Echoes of us

Chapter nine

I wake up before Layla, and the first thing I notice is her, lying beside me. She's so still, her breathing slow and steady, her dark hair spread like a halo across the pillow. I can't take my eyes off her. I don't even try to look away. I just lie there, not wanting to wake her, just watching her breathe softly. Her face, relaxed and gentle, looks like she's dreaming of something sweet, her hand rests near mine, fingers barely brushing the sheets.

Minutes pass when she opens her eyes, slowly blinking, fighting with the light. Her eyes meet mine, and for a second, she looks surprised, like she's forgotten where she is.

She turns her head and opens her eyes, blinking at me sleepily. When she sees me, her face softens, and she moves a little closer without saying a word. I open my arms, and her head resting lightly on my chest.

"Morning," My voice low and rough from sleep. I smile gently and reach out, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear., my fingertips grazing her soft skin.

She tilts her head up, meeting my eyes, and her smile is soft, sleepy. "Morning."

For a few moments, we don't say anything. We just lie there, wrapped in each other. I press a light kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair. Feeling the way her body relaxes even more against mine, I run my hand through her hair. There's no rush, no need to move or talk. Just being here, together, feels enough.

"Louis?" Her voice is quiet. I can tell her mind is still catching up, probably trying to piece together the moments before she fell asleep.

I smile, gently brushing my thumb across the back of her hand. " "Yeah, love?" She's still lost somewhere between her dreams and reality. I watch the way they search the room for a second, and I realize why she looks so disoriented. I know exactly what she's thinking. The last thing she remembers isn't lying here with me—it was probably the living room, where she fell asleep when we were watching that movie last night. And now, here she is, wrapped in my sheets, her head resting against my chest.

"Wait, how did I end up here?" She looks up at me with those beautiful eyes of hers.

"You fell asleep on the couch while we were watching that movie," I explain.

"Oh," she processes that information. "I guess I must have been more tired than I thought." She smiles.

"Yeah, you were pretty adorable," I say with a simle, loving how her cheeks flush with color.

"I wish I could sleep like that every night," she says, brushing her head intomy chest.

"Maybe you should consider moving in here," The words escaping my lips before I can stop them. The idea has been swirling in my mind ever since she fell asleep next to me.

"Wait, what? We just got together, Louis. Isn't that a bit... sudden?" Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

"Is it?" I counter, wanting her to see my perspective. She bites her lip, clearly mulling over my words, and I can see her mind racing as she processes the idea. But just as I think I might have convinced her, her expression shifts.

"Wait, are you serious?" She asks, there is excitement in her voice.

"Why not? We've already spent so much time together on tour. We know each other better than most couples do after years of dating." I gently caress her arm,"We've wasted so much time already. Just think about it.. I want you to be a part of my life in every way. not just when we're on tour or in the studio. I want to wake up next to you every day." I say.

Her eyes soften as she looks at me, and I can see she's considering it. "I mean, it does sound tempting," She admits, a hint of a smile creeping onto her face.