▫️ Thirty-six

Grey's pov

I was in a daze.

My eyes followed Ginelle's beautiful frame as she rushed back into the house to get Nana something she had requested.

She was barefooted and I looked around me to find her slippers abandoned just a few steps from where she'd been sitting on the grass as she narrated a story to the kids.

Kids; Mayella and Dalton

I switched my train of thought so quick and instead watched her re-appear, two glasses in her hands and her usual smile on as she poured Lora some juice.

I watched her laugh to something they were saying and in the midst of it, her head lifted and her eyes met mine over the distance.

She passed me one of those sweet smiles of hers and I couldn't deny that my heart did a major flip. I continued to just stare at her, returning to the daze I had previously fallen into.

She was so carefree in my house; she now seemed to know where everything was and I couldn't want it any other way.

Everything here was hers, I had insisted this during our first week when she appeared hesitant and would always ask for my permission before she touched anything.

We had grown out of that phase in the days that followed, her stuff filling every corner of my house.

I was very much content with our living arrangements at the moment, she had been staying with me since my time at the hospital; taking care of me.

At times I thought too hard, I couldn't seem to believe that she was there beside me to help me heal. She would make sure I had my meals on time and took all the necessary medicine.

In as much as this situation was a serious one, deep down I was flaunting over all the attention she gave me.

I loved it so much when she kissed me goodnight, her fingers running through my hair as she mumbled about me getting better quickly.

I was only partly aware of these moments because I would get sleepy each time I ate and later took my medicine.

My body had been weak during the first few days but now I could stay awake for an hour longer as I listened to her lovely childhood stories.

These were the best days of my life and I just couldn't hold back from thinking of having this forever. I knew I wanted this dose of sunshine with me.

My cute girlfriend skipped over towards me, her hair bouncing behind her as she swung her small hands to and from.

Smiling in return, I lifted my arms to receive her as she hugged my head onto her tummy.

"Did you finish talking to Reece?" She asked softly and I nodded my head into her abdomen wanting to sink into the warmth of her skin.

Reece had briefed me about what was going on at work. He had told me that the brigade commander had allowed me stay home for another two weeks so I just needed to rest.

I got to learn that some of my injured comrades had recovered, a few still under treatment as the rest asked of checking on me.

Reece had handled the situation well, he had assured them all that I would be back soon. In all honesty I only wanted Ginelle's attention.

"I just checked on Mayella and Dalton," she ruffled my hair making me sigh as I closed my eyes, nuzzling more into her.

These two had fallen asleep to the story Elle had been narrating earlier. It was funny how one minute they were laughing and the next snoring softly.

"We shall have to wake them up in an hour though," I lifted my head to admire her face, her eyes blinking as she spoke.

"Why?" She frowned at me in the most adorable way as her hands came to rest on my shoulder and her lips twisted to the side.

"It's getting late you know, Lora will be leaving by 7." She explained and then looked beside me where Reece had his head buried into his phone as he texted hurriedly.

"They can stay the night with us," I replied, not wanting the kids to sleepily leave when they would be more comfortable in the house.

"I'll go ask for Lora's permission," she made a move to walk out of my arms but I shook my head as I first took her slippers and slipped them back on her feet.

She smiled after I was done, her lips pecking my jaw for a second as she thanked me then whispered, "We shall have our first family night."

Then she was gone before I could even process the words clearly. A smile tugged on my lips as I rethought of what she had said.

Family

My legs traced irregular patterns on the ground as I bit back another grin that fought to make it's appearance.

Only after I slightly got over this did I turn to Reece who was unusually quiet. By know he would have teased me about how soft I was growing.

"Is something the matter?" I noticed that his eyebrows were deeply furrowed as he glared at the screen of his phone.

"Risa was supposed to meet me tonight but she has not been replying since noon," he dialed his phone again, his face coated with frustration.

We hadn't talked much about their relationship but I knew Reece had grown fond of the tough girl.

I was just about to ask him to perhaps check out her place but before then, his eyes lit up after his screen did and I knew I didn't have to continue.

He stood up to take the call a few steps away and I felt so much joy for him. I was grateful that he too had someone who was his happiness.

Enzo, our military doctor, was now swamped with work but I hoped that he too would come across this feeling sooner.

He was more of what I was before I met Elle - quiet, gloomy, reserved and unsocial but I believed that if I had walked out of that shell, he too would.

Again, Ginelle rushed towards me, her face happier and I instantly knew that Lora had given in to my request.

"She has accepted to let Dalton stay," she climbed up into my lap, her legs sideways as she verbally conveyed the news.

I blew soft kisses on her cheeks, her body melting into mine as she leaned back to my chest. Her fingers traced over my biceps, her thoughts far away for a moment before she suddenly lifted her head.

"What will they wear? Lora didn't bring any extra clothes for Dalton. Mayella too might not have something to change into, do you think they'll be comfortable?"

She worried her lip, her eyes anxiously looking around as she listed what was lacking but I cupped her cheeks to get her attention.

I assured that I had everything covered, Mayella often slept over with Reece so there were lots of her clothes in the house. A few of them were big enough to even fit Dalton so it was okay.

She relaxed for a while before her index finger began to tap her lips as she sank deep in thought. "What shall we cook tonight? Are the ingredients enough for all of us?"

Her questions came in one after another before I even thought of a reply so I just watched her plan out the whole night ahead of us.

"Does Nana sleep early? I was thinking of us listening to Mayella as she plays the piano." Her eyes shone as she smiled at me.

"Are you that excited about tonight?" She instantly nodded her head but then stood up suddenly when she looked at Reece.

"Reece, did you talk to Clarissa today?" She walked towards him and began to apologize for not telling him before.

