Going Up | ✓

All The Right Choices - (28)

All The Right Choices. 

I wake the next day with a jolt, taking a moment to remember where I am. Once I've got a bearing on my surroundings, my eyes fall on the alarm clock on Ivan's side of the bed. 

I wince, realising it's almost ten o'clock and I'm still in bed, despite needing to work today, not to mention needing to take Oliver to school.

However, I then notice a pristine piece of paper lying next to the alarm clock, labelled 'Poppy' in Ivan's familiar scrawl. 

Please don't panic, you're not late for work and Oliver isn't late for school! I've booked us both the day off work (don't argue with me on this...) because I want to spend time with you and you've been running yourself into the ground recently, looking after Oliver all by yourself - you deserve a break. I have taken Oliver to school and I'm probably back by now, but I didn't want to disturb you. 

Love, Ivan. 

(ps: if I'm not back, please wait for me before you eat, I want to make you breakfast!) 

I can't help but smile at the thoughtfulness behind the letter. That man makes me feel funny things. 

I drag myself out of bed and change into the same clothes as yesterday, which reminds me that I have to make the most of today and go round to my apartment to pick up my clothes. 

It turns out that Ivan was right and he did return before I woke up. He's in the kitchen, listening to music on a low volume and humming to himself as he makes pancakes. 

I stand behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist and leaning my head against his back, enjoying his warmth and the familiar smell that I've never really been able to pin down - it's just him. 

He relaxes at my touch, putting the spatula down on the counter and turning around, resting his chin on my head. 'Morning,' he murmurs quietly. 'How did you sleep?'

'Well, thank you,' I mumble into his chest. 'How about you?'

'Good,' he says, leaning down to plant a kiss on my lips. 'I slept well, thanks.' 

I laugh a little, basking in his arms. 'Thank you for taking Oliver to school this morning, by the way. I hope he had some uniform?'

'Yes, we stopped by your flat on the way there,' he smiles. 'I borrowed your keys, if you don't mind, but I had to somehow get into your flat.'

I debate shooting back a sarcastic reply, but I just laugh instead. 'Of course that's fine, silly,' I tell him, pulling out of his arms and walking towards the fridge, locating the milk. 'Are those pancakes almost done? We have a lot to do today.'

Amusement laces his voice. 'Do we, now?'

'Yeah,' I confirm, pouring myself a mug of milk. 'We've got to go round to Bruce's house and pick up all of Maddie's stuff that I didn't get the other day, not to mention move some of mine and Oliver's stuff as well.'

'As you wish, madam,' Ivan chuckles as he checks the stove. 'You can have the first pancake,' he tells me, dishing it onto a plate and passing it across the table towards me. 'There's syrup and sugar in the cupboard above the fridge, if you want.'

I scoff. 'Yeah, because I'm going to reach that no problem, aren't I?'

'Sorry, shortass,' he laughs, brushing past me to grab them for me. 'What do I get for that?' he asks cheekily, a knowing glint in his bright eyes as they drop to my lips for a second, before meeting mine again. 

I scowl, slapping his arm lightly. 'Nothing, you pig.'

My frown goes away at the sight of his crestfallen face, but I don't give in, turning away back to the table. 'Come on, get a shift on,' I say, lathering syrup on my pancake. 'We don't have all day.'