The War on Love

Chapter 21

I'm running through the military hospital. Trying to help the medics get as many as they can to the bomb shelter before the air raid begins. I lift an injured marine as a medic helps to carry him to the door. But the door keeps getting further and further away. The medic drops the feet of the marine when he hears the sound of the approaching planes, leaving me on my own as he runs for the door. He dives inside the shelter as another closes it behind him. I shield my body, even though I know it will do nothing for me. I scream as the bombs begin to rain.

"Emmalyn!" My emerald eyes flew open. I inhaled sharp breaths. I feel weight on top of me. There are fingers digging into my arm. Someone is above me. I thrash wildly, trying to escape the grasp of my attacker. But then my eyes adjust and I freeze. Thomas Sangster is straddling me. He has an arm pinning mine to the bed and his other one is wiping away the tears I hadn't known I had shed. "Love, calm down. It was just a nightmare. You're fine. I promise."

I take a deep breath and try to slow my racing heart rate. I nod slowly. He leans down and gives my lips a quick peck before getting off of me. He gets off the bed and walks quietly out the door. I hear his footsteps thump down the stairs,then, the sound of a faucet being turned on.

Moments later does he return. He hands me a glass of water and a Prozosin pill before sitting back down next to me. I put the pill in my mouth and swallow it down with a drink of the water. I must've made some pretty weird facial expressions whilst trying to take the pill because Thomas begins to laugh. I roll my eyes and flick a few droplets of water at him. He chuckles and makes me put the glass on the bedside table. "Go back to sleep, love," he says softly, forcing me to lie back down. He rests his head back against the pillows and falls back into his sleeping stupor.

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I climb out of bed at six in the morning. I didn't go back to sleep like I was told. I couldn't. If I were to go back to sleep I would've woken right back up again. I walk down the stairs and back into my little office. I plug in my headphones, turning on Pandora. I open my word document and begin to type.

At nine o'clock, I hear footsteps pound down the stairs. Thomas pokes his head around the corner and releases a sigh of relief. "I woke up and you weren't there. I got worried," he mumbles, coming up behind me.

"I'm a tough girl. I can take care of myself."

"I know, but I still have the right to worry," he says, clasping his hands around my waist.

I click my tongue softly. "What are your parents going to want to eat tonight?"

"Food..."

I scowl and smack him. "Don't be a smartass."

"I've been spending too much time with you. You're starting to rub off on me, love."

"But, seriously, what am I making?"

"Pasta sounds good," he says hungrily. "But so does breakfast," he adds as his stomach growls.

I chuckle and jot down a few things I need for dinner tonight. "How about you go get the stuff I need while I make breakfast?"

He takes the list from my hand and looks out over. "How about I do this later and you make breakfast because you love me?"

"You're pushing it, Sangster, but I'll take that deal."

"Can you make French toast?!" He asks excitedly, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

"Depends. Do you have bread and eggs?"

"I think so."

"Then, yes. I will make you French toast."

"Yes!" He shouts running to the kitchen.

I roll my eyes and follow him. There are moments when I swear he is 5 instead of 25. I do make some pretty amazing French toast though...

When I get to the kitchen, Thomas already has all the ingredients out and waiting for me as he sits on the counter, feet swinging merrily. I start making the mixture to soak the bread in. I hand the bowl with the mixture and a whisk to Thomas. "Start whisking," I order.

He just stares at the whisk. "This thing is cool," he murmurs as he examines it.

"You act like you've never seen a whisk before."

"I've seen one. I've just never used one.... It's still cool looking nevertheless," he says as he starts attempting to whisk.

I scowl at him. "You're stirring not whisking. You need to whisk!"

"I don't know how to whisk!" He counters.

I huff and take his hand. "Quick side to side motions."

He nods and follows my instructions as I heat the pan. I turn around just him time to see Thomas take his shirt off. "What the hell are you doing?" I ask, taking the bowl.

"I got it on my shirt..." He mumbles, looking at the spot on his t-shirt.

"You just wanted to take your clothes off," I grumble, soaking the bread.

"Don't act like you don't enjoy it," he says, throwing me a wink as I toss the bread in the skillet.

I just roll my eyes. "So egotistical."

"Yes and I take great pride in it, love," he murmurs as he wraps his arms around my waist and rests his chin on my shoulder. He watches as I place the French toast on the two plates and sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar across the top.

"Breakfast is served," I say, handing him a plate of the toast.

"Yay!" He yells, hopping up on the counter and takes a fork from my hand. I chuckle and sit on a stool at the counter. "Maybe you should make French toast tonight instead," Thomas mumbles in between bites.

"Thomas, they are coming for dinner, not breakfast."

"What's your point? We could have French toast for dinner."

"You really like French toast."

"Correction: I really like YOUR French toast," he says, wagging his fork at me.

"Flattered."

He smiles and leans over to give my cheek a kiss. I scrunch up my nose and wipe my cheek. "You had powdered sugar all over your lips!" I shouted.

"Why do you think I kissed you?" He jeered.

I scowl and flick powdered sugar at him after I put my plate in the sink. He just looked down at his chest that now has a light dusting of sugar. He hops off the counter and opens his arms wide. "You know what you need, love? You need a hug. Come get a lovely hug from your boyfriend," he says as he engulfs me in hug.

"Oh, and I'm wearing black! I hate you, Sangster," I grumble as he releases me.

"Love you too, Emmalyn!"

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A/N: Mmmm. French toast. Now I want French toast. Dinner with the parents will be next chapter. Maybe. My computers being glitchy so. Comment/ vote/follow! -med_01