there goes my heart - j.s

chapter twenty three

I wake up with sun starting to stream though the window and Joe slowly easing out of bed. I let out a mumbling moan and stretch out my arms.

"Morning," I murmur, rolling to the side to watch him pull a shirt over his head and step into a pair of pants.

Joe looks over to me, "sorry I woke you."
He smiles fondly at me and I can't help but notice how warm and soft he looks - hair disheveled, cheeks pink, and eyes sleepy from just waking up - standing in the morning sunlight. My heart swells at the sight of him like this.
God, do I love him. It's like I'm drunk with love; all I can think about is him, he's intoxicating and hypnotising.

"It's fine, I don't mind," I smile up at him, rubbing my tired eyes. "I'll get up soon anyway, I gotta fight the jet lag."

"Don't rush though, you have all the time in the world," he walks back over to me and places a kiss on my forehead. "I'm off to work but I'll won't be long, I should be back by the afternoon."

"Ok, I'll see you in a bit then."

"Love you Ad."

"Love you too."

I roll over, a smile still tugging at my lips, pulling the covers up under my chin. My eyelids are still heavy and everything inside me is begging for 20 minutes more sleep. I let myself drift back into slumber, hearing Joe rustle round the hotel room in the background of my thoughts.

—

I wake up again, slowly but surely sitting up and stretching. For a minute I just sit and look at the view through the window. Buildings and streets stretch out in front of me. The sun is up now, and the sky is fading to a cloudless blue.
Then I make myself get up and make myself breakfast. I sip my coffee and crunch into a slice of toast, watching the city below. People bustle along tangled streets, each person immersed in their own life. It still doesn't seem real that I'm in Australia. That Joe will walk through the door and be in my arms within hours.

I have a shower and get dressed. As I move around the room, time seems travel slowly and gently. It is comforting and familiar, though it hasn't felt like this for too long. Time has always felt so rushed, like it would run away and escape me. But not now, and hopefully not again either.

—

As I finish plucking my last item of clothing out of my suitcase, I hear the door click and creak open, and Joe's footsteps walk inside. I can't help but smile, quickly standing up and walking out the bedroom. I'm greeted by a smiling Joe, slipping off his shoes and plonking his bag down.

"You're back," I smile brightly, stepping into his arms. He's instantly warm and secure, smelling of cinnamon and his washing powder. I feel so safe in this moment.

"I'm back," his voice is voice is just smiling and deep as always.

I lean up and place a kiss onto his lips. Then another, and then one more, smiling gleefully between each kiss.

"How was work?" I whisper, still staying in this close proximity with him. I don't ever want to leave his comforting embrace.

"It was good, how was your morning?" His voice is soft and husky, and he places a kiss on my forehead.

"It was alright, I unpacked all my stuff, so that's good."