Morning came gently, with golden sunlight spilling through the sheer curtains, casting a soft glow across the room.
The usual hum of the city was quiet in this pocket of stillness, as if the world itself had paused to let us stay in this moment just a little longer.
I stirred first, my cheek pressed against Joe's bare chest, rising and falling with the rhythm of his slow, steady breathing.
His arms were wrapped around me like he never wanted to let go.
I didn't move, didn't want to disturb the peace cocooning us. Instead, I closed my eyes again, letting my fingertips trace light patterns on his skin.
I'd never felt this…safe. Not just physically, but emotionally grounded in a warmth that reached far beyond touch.
Wrapped in his arms, I felt protected, adored, Like I was his entire world.
Joe shifted slightly beneath me, waking with a soft groan, his hand instinctively sliding up my back, fingers threading through my hair.
"Hey," he murmured, voice raspy from sleep, lips brushing my forehead.
"Hey," I whispered back, a smile curving my lips.
For a while, neither of us spoke. we just lay there, bodies intertwined beneath the cozy blanket, hearts still beating in the same rhythm we found the night before.
Joe looked down at me, brushing his fingers gently across my cheek. "You're even more beautiful in the morning."
I "laughed quietly", burying my face in his chest. "You're just saying that because you're still drunk on last night."
"I'll be drunk on you every day if you let me," he said with a teasing grin, kissing the tip of my nose.
I looked up at him, my expression softening. "Last night felt like… more than just passion."
"It was more," he said, his voice steady now. "It was everything I've been holding back. Everything I didn't know I needed until you."
I swallowed hard, emotion swelling in my chest. "You make me feel like I don't have to run anymore.
Like I can be soft… and still be safe."
Joe's hand slipped into mine, our fingers fitting perfectly. "You are safe. With me. Always."
We stayed wrapped together a while longer, sharing light kisses, soft laughter, whispering little nothings that meant everything.
Eventually, Joe rolled onto his side and looked at me with that playful spark in his eye. "You hungry?"
"A little," I said, smiling.
"Good," he said, climbing out of bed and reaching for his boxers. "I make excellent lazy morning pancakes."
I watched him with amusement as he walked toward the kitchen, the sunlight catching the strong lines of his back, the curve of his smile.
I sat up, wrapped the blanket around myself, and followed. "I like my pancakes with a side of boyfriend energy."
Joe turned, grinning. "Then get ready to be spoiled, sweetheart."
And as we cooked together, danced around the kitchen barefoot, stealing kisses between sips of coffee and syrupy bites of pancake, it wasn't the grand gestures or the rush of desire that lingered.
It was the simple sweetness of waking up in love.
Later That Day
Later that day, the soft echo of the closing door lingered in the apartment as Joe left.
I stood for a moment in the quiet, my fingertips brushing the edge of the sofa where we'd sat hours before, my lips still tingling from the goodbye kiss we'd shared.
There was a warmth in my chest I couldn't quite explain, an ease, a promise, something steady that lingered long after Joe's footsteps had faded down the hallway.
I wrapped myself in my robe, tucked a loose curl behind my ear, and padded into the kitchen to clean up.
Just as I began, the doorbell rang.
Startled, I glanced at the clock. "Early afternoon".
When I opened the door, there stood Sophie, all wide-eyed and grinning like she'd won the lottery.
In one arm, she carried a tote bag, and in the other, a giant bucket of caramel popcorn.
"Surprise visit!" Sophie sang as she stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.
"I felt like having a bestie movie day.
And something told me you'd need a debrief after last night."
I laughed, both from relief and the infectious joy Sophie always seemed to bring with her.
"You just have that sixth sense, don't you?"
"Of course. I always know when something juicy has happened," Sophie said, kicking off her sandals and flopping onto the couch.
"Now spill. You and Joe, are we calling it official now? Was it... magical?"
I smirked, bringing over two mugs of tea and placing them on the coffee table.
"It was... real. And sweet. And "kind of overwhelming in a good way."
Sophie narrowed her eyes playfully. "Overwhelming, huh? Is that code for 'I had butterflies and now I'm emotionally ruined for anyone else'?"
"Maybe," I teased, sitting beside her. "We talked. A lot. And then... well, he kissed me."
Sophie gasped theatrically and threw a handful of popcorn in the air, most of it landing on the floor.
"Ella! You're glowing. Like a lovesick candle."
I shook my head, but my cheeks gave me away. I tucked her legs beneath mine and leaned back with a dreamy sigh.
"I didn't think I'd be here again, Sophie. After everything with... him."
"Oh, don't bring up that waste of your time," Sophie said, immediately dismissing the thought.
"Joe is a whole different universe."
I nodded slowly. "He is."
We settled into our movie marathon, choosing an old romantic comedy we'd both memorized line-for-line.
Time passed in easy conversation, shared laughter, and the occasional popcorn-throwing war.
As the movie credits rolled on our second film, Sophie suddenly sat up, her eyes gleaming.
"Wait a minute," she said, turning to me. "Your birthday is in, what, three days?"
I blinked. "Um... yeah. I haven't thought about it."
"Girl! How could you not? This is your first birthday post-ex and in the era of new love! We have to celebrate.
You can't let this one go quietly."
I groaned playfully. "Please don't make it a big deal."
"No promises," Sophie said, already reaching for her phone. "I'm going to be your official party planner.
We'll keep it classy. Intimate. But cute. Maybe a rooftop dinner? Or a wine-tasting night? Ooh, or a themed girls' night with candles, music, and Joe makes a guest appearance."
I threw a cushion at her. "You're getting ahead of yourself."
"I live ahead of myself. That's where the magic happens." Sophie caught the cushion midair and hugged it.
"Come on, give me something. Do you want glam, cozy, flirty, or full-on dance floor?"
I laughed, the kind that came from my belly, soft and unguarded. "Honestly? Something small, warm. Just my people."
Sophie gave me a thoughtful look. "Then that's what we'll do. Leave the details to me.
I'll make sure it's a birthday to remember. Because girl, this year... you're coming back to life."
My heart thudded gently. I looked around my small apartment, still filled with the scent of Joe's cologne, the sound of Sophie's joy, and the echo of my laughter.
I was, wasn't I?
Coming back to life.