Photograph (camren)

Chapter Nine

That night the two women lay tangled together in bed, one of Lauren's arms wrapped around the nursing student as she laid peacefully on the marine's chest. The other stroking the brunette's hair soothingly as she hummed along to old melodies. Camila's eyes were closed but she would've fought to prove she was indeed still awake. Their breathing fell into sync and the younger girl was being lulled to sleep by the lieutenant's heartbeat. This would be a moment in which she would've kissed her. Just lean right in and plant one on her. But Lauren was respecting her wishes and she didn't want to contradict herself by caving. The marine's eyes were focused on only the small woman who lay in her arms and she forgot what it was like to feel this, safe. Although she was a protector of their country, Camila was the protector of something far more personal to the lieutenant; her heart.

"You're all I've ever wanted, you know that?" Lauren whispered, searching the younger of the two's face for an answer.

"Hmm?" Camila's eyes were now open and focused on the emerald ones that were staring back at her. She squinted as her eyebrows frayed forwards, "What do you mean?"

"You, you're perfect." The marine repeated as she placed a delicate kiss on the smaller girl's forehead. "Beyond perfect."

"Really?" Camila hummed against the skin of Lauren's neck as she closed her eyes.

"Really." Lauren replied, soon after she noticed the younger woman had fallen asleep. Smiling to herself the marine fixed the blankets on top of them and allowed her eyes to shut as well after wishing the nursing student goodnight. "Goodnight, angel."

The next morning she woke to a tug on her shirt and Camila whining about having to go to the hospital for work.

"LAUREN!" She cooed while attempting to wake the soldier up. "Come on, I need to go to work!"

"Nooo." The green eyed woman whined as she pulled her back into the bed. "Stay."

"I can't, I have to go." Camila was smiling at how childish the lieutenant seemed in this state and pulled on her hands.

"Bull, now come here and cuddle me." Lauren groaned into her pillow as the younger woman tried her best to tug her out of bed. "Come here, baby."

"That's not fair!"

"How?" Her smirk was barely visible but the nursing student knew it was there. She knew perfectly well that Camila had a soft spot for the term of endearment and now she was planning to use it to her advantage.

"You know I melt, every time you call me baby." Camila took a seat next to the raven haired woman on the bed and debated calling in sick.

"Exactly, I win. Now come here." Lauren's arms were now outstretched and waiting for the brunette to fall into them, but when she didn't the marine groaned in frustration.

"Lauren I need to go, now get your ass up like you promised and drive me." She laughed as she was pulled back into the lieutenants arms.

Lauren had promised her the evening before that if she spent the night again she would get up and drive her to work the next morning. Keeping her word, she groaned once more and got up from the king sized bed then gave the nursing student a sleepy once over. She had been wearing the jeans from the other night with one of Lauren's old sweaters, her hair was in natural waves and the glasses were no longer present on her face. Smiling at her she gave her a good morning hug, Camila allowed it, and then tugged her out of the room and to the kitchen. There was coffee already in the pot and in that moment, Lauren had never adored anyone more than that precious little marshmallow. She focused her eyes on the brown ones and smiled in appreciation.