Mein Liebling

Untitled Part 36

To no one's surprise, Edward manages to figure out how to work his new cell phone all by himself. Emojis, however, are something he still hasn't quite grasped. He either uses way too many, or uses them in the absolute wrong context – admittedly, it's quite hilarious holding any kind of text conversation with him.

The next few days go by without incident, everyone seeming to fall into a relaxed state of normalcy, but something just... doesn't feel right to you. Samantha had been so worried, she had been adamant about how little time there was until Monty would be back and stressed the importance of being prepared. Things just seemed... to easy. The machine is coming together; hoards seem to be showing up in smaller numbers, leaning more towards straggling groups of 20 to 30 at most; the crew all seem happy, something you always thought they deserved; most of all, you had never felt more at home in your entire life – even with the apocalypse, you had found your soulmate.

Something dark must be looming on the horizon.

The real world doesn't just let happiness ride on into forever. Happily ever after isn't a given, it's something you earn, something you never stop fighting for, and you can't help the sinking feeling that everyone's fate rests heavily on your shoulders.

Your phone dings and vibrates in your pocket, the screen flashing your and Edward's faces pressed together in what could only be described as a disgustingly cute selfie, his name filling the screen as you tap open the message.

'What are plans for dinner, liebling? I think we are nearing a stopping point here, perhaps I could cook for you this evening?' He follows with several eggplant emojis and a kissing face.

'I'm gonna have to sit down and explain emojis to you, babe.' You smile softly as you send the message, hearing Zack chuckle over your shoulder and casting a quirked brow back at him.

"Sorry," he holds up his hands defensively, "didn't mean to sneak up on ya, just wanted to come see how you're doing since our little talk."

"I'm good," your eyes soften, shoulders relaxing as you lean back against one of the railings, taking in just how far the project had come inside the warehouse, "I hate to admit it, but I think it helped a lot to get it all off my chest."

"Good to hear," he nudges your shoulder and leans on the rail beside you, crossing his ankles as he stretches his legs out before him, "So how's things going in paradise? You two love birds set a wedding date yet?"

"Funny," you roll your eyes, "things are good, but honestly, I just can't shake the feeling that we're on borrowed time here. Things have been going way too smooth, and I'm not complaining, but I literally feel like I'm walking on eggshells just waiting for the floor to give out underneath me at any moment."

"Ever think that maybe," he shrugs and motions around, "maybe this is all a good thing? That we're finally working in the right direction? Finally fixing things?" He drapes one of his arms across your shoulders, "Maybe that's why fate brought all this together, ya know? Everything happens for a reason."

"Yeah," you sigh, "but I know there's more. I want to be happy and just enjoy the peacefulness while it lasts, but I know something's coming." You shake your head and fiddle with your phone, finding comfort in the picture of you and Edward, "I don't wanna lose it all..."

Zack squeezes you lightly, "It'll all work itself out in the end, just don't go on one of your self-sacrificing rampages again." He chuckles to lighten to mood, standing and playfully grabbing your arm to drag you along, spinning you to face the entirety of the warehouse floor brimming with movement as people come and go to finish the machine, "We've got your back, and you have people here who love you and can't stand to lose you again. So, let us help this time, we're all in this together, and we'll all figure it out as a team, ok?"

"Yeah," you nod, feeling lighter already, a weight off your chest after having talked to him and a warmth in your heart as you catch sight of Edward leaned over a table of blueprints deep in thought. Zack's right, you have so many people here who are more than willing to help; so much time and effort being put into saving it all; so much love worth fighting for. "I made a promise that I'd stick around this time, and I fully intend to keep it."

"You better," he glances down at you, squeezing your arm as he walks off with a quick wave goodbye, "I'm headed out for the day, tell lover boy to quit working so hard, I don't think he even stopped to eat today."

You wave in return as he exits the warehouse, rounding the corner out of sight amongst several others also calling it a day. With a renewed sense of optimism, and a surprising hope blossoming, you make your way cheerily across the vast floor towards Edward.

"Hey, handsome," you greet, grinning at the light blush that briefly flickers across his cheeks.

His already bright eyes light up beneath his dark brows, quirking one of them slightly as he lifts his head to smile in return. "Hallo, meine liebste. Und vhat is a beautiful frau like you doing in a place like zhis, hm?" He offers his hand to you, pulling you in close when you accept it to wrap his arms around your waist, your hands resting on his chest as your bodies press flush together.

"Well," you glance off to the side, feigning a pondering expression, "I heard there was this really smart, really handsome doctor hanging around somewhere."

"Oh really?" He raises his brows, glancing around the building. "Und have you actually seen zhis 'doctor'?"

"I have," you nod in a very matter-a-fact manner, "turned out to be even more handsome in person, has a cute German accent too."

"Ah," his cheeks flush again only for a brief moment as his smile broadens, "vell I'm sure he vould be grateful to know eine frau as beautiful as you vas even looking in his direction."

"You think so?" You tilt your head, sliding your hands up to run through the back of his hair.

"I'm sure of it, liebling." He presses a light but lingering kiss to your lips before parting just enough to rest his forehead against yours. "Und he vould vant you to know how lucky you make him feel."

"He's not too shabby himself," you squeeze him lightly, earning a soft chuckle from him as he shifts his hands to your lower back, "A bit old fashioned, but I've taken a liking to him."

"Vell, to be fair," he parts to meet your eyes, "I'm technically a lot older zhan you, liebling."

"A little more than just on the technical side, babe," you shrug and smirk as you press a quick kiss to his lips before adding, "but I like older guys."

"I can't be ZHAT much older?"

"I'm 24 this November, babe." You state plainly, feeling a bit amused at his raised brows.

"Ah," he blinks a few times before clearing his throat, "vell, now zhat I feel ancient..."

You pull back slightly, sliding your hands down to his chest to fiddle with his shirt collar, "does it bother you?"

"Nein," he cups your face, bringing your gaze to meet his own, "meine liebste, you are perfect in every vay, und I vouldn't change a zhing about you, ja?"

Warmth flutters across your cheeks, earning one of his irresistible smirks in return before he captures your lips in a deep kiss.