."

She smiles and gets off me, heading to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready for set. I lay back in bed, feeling content and looking forward to the day ahead. I think about how lucky I am to have someone like Malia. My beautiful and precious angel.

As I hear the water running in the bathroom, I start planning out the rest of my day. Maybe I'll visit some of my favorite spots in L.A. and just take in this bustling city. I want to make our time together as memorable as possible. Malia's dedication to her work inspires me, and I want to be just as supportive of her as she is of me. For the two weeks I have before my New York shows.

When she comes out of the shower, wrapped in a towel and looking radiant, I can't help but smile. "You look amazing," I say, meaning every word.

She laughs, "You're just saying that because you love me."

"Maybe, but it's true cause damn, I get to love all of that," I reply, pulling her into another kiss. She immediately blushes and it's adorable.

As she changes into a vintage t-shirt and sweats, I start getting ready myself. Winging the day and just going with the flow. As long as I'm where Malia is right now, that's all I need.

Sitting on Santa Monica beach at night, the world feels still around us. The gentle waves of the ocean create a soothing soundtrack, and the stars above twinkle like they're putting on a show just for us. The cool sand beneath us is a comforting contrast to the warmth of Malia's presence beside me. We sit close, our arms wrapped around each other, sharing this perfect moment of tranquility. It's one of those nights where everything feels right, where the universe seems to be in perfect harmony.

Suddenly, the mood shifts. Malia turns to me, her eyes filled with concern. "I'm sorry for getting so jealous," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know I need to work on it."

I squeeze her hand gently, hoping to convey all the reassurance I feel. "It's okay, Malia. Just talk to me if anything ever bothers you, okay? Your feelings matter to me."

She leans her head on my shoulder, her words soft and filled with emotion. "I don't deserve you, Kylie. You're a blessing in disguise."

I tilt her chin up and press a gentle kiss to her lips. The kiss is tender, a promise of understanding and support. As we pull away, I look into her eyes, hoping she sees the depth of my love and commitment. "You deserve everything, Malia. I'm here for you, always."

We sit here, wrapped in each other and the serene night. The sound of the waves continues to lull us into a sense of peace. I can feel Malia's breathing slow as she relaxes against me, and I rest my head on hers, feeling the soft strands of her hair against my cheek.

The stars above seem to shine even brighter, reflecting the love and connection we share. Malia opens up about her insecurities, and I listen, offering words of comfort and understanding. We laugh about the silly moments we have shared and make plans for the future, dreaming of all the adventures that await us.

Time seems to stand still as we sit there, lost in our own little world. The night grows deeper, and the beach becomes quieter, but we remain, holding onto this perfect moment. The bond between us feels stronger than ever, and I know that no matter what challenges come our way, we'll face them together. We lay down on the towel, holding each other close as we drift off to sleep.

Awaken, the first light of dawn begins to creep over the horizon, and we finally stand, brushing the sand from our clothes. Hand in hand, we walk back along the beach, leaving footprints that will soon be washed away by the tide. But the memories of this night, the love we share, will remain forever.