How to Love the Stars | Ghost (Simon Riley)

Chapter 35

In the quiet of the morning, as the first rays of sunlight painted the sky in shades of pink and orange, Ghost couldn't help but feel that maybe, just maybe, they had both found something worth holding onto in each other.

He heard a light snore from beside him and immediately knew that Althea was asleep. The fact she felt comfortable enough to sleep with him around, he tried not to think of the implications. Last night, he had spent hours with her, watching the stars, naming the constellations. He watched her face as she slept, peaceful murmurs escaping her lips, and the gentle rise and fall of her chest like the waves of the sea. Too bad she didn't like boats. But watching her sleep, he could only wish to be able to sleep as peacefully as that. Recently, he hadn't slept at all, instead staying awake to think. To dream of the possibilities. It always started with a what if. What if he hadn't gone out to drink? What if one of them had survived? What if he had come home earlier?

What if they could still be alive? If he could save them?

His thoughts were interrupted by the light tinkling of bells to his right. He watched as Daisy leaped up onto Althea's stomach, curling up and purring as she snored. Althea felt the pressure on her abdomen and immediately woke up. A bleary-eyed Althea squinted at the sky, now brightening as the sun started to come up.

"You're awake."

"Obviously." She squinted at him, trying to make her eyes adjust faster. "Why'd you wake me up?" She felt her forehead, noting that her fever had gone down.

"What, are you grumpy now that I interrupted your beauty sleep?" He stood in one swift motion, stretching his back. "And it wasn't me. It was that damn cat."

"You know, I see how you look at 'that damn cat'. You look so jealous that she chose me instead of you to sleep on."

He smirked. "Me? Jealous?" It's not you that I'm jealous of. He eyed Daisy. That thing is so lucky.

Ghost was the first to notice the changing sky, his masked gaze shifting from the stars to the horizon. He nudged Althea gently, drawing her attention to the east. "Watch," he said softly, his voice filled with a sense of wonder.

Althea turned her gaze in the direction he indicated, and her breath caught in her throat. The sky was transforming, its canvas shifting from deep blue to a soft, ethereal palette of pastel colors. It was the prelude to a sunrise, a sight that never failed to inspire awe and hope.

They watched in silence as the colors deepened, casting a warm glow over the rooftop garden. The world around them seemed to hold its breath, as if in anticipation of the grand spectacle about to unfold.

And then, as if on cue, the first sliver of the sun peeked over the horizon, bathing the world in a golden embrace. The rooftop garden, once shrouded in shadows, was now bathed in the soft, warm light of the rising sun.

Althea couldn't tear her gaze away from the breathtaking sight.

And as they watched the sunrise together, he allowed himself to believe that, for once, the dawn held the promise of a brighter future.

Althea stretched, her limbs still heavy with sleep, and finally gave Ghost a playful nudge. "So, are you going to introduce me to your furry friend properly?"

Ghost chuckled, crouching down to pet Daisy, who purred contentedly under his touch. "Daisy, meet Althea. Althea, meet Daisy."

Althea extended her hand cautiously, allowing Daisy to sniff it before giving her a gentle scratch behind the ears. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?" she said to the cat, a fond smile gracing her lips.

Ghost couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment as he watched Althea and Daisy interact. It was a simple moment, but it felt significant, like a step towards something more.

After a moment, Althea turned her attention back to Ghost. "So, what's our plan for today?"

Our. The word made his mind spin. She wanted to spend the day with him? Ghost considered her question, his mind working quickly. "Well, we could start by grabbing some breakfast. There's a little coffee shop not too far from here that serves the best pastries." You idiot, he scolded himself. How is this supposed to be avoiding her?

But Althea's eyes brightened at the suggestion, making him forget that he has ever planned to steer clear of her. "Coffee and pastries sound perfect right now! Oh, and also I promised Soap I would go drinking with him before the next mission." She smiled sheepishly.

Oh. Soap. Ghost narrowed his eyes.

She paused before turning her head toward him again, giving him a pleading look. "She's sitting on me. I can't move."

He gave her a confused look. "Here, I'll just lift her off you." He reached for the cat, but Althea blocked him.

Daisy was still purring and sleeping contentedly on her stomach. "You don't understand," Althea lowered her voice. "She chose to sleep on me. How many times do cats fall asleep on you every day?"

Ghost scoffed at this. "Don't worry about it. Sometimes I wake up to her sleeping on my face. I'm sure you'll be fine."

A bird fluttered to a branch on a tree next to the building, perching there to survey the odd three. Daisy's ears perked up, and she raised her head. With one fluid movement, she leaped off of Althea and into the vegetation of the garden, disappearing.

Althea sighed in disappointment. "Look at that. You scared her away."

Ghost raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Scared her away? I thought you said she chose to sleep on you."

Althea gave him a playful glare, her lips curling into a smirk. "Maybe she's just not a fan of your morning breath."

Ghost chuckled, realizing he had been teasing her more than he intended to. "Alright, alright, my apologies to Daisy. I promise I'll work on my cat-friendly aura."

As they made their way towards the coffee shop, Althea couldn't help but tease him a little more. "So, Mr. Tough Guy, do you have any other hidden talents I should know about? Like, can you charm squirrels out of trees or make birds sing in harmony?"

Ghost grinned, playing along. "Well, you see, I once convinced a raccoon to share its trash with me. Quite the negotiator, if I do say so myself."

Althea laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Impressive. I'll have to keep an eye on you, then. Who knows what other secret talents you're hiding?"

He rolled his eyes, extending a hand to help her up. "Come on, let's go. I'm driving." Althea grinned back at him, taking his hand and allowing him to lift her up. His hand was warm, his grip firm. He managed to lift her up with minimal effort, the muscles under his shirt flexing.

"Not a chance."

A/N: THANK YOU ALL FOR READING!!! I have been learning so much from writing this book. I started writing this book in hopes that 

a. I would get better at writing

b. I would have something to do and content to share with others. 

It makes me to happy that you guys enjoy reading this story, and I hope you also learn a thing or two about reading and enjoy reading this as much as I do writing it! HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!

(PS. My website has been acting up it hasn't been letting me put my book off of completed idk why so if you see this the books not done! It's just being weird for me lol)