Can't Fall in Love Without You (Christian Yelich)

18

"I love you," he whispered into Elizabeth's ear, his arms wrapped tightly around her body.

"I love you, too, Christian," she replied, looking over her shoulder to see his beaming face.

Christian kissed her neck, and pulled her even tighter against him.

He woke up when his alarm sounded, the contentedness he felt from his dream immediately slipping away from him.

He hadn't heard from her in over a day. He texted. He knocked on her door a couple of times. Silence. He probably lost her . . . Right when he was starting to figure things out. Right when he realized just how much he loved her. Her gentle nature, her wit, the way her ass and tits looked in that romper . . . Her relationship with his baby girl. He loved every bit of her.

"Get a grip," he whispered to himself. "She's gone."

He reached out for his phone, and was shocked when he was greeted with a text from her. His heart skipped a beat as he read her message.

Hey, Chris. I'm sorry for the radio silence. Just trying to figure a few things out. I'll be in touch soon, okay? If you wouldn't mind, tell Ivy I love and miss her. I'm sorry about everything that happened after the zoo. I never meant to impose on your life in this way.

Christian squeezed his eyes shut and let a few tears loose. She was apologizing to him for something that was out of her control. He hated this for her.

He heard a knock on his door, but, to his overwhelming disappointment, it wasn't her three gentle taps. It was the familiar bangs of Travis.

He sighed and forced himself out of bed, checking on Ivy before making his way to the door. She was sound asleep, having spent some time awake only a couple hours earlier.

"Well, you certainly don't look ready for breakfast," Travis said with a raised brow. "Could have at least put some pants on, man."

Christian had forgotten they had breakfast plans. He was so lost in thoughts of Elizabeth . . .

"Good news for you, I know that you're not a morning person, so, surprise, breakfast burritos!" He held up a bag and entered Christian's apartment.

"Thanks, bro," Christian replied. "How's Lindy?'

"She's doing great. Elizabeth says everything's going perfectly. Speaking of Elizabeth, how are you two?"

Travis had a feeling there was more to their relationship than friendship. He had a sneaking suspicion for a while, ever since Lindy told him that Christian sent Elizabeth flowers on her birthday.

Christian shrugged and dug into his burrito. "Complex," he muttered. He didn't have the nerve to say more.

Travis didn't miss a beat. He could always tell when his friend was in pain. This time, he didn't think it was only Sloane that was a part of the equation. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Christian wanted to say no, but he couldn't. He needed part of the weight off his chest. There was already so much there: Sloane's death and the guilt associated with it, raising Ivy as a single father, falling in love with his neighbor, feeling like he was cheating on Sloane with his love for Ellie, Ivy calling Elizabeth mama . . . It was all too much. It was more than any one person should have to deal with, and he wasn't the best at handling emotions. "I . . . I love Elizabeth."

"Of course you do," Travis said softly. "You've loved her for a while."

Christian just nodded.

"You're not cheating on Sloane, Christian. She would want you to be happy. You have to know that. She'd want you to find someone else who could complete you. Maybe not in the exact same way. But she'd never want you to be alone.