One Day

Part 23 - More Time

I feel his arms wrap around me as I slowly begin to wake up the next morning, "You want to go riding today?"

I roll over so that I'm facing him and he brushes my hair out of my face. I wonder how long he has been awake. "Yeah, that sounds like the perfect day," I say as I yawn and then lean in to kiss him.

He smiles at me sweetly, "I love you."

I know his words are meant to sooth me but my head is still full of questions from yesterday. "Do you think you'll ever love me more than her?" I say before I talk myself out of it.

He sighs, "One day."

I swallow the lump that has formed in the back of my throat and force myself not to cry. I close my eyes and don't respond as I feel him get up from the bed. I wait until I hear the shower turn on before I roll over and bury my face in my pillow and let the tears that I have been holding back for far too long spill out.

I allow myself a few minutes to pity myself before I pull myself together. I knew going into this relationship that he would need time to move past January and I need to suck it up and deal with it. I again remind myself that he is here with me now and that I just need to give him time to realize he made the right decision. I hear him humming in the shower and immediately recognize the song from my favorite band.

I promised you the world again. Everything within my hands. All the riches one could dream, they will come from me. I hoped that you could understand that this is not what I had planned. Please don't worry now, it will turn around.

His singing drifts away as he turns off the shower. I roll over and grab my phone off the nightstand and quickly scroll through my playlist before landing on the song he was just singing. I lay back down and listen as the song nears the chorus.

Cause I need more time, just a few more months and we'll be fine. So say what's on your mind, cause I can't figure out just what's inside.

I'm singing as he walks into the bedroom to get dressed. He starts singing with me.

So say alright, cause I know we can make it if we try. Cause I need more time, just a few more months and we'll be fine.

He places his knee on the side of the bed and leans over me. "We are going to be fine, really," he says as a single tear makes it way down my cheek. He leans in to kiss me and I wrap my arms around him. He gently kisses me as he leans in further and covers my body with his. "Don't cry, babe. I'm here. And you know that I love you."

I nod. I can't find any words that will do my thoughts justice. My hands find his hair. I pull his head towards mine as I let myself get lost in his touch and push away my tears.

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It's mid-morning before we get on his bike and head out. We spend the entire day riding, only stopping for fuel and to eat. We look like the perfect couple – him in his matching blue jacket and helmet and me in his white jacket and blue helmet with my name proudly written in pink across the back. The winding roads and fresh air help to keep my mind from crawling into the dark place I know it wants to go.

We make our way to the lake – a place where we typically end up – when he grabs my left hand that's resting on his leg and rubs my ring finger – his way of telling me he loves me without ever saying a word. I squeeze his hand in return and rest my chin on his shoulder as we make our way back home.

Thanks for reading One Day! I try to post each weekday and look forward to where this story takes us as it is a work in progress.

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