"One of her brothers suddenly got ill and she had to rush home," Reece nodded his head in affirmation assuring her that Clarissa had just told him.

Ginelle however continued to share with him the location of her home which happened to be three hours away.

Reece thanked her tremendously for the information and rushed to his car after asking me to look after Mayella for the night.

I knew he would do anything for his love just like I too would.

"Sweetheart?" I tugged her body towards me after Reece had disappeared out of the compound. She usually got anxious over everyone around her.

"Come, let me show you something." I took her hands to distract her out of her thoughts as I led her back into the house.

The air was getting cold with us seated outside so I took her up my room so that I'd choose one of my cozy sweaters for her.

I took out the grey knitted sweater she loved the most,  slowly putting it on her, the end of the material falling mid thigh.

She lifted her hands and laughed at how large it was but I could only see how adorable she looked with my clothes on.

I lifted her up, surprising her, then twirled around the room, her giggles making me smile as she wrapped her legs around my back.

"You're so beautiful my tulip," I pressed my lips on hers severally, her hands on my neck making me groan when she tugged my hair subconsciously.

"This makes me look funny," she gestured her wrists that were covered into the sweater but I shook my head in denial, it didn't make her funny in any sense.

"It takes my breath away," I grazed my thumb over her reddening cheeks. "When you are in my house, wearing my clothes and ordering me around."

She hid her face into the crook of my neck as I continued to tell her the numerous things that made me so happy.

"S-stop," she mumbled into my neck, her hands softly patting my chest so that I'd stop listing on but I really wanted her to know everything.

"I'm going to keep showing you though," I carried her into the next room where I'd prepared something small for her.

Her eyes landed on the large box in front of us and I followed every detail of her face, from the way her lips turned up in a smile and her right eyebrow twitched slightly.

She bit her bottom lip before looking at me then flung her arms around my neck as she mumbled, you are so amazing babe.

It wasn't something big, I had bought some pink tulips for her that rested beside a large box I had improvised last night.

There were a few lights all over the table where the items were placed and I watched her eyes shine with curiosity as she looked at the box.

I led us into the chair beside it, her hands taking the flowers first and inhaled their scent while closing her eyes. In a smile, she kissed my lips and put the flowers aside.

She took the box next, her hands barely lifting it but I helped her drag it closer as I sat her on my lap.

She slowly opened the box, her hands stopping after she was done unboxing. She was quiet and I slowly inched my head towards her worried at her silence.

"Grey?" I hummed into her hair as I wrapped my hands around her waist. "When did you do all this?" She turned to face me and cupped my face.

"Last night when you fell asleep," I answered meekly knowing the earful I was going to receive next.

"But you were supposed to be resting. You shouldn't strain your muscles yet, let me see if you're okay,"

She scolded and then lifted my shirt up to check on my recovery rate and felt my temperature a couple of times.

"I'm perfectly fine baby," I smiled after my small nurse had finished doing her tests. "Did you like my surprise?"

Her eyes drifted back to the box and she stared at the top of it. There were lights and tulips round the inside of the box as well.

At the top, I had attached five pictures of us, one of which I had taken when she was sleeping. Her hands, face and hair were all over my chest.

She traced over the pictures and laughed at that one, her lips pecking mine after she was done.

Her hands then went down to the content inside the box. One side had her favorite snacks, some chocolate, biscuits and crisps she loved to munch on.

The other side had a book she had told me about and I couldn't wait to begin it with her, to highlight our favorite lines together.

She kissed my face all over again, her eyes shining even brightly as she took out a card that rested on the book.

She ran her fingers over the words printed at the top - Always, tulip - then opened the inside to read the words written there.

A tulip keychain slipped out before she read the words and in surprise, she took it in her hands, placing the card aside.

I had seen this keychains online and asked Enzo to purchase them for me. He had dropped them a few days back when he brought some bandages.

She looked at the keys attached and then back at me. I had attached a copy of the keys to my house so that she'd freely come in even when I was away.

"Please don't cry," I wiped away the tears that were starting to slip and hugged her into my chest where she grabbed a fistful of my shirt.

I shushed her into my body, her sniffles slowly dying out and I decided to tell her about the content of the card I'd written her.

I love you Ginelle.

You light up my days just with that smile of yours. I feel so lucky to have you with me over the past weeks.

You have cared for me in a way no one could. Your presence has been my peace, your touch has been my comfort.

I wanted to thank you for standing by me and helping me recover. It really is heartwarming to have you with me.

She stirred after I was done, her eyes still watery as she hugged me even tighter. "I love you Grey, you also do so much for me."

"There's still more," she looked up as I reached out for another small box I'd hidden in the lower drawer.

I had baked some cookies following the recipe she had shown me three months ago. I was waiting to hear her opinion about them.

I took out one piece, broke it into half and then slipped one of it into her mouth and nervously watched her face as she chewed.

She looked at me after swallowing and took the other half without saying a word so I spoke up. "I made them myself,"

Of course I wanted credit

"I already know, you normally add less sugar and more milk," I frowned at her words because this time I had measured everything correctly.

"B-But I foll-" I pouted instead having waited to get a praise from her. She giggled at my crestfallen face, her fingers poking my jaw.

"I'm kidding, these cookies are lovely." She continued to eat more from the box, feeding me one of them.

"So these ones were better?" I wiped away some crumbs that had spread over her cheeks and nose.

"You're the best!" She shoved another cookie into my mouth, her words making me feel so elated.

I was the best

✪ ✪ ✪

If somebody did all this for me, I don't know. I don't know what I'd do with them honestly.

(⁠๑⁠˙⁠❥⁠˙⁠๑⁠)