Reina [HS]

47.

"Yes?" I hummed, holding her a bit tighter as we watched the city waking up, the streets getting busy, everyone ready to start their day.

Elizabeth paused for a second, like she wasn't sure if it was a good idea to tell me what was on her mind. She was biting her lower lip, a clear sign of her hesitation, I knew these little habits of hers like the back of my hand.

"Can we pretend like nothing happened?" She asked eventually, making me tense up behind her.

"Baby–"

"Just until we get back from Italy." She cut me off, not even giving me the chance to argue. "I don't think I can deal with all this shit right now."

I didn't like the idea. Sweeping things under the rug didn't seem like a great solution and I was afraid that we might do more damage than good. I didn't want to ignore the elephant in the room, I didn't even know if I was capable of doing so, to be honest.

On the other hand though, I could see where she was coming from. What had happened in the last few hours was a lot already and Elizabeth reached her breaking point, that was for sure. She couldn't take more and she wanted a break before figuring out the next steps. It was understandable and I didn't see the point of pushing her if she felt like she was done for now.

"Until we get back from Italy." I repeated with a nod, kissing the naked back of her shoulder before resting my chin there.

We were leaving tonight and I couldn't be more excited. We had a whole week just for ourselves in the middle of the Italian countryside, Tuscany. It was going to be an absolute dream, I had so many things planned and I couldn't wait for Elizabeth's reaction. I was determined to make her happy, even so now that everything was a mess again, and I had no doubt that what I had on my mind would do just that.

"You're going to be okay." I whispered in her ear for what felt like the thousandth time in the last few hours, hoping if I repeated the simple phrase enough, it would come true.

"I'm going to be okay." Reina breathed, turning her head and looking up at me with those broken eyes of hers. My heart ached for her, but I tried not to show as I leaned forward and connected our lips, her eyes fluttering closed at the contact. "I love you."

"I love you too." I told her, giving her two more little pecks before pulling back fully.

The rest of our morning was spent mostly in silence. We watched the sunrise, the combination of my hand running through her hair and my quiet humming managed to eventually lull Elizabeth to sleep. That finally made me relax a little bit as well. She looked so peaceful, putting my mind at ease as I watched her chest rise and fall steadily.

While she slept, I got some work done, making phone calls and answering emails that were long overdue. I even went for a short run, leaving a note in case she woke up before I got back, but when I walked through the door again, she was still sound asleep.

Now I was sitting in the bed right next to her with my laptop in my lap, discussing a possible song idea with one of my producers while constantly stealing glances of Elizabeth's naked back. She looked ravishing in between the white sheets, her hair sprawled out over the pillows, her lips in the cutest little pout.

About another hour later, just when I was about to get up for my guitar to play a few tunes, Elizabeth started stirring next to me. I watched as she slowly blinked her eyes open, her nose scrunched up at the sudden light coming through the windows and once she realised her surroundings, she finally looked up at me.

"Hi." I whispered with a smile, my chest tight with all my love for her.

"Hi." She grinned, letting out an adorable yawn as she stretched her limbs out. "What time is it?"