Infinite Ties

ZAC'S POV

I wake up to the sound of her soft breathing, and there she is, hugging Zee Money like it’s her actual lifeline. I sit up behind her, sucking my teeth as I rub the sleep from my eyes. “Yo, how long is this teddy bear gonna be in bed with us?” I ask, a bit of a smirk pulling at my lips.

She grins, still half-asleep, her excitement bubbling up as she replies, “Forever!” Her voice is way too enthusiastic for this early in the morning.

I let out a dramatic groan, rolling my eyes. “Forever?” I stretch the word out like it’s a death sentence. “You tryna tell me I’m gonna be sharing my bed with a teddy bear for the rest of my life?”

“Yup,” she says, popping the 'p' like she’s enjoying every second of my fake suffering.

In the bliss of the morning, I lean down, my lips brushing against her neck, planting kisses along her skin. She giggles, turning her face toward me, and soon our lips are locked, her hands already wandering over my chest. I feel her body relax into mine, and just as things start to heat up, she suddenly pulls back, her hand pressing gently against my chest to stop me.

“I wanna wait,” she whispers, her eyes locking onto mine, filled with a kind of determination I’m not expecting.

I blink, confused. “Wait for what?” I ask, my voice still thick with the haze of sleep and lust.

“For the wedding day,” she says, her voice soft but firm.

I pull back slightly, eyebrows raised. “Yo… you’re serious?” I search her face, waiting for the punchline, but all I see is sincerity.

“Yeah, I’m serious,” she nods, biting her lip like she’s bracing for my reaction.

I widen my eyes, trying to process what she’s saying. “Really? You want to wait… till we’re married?”

“Yes,” she says again, her voice even more certain now, like she’s made up her mind for good.

I let out a laugh, shaking my head in disbelief. “Man, you’ll be the first one running back tomorrow, talking ‘bout how you wanna feel on me,” I tease, leaning down to kiss her again, but she just smiles, her resolve solid.

Standing up from the bed, I stretch my arms above my head and head toward the bathroom. “Alright, cool, cool,” I say, trying to play it off casually, but I’m still a little shook. “But yo, since we’re waiting…” I pause dramatically at the bathroom door, turning to face her with a playful grin. “Privacy, please.”

I wag my finger at her in mock seriousness. “Ah ah ah, no peeking, no following me into the bathroom. We’re saving everything for the wedding day, remember?” I fake some petty anger, even throwing in a bit of attitude as I shut the door behind me.

From inside, I can hear her laughing, her joy infectious even when she’s torturing me.

"You're so extra, Zac!" she calls out, still laughing, and I can’t help but grin as I start the shower.

Yeah, this waiting thing is gonna be hard as hell.

                                  FATIMA'S POV
I lay here on the bed, hugging Zee Money, replaying the last few days in my head. Zac has been beyond attentive, practically letting me live in his skin. Everywhere he went, I was right there with him—laying on him on the couch, following him around the house, needing him close. And he didn’t mind. He even worked from home just to stay by my side. I smile to myself, thinking of how he kissed my head whenever I shifted or rubbed my back like it was second nature. It’s like he knew exactly what I needed before I even said a word.