Stages of The Heart- Ellie Morch

Chapter 18: A Dream of Possibilities

Erica lay in bed, phone resting on her chest as she replayed the call she’d just ended with Shawn. Her mind raced through every detail, every word exchanged. There was a warmth in her chest that hadn’t been there before, a comforting feeling she couldn’t quite explain. Somehow, learning these little things about him—his love for cooking, his weekend brunches, his gym routines—felt like discovering hidden gems. Each new piece she learned made him more… real. It was as though she was seeing a side of him that was separate from his role as a powerful CEO, a side that was just Shawn. And she liked it.

The thought of him lingered as she went through her nightly routine. She washed her face, brushed her teeth, and changed into her favorite oversized T-shirt, moving in a relaxed daze, a gentle smile hovering on her lips. Her mind drifted back to his words—how he’d told her he was proud of her. The depth of sincerity in his voice had touched her in a way she hadn’t expected. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had told her they were proud of her, not like that.

As she turned off the light and settled under the covers, her thoughts began to dance between reality and imagination. Her heart thumped a little faster as she wondered what it would be like if this connection with Shawn grew into something more. She let her mind wander, sinking into the softness of her pillow as she drifted into sleep.

In her dream, Erica found herself standing on a beautiful terrace, overlooking the city at night. The lights shimmered below, and the air was filled with a soft warmth, the kind that felt like magic. She wore a simple, elegant dress, one that flowed gently in the evening breeze, and her heart raced with the thrill of the moment.

She felt a presence beside her, strong and steady, and turned to see Shawn standing next to her, dressed sharply but relaxed. He looked at her with a gaze that was both gentle and intense, a look that made her feel seen, cherished.

“This is beautiful,” she whispered, looking out over the view but aware of his eyes on her.

“It is,” he replied, his voice low. “But it’s even more beautiful now that you’re here.”

She felt a blush rise to her cheeks, and Shawn’s hand reached out to gently brush a stray strand of hair from her face. His touch lingered, his fingers grazing her cheek as he looked at her, his expression soft but undeniably captivated.

“Erica,” he murmured, his voice warm, steady. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this before.”

Before she could respond, he took a step closer, closing the distance between them. His hand cupped her face, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek, and she felt her heart race, her pulse quickening in anticipation.

Slowly, he leaned down, his gaze locked on hers, and in that moment, everything else faded away. She closed her eyes as his lips met hers, the kiss tender and warm, full of unspoken promises and dreams. It was the kind of kiss that felt timeless, that carried the weight of everything unspoken between them, everything that could be.

The kiss deepened, growing more passionate, and she felt herself melt into his embrace, her arms wrapping around his neck as he held her close. His touch was both gentle and possessive, as though he was afraid to let her go, and she felt safe, cherished in his arms.

When they finally parted, he looked at her with a smile, his eyes filled with a softness that took her breath away.

“I’ve waited so long for this,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

She felt a rush of warmth flood through her, a feeling of completeness she hadn’t realized she’d been searching for. In that moment, she knew this was what she wanted—someone who could see her, understand her, someone who could hold her heart with the same care she’d give theirs.

And she knew that someone was Shawn.

Her alarm jolted her awake, pulling her out of the dream and back into her room. She blinked, disoriented, her heart still pounding as the remnants of the dream lingered in her mind. The feeling of Shawn’s arms around her, the warmth of his kiss—it all felt so real, so vivid, that for a moment, she wasn’t sure if it had only been a dream.

As she sat up in bed, a blush crept up her cheeks. She couldn’t believe she’d dreamed about Shawn like that, about him holding her, kissing her. The dream had felt so real, so… right, and it left her with a sense of longing she couldn’t quite shake.

But as she remembered his kindness, his gentle encouragement during their call, she realized that maybe, just maybe, the dream wasn’t so far from reality. And with a newfound sense of hope and excitement, she got up to face the day, her heart a little lighter and her mind filled with possibilities.