OBLIVION [Thomesa]

eight

Before
Teresa's Point of View

I woke up gently, for the first time in weeks.
I wasn't forced to awaken, while clutching my stomach, and holding my breath to blot out the scream,
For the first time in weeks -
I woke up with a feeling of peace and sense of happiness,
it was a blissful change indeed.

I opened my eyes, wondering what was so different about this morning - and then I remembered -
I remembered each perfect memory,
so late into the night -
when only moonlight struck across his face, and he held me in his arms.

My body stiffened in realization of where I was.
And where Thomas was.
He lay beneath me, my head resting on his chest.
Gently, like a pillow.
I clutched him tightly,
and one of his hands found the small of my back, and found it's way to my hair.

I forgot how to breathe.
Thomas.

His lips were slightly open,
and his face was completely relaxed,
his mind peacefully blotted out the horror and stress he was forced to endure each day.

He told me he loved me.
He told me he loved me.

He was half asleep, he sighed groggily, wrapping his arms around me, as he pulled me closer.
I didn't object - and yet, inside I smiled.

I looked up at his still form.
"Tom."
I whispered, barely audible.

I felt my head begin to spin, and I lied my head back down to his chest softly, his heart beat rang in my ears and I smiled.
Each beat of his heart gave me a reason to live -
knowing that each beat of his heart, was for me.

"Good Morning, Teresa."
He whispered, his voice cracking sleepily.

My eyes widened.
"Did you rest well?"
My heart started thumping unevenly.

"Best sleep, I've had in months ... years really."
He murmured, sitting up half way.

"Did you have some nightmares?"

"I didn't have any, did you?"

I shook my head, a crooked grin taking over my face.
"Not really. The visions were clear and very, very pleasant."
I didn't need to go to the details if what my mind had painted for me.

"Teresa?"

"Yes, Tom?"

"I love you."
He whispered.

The words resounded in my mind - he loved me.
He loved me.
Each word was a promise,
a promise that my heart grasped and pulled deep inside of me.
A smile crept on my face.

"I love you too."
I whispered giddily.
My face was only inches above his, and he stared deeply into my eyes.
I count every color in his perfect eyes ...
Every shade of Thomas.

"Can I kiss you?"

I was startled by his question.
"I don't know ... I want to go slow with you. I don't want to lose the preciousness of our friendship."
I said softly, biting my lip gently.
"We should go slow -"

"Then I'll lean in really slow."
He breathed.
"And we'll make the kiss ... slow."

And suddenly,
I forgot how to speak.