Talk of the Town (Kaylor) || COMPLETED

iv. before the sun

I woke slowly. Sleep was still heavy on my eyelids as they opened. I thought I was dreaming when I took in the sight beside me. It was still dark but I could make out the shape. Taylor. She was wrapped up in the linen sheets, peacefully sleeping and her bare shoulder peeking out. I smiled. This was the best day already, and it hadn't even really begun. I turned and looked at the alarm clock beside my bed - 4:30am. I rubbed my eyes, and stretched, careful not to disturb the sleeping girl beside me. Even though I'd only had 4 hours of sleep, I felt refreshed, invigorated. Gently, I got up and tiptoed across the old hardwood to the door, pausing just to revel at the moment. I smiled to myself. I was really falling for this girl. I had been since the wedding. Sighing softly, I pulled the door shut and headed to the bathroom, easing the shower on and trying to keep my routine as silent as possible. As soon as the hot water hit my skin, I woke up. My thoughts started going a million miles a minute as I replayed yesterday out... waking up at Taylor's in the city, Josh's foul mood, Taylor gazing longingly at my little house, eating spaghetti and laughing so loud my ribs rattled. It had easily been one of the best days I'd had in months. I only wished I could call my mom and tell her about it... I shut off the water at the thought. In my bathrobe, I made my way back down the hallway. Everything was quiet except for my head. Taylor was still fast asleep, snoring ever-so-softly in the blackness. I smiled as I opened my closet, changing into whatever was on top. There were limited options in the dark. Normally, every light in the room would be on by now, forcing my body to be awake but Taylor needed to sleep. It dawned on me as I entered the kitchen that this was a repeat of history. Taylor would wake up in bed alone, not knowing where I'd gone... did I wake her and tell her? I mentally debated what to do as my coffee maker started brewing. Joe had wandered into the kitchen sleepily, knowing if I was up he had to be too. He was used to the early mornings, but Taylor wasn't... he was also a dog who relied on me for everything but that was beyond the point. Finally, I decided to wake up Taylor and tell her. I put Joe's kibble down on the floor and made my way upstairs. I entered my bedroom again, this time walking straight to Taylor's side of the bed and kneeling beside it. I reached out my fingers, smoothing her hair out of the way of her forehead and placing a slow, soft kiss there, right above her nose. She stirred slightly but was clearly still asleep. I whispered into the darkness,

"Tay? Hey, babe, I've gotta go to work okay? I'll come back later I promise... I'm not just leaving, I'll be back." I kissed her again, this time on her nose which immediately scrunched up in response. Her eyelids fluttered open and she looked at me for a moment before smiling wide. 

"Karlie? What time is it?" She yawned and squeezed her eyes shut then open again. I shushed her, not wanting her to wake up so much she couldn't fall back asleep.

"It's almost 5am, I have to get to the bakery to open... but I'll be back around 9. You can stay here, don't worry. Go back to sleep, I just wanted you to know." Taylor shot up in bed, causing the covers to slip down and reveal her naked chest. I gulped feeling something in my lower stomach stir. 

"No, no I'll come with you! Let me get dressed!" She spun her legs off the bed and rushed over to the bag she brought. I smiled at her enthusiasm. It was what I was selfishly hoping she'd say. 

"Are you sure?" I got up and walked over to her, wrapping an arm around her from behind and kissing the crook of her neck, "You don't have to, you can just..."

She cut me off by spinning around and kissing me into silence. 

"I'm sure, Karls, now, go make me coffee so you don't have to deal with non-caffeinated me at 5am!" I kissed her again before going back downstairs and pouring two mugs of coffee. Joe wagged his tail at the end of the island. 

"I know, she's perfect. We can't screw it up, buddy." I scratched his ears as I heard footsteps on the staircase.