Wren

I woke up feeling refreshed for the first time in ages. I didn't have to go to the diner today, I had college kids home on break to staff it for me, so I was able to lounge in bed. I rolled over to find the spot Huxley had been in empty.

The disappointment was real.

But then I heard a noise coming from the kitchen and smelled something amazing. I went to stand up just as the big, burly man came into my room with a little tray of food. He sat it down on my lap and I looked up at him in shock.

"This is how the other morning should have been." He says pointedly and I huff out an annoyed breath.

"You deserved that and you know it." I say and he grunts, handing me a fork.

"I suppose." He mutters before bending down to plant a kiss to my temple. I cut off a piece of the pancakes on the plate and take a bite, audibly groaning at the taste.

"Holy shit, Hux. Where did you learn to cook like this?" I ask incredulously and he gets a smug grin on his face.

"Self-taught, baby. I knew the options for owning a business in town were slim. My main options were the diner or the bar and I figured being able to cook would be an important skill for either one. I didn't know you had scooped up the diner already." He says and I nod.

"When my grandpa passed he left me a little money. It was enough to buy out Mrs. Jeffries. She was getting older and wanted to retire anyway so it worked out perfectly." I say sadly and he lifts my chin.

"Why does that make you sad?" He asks and I sigh.

"Because I was so fucking proud of myself, Huxley. I wanted you to be there. To share it with me." I say quietly, letting the memories fog my mind. Huxley had always been a huge part of my life. One of my best friends. He was always there when I needed him. I always knew I could rely on him.

Until I couldn't.

His sigh brings me back into the present and I look up at him. His face has a little frown on it as he furrows his brows at me.

"I wish I had been there too, sweet girl. But I'll never miss anything again. I promise. Even if I have to watch my little bird fly from a distance." He says, leaning down to kiss my head. I grip his hand as he turns to leave and set the tray aside.

"Get back in here." I say with a little smile lifting the blanket. He chuckles and climbs in next to me, wrapping his arms around me.

"Your bed is tiny." He says, looking down at his feet that nearly hang off the edge.

"Sorry. I didn't think to get a man sized one. It's not like I ever have company in here." I say with a little laugh and Huxley raises his brows at me.

"Oh really?" No company, huh?" He asks, his smile turning devious as he watches my cheeks pink with a blush.

"Nope. Never." I say and his face blanks in shock.

"What do you mean, Wren?" He asks and I roll my eyes.

"I haven't slept with anyone but you." I say and his whole body stills for a moment before a blinding smile splashes across his face.

"Really?" He asks, barely above a whisper and I nod.

"No one made me feel like you did. I didn't want to settle." I admit and his arms tighten around me.

"I haven't either." He says and I look up at him questioningly.

"What?" I ask and he sighs.

"I've never slept with anyone but you." He admits and I squeak in surprise.

"I don't believe you." I say and he chuckles.

"Why not?" He asks with mock anger.

"Because you're so... good at it." I say and he roars out a laugh.

"Let's just say I've done a lot of... research." He says and I narrow my eyes at him.

"What the fuck does that mean?" I ask and he shrugs.

"I thought I might be your first and I was nervous about the first time so I looked up how to do it without hurting you. You seemed to enjoy yourself so I think it paid off." He says and I gape at him. "You're the only one I've ever wanted. I didn't want to settle either." He says, rubbing his nose against mine and I feel the wall around my heart splinter and crack as he burrows his way back in.

"That's sweet." I murmur, tucking my face into his chest so he can't see my flaming cheeks. He chuckles a little and kisses my head and we relax into a contented quiet.

"Do you have to work today?" He asks and I shake my head, trying to nestle myself closer to him and steal his body heat.

"What in the hell are you doing? Sit still." He says with a little laugh and I huff at him.

"You're so warm." I say, slipping my hand under his shirt. He hisses a little and pulls away, frowning down at me.

"Why are your hands always so damn cold?" He asks and I laugh again.

"I'm not sure but I need to turn up the furnace." I say shivering. He huffs and tucks me closer and I cling to his shirt when a wicked grin crosses my face.

"What's that look?" He asks and I giggle before diving under the covers, sticking my head up his shirt. "What are you doing?" He asks as I wiggle my way up his body and I stick my head through the opening of his shirt, laughing as I plaster myself against him, now wearing his shirt too.

"There. Now I'm warm." I say proudly as Huxley tries to pull away to look down at me, but the neck of his shirt is too small and he can barely move. I wrap my arms around him, his bare skin warming me up quickly as I sigh in relief.

"You're weird. But I'll take it." He says with a chuckle as he settles down and I relax into his embrace.

"What do you want to do today?" He asks and I shrug.

"You're gonna hang out with me?" I ask curiously and I can feel him nod as I close my eyes and tuck my face into his neck.

"If that's alright. I need to go to the bar for a few hours tonight. Old man Jesse doesn't like the night shift anymore." He says and I nod before an idea hits me and I gasp, pulling away to look at him excitedly but I don't have enough room to move and accidentally hit his chin with the top of my head.

"Ow. Jesus, Wren. Sit still." He says, a tint of humor to his tone.

"Sorry. But I know what I want to do today." He tightens his arms around me, likely trying to get me to stop moving.

"And what's that?" He asks.

"Put up my Christmas tree!" I say excitedly and he grunts in response.

"Thanksgiving isn't even until next week. You don't put that shit up until after Thanksgiving. Everyone knows that." He says and I huff at him.

"Don't tell me how to live my life, Huxley Daws. If I want my Christmas tree up than I'm going to put my tree up, damn it." I say defiantly and his warm chuckles fill the air.

"Ok, calm down, tiger. I didn't realize you were so passionate about decorations." He teases and I shrug.

"The lights make me happy." I say quietly and he sighs a little before nodding.

"Alright. Let's put up your tree." He says defeatedly and I grin at his easy agreement.

"Ok. But now I have to figure out how to get out of here." I say, squirming around in his arms as I try to stick my head back through the neck. I twist a little too hard and my elbow ends up in his gut. He grunts at the contact, tightening his arms to still me.

"Just a second." He says, reaching up and gripping the material. One firm pull and the shirt rips down the front and I'm able to slip away. I look up at him with shock and he chuckles at the look on my face.

"You didn't have to rip it! I could have gotten out! That shirt looked good on you." I say incredulously and he shrugs.

"You stretched out the neck anyway with your giant head." He teases and I smack him playfully.

"My head is normal sized, thank you very much." He lets out a warm laugh that makes my heart patter painfully in my chest as he reaches out to run his hand down my face. My eyes drift down the hard edges of his body against my will and he lets out a contented sound.

"Are you sure there isn't something else you'd rather do? Other than putting up your tree?"