I suddenly woke up out of a peaceful sleep later that morning to the sound of the heavy rain and the warm softness of a blanket draped snuggly over me. It took me a long second to realize I wasn't in my own bed and I was laying on the couch in the living room.
Wait the couch? But that means...
My eyes slowly blinked open to the view of the ceiling above me, while I felt soft breaths tickling the skin of the crook of my neck.
I turned my head to the side to see Austin lightly snoring right up against me, the side of his face leaned comfortably on my shoulder.
My heart pounded loudly in my chest as I realized we had fallen asleep together.
"I missed you Amelia."
The words echoed in my head as I tried to figure out if I had dreamt him saying that.
I quickly glanced at the clock that was hung in the living room.
6:22 am
I felt a rush of butterflies in my stomach as I remembered I was wearing just a t shirt and panties while I was laid up right next to the man I was completely head over heels for.
It was still fairly early and I decided it was best to make a quick get away to my bedroom though I was still half asleep.
Even though, I had to admit I was as comfortable as ever cuddled up against Austin's warm body and a huge part of me didn't want to leave his side.
As I lazily tried to get up, with my eyelids still heavy, I felt something strong holding me back. I looked down under the covers and I saw his hand was slipped under my t shirt, gripping onto my waist firmly.
I was wide fucking awake now.
Holy shit okay calm down Amy.
I immediately felt myself getting red as a bundle of nerves were taking over me.
I slowly attempted to move his hand away, trying my best not to wake him. But as I touched him, he suddenly started to stir in his sleep.
I groaned as I realized there wasn't any way possible I was going to leave the couch without disturbing him. And I wouldn't be able to forgive myself for waking him up, knowing the minimal amount of sleep he always gets. I was stuck.
C'mon Amy, you know you are enjoying every second of this, I silently thought to myself.
I laid there and took a second to admire how handsome he was up close. His curls slightly fell over his face as he slept peacefully.
Why did he have to be so damn good looking, I frowned to myself.
I had truly missed waking up to this beautiful sight.
Though it was usually following a night full of passion, back when we were dating.
I looked down from his face to his neck. My eyes widened as I saw my gold heart shaped necklace I had given him so long ago. I had completely forgotten all about it.
He still wore it?
How come I never noticed it before?
I remembered the day I gave it to him like it was yesterday.
"When you wear it, you'll think of me." I smiled up at him and put it on him.
"I was gonna think of you every second anyway."
I squeezed my eyes shut, attempting to wrap my head around what was going on between us.
I mean obviously this meant something right?
I found myself suddenly questioning if he felt the same way I did. Was it possible for us to fix what I had broken?
Did he love me too?
Maybe you shouldn't jump the gun Ams, I rolled my eyes slightly.
But I couldn't help the smile forming on my face and the strong feeling of hope in my heart.
Something was happening between us. I couldn't deny that.
I pressed a soft kiss on his forehead, placed my hand over his and carefully intertwined our fingers, while trying not to wake him.
I froze in my tracks as Austin's eyes slowly fluttered open, just before he made eye contact with me.
He tightened his grip on my waist and pressed his body into mine. He grazed his fingers up and down on my bare skin under my t shirt.
"Stay. Don't go." He mumbled with sleep in his voice.
I stared into his beautiful tired blue eyes that were searching mine for an answer. The same blue eyes that were my one and only weakness.
"Please." He asked quietly. He had a vulnerable look on his face that made my heart clench.
As if he needed me. As if he couldn't bear to be without me.
I nodded towards him and smiled. My hand reached over to push his hair back out of his face. "I'm not going anywhere, go back to sleep."
His expression quickly relaxed with content as he nestled himself even closer to me and closed his eyes.
"Austin?" I whispered, making his eyelids quickly open to meet my gaze.
"I missed you too." I whispered softly.
He gave me a satisfied smile before he leaned in further and kissed my jawline. He closed his eyes and buried his face into my neck. I gently ran my fingers through his hair, playing with his short curls until I heard his soft snores once again.
I half expected to feel like my heart was going to fall out of my chest. But as nervous as he made me, somehow I felt calmer than ever.
After a second of taking in the tender moment that had just occured between us, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.
*****
I woke up once again, this time fully aware that I wasn't in my bedroom. And I quickly realized that I was alone as I didn't feel Austin's strong arms wrapped around me. I couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed I wasn't waking up to him. The apartment was dark as it was still pouring rain outside. I peaked at the time with one eye opened, with sleep still in my eyes.
11:37 am
I suddenly jumped up, as I hadn't slept in this late in a long time. I rubbed my eyes and breathed in the strong scent of fresh coffee as it lingered throughout the apartment.
I stretched as I got off of the couch and made my way to the bathroom. I quickly brushed my teeth and splashed my face with cold water before walking over to Ava's room.
I pushed the door open to see Austin already up, and feeding her a bottle as he rocked her back and forth in the chair.
"Good morning sunshine." He smiled widely at me as I groaned at the brightness of the room.
"Morning." I replied in a raspy sleepy voice, giving him a shy smile.
"Did I sleep through her crying?"
