Between our hands

Chapter 60: Suspended Moments.

The next day, Maëlle and Samy woke up feeling an unusual calm. There were no appointments, no heavy obligations weighing on their shoulders. The morning light filtering through the curtains gave the room a soft and soothing atmosphere, almost magical. Samy, still half-asleep, slowly stretched his arm to embrace Maëlle, gently pulling her against him. She surrendered to him, burying her face in the hollow of his neck, savoring this familiar warmth. They remained that way for a long time, savoring the calm, this moment suspended in time.

Without a word, they exchanged their first kisses of the day, sweet and slow, like a promise of what they were about to share. Samy tenderly caressed Maëlle’s cheek, his thumb brushing against her soft skin, while she smiled at him, her eyes still heavy with sleep but lit up with love. These simple gestures, filled with palpable affection, drew them closer together, and they lost themselves in one another, forgetting everything else.

As the minutes passed, their kisses deepened, becoming more passionate. Samy felt desire rising within him, a desire he did not try to suppress, on the contrary. His hands began to explore Maëlle's body with infinite tenderness, while hers responded with the same fervor. They let themselves be carried away by this wave of passion, their breaths mingling, their hearts beating in unison.

Their bodies drew even closer, uniting with a newfound intensity. Every caress, every kiss was a silent declaration of love, an affirmation of their unique bond. They surrendered completely to this moment, discovering and rediscovering each other, as if they wanted to engrave these moments in their memory forever. The intimacy of these moments, their sweetness and intensity, filled them with an inner peace they had never felt before.

After giving themselves to one another, they lay back, Maëlle nestled against Samy, their bodies still intertwined. Fatigue gently settled over them, but it was a happy fatigue, a fatigue that urged them to indulge in well-deserved rest. Samy kissed the crown of Maëlle's head, his lips lingering on her skin for a moment, as if to ensure that she was real, that she was really there with him.

Silence reigned in the room, only interrupted by the gentle sounds of their breathing. Their hearts, too, seemed to have tuned to the same rhythm, beating slowly, peacefully. Samy closed his eyes, a smile of contentment on his lips, before sinking into a deep sleep, Maëlle still nestled against him.

They woke up much later, the afternoon already well underway. No words were needed to express the fullness they felt. Maëlle sat up slightly, her fingers tracing circles on Samy's chest as he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze immediately settling on her. Their eyes met, and without a word, she got up to kiss him tenderly, prolonging this sweet moment of intimacy.

"I think I could get used to this kind of morning," Samy murmured with a smile, his eyes sparkling.

Maëlle laughed softly, playing with the strands of his hair. "Every day can be like this if we want it to be."

Finally, after indulging in this long moment of tenderness, they decided to leave the warmth of their cocoon to freshen up. After preparing calmly and serenely, they made their way to the dining room to join the rest of the family, each still carrying the traces of their shared morning in its sweetness and intimacy.

When they entered the dining room, they were greeted by the soft murmur of family conversations and the clinking of cutlery on plates. The rest of the family was already seated, but the warmth of their welcome immediately made them feel at home. Maëlle sat next to Victor, while Samy took a seat beside her, under the curious gaze of some family members. The king, seated at the head of the table, looked up to observe the two young people with a knowing smile.

The conversation around the table revolved around light subjects, with political discussions set aside for once. They talked about upcoming social events, everyone's plans for the weeks to come, and of course, they shared little family anecdotes that always made everyone laugh. Victor, true to his role as the protective "big brother," couldn't resist teasing Samy, especially when he caught him with his hand on Maëlle's thigh.

"So, Samy," Victor began with a mischievous smile, "you've become the new darling of the family. You know that admission is very selective, right?"

Samy blushed, but an amused smile spread across his face. "I'll do everything I can to earn my place, I promise."

The conversation was enriched with laughter and stories. Maëlle's aunt, Sophie, a lively woman, began recounting a hilarious incident that had happened at a previous royal event. "And then there was that waiter who spilled an entire tray of drinks on Dad!" she exclaimed, causing bursts of laughter around the table.

Amused, Maëlle shared a knowing glance with Samy. "I wonder if I'll end up having such memorable stories."

"I'm sure you will, especially with Samy by your side," Victor replied with a wink, putting the young man in a bit more embarrassment.

After the meal, Maëlle and Samy decided to take a stroll in the palace gardens. The royal gardens were vast and beautiful, with pathways lined with colorful flowers and ancient fountains that added a touch of serenity to the place. The sun began to decline, enveloping everything in a golden light.

"Look at these flowers," Maëlle said, stopping in front of a rose garden. "They remind me of our first walk here."

Samy nodded, a tender smile spreading across his lips. "Yeah, it feels like it was just yesterday. I especially remember how you managed to make me lose all my composure with just one smile."

"Oh, the opposite is just as true," she retorted, laughing. "You looked so nervous, but so cute."

They continued their stroll, talking about their dreams and hopes. Maëlle shared her plans to improve the living conditions of young people in the country, while Samy, listening attentively, presented his ideas on sustainable development.

"I think we should involve the youth in these projects," he suggested. "They need to feel invested for it to really work."

"That's an excellent idea," Maëlle replied, recognizing his intelligence and passion. "I'll bring it up at our next meeting."

As they walked side by side, their hands occasionally brushed against each other, and Maëlle turned to him. "Thank you for being there for me, Samy. You're a precious support."

He stopped, taking her hands in his. "And you, Maëlle, are the light of my life."

This moment was one of the many times their connection strengthened, a silent promise that no matter what happened, they would support each other.

At the end of the day, they returned to the palace, where the family was gathering again for a quiet evening. This time, they stayed together, enjoying every moment, every shared laugh, as if nothing else in the world mattered as much.

Later, when they found themselves alone in Maëlle's suite, Samy took her in his arms, holding her against him with infinite tenderness. Maëlle rested her head against his chest, listening to the soothing rhythm of his heart. They didn’t need words, for everything they felt was communicated through their gestures, their glances.

That night, they fell asleep still entwined, with the certainty that whatever happened, they would face it all together. The peace that reigned in the room reflected that of their hearts. They knew that many challenges awaited them.