Breathe

Chapter Eight

After having one of the best night's sleep I'd ever had, I awake at ten o'clock in the morning to find my legs entangled with Seth's and my head has moved to lay on his chest. I'm surprised at having slept for so long when I usually suffer from insomnia. Sometime during the night, he must have threaded his fingers through my hair because they are splayed softly against the back of my head.

Since Seth is still asleep I take the opportunity to take in his features. In this state, he looks so peaceful and as if nothing worries him. His brow doesn't furrow in his sleep and his thick lashes fan his cheekbones whilst his lips are slightly pursed.

As I brush back some stray strands of hair that have covered his forehead during the night, he slowly awakens gazing up at me with blurred vision from sleep.

"Good morning, Sleepyhead," I murmur softly.

"Morning gorgeous," his voice still hoarse from having just awoken, "did you sleep okay?"

"I did actually, but to be fair I had an extremely comfy pillow," I comment cheekily.

"I'll happily offer my superior pillow services whenever you require them."

"My aunt and uncle said about meeting them and Zeus at the park today. I thought maybe you could bring Levi and teach him how to ride that bike..." I leave the question hanging in the air before continuing, "they said they were fine with it and that you could even bring your mum, the more the merrier."

Seth smiles sheepishly and it's adorable, "I'm sure they'd both love that. I'm sure mum has some snacks and drinks we can take with us."

After relaxing for another half an hour just talking, we finally decide to leave the all so alluring bed and get ready to go out. For once I decide to wear a different styled outfit for me and slip into a black distressed denim skirt I'd bought when with Luce and a bright red body suit. I pair it with my standard white converse high tops and put on a small amount of mascara.

Seth looks great in chino's and his own black high tops which he wears with a charcoal grey tee and heads downstairs his mum and Levi, who have already had breakfast together, and lets them know our plans. Even from upstairs in Seth's bedroom, I can hear Levi get excited as Seth rushes him to get ready so we can go.

When I reach downstairs, I help Angie make a platter with celery, carrot, cucumber, and crackers with a French onion and guacamole dip while Seth dresses Levi in a similar outfit to his own. After loading the picnic basket and bike into the car, Seth drives towards the park only a short ten-minute drive and we arrive not much longer after lunch time.

I immediately spot Rosa and Jay along with Zeus, who is off his lead and exploring. At the sound of car doors slamming shut behind us he lifts his big head from the ground and when he notices me, sprints over. I fall to my knees on the grass in anticipation and let him smother me with doggy kisses and vigorously rub him all over, laughing at his fat.

Levi drops down beside me and I introduce him to Zeus, who loves the additional attention he's receiving. Letting Levi continue to love on Zeus, I stand up to greet Rosa and Jay who have walked over to meet us at the edge of the park.

Out of character for her, Rosa embraces me in a hug and I allow her to before she pulls away and looks at my attire, "Who are you and what have you done with my niece?" I begin to reply but then she continues, "You look beautiful, sweet. School seems to have been good to you, or is it this young man right here..." she makes eye-contact with Seth for the first time who has come to stand beside me, entwining our fingers. Recognition flashes in her eyes before it disappears and I almost question her but decide to leave it for now.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Rosa and this is my husband Jason."

"And you," Seth comments as he shakes both of their hands. "This is my mother Angie and brother, Levi." We leave the adults to continue their introductions as Angie engages Rosa and Jay in conversation. They seem to like each other from what I can tell as they chat.