Wide Awake

January

They were back at the coffee shop. It was only right to start the new year in the place that had brought them together.

When the clock switched to twelve, Elijah kissed Lindy. Anya cheered.

----

The fan in the corner of Elijah's bedroom blew back and forth; the rhythm was comforting, yet sleep eluded her.

Lindy sighed and rolled over. The digital clock on the bedside table read midnight. She flipped onto her stomach and stuffed her face into the fluffy pillow. The room was suffocating; knowing the amount of hours until sunrise left her restless. Even the feeling of Elijah's chest pressed against her shoulder couldn't calm her.

She shifted again, this time so she was facing Elijah.

"Try to relax," he breathed out, his lips barely moving. His eyes remained shut.

"I am trying," Lindy whispered, suddenly feeling young. She pulled her knees up to her chest and rubbed her eyes. She was wide awake.

"Try harder." The corners of his mouth turned upwards.

"Let's do something."

"What do you have in mind?"

Lindy's stomach growled softly. "Baking."

Fifteen minutes later, they found themselves in the middle of Elijah's small kitchenette. The smooth, dark wood was cool on her feet.

"I think I have muffin mix in here somewhere," he mumbled, searching through the cupboards. One side of his dark hair stuck up, the ends curling slightly.

"We could make them from scratch," Lindy suggested, placing her hand on Elijah's arm.

He glanced down at her hand and then back up to her face. "Okay," he said.

They made a mess.

By the time the muffins were in the oven, there was flour on almost every inch of the limited counter space, a bit on the floor, and a lot on themselves. A few chocolate chips had spilled from the bag and hit the floor.

"Looks like we have to eat them," Elijah said, bending over. He picked a few up and dumped them into his mouth. He paused and looked at Lindy closely. "Quiet people have the loudest minds."

"Stephen King," they said together.

"Tell me what you're thinking," he whispered.

"I'm thinking the kitchen smells really good right now. And that coffee would taste great with the muffins." Lindy looked Elijah in the eyes. His familiar, blue eyes that left her feeling burning yet sent shivers down her spine, had her feeling terrified yet completely, totally alive. "I'm also thinking that I love you."

"And I," Elijah murmured, placing his hands on her cheeks, "love you." He pressed a gentle kiss on her lips. Then he suddenly pulled back and grinned. "I love you," he said again.

Lindy laughed, feeling light headed and giddy. Through the large window in the living room, they could see large snowflakes floating through the air. It looked like the stars were falling from the sky.

"Dance with me."

Her laughter slowly quieted, but a ghost of a smile remained on her lips as she placed one hand on his shoulder. "Okay."

He rested one hand on her waist and grabbed her hand with the other.

"What about music?" Lindy asked softly. Elijah stepped to the left and she followed his lead. They slowly spun around the kitchen, listening to the faint sounds of traffic coming from the street below them.