She's little

chapter 48

As I took in the sight of our friends setting up tents and getting settled in, there was a palpable air of excitement coursing through the group. Everyone was eagerly preparing for the weekend ahead, their voices and laughter mingling together and creating an atmosphere of joyous anticipation.

james came up behind me as i walked carrying our tent and bags.

"where do you want to set up?"

James approached me from behind, effortlessly carrying our tent and bags as I surveyed the scene. I pondered for a moment, taking in the various tents already set up, before pointing towards a slightly isolated area at the edge of the field.
"Over there seems nice," I suggested, tilting my head towards the spot I had selected. "It's a bit quieter and away from the main group."

James nodded in agreement, his gaze following my gesture towards the isolated spot I had chosen.
"Yeah, that looks like a good spot," he said, already heading in that direction.

Setting up our tent turned out to be a breeze, In a matter of minutes, our little shelter stood proudly, ready to serve as our sanctuary for the night. I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment as I looked at the now-assembled tent, grateful for the simplicity of modern camping equipment.

i watched James, curiously, as he grabbed lodes of pillows and blankets, along with the air mattress he had been blowing up.

I sauntered over to where James was diligently working, intrigued by the assortment of pillows and blankets piled around him. He had already set up the air mattress, and his gaze flicked towards me as he gestured for me to join him.
"Come on, give me a hand," he said, patting the spot next to him as an invitation.

James didn't say anything, a small smirk etched on his face as he began placing the various pillows around the air mattress, creating a cosy makeshift bed. My eyes followed his movements, admiring the way he arranged the pillows with surprising precision and care.

"wheres your clip Dianna?" he asked, not looking at me, making my head snap towards him.

I quickly reached into my pocket, producing the pacifier clip that had been hidden there. Holding it up in my palm, I hoped that my shaky hand didn't betray my lie.
"It came off," I said, trying to maintain a nonchalant tone. "So I put it in my pocket for safekeeping. No big deal."

My hand quivered slightly as James reached out and gently took the pacifier clip from my palm, his touch sending tingles up my arm. With a practiced ease, he clipped it back in place, the pacifier finding its home once more.
i'm so shit at lying.

"if you don't want to wear it thats fine, but your okay to wear it in here, dianna." he said cupping my cheek

I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to keep my voice steady as I replied. "I...I didn't think you would force me either. But I was worried that you'd be mad or disappointed if I didn't wear it... i just know you were really happy about me slipping and finally thought we were going somewhere but...it just feels like a-lot to start doing things publicly."

James's expression softened even more, the understanding in his eyes making my heart ache with affection for him. He gently tucked a stray hair behind my ear, his touch filled with tenderness.
"Oh, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice full of empathy. "I never meant to push you or make you feel overwhelmed. I just got carried away with the joy. I'm so sorry."

His words washed over me like a soothing wave, easing the doubts that had plagued my mind. I found myself leaning into his touch, finding comfort in his understanding and patience.
"I appreciate that you're happy about it," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's just...I'm not ready for everyone else to see it, you know?"

With a swift, unexpected move, James wrapped his strong arms around me, pulling me close against his chest. The motion was effortless, as if I weighed nothing in his protective embrace. I felt the sudden rush of air as he lifted me with ease, settling me onto his lap, my head resting against his shoulder.

James's hand gently rubbed soothing circles on my back, his touch sending waves of tranquility coursing through my body. His voice was soft yet firm as he whispered words of reassurance in my ear.

"You don't have to be ready for everyone else to see it, sweetheart. It's your journey, and your comfort is the most important thing right now. I won't push you, and I won't force you to do anything you're not ready for. We'll take this at your pace."

a sudden smack on the tent wall jolted me out of my peaceful reverie, breaking the intimate bubble that James and I had cocooned ourselves in. Lizzie's cheerful voice, accompanied by the impatient demand to join the group for the campfire, made me both chuckle and grimace at the same time.

I sighed dramatically, though my heart was filled with a mixture of anticipation and reluctance. As much as I wanted to cling to the comfort of James's embrace, there was a part of me that couldn't deny the excitement of gathering around the crackling warmth of a campfire with friends.

"Alright, let's go before they break down the tent," I grumbled jokingly, reluctantly disentangling myself from James's arms.

I took his hand, allowing him to pull me up from the soft and comfortable air mattress. As I straightened, I cast one last longing look at the cozy interior of the tent, its warm and cozy confines seeming almost inviting compared to the cool night air awaiting us outside.

James gave me a warm smile, his eyes reflecting the same mix of anticipation and slight trepidation I felt. He led the way, his hand still resting on my shoulder, and together we stepped out of the tent, braving the elements to join our friends by the crackling campfire.

As I sat in the camping chair, wrapped snugly in the blanket James had draped over me, I felt a sense of tranquility wash over me. The crackling fire cast a warm, dancing light on the faces of our friends, creating a cozy atmosphere filled with laughter and conversation.