Sweet Lantern

Chapter 9

Alice

Waking up wrapped in Darry's arms is not new to me. He's been crawling into my bed for years. When I was little and I'd have a nightmare, I'd wake up scared and crying. This dark room would seem to be closing in on me as the shadows would dance eerily on the walls. The only person I wanted to comfort me and keep me safe was Darry. I'd text him or call him and tell him I needed him to come hold me. "I'll be right there, Alice" is all he'd say, no questions. He was never angry about the time I was calling or texting and never once did he tell me "No". I could count on him and he made sure I knew that from a young age. He was nothing if not consistent when it came to me. I know he loves me; I've always known. But after last night... There's no denying how he loves me anymore.

The memories of the events from the night before come rushing back to me. His words, his kiss. I can still feel his lips on mine and I feel all swoony-ish. I've always loved him too; I just didn't realize how much until he kissed me at the bonfire last night. That kiss opened something up. It was like an explosion had happened inside of me. Every part of me waking up... seeing the world in a completely new way. And that was just from his kiss! Watching him sleep next to me now, knowing when he wakes, I can kiss those lips all I want, makes my heart flutter and my stomach do flips.

"Mmm", he groans as he's waking up behind me. I turn and lay beside him, my face right at his. He turns on his side, facing me and without opening his eyes, he reaches out to run his hand down the back of my hair.

"Good morning, sunshine", I say to him and kiss him on the nose.

"Good morning. We're awful chipper this am, aren't we?" He says teasing me. "I wonder what's got you feeling so giddy?" he opens one eye and looks at me, cracking a grin at my expense.

I reach up and smack him on his chest, pushing him back. He laughs and rolls onto his back. He sees me staring and says, "You're so beautiful", and reaches for a pillow to smack me with. "Darry Williams! You're gonna get it!" I warn and smack him on his chest with a pillow. He just laughs and sits up, grabbing me and pulling into him for a bear hug. "Do I smell bacon?" he asks, the smell of Mom cooking downstairs has snuck in underneath my door and makes both of our bellies grumble.

I pull a white sundress with little pink and purple flowers all over it out of the closet and toss it on the bed behind me. I like that one because of the spaghetti straps, and it'll be cooler out there if I wear this one. I find my boots at the bottom of my closet and grab those too. Now socks and underwear. I go to my dresser that sits beside the bathroom door. I find socks and start to grab some of my under things when Darry opens the door. He steps into my room, a towel wrapped around his waist and another in his hand as he uses it to dry his messy brown hair. His skin is amazing. Not a blemish on him and his color makes even me envious of him. He's got a perfect complexion, with a fantastic natural golden-brown tone.

"You're staring, Alice" he says and smiles at me.

I blush and turn to walk over to the bed to get dressed. I feel him swoop his arm around my waist, and he kisses the back of my neck. He spins me around to face him and kisses me, every bit of longing he has pouring into his kiss. I make a point not to look down. Then just as suddenly as he started, he stops. Laughing, he grabs his clothes from the chair beside my bed and disappears back into the bathroom.

I drop down to sit on the edge of my bed, trying to catch my breath and talk my head into slowing its spin. "Ugh!" I fall back onto the bed and wait for my chest to stop heaving up and down, while I stare at the ceiling. "You ready to go clean some stalls?" I hear him ask and my head pops up. He's fully dressed now in the same clothes he had on last night. He's so gorgeous. That cocky little grin spread across his face and all. He knows what he just did to me. He's enjoying playing with me... I'm enjoying it too, if I'm being honest with myself.

"I have to get dressed still", I tell him and point to my dress on the bed. Darry, being the gentleman that he is, walks out of my door and closes it behind him, waiting for me in the hall. The smell of bacon and eggs makes my stomach growl. I'm so hungry this morning, more than I have been in a long time. I finish getting dressed and step out to meet Darry, who is still standing outside my door. He's too sweet!

Downstairs I immediately cross the length of the kitchen to grab two slices of bread and toss them into the toaster, pulling down the side lever. I sit down and he sits on the stool next to me, putting his arm around me, winking when our eyes meet.

"Good morning", my mom says, turning to look at me and Darry, then turning back to the bacon cooking in front of her.

"Good morning!" I say much more enthusiastically than I meant for it to come out.

She turns to look at me, raising an eyebrow at my outburst, but turns right back around without saying anything. I'm thankful for her silence as I'm slightly embarrassed now. Mom turns around again and smiles at us. "Y'all sleep OK?" she asks. We both agree that we slept great and she says, "Good", turning back to her frying pan.

Darry reaches down and pinches my arm, making me squeal and laugh, shifting on the stool.
Mom turns to see what's happening behind her and smiles at us. Dad comes in with a newspaper in one hand and a coffee cup in the other. "What's all this laughing in here?" he asks with a grin on his face.

"Good morning", he tells us all. Walking over to me, kissing the top of my head.

"Good morning, Daddy", I say back.

"Good morning, Mr. Wilson", Darry says, and I hear something different in his voice. Is he nervous?

When Robby comes in, we all sit down to eat breakfast together. "We've got a lot to do today. You kids up for it?", my dad says to us between bites. Darry and I look at each other, and he knows I'm asking him to stay. He nods at me and says, "I have to let my folks know I'll be home later this afternoon, but I'm good to help if you need an extra pair of hands in the barn today", he tells my dad. We smile at each other and go back to our breakfast.

"Good! Cause we have two new horses coming in today", Daddy says to us and smiles at me.

"Oh my, God! Daddy! Why didn't you tell me?" I squeal in excitement. "What color are they?"