Page 58 of More Than a Match

I look down at Mina, peacefully asleep in my arms. My shoulder is starting to go numb, but I don’t care. This is bliss. My mind starts to wander again, imagining every day like this. Getting to spend time with the woman I love, in our own little place, being silly and snuggling and sharing the tiny details of our day. I don’t think I believe in heaven, but if I did, this would come close.

It’s hard to believe that today started so horribly and ended so well. That meeting with HR feels like eons ago, but it was just this morning. Crazy how time moves when you aren’t paying attention.

I can’t ignore the pins and needles buzzing in my arm anymore. I gently wake Mina.

“Hey baby, let’s move to the bedroom.”

“What time is it?” she asks me, her eyes adorably bleary.

“It’s around 2 in the morning. Let’s go get comfortable. You going to work tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I might as well.”

“Alright. Then you need your sleep. Let’s go.”

“I might change my mind in a few hours when it’s time to actually wake up.”

“And that’s your right to do, if you decide that.

“Damn skippy it is.”

I get her all settled in bed and snuggle in beside her. I kiss the nape of her neck gently and she lets out a soft moan of contentment. I snuggle close and shut my eyes, the fatigue of the day finally catching up to me. The last thought before I drift off isyeah, pretty sure this is heaven.

The alarm goes off way too soon, jarring me from sleep. I reach for Mina, but she’s not there. I bolt upright in bed, but the sound of the bathroom sink alleviates the panic that had swarmed over me like a thousand angry bees.

“Morning, baby. You’re up already?” I call out to her.

“Yeah, I woke up a few minutes ago and decided to just get up,” her voice echoes back. “Figured since I’m up, might as well go to work. Otherwise I’m just going to sit around all day. You work tonight, right?”

“Yeah, I’ve got a little while before I go in.”

“You go back to sleep then. I’ll kiss you goodbye before I head out.”

“Ok,” I mumble as I shove my head back into my pillows. I quickly drift back into a half-asleep state, and after a few minutes, I feel her lips press against my head.

“I love you,” she whispers before quietly leaving my room, shutting the door behind her. I smile as a deeper wave of sleep threatens to claim me.I’m getting spoiled.

I wake up for the day a few hours later. I have a few messages from Mina, just little updates about how her day is going, and a funny reel. Based on the messages, her day is going well, and she hasn’t had any unfortunate run-ins. I shoot her a message and fix myself some breakfast.

Hopefully work tonight goes smoothly, and I don’t have to deal with Doctor Stupid Face. I move over to my couch and flick on the tv. An ad for Halloween candy runs, and I realize Mina and I haven’t discussed plans for this weekend. I shoot her another message.

She responds fairly quickly.

I smile, imagining Mina in her costume.

I rise from the couch and stretch.Alright, Alex. Time to kick today in the butt.

CHAPTER 39: MINA

Work yesterday was uneventful, thankfully. I didn’t run into Jason at all, which is always a bonus. Now I just have to get through today and tomorrow, and then tomorrow night is Halloween. The scheduling gods smiled on me and gave me the next day off, so I’ll be able to party with Katie to my heart’s content.

I arrive at work and head straight into the lounge. There’s staff grouped around the room, all talking in hushed tones. When I enter, all chatter ceases, and all eyes are glued to me.

“Um, good morning everyone,” I greet the unusually crowded room. “What’s new?”

“Is it true?” a first year resident pipes up from the corner of the room. She’s starting at me with wide eyes, her hands clasped in front of her.

“Is what true?” I have no idea what’s happening, but I can guess.

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