Echoes of Wonderland

A thousand years

Chloe's POV

I wake up tangled in the soft sheets, the morning sun casting gentle beams across our room. Red's warm body is pressed against mine, her breath a soothing rhythm against my neck. We're wrapped in each other's arms, a peaceful mess of limbs and tangled hair. My heart swells with contentment as I blink awake, taking in the sight of her. Her red hair is a cascade of fiery waves across the pillow, and her face is relaxed in sleep, a serene expression that makes me smile.

For a moment, I just lay there, savoring the quiet intimacy of this perfect morning. The chaos of the past seems like a distant memory, replaced by this tranquil, loving reality. We've made it through so much—our ups and downs, the tumultuous journey of rediscovering each other, and the tangled timelines that once threatened to tear us apart. Now, as I look at Red, I realize how incredibly far we've come.

The room is filled with soft, golden light, and the world outside seems to be holding its breath, letting us have this precious moment to ourselves. I gently shift, not wanting to wake Red just yet. My fingers brush through her hair, and I press a soft kiss to her forehead. She stirs slightly, her eyelashes fluttering before she opens her eyes, a sleepy smile spreading across her face.

- Good morning, Love. - I whisper, my voice hushed with affection.

Red blinks up at me, her eyes still heavy with sleep but glowing with warmth.

- Morning, Baby. - She murmurs, her voice rough but sweet. She stretches lazily, then snuggles closer, her arms tightening around me. - This is nice.

- It really is. - I nod, my heart full. - I think this is exactly what we needed.

We spend the next few minutes in a comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's presence. The room is peaceful, the only sounds are the gentle rustle of the curtains and the distant chirping of birds. It feels like a perfect cocoon, protecting us from the world outside.

After a while, Red shifts slightly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

- Do you ever think about how far we've come?

- All the time. - I nod, smiling. - Sometimes I can't believe how different things are now. We've really made it through, haven't we?

Red's eyes soften, and she nods.

- Yeah. We have. It's crazy to think about all the stuff we went through to get here. But I wouldn't change a thing.

- Neither would I. - I lean in and press a gentle kiss to her lips. - I think it's made us stronger.

Red grins and rests her forehead against mine.

- I think so too. And I'm really glad we've got to this point. It feels like we're finally where we're supposed to be.

---

Red's POV

A few days later

The morning is bright and beautiful, and I stretch out, feeling Chloe's soft warmth next to me. As I blink awake, I catch sight of her, her blue curls framing her face in a way that makes my heart skip a beat. I can't help but smile, feeling incredibly lucky to be here, to be with her.

- I could get used to this. - I say, my voice still thick with sleep.

Chloe chuckles softly, her laughter a sweet sound that makes me feel at home.

- Me too. I've been thinking about everything we've been through, and it just makes me grateful for moments like this.

We both lie there, soaking in the peacefulness. I think about the past few months—how we've slowly built our lives together, navigating the challenges of school and our complicated history. It hasn't been easy, but every struggle has been worth it for mornings like this, where it feels like everything is finally falling into place.