Genesis

CHAPTER 35 Movin' On

"Holy crap!" I shrieked through marshmallow eyes as I was jolted upright by the realization that I had fallen asleep on the roof with Ty. The sun was just beginning to light up the morning sky.

"Good mornin'," he smiled, looking as though he had already been up and showered.

"Oh, my gosh. This is not cool. My mother is going to kill me when she sees you."

"I'm pretty sure I heard her leave about fifteen minutes ago. She must have had to go into work early. Do you want me to check?"

"No," I stressed in a what-are-you-crazy tone. "You stay here. I'll be right back." I crawled through the window, over Axl, who must have been sleeping on the bay window's cushion all night. He wasn't a morning person either. He lifted his head slightly to acknowledge me, but then laid it back down, just wagging his tail slightly.

I crept down the stairs, careful not to wake anyone. I could smell the coffee that my mother had made and hoped she'd left some for me. The digital numbers on the coffee pot told me that it was 6:27AM. Under an empty mug, she had left me a note.

"Good Morning, Essie, I know you were out late last night so I didn't want to wake you any earlier than necessary. Hope you had fun. J I left you one cup of coffee to start your day. Sorry I forgot to tell you that I had to go in early today. Please wake the kids up at 6:45 and help them get ready. Thanks, sweetie. Love, Mum."

Thank goodness. I went back upstairs to let Ty know that the coast was clear.

"You were right. She left early. I can't believe how lucky we are."

"I loved sleeping with you, Essie."

"You know, that's the first night in I don't know how long that I slept peacefully through the whole night. Thank you."

"Any time," he winked.

"Yeah, like that can ever happen again."

"I'm going to figure out a way to climb up here silently every night and hold you in my arms all night long so that you can sleep peacefully."

I smiled. "Thank you for coming to get me last night."

"Thanks for letting me take you home."

If there was ever a perfect time to say "I love you" this was it. But, as usual, the words remained stuck in my throat. Instead, I wrapped my arms around his waist and gave him a hug. He hugged me back and I wished that music was playing. I envisioned him singing "Love of a Lifetime" and started swaying. He swayed along with me, without saying a word.

All too soon, the song in my head ended. "You need to go so that I can wake the kids up," I said softly without letting him go.

He backed up a bit and bent down to kiss my cheek. "I'll be back to pick you up at the usual time."

"See you."

He left my room quietly and walked lightly down the staircase. After I heard the door latch click, I quickly tore off the costume that I had fallen asleep in and threw on my pj's, then I went into each of my sibling's bedrooms and woke them. They knew how to get themselves ready, they just needed a little prodding to keep them focused.

As promised, Ty returned to pick me up with a large coffee.

"You're a life saver."

"You're easy to please."