Eye of the Storm

Chapter 24

I guess I must’ve been lost in my thoughts because before I know it Leo’s eyes are open and staring into mine.
“Ez…” he murmurs, sitting up. I sit down next to him. “How are you, I mean… that’s a stupid question but, ah…” he trails off. I pull my legs up onto the couch and sit cross legged.
“I’m okay” I mumble. I don’t really care for small talk. I lean into Leo, engulfed in his scent. He seems a little taken aback by my sudden need for affection but seems to go with it. He adjusts himself into the corner of the couch, pulling me up into his lap.
“You know I love you, right?” he whispers into my ear. I nod, smiling. I didn’t think I would be smiling today but here we are.
“I love you too, Leonardo,” I wish I could describe the expression that flows across his face. It radiates brighter than the sun, making me melt into a puddle. I never considered myself the romantic, sissy type, I always found affection unnecessary and rather over bearing, but now I can’t get enough of it. I bury my head into his chest, as if trying to escape all my problems. As I let my body relax I notice how much pain I’m in. My entire body aches, which is a given considering where I’ve just come from. Leo’s hand strokes my back softly.
“I’m so glad to be back with you again,” Leo says, grabbing my stare. Suddenly he does something he’s never done before. His fingers move down to my waist and out of nowhere this man begins tickling the living shit out of me.

Even in a time filled with sadness and insecurities, I find myself laughing louder than ever before as Leo wrestles me to the floor mercilessly, his fingers not daring to let me go of his tickling torture. I can’t even try to suppress my laughter, it bursts out before I even have a chance to catch it.
“Stop!” I cry out, opening my eyes that are stained with tears from laughing so hard. “I can’t breathe!” I try to say in between giggles. Slowly he comes to a stop.
“Sorry baby, I just needed to see you smile. It’s something I don’t see very often,” as if my heart wasn’t mushy enough, now it’s just melted away into a warm puddle. This man is something else. Moments ago, I was ready to tear my heart out and throw it on the floor. In fact, a couple hours ago somehow the thought of being the slightest bit angry and this man had crossed my mind. A thought I dearly regret. As if he put a spell over me, my lips spread from ear to ear in a smile that I can’t seem to stop. Leo’s eyes light up. “You’re beautiful,”