Angel of Small Heath

eleven.

1919

The morning light streamed through the gap in the curtains. Tommy had been awake for what felt like hours, just admiring the girl in his arms. They had talked about the future well into the night and Eden had fallen asleep on his lap. When Tommy had tried to lay her down in his bed and leave, she had latched on and wouldn't let go. Tommy couldn't help but notice how perfectly she fit in his arms and how warm she was. The covers were drawn up around their necks and Eden was tucked into the side of his neck.

He didn't hear shovels that night.

Tommy rolled onto his back, staring up at the ceiling and getting lost in his own thoughts when Eden stirred.

"hey Angel," Tommy cooed, watching as she rubbed her knuckles over her eyes. Eden just grunted and curled back tighter into Tommy as he felt his heart swell even more at her actions.

"Angel." Tommy tried again. Eden was normally a morning person, but something about the warmth and comfort of being tucked under the covers with Tommy was enough to convince her not to get up.

"Sod off," she grumbled back into his chest. "Ouch darling," Tommy jested, "you treat me so mean."

Eden couldn't help but smile. And rolling over onto her stomach she propped herself up on his chest. Tommy was awe struck. The dainty women on his chest had never looked more beautiful than right now with her long messy hair framing her face and her green eyes blinking tiredly at him.

Eden suddenly froze and looked down. "Tommy," she started carefully, "where's your shirt?" Eden's voice went up in pitch slightly, as Tommy chuckled at her panic.

"You're wearing it Angel." Tommy reached a hand out, tucking a stray bit of hair behind her ears.

"Oh," Eden blushed deeply, "we didn't, um-"

"No, no" Tommy cut in quickly. "You fell asleep on me, and when I tried to go downstairs to sleep on the couch you wouldn't let me." A small smile came over his face again at the memory.

"You told me you didn't want to sleep in your dress," He continued, as Eden groaned - suddenly remembering and buried her head in his chest. "Sorry." Came a meek voice from the embarrassed girl.

Tommy laughed and dropped a kiss on the crown of her head. "I love you Eden" Tommy whispered.

Eden raised her head looking at his wide blue eyes - "I love you too". The couple revelled in the quiet moment that they could share together.

"Okay, we better get up hey?" Eden pressed a quick kiss to Tommy's lips before jumping out of bed and over to her clothes that were folded up neatly on the chair.

Tommy propped himself up on one elbow and couldn't help but admire his girl wandering around his room in just his shirt.

"Tommy!" He was dragged out of his thoughts, by Eden looking at him, her arms crossed over her chest. "Getting a good look are you?" She asked teasingly.

Tommy threw back the covers and sat on the edge of the bed - enjoying how Eden's eyes darted down to look at his bare chest.

"Getting a good look are you?" Tommy teased back, watching how the girl's face turned an even darker shade of red.

Eden put her clothes back down on the chair and wandered back to Tommy, standing between his legs. With him sitting down she was taller than him, she noted proudly. Tommy's hands came up to hold her waist, and Eden's came around his shoulders.

Eden moved closer to Tommy, and he felt his breath catch. She was bending down closer and closer, and their lips had just brushed when she pushed against his chest. Tommy fell back onto the bed - taken completely by surprise. He listened to Eden's laugh and just lay there - enjoying the moment.