"Yeah you were completely knocked out so I figured I'd let you sleep in." He chuckled as he got up and handed Ava to me.
"Hi sweetheart." I whispered as she chewed on her fingers and tried to babble to me.
We walked out to the kitchen and he began to pour two cups of hot coffee and hand one to me.
"Thanks." I weakly smiled to him, remembering every single thing from last night and from this morning.
"Did you sleep well?" He asked with a curious look in his eyes.
"Um- yeah. I slept really well." I replied, hoping it didn't sound like I only slept well because of him, even though we both knew that was the case.
I carried Ava to the living room and placed my cup on the coffee table after taking a long sip. I sat comfortably on the couch as I cuddled with her.
Austin slumped down closely to me, placing a kiss to her cheek as she grabbed ahold of his finger and gripped it tightly in her tiny hand.
"Can you believe we made her?" Austin looked down at Ava as she sat in my lap.
"I can't. She's absolutely perfect." I grinned at our beautiful girl.
"But how is it that I carried her for nearly 9 whole months, just for her to look exactly like you?" I rolled my eyes, smoothing out Ava's tiny light brown curls that resembled Austin's.
He shook his head and smiled "She's my little twin. Except her eyes. She has your big brown eyes." He said as he shifted his gaze at me, looking deeply into my brown irises.
"I was hoping that she would get your blue eyes, instead of my basic poop brown ones." I chuckled.
"Your eyes are beautiful Amelia." He said softly as he placed his tattooed hand on my leg and lightly grazed my thigh back and forth with his thumb, which immediately sent my heart to my throat.
And reminded myself that I wasn't wearing any pants.
I looked up at him and gave him a small smile, wondering if he felt the goosebumps forming underneath his touch.
I looked to his neck and I couldn't help but notice my gold necklace was tucked into his t shirt, barely peaking out from the neck line. Why didn't he want me to see it?
"So I have some news!" Austin exclaimed suddenly, pulling my attention away from my thoughts.
"What is it?" I asked curiously with my eyebrows raised.
"I think I found a place to live."
My mouth immediately went dry.
"I got a call from a realtor this morning and I think I found the perfect house! It's not too far from here. Maybe like 10 minutes? I was looking at the listing online and it looks like everything I've been looking for."
I forced a smile as my heart sank. I was dreading the day that Austin was going to tell me he was moving out. I thought we were getting closer and closer to somewhat figuring out what was going on between us. I thought about the sweet moment we shared this morning and how good it felt. And now he was just going to move out? Just like that?
"Wow that's great!" I said quietly as I took a sip of coffee.
"You don't sound very happy Amelia." Austin chuckled as he arched his brows. A look of realization washed over his face and a devilish smirk formed at his lips.
"Oh, I know why you look so sad. You're gonna miss having me here!"
"You're annoying you know that?" I shook my head as he watched intently at my face for a change in expression.
"Admit it." He gave me a wide grin.
"Admit what?" I chuckled at the childish look on his face.
"Admit you don't want me to leave." He raised his eyebrows. "You already told me you missed me this morning." He teased as he poked my side.
Damn he got me there.
"Okay okay fine. I don't want you to leave. I'm so used to you being here with us." I mumbled.
"You're free to move into my new house with me." He suggested hopefully.
"Can't live without me?" I teased, nudging his shoulder with mine as I was trying to hide the fact that he was reading the thoughts from my mind.
"No. I don't think I can." He said quietly as he shifted his gaze from Ava to me, redness taking over his cheeks.
I thought about confessing my feelings to him right then and there. Now was my chance.
But what if I worked up the courage to do so and he simply didn't feel the same way? Things would become more than awkward between us.
Or maybe he would take me back and we would live happily ever after.
"I'm serious though Amelia. Think about it." He said, breaking me out of my thoughts
I weakly smiled and nodded at him.
"Hey do you wanna go with me to Utah? I need to pack some more of my stuff at my house there. I thought it would be cool if you and Ava came with me? I know we've never traveled with her before. But it's only for two days or so?" He asked.
"Yeah sure. That would be nice." I said as I bounced Ava up and down in my lap as she played. "When do you wanna go?"
"I don't know. Maybe tomorrow?" Austin suggested.
I chuckled to myself. "I forget that you can just charter a freaking jet whenever the hell you want."
Austin smiled at me. "Its a pretty fucking awesome perk, I'm not gonna lie." He said as I shook my head and smiled back.
We listened to the sound of the rain loudly drum against the windows, enjoying the lazy Sunday afternoon together over coffee and spending time with Ava.
"I'm glad you're here but I still feel bad you came home early. I would have been okay on my own for a few more days." I spoke up, slightly feeling guilty that he only came back to New York because of me.
Austin gave me a softened look as he slowly blinked at me. He reached his arms out towards me, wrapping them around my waist as I let him gently pull me close, right up against him.
My heart pounded as I leaned in, nuzzling into his chest as I held Ava. He placed a long kiss on my forehead as he looked down, admiring me and our daughter with what looked like pure love in his eyes.
"Amelia, there's no place in the entire world I'd rather be, other than right here." He whispered.