Dear second fiancé

CHAPTER 7. the wingman

Lydia squirmed underneath the warm fluffy covers, only arms stretching out when her phone buzzed it's alarm beside her ear — 9:00am. The room was still completely dark with the help of the thick curtains blocking the windows. Both her and Millie had slept through the night despite the rocky beginning, those two luckily blessed with the gift of slumber similar to a bear enjoying its hibernation.

Lydia pushed the thick layer of the blanket on the side, abandoning the warmth underneath with hesitation, and saw Millie in a perfect Olympic gold medal worthy X -position, her cheeks puffy and the cutest curly bed hair. While fast asleep was the only time of the day when you could see Millie so quiet and still — a fun firecracker by nature.

While Millie continued without even the slightest interest nor intention of waking up, Lydia pushed herself from the comfort of the hotel room bed which for some reason always felt much softer than any bed in any home, she tiptoed in the bathroom to wash-up and brush her hair, let it fall down naturally over the chest. She found her tight black workout leggings and an oversized burgundy sweater before starting to gather her and Millie's belongings. One of the things that Millie, Matthew and Lydia all did after staying in any hotel, was clean it thoroughly before leaving. Hopefully making one room a bit easier for the employee coming to clean after they leave. Perhaps it was a habit from working on the same field and knowing the hassle and haste schedule of a bigger hotel chain.

Getting ready took only few minutes, and even Millie seemed to finally show signs of waking up when Lydia went and gently tapped her shoulder.

''Ugh.. I'm hungry..'' Millie's voice was hoarse from the last evenings terror, ''Did you clean the room already? You should've waited for me.'' She gazed with only one eye open and worked hard to pull herself up.

''Yup, not a big deal. Don't worry about it!'' Lydia beamed as she pulled the curtains on the side to reveal a very rainy and blueish grey day ahead. Undoubtedly Dean's worry was completely valid. Lydia would not feel comfortable driving in a weather as such for the slightest.

''Hey, about yesterday.. Lydia I'm—'' Millie began with her head hanging down. A sight which Lydia knew would come, the infamous apologizing.

Lydia turned towards Millie immediately with the most reassuring smile she could muster, ''Don't. I'm glad that you're feeling a bit better.''

''I don't look like it though..'' Millie winced at her own reflection from the mirror beside the table on the opposite side of their beds. Her large and stretched t-shirt hanging down from one shoulder, the darkened lines underneath her barely open eyes.

Lydia giggled empathetically and fixed Millie's hair gently away from the eyes when she heard the lovely cheerful sound of a message arriving, already going to reach for the phone while Millie rubbed her eyes and yawned loudly.

Lydia had no idea of who she expected it to be from, but as early as it was, she felt a bit surprise to notice it was a message from Dean, letting her know that he was nearly there — which could only mean that Dean must've woken up very early to leave at 7am maximum. For a moment she stared at the short message with her eyes hooded and the familiar feeling sinking in. Dean noted last evening about not accepting help, and Lydia hated it, truthfully. Asking help made her feel like a burden of some sorts and she did not expect him to leave his home so early. Check-out was due at 11:30am so there were plenty of time.

''What is it?'' Millie scratched the back of her neck while pulling up the pajama pants with pictures of little banana's all around them. Childish? No, not at all — a whimsical fashion choice of a magical Millie.

''Dean's going to pick us up soon.'' Lydia found her black jacket and swung it on, ''He just texted me. Should be here in a few.'' She went by the backpack and made sure her phone had the notifications sound turned on before dropping it in a side pocket.