[title suggestions?] part three

My head sat heavily in the palms of my hands and I heard the squeaking noise of our front door opening. The familiar padding of your Chucks across the hardwood flooring came nearer before I felt your hands slip smoothly around my waist. You kissed me lightly at the part of my neck between my ear and jaw. A shiver went down my back and I couldn't help smiling as I lifted my face to take in yours with the same affect as every other day. My mind just can't get enough, nor can my heart which skipped now and always as you lightly brushed your lips over mine.

"What are you still doing up?" you asked kindly. It was a reasonable question; the clock ticked away, mocking me with its bright red hands reading two twenty-seven AM. I simply shrugged and stifled a powerful yawn. You giggled slightly and swiftly, unbelievably easily, lifted me from the chair and into your arms. I wrapped my own arms around your warm neck and rested my head on your shoulder. You seemed to glide toward our bedroom as I played lightly with the short hairs at the back of your neck. Your shirt smelled of a sweet sawdusty fruit, nearly impossible to describe and unbelievably soothing. Smoothly you placed me upon the delicate comforter of our bed and without releasing me, maneuvered your body over mine to rest light and warm by my side. You placed your hand, the thin hand of a pianist, on my stomach and left your other wrapped around my shoulders, gently twirling a long strand of red hair that fell loose from my bun. The tip of your nose tickled my ear, which then turned to a tick and a searing burn. I jumped back and rolled from the bed, hair in a wild tangle and you looked at me with a hurt expression of startled confusion. My hand flew immediately to my ear which still stung strongly and felt stick on the tips of my fingers.

"Elizabeth, what's wrong?" you asked, your strong voice wavering with concern as you spoke my full name for probably only the fourth time in our many years together.

"My ear," my voice was weak and cracked slightly. "You burned it..." it sounded more ridiculous coming from my mouth than your expression let on. You beckoned me back to the bed and u slowly sat on the edge, almost frightened to get to close to you. Ignoring my hesitation you slid up to me and carefully put your fingers to my ear, I winced, expecting the same white hot pain, but felt only your smooth fingertips running the length of my ear, and then slowly down my jaw-line. My ear was unscathed, and I felt a tear slip down my cheek to know how foolish I must have seemed not only to you but to myself. I knew now I wouldn't tell you of my dreams of the past week, something so small as this put enough fear and worry on your shoulders.

Your hand cupped my wet cheek and pulled me into your chest. I was completely aware of ever part if me that was touching you, each feeling magnified. Slowly you layer us back into the pillows and pulled me closer into you. The tears still streamed from my eyes but I made no noise and held my body stiffly still so as to not let it show; I knew you knew anyway.

You fell asleep long before I, breathing deep and low rhythmically in my unharmed ear. I in fact didn't sleep at all, but forced myself to stay awake, founding your respirations and forming a tune out of them in my head. I couldn't bear to have another episode while in your care.

All too soon your alarm sounded, buzzing that obnoxious screech repeatedly in my ear, ringing through my aching head. You reached groggily across me to smack it and then plopped your arm across my chest, asleep as though you'd never woken up. I smiled to myself and rolled onto my side so that my face was inches from yours. I could feel the warm breath from your nose blow smoothly across my chin.