Sometimes I imagined that one day, I would wake up next to Ezra and he would kiss me, and I would reply back with my own kisses and caresses. I would stroke his hair and hold his face in my hands as I looked deeply into his dark brown eyes. Then our relationship would deepen as more time passed and I would begin to notice more and more how beautiful he really was.Other times I would imagine that I was in a hospital bed, with tubes sticking out of my chest. Ezra would be sitting next to my bed and holding my hand. I would feel guilty because I would keep thinking about everything he went through when I left the hospital. I would worry about how he was coping with everything. Then after a few days, he would return to normal and we would resume our life together as if nothing had happened.One thing I loved about those fantasy scenes was that they always led to the end, and we would finally end it together, but I knew that these weren't realistic. I knew that these stories didn't com
"Does that scare you?" He asked me concerned."Yes." I replied firmly.He gazed at me for a few seconds and frowned slightly."I don't understand you." He mumbled."You don't need to understand me, Ezra." I replied softly."Why are you doing this? You never used to act like this. Why is this suddenly affecting you?"I averted my gaze and took a few gulps of hot tea. After drinking the entire cup in one go, I set down my cup and cleared my throat."When I lost you, everything seemed so surreal. I was numb for a long time. I guess it's normal to lose someone who you love so much." I said quietly."I'm sorry." He replied sadly. "Didn't mean to upset you.""No, you're right. I shouldn't be mad at you. It's not your fault."He looked away and stared into space for a few seconds. After clearing his throat, he turned his attention back to me."What happened then?" He questioned softly."What do you mean?""After I died, how did things change between you and everyone else?" He replied."We al
I turned my body so that I was facing her instead of the sky and noticed that she was pointing towards the playground in front of us. I squinted my eyes and saw that a kid wearing a red shirt and black shorts was running around in the playground. I smiled faintly upon seeing him."Oh yeah! I haven't played a lot of games in a long time." She explained."Do you want to play with him?" I questioned as I gestured towards the child.She shook her head and replied. "No, I don't.""What do you usually do then?""Watch.""What?" I furrowed my brows in confusion."I watch others play. That way I can learn more about them." She replied as she pouted cutely. "My mom also watches other people play when they aren't playing with me.""I see. Well then, why don't we join him?""Really?" She asked excitedly."Of course." I said grinning widely.I jumped off of the bench and picked up the picnic basket. Alessia stood up and walked with me to the swing set. I set the basket down and opened it, reveal
"Sometimes...I do." I muttered to myself quietly."But..." She continued."Yeah, yeah, whatever." I cut her off sharply.I looked away from her. I could tell she was getting a bit frustrated because of the way she spoke. I wasn't sure what exactly it was that she was trying to say however I didn't really care either way. I just wanted to leave. I didn't want to listen to anyone else talking right now. It's fine if she doesn't agree with me though, but I would rather stay quiet.I started walking away and she followed me closely. Her pace was light. It was slow and steady. I wondered if she was tired and had come along for my sake. Then again, she was the one who had insisted on coming along anyway. She hadn't even complained once or made a fuss about having to do such a thing. She simply followed me with her eyes and waited for me to speak first. I sighed."Let's just go home." I mumbled quietly.She paused for a moment but then kept following me."Okay. We'll go home. But you have
"I love you too." She breathed against my lips."Are you okay?" I asked."Yeah, just a little tired." She responded with a smile."Come here." I said softly as I opened my arms wide.She jumped into my arms and snuggled into me. I smiled as I held her tightly against me. I stroked her back and pressed kisses on her head."What are we doing here?" She asked quietly."We're taking a break." I replied quietly, leaning down to press a soft kiss against her forehead."From?""Our lives. From the stress that we have to deal with every day." I replied softly."Is it worth it?" She asked quietly."It has to be." I answered softly as I ran my hand through her hair.After a while I heard the sound of feet shuffling across the floor. I gently untangled my arms from around her and sat up straight. I watched as she climbed off of my lap and stood up next to the bed. I stared at her intently, searching her eyes to find an answer."Are you mad at me?" She asked quietly."No, of course not." I repli
After pulling away, I looked at her and noticed her eyes were already beginning to flutter shut. I brushed some stray strands of hair away from her face and tucked them behind her ear. My eyes traveled over her body again. I was so engrossed in her beauty that I barely registered what I was doing. It was as if my entire consciousness was concentrated solely on her. I wanted desperately to devour her body with my lips, my eyes, my hands, my tongue. I wanted to fill my soul with her essence consume her completely. But then something strange occurred.My senses became heightened. I realized that I could hear the sound of the wind rustling through the trees outside. I could smell the fresh scent of grass, soil and water. I could see the tiny drops of rain falling lazily from the sky. It was so peaceful, so utterly wonderful. Everything was peaceful. I didn't want to think about it. I just wanted to stay in that world forever.A sudden feeling of uneasiness swept over me. I looked into
