sunset || l.h.

chapter two

 The soft touch of lips on her shoulders is what causes her to stir, but after she hears his gentle voice, "Merry Christmas, Sunshine."

Belle scrunches her nose at the tickling of his nose against the column of her neck. He chuckles against her skin, his hand pressing into her hip. She turns her body so she's facing him, her cheek solid against his chest.

"G'morning," she mumbles, her voice heavy with sleep.

His laugh brushes against her hair, the tips of his fingers dancing over her back and shoulders. Luke kisses the crown of her head because it is the only thing he can reach, "G'morning."

Belle runs her thumbs over his chest, careful not to brush her forearms too harshly. She swallows, tilting her head back to look him in the eyes. The smile on her face grows uncontrollable and so she bites her lower lip to try and contain it.

Tucking herself back under his chin, Belle breathes deep, "Wow, I can't believe I slept in."

The realization of that fact alone causes her to stop breathing for a moment.

"I slept in," she repeats, her voice hoarse. "I-I slept..."

Luke's fingers trail through her hair, his eyes roaming over her face, "Yeah, honey, you did. Did you want me to wake you up earlier?"

"N-No, no," she shakes her head. "I just haven't slept right on this day in two years."

He hums in recognition, pushing her hair out of her face. Luke's lips touch her forehead, "I'm glad, baby. How's your, um, how do your arms feel?"

She shakes her head, "They'll be fine, nothing I haven't dealt with before."

Belle lands a kiss to his jaw before bringing the blanket back up to cover her shoulders. Luke's arms wrap around her middle, holding her tight and secure. He sighs and Belle hears his heart beat faster.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," she apologizes with a gentle, convicted voice. Her throat seizes, "I-I never want-"

"You know," Luke interrupts her, his palm ducking under her shirt to touch the center of her back, "I could wake up like this every day."

Belle's voice sticks in her throat as he looks down at her, his eyes shining. Luke chuckles, "I love getting to see you like this, raw and soft. You're so pretty in the morning." Kissing her nose, he continues to dote on her with his words, his lips against her ear. "Your cheeks are red and your voice is low, the impressions from your pillow still on your neck."

Laughter rumbles in his chest, an inescapable smile on his face, "Merry Christmas to me."

The blush on her cheeks deepens with the feeling of his laugh on her neck, "Luke, you don't mean that."

He bites her earlobe to get her attention, "I mean every word, Sunshine."

A shiver runs up her spine and she finds herself wanting to kiss him until they both can't breathe.

"C'mon," he whispers, pinching her shoulder blade, "I've got something to show you."

Belle sits up, following his suit, "Wh-What do you-Oh."

When her eyes focus, she sees the stack of presents wrapped up in shiny paper sitting in the corner, the tiny tree sitting on the desk next to them.

"Lu," she breathes his name like a prayer, "you can't be serious."

"I am," he winks, pulling on her hand. "C'mon, let's shower and get dressed. We'll go eat breakfast and come open everything."

"Okay," she nods, biting her lip. A smile lights up her face, a stirring of something specific setting fire in her belly.