Happy Birthday Lizzie

Part 6

"You know I will leave the door unlocked for you. I have an extra key. Do you want it? Why haven't we exchanged keys yet?" For the life of me, I didn't know why. "We have a drawer at each other's place. It's the next logical step."

"I do not know. We can talk logic later. Leaving the door unlocked is not a good idea. Do you have the spare with you or is there a safe place you can leave it for me?"

"I can leave the spare key under the big flower pot next to the door." I was trying to think if there was any place better to leave it. "I will try to stay up until you get there."

"You don't have to. I'll walk you to the car. You mean the world to me. I'll be there as soon as I can, Love." I smiled and touched her hand again. "See you soon love."

He paid the check and walked me to my car. I got a hug and a quick kiss as he put me in my car and waved as I pulled away. I got home and put the spare key under the flower pot where I said it would be. I watched TV until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. It was quarter to eleven when I locked the door and headed back to bed. I left the bathroom light on for him. I didn't bother with pajamas and just slid under the covers naked. It didn't take me long to fall asleep.

I was nervous and feeling completely off, but she seemed to want a kiss and in public too, so I gave her a very quick one and sent her on her way. By the time I got back to the studio I was useless. I excused myself and went for a long drive and an even longer walk. I didn't make it to Lizzie's until after 3 am. I was still not feeling too great, and I didn't want to wake her, so I left a note on the pillow and fell asleep on the couch.

I woke up alone and upset the next morning. I pulled on some pjs after seeing his note and went to find him in the living room. He was sound asleep on the couch. It was just after 7 am. I wasn't sure if I was more mad or concerned, but I attempted to wake him gently so he could get better sleep in the comfort of my bed.

"Hey, sorry." I was very groggy and even though her expression wasn't the 'hey, babe, I am so happy to see you' it was her face and all I needed. I was warm and comfortable and finally relaxed. "Is it your birthday eve yet?" I opened my arms as I held up the blanket.

"It is. How about we go to bed for a little bit longer? It's more comfortable than the couch." I waited for a minute. I was in desperate need of snuggles after sleeping by myself all night. I was trying to be understanding of why he was out here in the first place.

"But baby." I was whining and I knew it. "It's already warm right here. Besides, snuggles on the couch forces us closer; less room." I had stripped down to just my underwear before curling up on the couch and sleeping off the rest of my grump and stress. "I need to go to the store at some point today and home to pack a bag. The clothes I want to wear are not here. You'll need one too." I smiled and invited her under the covers again. "I need your snuggles, come snuggle with me. Please."

I rolled my eyes and climbed into his arms. I needed the closeness, but he was doing the thing where he doesn't tell me what's bothering him. I snuggled into his chest and let him hold me though. Someday he would realize that he could talk to me about whatever was bothering him. I sighed and closed my eyes. "What do I need to pack?"

"Mmm. Can't think. You're warm and I missed this closeness. I need it." I was happy and warm and very content with her in my arms but she felt a little off to me. Sometimes I miss those things, sometimes I don't. I didn't miss that ever so slight edge and I didn't like her sigh or the roll of her eyes but dismissed it knowing she knew I was upset but didn't come to her to help me fix it. I didn't need to. I needed nature. "Yesterday wasn't all bad but it wasn't all pleasant. I worked it out while I walked and drove. I'm done with it. I don't want to fall back into the negativity I was feeling yesterday by talking about it. I told the trees and my guitar. I know I can be difficult at times. Thank you for loving me anyway." I kissed the top of her head, closed my eyes and focused on the feelings around me. I took a deep breath and let it go slowly. "I feel balanced again. The fresh air and trees felt very good." I rubbed her back. "Admittedly, this feels better."

I didn't want to push the issue, but in his healing process, he pushed me out. I am sure it wasn't intentional, but my feelings were hurt. I guess that ultimately didn't matter and I tried to push those feelings away. I softened my body against his and relaxed into the warmth of his arms. "This does feel nice. We could have slept this way too you know."

"I know. Sorry."

I pressed my lips against the side of his neck, not necessarily trying to start anything, it was what I could reach in this position. "I love you, and I am here for you always." I needed this proximity, but the couch did not afford us that much room.

"I know. Thank you." I closed my eyes and fully relaxed after shifting her so she was more over me than beside me. We were both thin and fit fairly well on the couch but it was not perfect. It was however what was needed and me being very lazy. I fell into a warm comfortable slumber that completed my needs and didn't wake up until she woke me.

I was not lulled to sleep by his steady breathing, but I did let him sleep for about an hour. I needed to use the bathroom and I was quite hungry. I woke him gently so that I could get up without kneeing him in the junk. "Sweetie?"

"Mmm? Time to wake up?"

"Yep. Gotta potty and I am starving."

"Okay. We can figure out food after we've taken care of that." I kissed the top of her head again and uncovered us and shifted so she could move without hurting me.

I got up and went to my bathroom to take care of the necessary things. I went back to the living room to wait for him.

While she went to the bathroom I got up and waited. When she was done, I went to the bathroom too, then returned to the living room. "So what are we eating?"

"I think I have the makings for pancakes and sausage or omelets, or we could go out."

"Where would you wanna go?"

"The pancake place around the corner." I was very bouncy for some reason.

"Okay. We should probably get dressed, maybe shower when we get back. I'm pretty hungry again. You okay? Oh! I almost forgot. I bought some chocolate last night and put it in the fridge. We can munch on that later." I smiled because she was having a hard time sitting still and it was very cute.

"Mmmkay." I headed back to my bedroom to throw on some clothes and put my hair into a ponytail. We very rarely go out for breakfast, I was excited.

"Alright." I followed her to the bedroom and got dressed. I pulled my hair up into a bun on top of my head and laughed gently at myself in the mirror. Somehow, sweats, a tee-shirt, a lightweight jacket, and boat shoes had become a norm for me. I loved it.