I looked down at her once again, my eyes searching hers for any sign of acceptance. I wasn't expecting any. What I saw however, was something unexpected. A small smile appeared on her face as she glanced up at me and raised her eyebrows."What? What is it?" I smiled slightly, unable to stop my grin from forming on my lips.She giggled lightly and grabbed my hand, pulling me down towards the floor where she sat cross legged on top of the carpet. She laid her head on my lap as I stroked her hair lovingly. We remained silent for a while."Why didn't you tell me before? How long has it been since you talked to your parents?" I finally spoke up after a while."About six months ago or so." She replied quietly, still looking straight ahead."Did they know?" I asked curiously.She nodded slowly. "They knew. They suspected something was going on, but we never really discussed anything. They didn't want me to worry them. That's probably why they made me hide everything."I frowned. I didn't li
Ezra Point of view."Dad." I said quietly.He looked up at me and smiled warmly at me before motioning for me to come closer. I hesitantly approached him and he pulled me into a tight hug. "Are you alright darling? Are you feeling better?" He asked, his voice muffled by my shoulder."Yeah. I'm fine." I assured him, smiling slightly.My dad sighed happily and released me, stepping away from me."That's good. You know that if you need anything, just call me." He suggested.I nodded in agreement and began to turn away from him."Hold on a second!" He exclaimed. "Before you go... There's something that you should know..."I halted in my steps and turned around to face him once more."I was wondering if you could watch over Alessia tonight. Make sure that she doesn't try to run away." He explained.I furrowed my eyebrows, clearly puzzled. Why would I have to watch over her?"Why would I have to watch over her?" I questioned."Well, you've never actually taken her home before, have you? I
"Here it is." She said giving him the jacket.Riccardo puts it on and turns around to face her."Thanks."She smiled sweetly at him."Where do you want me to carry you?" She asked."You can carry me over your shoulder." Riccardo said.Alessia roll her eyes."You know, I'M NOT THAT BABY. YOU CAN DO IT WITH YOUR OWN TWO HANDS AND DON'T ASK ME TO PUT MY BACK ON YOU OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT."Riccardo looks surprised at how fast she reacted after what he said."Alright, whatever you say." He chuckled.And so Alessia carried him over her shoulders.As they were going towards the elevator Riccardo spoke."So, are you going back to work tomorrow?" He asks."I think so. My boss told me that she wanted me to come back to work as early as possible." She answered."That means I'll be able to spend more time with you, won't it?" He asked."Yeah, probably, but don't expect me to kiss you every time that you come home." Alessia joked.Riccardo laughs at her comment."Ok." He says "Well, I guess we sh
The next morning, Alessia woke up early. After getting ready quickly she went downstairs to see Riccardo waiting for her."Morning, baby girl," he greets her and give her a peck on the cheek."Morning, Riccardo." She replied as she sits on the table."Let's have breakfast together, I made you breakfast earlier." He said.She gave him a small smile."Thank you."After eating their breakfast, they decided to walk through the city. They walked hand in hand. It felt natural for them. When they reach near the park, they decided to sit on one of the benches."Have you been planning this for long?" Asked Alessia."Yeah, since last month. Why?""Nothing."Alessia leans her head against his shoulder. As they continue walking, Alessia couldn't hold it anymore."Do you really want to adopt my babies?" She asks."Of course I do." He answers without any hesitation."But I mean, why did you choose us?" Riccardo sigh."Honestly, I don't know. It's all I dream about for years." He paused. "When I wa
"That's a very valid question. And I don't blame you at all for missing me, Alessia. But don't feel guilty, okay? I would never be mad at you or upset if you ever thought about coming back to me. In fact, if you do decide to return, we'll talk more about this situation, alright?" She requested with a small smile.As soon as I heard the words we will talk being said aloud, I felt slightly relieved. However, it only lasted for a short amount of time because I immediately thought about what Ezra had said to me the night before. He had asked me to wait until tomorrow to give myself a chance to talk about the things that troubled me, so now, I was starting to wonder whether my decision to wait was a good idea. I decided I needed to ask her about it."Actually, I need to ask you something...about yesterday afternoon," I said nervously."What is it?" she asked curiously."I don't know how to word it exactly...but I have these weird feelings...and I'm beginning to think that maybe I should r
