Temporary -- A Rocky Lynch Story

Chapter 10

*Rocky's POV*

I rubbed my eyes and let out a sleepy groan as my mind told my body to wake up. When I finally was able to open my eyes, I saw Liz curled up next to me. Her pink hair laid across her pillow like a painting. She looked breathtaking. I leaned over and kissed her neck, wrapping my arm around her waist. She wriggled and yawned, opening her eyes. "Good morning, bubblegum."

She batted her eyelashes a few times, then rolled over and hugged herself close to me. "I don't like mornings," she yawned. "I hate getting out of bed." I held her close, my hand running down her side and to her naked thigh. I rubbed her slowly, enjoying the feeling of her soft skin. "I have a secret," she said.

"And what's that?"

"This is the first time I've ever slept in a bed with someone else," she said, her blue eyes looking up at me. "I really liked it. I wish we could stay in bed forever."

"Aww," I grinned. "I wish. But I am so hungry. You can stay if you want." I started to roll out of bed, but she stayed attached to my waist. "Okay, come with me then if you don't want to let go."

"Fine," she sighed, getting up and pulling on her pants from yesterday before following me downstairs to the kitchen. The family had all come home late last night, as they were respecting my request to have the house to myself last night. Liz was startled by the group of people all hanging out in the kitchen.

"Hey Rocky," Riker said, his eyes looking down at the newspaper.

"And Liz," Rydel added, causing Riker to look up from his paper in surprise. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, thanks," Liz said, picking up an apple that was sitting on the counter. She took a bite as she sat down in an empty chair around the breakfast bar. "Can I have some coffee?" she asked me.

"Of course," I said, making my way over to the coffee maker. Before I could get there, Ross had beaten me. He poured a cup and handed it to me, which I passed onto her. "Do you need cream? Sugar?"

"No, I like it black." She took a sip and sighed.

"So, what did you guys do last night?" Rydel asked us.

"We ate dinner and watched a movie," I replied. "Well, I watched a movie. That girl fell asleep on me. She didn't even make it halfway through." I shook my head jokingly.

Liz shrugged as she chewed her apple. "He told me I shouldn't drive home when I was so tired, so I stayed over. And it was very nice."

"Aww," Ellington and Rydel said in unison. They were always a sucker for a cute story.

"And how are you doing, Liz?" Ross asked, pulling a chair next to her. "I mean, emotionally and all."

"I'm seeing a therapist," she admitted to her best friend. "I might even bring Rocky to a few sessions if that's okay with him." She glanced back up at me and I nodded with a small smile, trying to be encouraging. "The doctor said it would be helpful to bring in my boyfriend, since everything that happened to me could affect our relationship. It would help both of us work through everything and be able to start fresh."

When she called me her boyfriend, I nearly choked on my bagel. We hadn't gone as far as to define what our relationship was yet, but I was glad to know that she took this as seriously as I did. I couldn't believe it. Lizzy was my girlfriend. She laughed as I tried to remain cool, knowing exactly what was going through my mind.

"Anyway, the main thing that I've learned through all of this is that I have a choice. I get a say in what I do, whom I love, and the people I know. I can choose what is temporary and what is permanent. So I'm trying to erase the temporary things in life and fill it with more permanence. It's not easy, but I'll get there." She smiled as everyone around her took in what she had just said.

"That's really inspiring," Rydel said after a moment. Everyone around the counter nodded.

"I hope you know that we're your permanent family," Ross told her. "No matter what, you'll always have us." He hugged her lightly before walking out of the room. Riker reached across the table and gave her hand a little rub before exiting as well. Rydel and Ell both followed in their footsteps, leaving myself and Liz alone again.

I sat down next to her, our knees touching. "Hey," I said quietly.

"Hi," she smiled.

"Just so you know, nothing with us will ever be temporary again." I leaned in and kissed her cheek gently.

She turned her head and kissed my lips deeply, her hand rubbing the stubble on my chin. "I know," she replied. "You are my permanent love."