WOULD YOU RESCUE ME?

57.Whiskey, Smoke, and Stolen Kisses

The room was bathed in the soft, muted glow of the sunset filtering through the curtains. Astra stirred faintly in her sleep, the weight of Vanessa's head against her chest grounding her in a warmth she never wanted to leave. Vanessa's steady breathing filled the quiet space, her fingers loosely curled against Astra's side, a faint reminder of the trust she placed in her.

The soft creak of the door opening stirred Astra from her half-asleep state. Her green eyes fluttered open, her body tensing slightly as she instinctively turned her head toward the source of the sound. Standing in the doorway were Vanessa's parents, Franco and Elena, their faces illuminated by the light spilling in from the hallway.

Astra felt a flicker of embarrassment as she realized how closely she was holding Vanessa. Vanessa's head rested snugly against Astra's chest, her body curled into Astra's side like a child seeking comfort. The intimacy of the moment felt exposed, and Astra's cheeks flushed a faint pink. She adjusted her posture slightly, though careful not to disturb Vanessa's peaceful slumber.

Elena stood in the doorway, her expression a mix of warmth and something Astra couldn't quite place. She smiled softly, her eyes lingering on her daughter, who was sleeping so soundly it almost seemed out of character. Franco, standing just behind her, mirrored the sentiment, though his expression was more neutral, a slight furrow in his brow betraying the thoughts likely running through his mind.

Astra could tell they were happy to see Vanessa resting so calmly, it was a far cry from the earlier tension, but there was an undercurrent in their expressions that Astra couldn't ignore. Acceptance, she realized, wasn't fully there yet. She knew they cared deeply for their daughter, but perhaps the sight of their little girl held so intimately by another woman still felt unfamiliar, something they were processing in their own time.

Elena broke the silence, her voice soft as though she didn't want to disturb the stillness of the room. "Is everything okay?" she asked, her gaze shifting between Vanessa and Astra. "Are you both comfortable? We were thinking about dinner if you're hungry."

Astra, still acutely aware of Vanessa's warmth against her, gave a small, reassuring smile. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she replied, "Thank you, Mrs. Moroso, but I think I'll wait for Vanessa to wake up and ask her. She's still asleep, and I don't want to disturb her."

Elena exchanged a glance with Franco, a silent conversation passing between them in the space of a heartbeat. Astra couldn't fully decipher the meaning behind their looks, but it was clear they were weighing something unspoken. Perhaps it was the complexity of seeing their daughter like this, or the uncertainty of how to navigate a relationship dynamic they were still adjusting to.

After a moment, Franco gave a small nod, and Elena turned back to Astra with a faint smile. "That's fine. Just let us know if you need anything." Her tone was polite, but there was a weight to her words that lingered even as she turned to leave. Franco followed her out, and the door clicked softly shut behind them.

As soon as the door fully closed, Vanessa's eyes fluttered open. Her honey-brown gaze met Astra's, a faint mischievous glint dancing in her expression. Without a word, she shifted slightly, her lips brushing against Astra's chest where her head had been resting. Astra's breath hitched at the unexpected touch, and before she could react, Vanessa kissed her way up, a deliberate path from her chest to the sensitive curve of her neck.

Vanessa lingered there for a moment, her lips pressing gently against Astra's skin. A soft, involuntary moan escaped Astra's lips at the sensation, and Vanessa smirked against her neck, clearly pleased with herself. She continued upward, finally capturing Astra's lips in a kiss that was slow and teasing, drawing another quiet sound from Astra as she responded instinctively.