Endless

6 Hours Before

6 HOURS BEFORE

Marcus drops me off at Liv's apartment at 7am, i walk inside to smell pancakes cooking. Noah is perched at the counter waiting patiently for his pancakes, while Liv stands at the stove top. Elliot's bags are all ready to go by the door, he must have brought them round last night so he wouldn't have to go back to his hotel this morning. I can hear him rustling around in Liv's bedroom clearly looking for anything he may have left behind, not that it should really matter. He is coming back right?

I move into the kitchen, nobody aware that i am there, Noah sees me and i motion for him not to say anything as i walk up behind Liv. I wrap my arms around her waist and place a soft kiss on her cheek.
"How are you holding up?" i whisper into her ear.
One of her hand drops to my arm and she squeezes gently, "I will be okay." she breathes, "i think. Pancakes for you my love?"
"Of course." I let go of her just as Elliot walks into the kitchen, he takes my place and envelopes her in his arms. Taking in all the time he has left with her.

I move to sit next to Noah at the counter and watch him as he draws on a piece of paper.
"What are you drawing Noie?" i look over his shoulder as he grabs another coloured crayon.
"Birdies." he colours one in red with yellow feathers on the wings, "like we saw yesterday."
"I see that, they are very pretty Noah, you are a good drawer."
I watch him smile, "thank you Peyton. This one is you," he points to the red bird, "and this one is me," he says pointing to the green bird. "We are free P, we can fly anywhere, anywhere, and eat everyone elses ice creams."
I laugh as Liv puts our plates in front of us, 2 pancakes each with chocolate chips are syrup.
"Order up."

She seems to have forgotten i eat my pancakes plain, but today i will not argue. She has enough stress at the moment and i will leave that for another time. Right now i will enjoy the sugary carb filled mess she has placed in front of me. It's yum and i look up to see her and Elliot, kissing. Getting lost in each other and i can't help but get lost in Noah's drawing, and truely wonder what it would be like to fly free above the clouds.

*        *        *

"Oh Peyton are you able to watch Noah while i take El to the airport? Seeing as your not coming." I watch Peyton's eyes snap up to mine, and watch as she registers what i have asked her.
"Um i can't Liv, i've got so much stuff to do and i have to go into school to study so.." i feel like she is lying, but i can't tell due to my mind being occupied by other things.
"Okay that's fine." I shake my head, trying to remove any dread from my heart. It kind of hurts, but i am not sure if the dread i feel is because of Elliot or Peyton and it is rocking me a little bit.

"Okay Noah you need to go put your shoes on then love, cause we need to go." I watch him hop down off his seat leaving his drawing on the counter. Elliot gives me a kiss on the cheek and then follows Noah into his bedroom to help him. I watch as Peyton gets lost in Noah's drawing again. I move so that i am directly opposite her at the counter and i lean forwards.
"Are you sure you don't want to come?"
She smiles a soft smile and looks up at me shaking her head. "I'll be fine Liv, seriously I'm just going to study, see Marcus and clean the apartment cause its a mess," she giggles softly.
"Okay honey, i love you."
"Love you too Liv."

"Okay Mom I'm ready," Noah smiles at me.
"Bye Elliot," Peyton gets up and gives him a hug.
"I will see you when i get back in a few months," she just nods her head and smiles.
I watch Noah move towards his sister giving her a hug and a kiss the way he does everytime he leaves and she isn't with him. "Love you P, see you later."
"Love you too Noah, bye munchkin."

We pick up Elliot's bags and exit the apartment closing the door behind us.

*        *        *

I can't but smile at Noah's picture.
His birds are so beautiful, granted he is only 4 almost 5, so they aren't masterpieces.
So maybe it's the meaning behind them that gives me a sense of peace and brings a tear to my eye.