Saving Max

Chapter 29

I wake to constant kisses on my cheek, Caden's warm arms wrapped tightly around me, holding me close to him. I smile lazily into his chest, pulling back a little so that I can see him once my eyes finally open.

"Morning." I mumble sleepily, my eyes barely cracked open as I try to meet Caden's unusually happy morning smile.

"Good morning." he chirps, leaning down to press a quick kiss to my temple before slipping out of bed, all but jumping to his feet. I let out a light laugh, slowly coming up into a sitting position, content to just sit here and stare at him in his happy state. It's not often I get to see him like this- so happy and carefree. It seems like it changes the whole atmosphere around us. Everything doesn't seem quite so bad if you learn how to just be happy.

"I'm afraid to ask what's got you in such a good mood." I smirk, leaning my head on my hands as Caden stops to cast me a million dollar smile. "I don't want to ruin it."

"I'm just happy that I got my girl by my side, is all. I have you with me and nothing is ever going to get in the way of that. And it's a beautiful day, isn't it? The sun's shining, the birds are singing, you're not going to Stanford! What isn't there to be happy about?" he asks, prancing about the room, his arms moving all over the place, accompanying his animated talking. It's pretty adorable, which is a word I never thought I'd use to describe Caden. I got to admit though, I like it a lot. Maybe a little too much.

If I loved Caden before, it's nothing compared to what I feel right now. For those people who are or have been in love, you know what it feels like to see the one you love completely and utterly happy. It fills you with so much love and pride and joy that you feel like you could burst. You're just happy seeing them happy. Trust me when I say no feeling could ever compare to that.

I've loved Caden for a while, even at his worst, but watching him now I know I could never love him more. Happy Caden is a Caden that I've never truly seen before, and it's the most amazing thing I've ever seen. It's a whole new part of him I want to learn more about and memorize, and it's the most beautiful part of him I've ever seen. I only hope that I'll be able to see it more.

"I love you." I tell him softly, a big, goofy smile on my face as I get out of bed and make my way over to him. Standing on my tip toes, I press a gentle kiss to his lips, taking ahold of his hands in my own. "Never change."

Caden looks down at me with shining eyes, pushing a tangled strand of hair behind my ear, suddenly coming back to reality. "What brought that on?" he murmurs, a smile still lingering on his features.

I sigh, shaking my head as I step away from him, taking a seat back on the bed. "I just really like seeing you happy, that's all." shrugging, I looking to the ground, slightly embarrassed at my words. Seeing him happy shouldn't be so special to me, but it is. For any other couple it's be normal, but for us it just isn't. Thinking about it makes me a little sad, but I don't dwell on it too long, my thoughts vanishing as Caden begins to speak.

"I'm really glad that I finally have a reason to be happy." he says quietly, his eyes boring into mine as he sits next to me. There's barely any space between us, our breaths mixing together as he brings his lips to mine. The kiss is soft, yet still urgent; slow, yet still filled with passion and need. It's everything that defines us. Scared, but still finding a way to stay strong.

"Me, too." I mumble, slowly making my way off the bed, Caden's hand interlacing with mine as he follows suit, both of us walking out into the empty house.

It's sort of weird not having Max here, even though we've done it a couple times before. This time just feels different now that we have David following our every move. There's a little tension in the air now that Caden and I are finally out of our own little bubble, and I'm not sure I like it. I know Max is safe, but it just feels better to have him by my side- by our sides.