𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐚 | ✓

t w e l v e

"Are you okay?" Charlotte asks Magnolia.

"Yeah, why?"

"You've just seems so happy lately. I didn't know if it's like a mental breakdown happy or a genuine happy."

The two girls were laying in Charlottes bed, trying to fall asleep. Though, it was more Magnolia waiting for Charlotte to fall asleep, so she could sneak into Brad's room.

"No, it's a genuine happy," she answers. "I've just been in a good mood lately."

"That's good," she yawns. "I like seeing you happy."

Soon after that, soft snores were coming from Charlotte's mouth and it was go time. Luckily, she is a heavy sleeper.

Magnolia didn't bother knocking and quickly entered his room, standing against the door to catch her breath. He was sitting on his bed, playing on his phone.

"You should be grateful," she says, walking closer to him. "I don't sneak around for just anyone."

He grins, lifting her up and placing her on his lap. "I am so very grateful."

"Good," she smiles. "What've you been up to? I'm sorry it took me so long. We were up late talking."

"It's fine, love," he holds her hand. "And I was practicing for a while and then I decided that wouldn't be the best idea if we're trying to get Charlotte to fall asleep."

"She's a rock, Brad. She won't wake up."

"I was just being careful," he kisses her nose.

"So, you play the piano?"

"You're very observant, Magnolia," he jokes. "But, yes. I have since I was really young."

"Play me something."

"Magnolia, I don't—"

"It wasn't up for discussion."

With a dramatic sigh, he moves her to the side of him, then goes to sit on the piano bench. He didn't know what she wanted him to play, so he just improvised.

Magnolia's liking for him grew ten sizes when he began. His fingers danced in the keys like he had been playing for a hundred years.

Once he finished, she stood up and wrapped his arms around him while he still sat on the bench. You could say Brad and Magnolia were in their honeymoon faze. They can't take their hands off each other.

"I would've had you play the piano for me a long time ago if I knew you were that good," she kisses his cheek. "Come cuddle with me."

He stands up, then playfully picks her up and tosses Magnolia on the bed, hovering over her. He then lowers his head down and presses a soft kiss against her lips.

"Magnolia," he smiles, his face still close to hers. "Magnolia."

"That's my name."

"A very pretty name."

"I don't know why people are always saying my name is so pretty and unique," she says. "It's literally just a flower."

He moves his body so he's laying next to her, both of them facing each other while they lay on their sides. "At least it isn't something ugly and boring."

"Yeah, like Brad," she jokes. "Who would ever want that name."

"You've got quite the mouth on you, Miss. Magnolia," he says. "Lucky me."

"Oh, shut up," she laughs pushing on his chest. "My presence alone is a gift."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," he smiles. "What time do you think you should go back to my sisters room?"

"She probably won't be up until later since we—well, she went to sleep so late."

"Sleep here, then. We can set an alarm and then get you back in there before she wakes up."

"This is very risky, Brad," she lays on her back. "Probably the most risky think I've ever done."

"We can't do this for long, babe. We've gotta tell Charlotte at some point."

"I know, I know," she sighs, turning back on her side. "I just don't know how or when. She's always been so adamant about staying away from you. What if she hates me?"

"I don't think it's possible to hate you."

Magnolia reaches her hand out, resting it on his cheek. "I can't believe you waited so long to tell me. You're such an airhead. We could've been together this entire time and it would have been much easier to break the news to Charlotte."

"How was I supposed to know you felt the same way? Hm? I can't read minds, Magnolia."

"Neither can I, Brad. Another reason why you should've told me."

"You're a lot nicer when you don't talk."

"Fine. I just won't talk anymore."

"Excellent." When she doesn't say anything snarky back, Brad dramatically sighs. "Talk to me, babe."

She continues to lay there, not saying anything.

"Please," he whines. "I miss you." Nothing.

With a smile he stands up then begins tickling her, causing Magnolia to burst out laughing. "Shhh," he laughs, putting his index finger against her lips. "Maybe we shouldn't do this if you're always going to be this loud while you're in my bed."

"You're so annoying," she shakes her head. "I'm sleepy. Come cuddle with me."

He then turns off the lights before taking off his black t-shirt and climbing into the bed next to Magnolia.

"I'm setting an alarm for 7am," she says. "Do not let me sleep through it. I will mince your brains if you do that."

He pulls her close, making it so her back his against his chest with his face buried into her neck. "I promise I won't let you sleep through it," he kisses her cheek. "Goodnight, Magnolia."

"Nighty night."

They both soon drifted to sleep in each other's arms.

They didn't want this night to end.

: : :

"You let me sleep through the alarm!" Magnolia says in hushed tone, looking at her phone that said 8:23am. "I told you not to let me do that!"

"I slept through it, too!" he defends before calmly saying, "Maybe she'll still be sleeping. Don't stress. Even if she is awake, just stay calm. The more timid you are, the easier it'll be to see right through you."

"Okay, Doctor Phil."

As she puts her hand on the door knob, he says, "You're going to leave without giving me a kiss?"

After giving him a quick kiss, she ventures out into the hall. Her heart drops when she hears the toilet flush. She then darts back into Charlottes room and lays down on her bed.

"Where were you? You weren't here when I woke up." Charlotte says, walking back into the room.

"Uh," she says nervously. "Brad was in the hall bathroom, so I went to the one downstairs."

"I wonder why," she opens her curtains. "He has his own bathroom."

"Yeah," she breathes out. "I wonder why."

unedited