Nathan's bare chest was warm beneath my cheek as I lay nestled against him, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Each beat was a soothing lullaby, calming the storm of thoughts in my mind. Nathan's fingers played gently with the curls in my hair, a tender gesture that made me feel cherished. I watched the first light of dawn creep through the open balcony doors, painting the room in soft hues of pink and gold.
I knew I needed to get up soon, but the moment was too perfect to let go of.
Nathan's voice, low and reluctant, broke the silence. "I should probably go."
I tilted my head up, meeting his gaze. His eyes held mine with a longing that I knew was reflected in mine.
With a sigh, I nodded. "Okay."
Reluctantly, I pushed myself up, feeling the cool air replace the warmth of his embrace. My brown curls tumbled down my back as I climbed out of bed, padding softly across the room to Leila's crib. Her tiny chest rose and fell with each peaceful breath, and I knew she would be up in a few hours, full of energy and curiosity.
Nathan rose from the bed and crossed the room to me, his presence a comforting shadow. He reached out, taking my hand and turning me gently to face him. His lips found mine in a slow, lingering kiss, and I closed my eyes, losing myself in the moment. His tender yet firm touch grounded me in the here and now.
When he pulled back, deep and sincere eyes locked onto mine.
A throat cleared behind us before I could say anything, breaking the spell. I looked over my shoulder to find my mom standing in the doorway, arms crossed and a pointed look on her face.
"Nathan, you should probably go before Mylah's dad comes upstairs to check on her," she said, her tone firm but not unkind.
Nathan nodded, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. "I'll see you later," he whispered, grabbing his shirt and shoes. He moved swiftly to the balcony, swinging his legs over the railing and climbing down with practiced ease.
My mom sighed as she watched him go. "You know your father won't like this."
I turned to her, a mixture of defiance and understanding in my eyes. "I know, Mom. But I like him, and I won't apologize for that."
A small smile tugged at her lips, softening her stern expression. "Good," she said, nodding approvingly before leaving the room. "Just be careful."
I watched her go, a wave of gratitude washing over me. She understood, even if she didn't fully agree.
