Wren

I woke up to light shining in my eyes through the strip of the window that Huxley's blinds didn't cover. I sighed and tried to roll, but was being held in place by massive, unmoving arms. His body was curled around me, face burrowed in the spot between my shoulder blades. I smile a little to myself and try to extract myself from his hold, but his arms tighten around me.

"Where you think you're going, little bird?" He mumbles against my back as he pulls me into his chest. I giggle and try squirm away from him, but he growls and rolls my onto my back putting himself on top of me.

"I have to get home and get ready for work. I have to work lunch at the diner." I say, breathlessly as I try to push the huge man off of me. He chuckles at my pathetic attempt, gliding his lips along the column of my neck. My breathing hitches as I feel his hardness press into me. A groan escapes me and I tilt my head further to give him more access to my neck, enjoying his gentle touches. Suddenly, he pushes up off of me and rolls to the other side of the bed. I huff in disappointment and he gives me a smug grin.

"Not till you ask, baby girl." He says and I growl at him a little making him chuckle. I get up out of bed and put my clothes from yesterday back on and grab my purse. He stands and walks up to me, wrapping me in a warm hug.

"If I come in for lunch will you try to poison me with raisins again?" He asks cheekily and I narrow my eyes at him.

"You are not allergic to raisins." I say and he shrugs.

"My body may not be but my soul is." He says and I chuckle, shaking my head at him.

"No raisins. Promise." I say and he nods.

"Thank you, baby. I'll see you later then." He says, kissing my forehead and hugging me tight. I sigh at his touch, letting the comfort seep into my body to get me through the day.

I get to the diner just in time to open, stopping in the kitchen to check on Jim as he preps for the day.

"Hey, sweetie. How you doing? You look like you slept well." Jim says with warm affection and I feel a little blush spread over my face.

"I slept fine, thank you." I say and he chuckles, giving me a knowing look.

"How's Hux?" He asks and I roll my eyes.

"Stubborn and frustrating as always." I say and Jim chuckles.

"He always was smitten with you. Brenda and I couldn't believe it when he left." He says and I smile a little.

"You and your wife sit around talking about the love lives of all the teenagers in town?" I ask and he laughs again, shaking his head.

"Only the interesting ones. You and Hux were interesting. Had this kind of connection you only hear about. Like there was a gravity between you two and you could never orbit too far away." He says and I look away, emotion climbing up my throat.

"Yeah, well, he left and didn't say a word to me. Four years not a single phone call or letter. You don't just show up and expect it to all be forgiven." I say and Jim nods.

"I agree with you, sweetie. Did he tell you where he went?" He asks and I nod. "Was it a good reason?" He asks and I shrug.

"I can see why it was in his head. I don't agree with his logic though." I say and Jim nods, deep in thought.

"He was young. You both were. Not that it's a good enough excuse, but if he did it for a good reason, maybe you should let him in a little. Let him try to make things up to you." He says and I sigh.

"Oh, I have. Maybe too much." I say, my eyes flitting to the direction of the bar. Jim chuckles and I head to the office to do paperwork until the lunch rush. Soon the bell dinging out orders begins to go off and I head to the kitchen to make something special for today.

"Ooh, what's that? It smells amazing!" Lila asks. I give her a cup of hot chocolate and she groans at the taste.

"Oh my god that's the best hot chocolate I've ever had." She says, taking another sip.

"Sweetened condensed milk is the secret." I say, heading out to the dining room just in time to see Huxley enter.

I don't miss the curious glances of the other diners as they watch the huge man enter the small space, but his eyes don't rest until they land on me. He marches over to me with purpose and my heart flutters as I watch him. He rounds the counter and pulls me into his chest, leaning down to kiss my head.

"Hey, little bird. How's your day going?" He asks, rubbing his hands on my back in a soothing motion.

"Good. What are you in the mood for today?" I ask, giving him a smile. He smirks as his eyes travel my body and I smack him playfully.

"Whatever the special is." He says and I nod.

"Hot beef sandwiches." I say, nuzzling my face into his chest as I relax against him.

"Mmmm sounds good. Can I have extra gravy on mine?" He asks and I sigh heavily.

"I suppose." I say dramatically and he chuckles.

"Thanks, baby girl." He says, kissing my cheek and heading to his regular table with his paper.

I serve him his food and he eats slowly, watching me like I'm his prey. When I walk by him, he grabs my hand and pulls me into his lap making me squeak. He chuckles and tucks back the bit of hair that fell out of my ponytail. I blush a little, looking around for prying eyes but most people are ignoring us. Huxley leans forward and kisses my neck, making me shiver in his arms. His low chuckle almost irritates me, that he knows how to play my body so well.

"When are you going to stop fighting this thing between us?" He murmurs in my ear and I sigh, pulling away slightly.

"It's not that I don't want you, Hux. I don't trust you." I say quietly and his eyes turn sad as he nods.

"I can understand that. But I'll earn it back. I promise." He says and I nod, kissing his cheek. He looks at me surprised, since I don't normally initiate affection.

"I made you something special today." I say and his eyes light up, a small smile spreading across his face.

"And what would that be, pretty girl?" He asks and I stand to go to the kitchen.

"I'll get it." I say, heading to the back to grab him a large mug of hot chocolate, slipping in a little irish cream. I head back to the table and hand it to him, sitting in the chair across from his. He tries a sip, his eyes widening in shock before he gives me a warm smile.

"Just like Mom used to make." He says and I nod.

"It's her recipe. Down to the same brand of chocolate chips. I always make it when the weather gets cooler." I say and he smiles again.

"Does everyone get the booze too?" He asks and I shake my head, laughing a little.

"Just you." I say and he reaches across the table to hold my hand.

"It was the only time she'd let me have alcohol." He says and I nod, chuckling with him at the memory.

"She said it helped warm you from the inside out." I add and his smile turns sad.

"I miss her." He says sadly, making me sigh a little.

"Me too, Hux." I say and we sit quietly while he finishes his cup before he stands to leave, handing me some cash.

"Lunch was great, as usual. Thanks, baby." He says, kissing my cheek. I stand to walk with him, smiling when he slips his hand into mine.

"Thursday is Thanksgiving here at the diner." I say and he nods, stopping by the door to turn and look at me.

"What should I bring?" He asks and I shrug.

"Whatever you want." I say and he thinks about it for a moment.

"How about I make the turkey?" He asks and I look up at him.

"You sure?" I ask and he nods, reaching out to run his fingers down my cheek.

"Yeah. I'll come early and get it started." He says and I smile at him.

"Ok. Just let me know what time you want to be here and I'll meet you." He smiles wide at me and pulls me into a warm hug, tucking his face into my neck as I curl into his body.

"You won't make me wait till then to see you though, will you?" He asks with a coy smile and I shrug.

"You can come eat lunch. If you want."