Always (Bold As Love 4)

I change and then climb back into bed with Emily. She reaches and turns off the lamp since it's on her side. Once again, she embraces me and after about five minutes, she tells me to go to sleep. Smiling, I hold her close and do just that.

I awake to hear water running. Turning my head, I see that Emily is no longer in bed. She must be getting a shower. Laying in bed, thoughts of today rush through my head. The phrase “This is it” keeps repeating itself. I try to quieten the roaring sentence, tamper down my squeamish stomach, and relax to the sounds around me. Drake is snoring slightly. The water that I'm sure is effortlessly flowing down Emily's body is creating a tune of its own as it collides with the tub. Sweetness' movements are alternating the melody of the assailing liquid.

Because of my familiarity, I picture the little quirks of her showering routine. Based on the length of time I've been awake, I'd assume that she's shaving by now. She starts, oddly enough, from the knees up. She's careful to get every little hair with such an intense gaze even running her lean fingers over the freshly shaven spot to be sure as her wet hair falls to cover her face. Sweetness takes her time as she guides the razor along her skin and then moves to the rest of her legs.

Afterwards, I can see, clear as day, as she pours her strawberry scented shampoo into the cup of her hand. Washing her hair is always the second to last thing she does. Next, she'll wash her face. I've seen it many times to know that she'll rinse her face three times, just because. As if in tune with my mind, the water shuts off. I might as well get out of bed and take my shower too. A glance at the clock sitting on the nightstand tells me that it's ten in the morning. I grab everything I'll need and knock two times swiftly to let her know that I'm coming in.

“Who is it?” she asks.

“Me,” I answer since a twist of the knob tells me that it's locked.

“Oh,” she says.

I open the door after hearing the soft click and walk into the bathroom.

“Lock it back so Drake doesn't accidentally come in,” she orders and proceeds to watch me do so. “Morning, love,” Sweetness greets as she puts on her strapless bra, leaning towards me to sweep her lips across mine.

“Good morning.” I set my things down on the counter. “How are you feeling?”

“Great. Are you ready for today?”

“Absolutely.” I move around her to turn the shower back on. Pushing back the compulsion to secure my arms around Sweetness, I undress quickly and step into the shower. In a low tone that carries over the water, Sweetness is singing, but I can't make out what exactly.

“Whatcha singing?”

“Back at One by Mark Wills.” Sweetness continues singing, and I listen. She repeats it twice before stopping. “Do you need anything ironed?”

“Nope.”

“Alright. I'm going to see if Drake does.”

A couple of minutes later, I turn the water off and dry before wrapping a towel around my waist. Grabbing my razor and shaving cream, I get started on that clean-shaven look. The hotel room starts to get the feel of a bunch of chickens running around with their head cut off as everyone continues to get ready. Mostly, Emily though. She didn't want to dirty up her dress so she's wearing pajamas for now. As it gets closer to the time for us to leave, she comes to pass me to go into the bathroom to change. I catch her by the elbow.

“Sweetness, relax.”

Her eyes dart back and forth between mine before she lets out a flutter of breath. “Sorry. I'm just a little nervous.”

“Everything's going to be fine. It's a good day, remember?”

Sweetness nods in affirmation, and I kiss her forehead before releasing her elbow.

“Yeah, because having a wedding during the draft is a good day,” Drake mutters to himself.

I roll my eyes and watch myself in the mirror as I put on my tie then the jacket that goes with the suit. Drake's wearing dress pants and a light blue button up dress shirt. Lastly, I sit beside Drake at the foot of the bed and we both put on our shoes. We're watching TV when Emily steps out of the bathroom.

“Alright, y'all ready?”

Wow. Sweetness is wearing black heels and a white, one shoulder dress that is knee length. Standing, I walk over to her, sliding my hands down her arms.

“You look stunning, Sweetness.”

A blush creeps from her neck up to her cheeks.

“Thank you.”

“I thought only the bride could wear white,” Drake questions from behind us.

“Her theme is black and white, so it's okay,” Emily answers quickly. Her eyes return to mine. “We should grab a bite before we get there.”