"This was a really fun game, Alessia. I think I'm going to enjoy playing it more often," she mentioned, smiling genuinely."Me too. And I'm glad you enjoyed yourself today. I missed you playing poker," I admitted."And I missed you too, Alessia. Thank you for everything you did. We wouldn't have survived without you," she said sincerely.Just then, someone knocked on the door and announced Ezra's arrival. A moment later, he entered the room with an excited smile plastered across his face."Sorry I'm late. I got caught up on a case and had to do overtime," he apologized."It's alright. You were lucky that it was only one extra hour," she commented.I gave Ezra a quick hug, while everyone else congratulated him on finally arriving back."Wow, you smell great!" I commented, noticing how fresh his hair smelled."Thanks. That means a lot to me," he said happily.We all then headed out of the house, saying our farewells. As we reached their car, I noticed the car seats had been removed and
We both got up and made our way down the hallway to the kitchen. There, I saw our family eating together. They all looked quite happy and excited. My heart filled with happiness upon seeing everyone looking so content. It was truly a perfect family.As soon as I arrived downstairs, I spotted them sitting together at one of the stools at the kitchen counter. I walked over to them and took a seat beside her."Hey," I greeted."Hey," Ezra responded."I'm sorry for waking you," I apologies."Oh, it's not a problem. I didn't mind getting up early anyway," She stated cheerfully, waving her hand dismissively.I chuckled softly to myself and turned my attention towards my mum who was busy cooking breakfast."Mum, please don't cook too much. I might not be able to handle it after all," I pleaded.She chuckled."There's plenty more where that came from," she reassured me."Thank God," I whispered in relief.Alessia suddenly jumped up from her seat and ran out of the room, running past me and a
Without saying another word, I followed him into the bedroom, closing the door behind me as I did so. I laid down on the bed and he crawled onto the mattress and pressed a kiss against my forehead. I immediately melted into his embrace. My eyelids started to droop tiredly. Dan chuckled and kissed my temple."Go to sleep, Alessia," he ordered softly.I hummed contently and closed my eyes, relaxing into his touch. Soon enough, my breathing slowed and deepened until it eventually stopped altogether. Ezra smiled to himself as he looked down at me, admiring my peaceful expression. I was sleeping soundly in his arms. The events of yesterday were finally catching up with me and I could barely keep myself from falling asleep. The exhaustion was setting in and I could barely keep my eyes open. I sighed softly as Ezra rubbed circles against my hip soothingly.He leaned forward and rested his chin atop my head, gently brushing away the strands of my loose hair and placing a gentle kiss on th
"Okay, love, I get it. Let's not talk too much and just get ready for breakfast. Then we should probably hurry up and eat before everyone arrives," he said playfully.I nodded and smiled.I felt so loved by Ezra. He gave me more joy than anything else in this world. Even though I'd never admit it out loud, he was definitely the most important person to me in this world. Every time I thought about losing him, my heart broke and I felt so empty. All I wanted to do was hug him tightly and tell him how much I loved him. I had never had anyone give me unconditional love Ever.I had never experienced that type of warmth. I was used to people only caring about the fame I brought them. It scared me to think that someone would ever care about me. And that they would love me unconditionally.I shook my head to clear my thoughts and glanced up at Ezra nervously. There was no way I would be able to hide the emotion in my eyes if I dared to speak. The words seemed stuck somewhere in my throat."
"Marry me," he muttered between heavy breaths."Huh? Why?" I questioned, staring up at him in confusion."Because...because I want you to marry me," he repeated.I gasped quietly in shock, unable to speak a word. Dan's dark eyes were filled with determination as he stared at me intently.ToYah, yah, yes! Of course, I'll marry you!" I blurted out hurriedly.I immediately slapped a hand over my mouth. My voice had come out so loud and I could tell that Ezra had definitely heard me. I bit my lip anxiously and glanced over at him nervously. But surprisingly, he didn't react at all he merely chuckled softly and kissed me tenderly on the lips."Good girl," he murmured softly. "Now come here," he added.I reluctantly crawled towards him. Once I was close enough, he pulled me into a tight embrace and hugged me tightly."Are you okay?" he asked worriedly."Yeah, I'm alright," I assured him.I couldn't believe I had just proposed to Ezra. Sure, I'd always known that it would eventually happen,
"I love you so much," he whispered in my ear before pressing his lips against mine.I felt my cheeks flush brightly again and I closed my eyes in anticipation. As soon as our lips connected, I felt my senses begin to dull and my body relax. All of my worries and problems melted away, leaving nothing but bliss behind them. Nothing mattered except for Ezra."I love you too," I replied softly.After a moment, I pulled away, breaking apart our kiss. I took a deep breath and exhaled loudly."So...are we going back to watching TV now?" I asked hopefully.He chuckled softly."We can continue watching whatever you want," he replied. "However, are you sure that you're alright?" he questioned.A part of me wanted to lie and say everything was fine, but I knew that I couldn't do it. I couldn't hide the truth from Ezra. Besides, he probably already suspected something, judging by the look in his eyes. So, I decided to answer honestly instead."Honestly? No. Not really. I' m just tired," I admit