DIFFERENT DESIRE

CHAPTER FIFTEEN:MOMENTS

It was a quiet Sunday morning. Sunlight spilled softly through the bedroom windows, warming the space with a golden glow. Emily rested against Ethan’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The world outside seemed to pause as they shared these rare, slow moments together. He lazily traced circles on her arm, and she responded with soft giggles and playful nudges, enjoying the ease of being completely themselves.

Emily lifted her head slightly and peeked at the clock on the bedside table. It was earlier than usual for them to start the day, but Sundays had always been theirs. Today felt different. She savored these moments before the obligations of the day arrived.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Emily reached for it and saw Brian’s name flashing across the screen. She hesitated, feeling a mix of surprise and curiosity. She didn’t want to disrupt their morning, but she also didn’t want to ignore the call.

She picked up. “Hey Brian.”

“Good morning, Emily. How are you doing?” His voice was warm and cheerful, instantly putting her at ease.

“I’m doing well, thank you. How about you?” she replied, smiling. They exchanged a few moments of pleasantries, talking lightly about the bookstore and his son’s birthday plans. Emily kept the conversation brief, careful not to let it overstay its welcome.

“Okay, I’ll let you go for now. We’ll talk later,” she said, wrapping up the call. She set the phone down and leaned back against Ethan’s chest, feeling the comfort of his warmth.

Ethan noticed the slight pause in her movements and raised an eyebrow. “Who was that?” His tone was gentle, curious, but not accusatory.

Emily looked up at him, smiling softly. “Just an old school friend. He came to buy some books from my store, and the sales rep must have given him my number.”

Ethan nodded, brushing his fingers through her hair. “School friend, huh? Sounds reasonable.” He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. She let out a small sigh of contentment.

They stayed like that for a while, enjoying the quiet intimacy. Emily’s fingers traced patterns over Ethan’s chest, and he held her close. They shared little jokes, soft laughter, and gentle teasing. It was a kind of closeness that needed no words, just the quiet understanding of two people who belonged together.

After a moment, Ethan spoke again. “You know, Chloe has been really impressive lately. She’s confident, outspoken, and handling everything so well. I’m proud of her.”

Emily smiled. “She’s always been bold. It’s good to see her thriving.” They exchanged a knowing look, acknowledging Chloe’s growth.

A knock on the bedroom door interrupted the moment. Ethan’s mother had arrived earlier than expected and immediately started her gentle but persistent questioning about having a child. Ethan’s expression shifted subtly. Emily noticed and held his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“Mom,” Ethan said softly, “can we talk about this later?”

Emily smiled, appreciating Ethan’s calmness. She rested her head on his shoulder again, enjoying the warmth of the moment before the conversation could continue.

The morning moved slowly but peacefully. They shared soft laughter over trivial things, their hands intertwined. Even with Ethan’s mother present, there was a bubble around them that kept outside pressures at bay.

At one point, Emily leaned up to brush her lips against Ethan’s in a gentle kiss. “I’m glad we have mornings like this,” she whispered.

“Me too,” he replied, holding her closer. “These are the moments that remind me what I’m working for. For us.”

They stayed wrapped up in each other. Even when Ethan’s mother continued to gently press the subject of children, they maintained their closeness, a silent understanding passing between them that some things would unfold in their own time. Emily rested her hand over his heart and Ethan pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head.

The sunlight continued to pour in, making the room feel cozy and private. They laughed softly, whispered teasing comments, and enjoyed the warmth of being together without interruption. These moments reminded them why their connection was strong, grounded in trust, intimacy, and the simple joy of sharing time together.

By the time the morning was fully underway, the outside world had begun to stir, but the sense of peace remained. Emily felt grateful for the quiet moments, for the warmth of Ethan’s embrace, and for the knowledge that love sometimes existed in these small, private spaces.

They held each other for a few more minutes, exchanging soft words and smiles, savoring the connection that made everything else seem distant. Sunday had begun quietly and would end peacefully, with them together, enjoying the rare and treasured moments that only a morning like this could offer.