194
~Bella's POV
As soon as Alex ended his call and tossed the phone aside with a sigh, he turned his attention back to me. His eyes softened as he slipped under the covers beside me again, one arm curling protectively around my waist.
"Now, where were we?" he murmured, nudging his nose against my temple before pressing a gentle kiss there.
I smiled, my heart settling again in its familiar rhythm. "You were being a clingy nurse."
He chuckled. "Guilty. But you love it."
"I really do," I whispered, resting my head on his chest and listening to the quiet thump of his heart. The warmth of his body against mine, the safety I felt in his arms… I wanted to stay like this forever. For a long while, neither of us spoke. We just laid there, wrapped in silence and each other. His fingers traced slow, lazy circles along my back. I sighed contentedly.
"I like this version of us," I said softly.
"Me too." His voice was low, heartfelt. "Feels… real."
