-CELINE POV-
Sunlight spilled through the half–open curtains, the kind that doesn’t ask for permission but settles gently on everything it touches. The house smelled faintly of coffee and cedar; Hunter must have been awake for a while. His side of the bed was warm but empty, the sheets caught up in that careless way he always left them.
I slid into his shirt…the crisp white one he’d worn last night, the collar smelling faintly of his cologne….and padded barefoot to the kitchen. The sound of clinking dishes led me there, and I paused in the doorway for a moment, smiling
Hunter Mood by the stove, hair will damp from his shower, sleeves rolled up. Caesar sat on the counter beside him, swinging his legs, holding a whink as if it were a lightsaber
“Good morning, my sleepy angel Caesar said the second he noticed me, far too pleased with himself for a child covered in flour Read full story at Find[ɴ]ovel.net
‘Good morning, my messy chef i teased kissing his cheek before wrapping my arms around Hunter’s waist from behind
He stiffened a little… still mused to surprises. then relaxed, covering my hands with his. “You’re supposed to will be in bed,” he emmed.
And miss this domestic masterpiece?” I looked around at the chaos. “You’re mixing pancake batter in a champagne bowl, the Bend”
“It’s called improvising,” he such, arming in sy arms. Has mouth found mine for a slow kiss that tasted of coffee and sague. “And before you complum, they re edible this time, I practiced while you were away?
“Practice?” I raised an eyesow
Caesar grimmed proudly. The bored the first two I spoed the third”
We all hasaghed. In was an ordinary morning, in feit like there was something new in the air..like an unspoken wanderstanding between us. My secret was no longer a SECERE
Hunter caught me staring at him and nudged my chin lightly with his thumb. “What are you thinking about?”
Just… bow surreal this all feels,” I whispered. “Being here. With you. With him.”
the brushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his gaze softer than I’d seen in weeks. “You make everything feel real. Even the parts that scare me
For a whole, we insply moved around each other–be flipping pancakes, me brewing another pot of coffer, Caesar stealing berries off the counter when he thought no one was looking.
Breakfast wrenched lazily into mid–morning. Caesar, full and sticky, ran off to the living room to watch cartoons, leaving banter and the sitting opposite each other at the table
frayed words his mug, the steam curling between us like a spation he wasn’t sure how to ask. Finally he
10:02 Thu, Oct 9
spoke.
“So… Paris.”
I looked down at my cup. “Paris.”
“You still want to go?”
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“Yes.” My answer came quietly but without hesitation. “The program starts again next week. Just two more months. I want to finish what I started.”
He nodded, jaw tightening a little. “I’ll find someone to handle the local office there. The apartment is still ready, the staff know to……
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I reached across the table and covered his hand. “Hunter, I can handle two months without an entire security detail breathing down my neck.”
“Not negotiable,” he said, but the edge in his tone was softened by the smile tugging at his lips. “I already lost enough sleep when you were gone the first time.”
I squeezed his fingers. “You’re not losing me. I’m coming back.”
He studied me for a long moment. “And… the baby?”
My throat caught a little at the word. It sounded weak coming from him, as though he was testing its weight.
“I’ll be careful,” I said. “The doctor said everything looks perfect. I’ll have appointments there, and I’ll send you updates, I promise.”
He nodded, eyes flicking toward Caesar, who was now laughing at something on the TV. “He’ll miss you.”
“I know.”
“And so will I.”
That earned him a soft laugh. “You, Mr. Reid, are getting mawkish.”
“Only with you,” he said simply.
Silence settled again….comfortable, light. I reached out and traced the small scar near his knuckle, the one he got months ago fixing a toy for Caesar. “You know,” I murmured, “you’re going to have to handle bedtime stories and morning pancakes alone for a bit.”
He breathed out through his nose, pretending to consider it. “I can bribe Vincent to help.”
I laughed outright at that. “God, please don’t. He’ll feed Caesar espresso and teach him poker.”
Hunter’s lips curved. “Then I’ll manage on my own.”
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The clock chimed softly in the background. Caesar’s laughter floated from the other room. For a brief moment, everything felt whole, held up between what was ending and what was about to begin.
10:02 Thu, Oct 9
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Hunter rose first, moving around the table to stand behind me. His hands slid over my shoulders, his mouth brushing the side of my neck. “We’ll be fine,” he whispered, as if convincing himself. “You’ll come back, and we’ll start the next chapter. Together.”
I turned my head just enough to meet his eyes. “Promise?”
“Always.”
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