Lie with Me

Is… what… are you reading? What time is it, baby?

Oh my god, it’s so late. How long have you been up?

Oh no… you haven’t been to sleep yet? Baby… why didn’t you wake me?

I hate the idea of you awake all by yourself… and no, the book does not count as company.

I knew you would say that, thought I’d get ahead of you.

I’m sorry you can’t sleep… just restless? Or is there something on your mind?

Aw, no baby, that’s okay. You didn’t wake me up… but I kind of wish you had, to be honest.

It’s just that the idea of you being awake with a busy brain all by yourself… I don’t like it. I’d rather be up with you, keeping you company. That okay?

Good, okay. So, is it just the busy week then? Struggling to quiet your thoughts?

That makes sense, princess. You’ve had lots to deal with this week. It doesn’t all just go away just because it’s time to sleep…

And no matter what you might think, a book can’t fix all our problems, all the time.

Even if it is one of those dark romance ones you love so much.

I know, baby, I’m sorry you’ve had such a hard time sleeping. That’s the worst… when you want so badly to rest but you just… can’t.

But it’s okay… I’m here now, I’m awake and keeping you company…

No princess, nothing to apologize for. I’m more than happy to be awake with you, especially if I can help you relax.

Good, I’m glad you feel better when I’m keeping you company. There’s nothing to worry about now, baby.

I’ve got you…

I’m here, we can wrap up together just like this… and I can help you quiet your mind, help you relax, so you can sleep.

So why don’t we cuddle up? Come here…

Ah, see, isn’t that so much better already?

Holding you close to me like this, where I can wrap my arms around you and we can… breathe together… just be together…

The great thing about this time of day or night is that there’s nowhere else we need to be, nothing else we need to do…

Exactly right, it’s just us… together.

We can just enjoy each other. Extra time together is always a good thing, isn’t it?

Mhm, even in the middle of the night. I mean… I was sleeping, but not comfortably. That’s what woke me, I think I must’ve fallen asleep with my head at the wrong angle.

And being cuddled up with you… just like this… well, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Though I’m sorry your brain has too many thoughts, baby… I know that feeling. Like, when you catch yourself thinking about too much stuff, so then you decide to stop thinking about it… but then you’re thinking about thinking about too much stuff. It gets real meta and weird. I know.

Hey, maybe I could… fill it with some new ones?

Well, I was thinking I could tell you about the things I’ve been thinking about… about you… about us, and our life.

Mmm, how does that sound?

Yeah? Okay, why don’t you rest your head here, on my chest?

Yep, that’s perfect. I love having you close like this.

Breathing you in, you always smell so good.

I don’t know if it’s your shampoo or your lotion… maybe it’s… I think it’s just you, honestly. Smells like love and luck and… you.

I just love being close to you. We fit so well together and I can gather you up and hold you…

You fit so perfectly against me, so warm and soft…

A perfect fit with my perfect girl.

I am not cheesy. I am romantic. There’s a difference. And besides… I thought you loved cheese.

And I love you.

I’m happy to hear that, baby. Especially because you make me so incredibly happy every day.

No, it is true. Every single day with you is like discovering secret chocolate.

You know, like in the snack drawer, when you think it’s empty but then you see that little mini chocolate bar in the corner and you’re like, “Yes! My lucky day!”? Well, every day with you is like that.

Okay, maybe that was cheesy.

It’s true though. You are sweet, decadent, and deceptively complex… such a treat.

Snuggling up with you like this, our legs tangled together in bed while you relax on my chest… it’s just so nice. Makes me feel all the things…

What kind of things? Well to start… lucky. Impossibly lucky, really.

Getting to kiss your head, feel your warm, soft skin…

Just having your company, being trusted to help you relax like this… it’s not something I ever take for granted.

You are such an intelligent, creative and thoughtful person. You’re deliberate about everything you do, and always so…

What? No, I love making you blush, and letting you know how appreciated you are… how lucky you make me feel.

So beautiful… so brilliant.

You’re just… well, you’re the cutest, most wonderful princess in the whole world.

And have I mentioned how impossibly cute you are when you blush like that?

I can’t help it, I love the way you blush and squirm against me when I compliment you… you resist them, but that smile… it does things to me.

I love making you feel like you make me feel every day.

Yes, every day, because every day with you is a good one, even the bad ones.

I look forward to every moment with you, waking up with you… seeing the way you stretch and yawn…

Falling asleep next to you, wrapped up like this or being your big spoon, all snuggled up behind you, keeping you safe and snug in my arms.

Dreaming with you… and often of you too.

You’re never far from my mind, princess. You are a captivating and consuming part of my day, of my life…

And no one compares to you. They couldn’t even try, baby.

Of course not princess, there’s nothing else in this world that makes me feel like you do.

You make me feel so incredibly loved, so special.

So powerful, especially when you’re looking up at me like that… with those needy eyes… hanging onto my every word…

It’s intoxicating to have your attention, to be yours, to know that you are mine.

Mmm, because I am yours, baby. Only yours.

And most importantly… you are mine. My good girl.

I love the way you blush when I say that…

Especially when I sneak it in like that, and take you by surprise. Your cheeks go pink, your whole body does this sweet little happy wiggle…

It makes me feel like I can do anything, if I can make you feel like that.

You are perfect, baby, do you know that?

Okay, I know no one is really perfect, but you’re perfect for me, you know? Perfectly imperfect.

Yes, baby, I love your imperfections too.

No, hey, no arguments. I know there are things you’d change about you… things you don’t like… especially when those things keep you awake at all hours of the night.

But part of loving someone is getting to know them, all of them, and appreciating every single part.

You are perfect because I see you, princess, exactly as you are… and I love it all.

Flaws, frustrations, all of it… I see it, and I still think you’re perfect exactly as you are.

Perfect for me.

And I wish you could see yourself the way I see you, that you could see yourself through my eyes…

Oh, that was a big yawn, princess. Does hearing all the ways I love you, how much you matter to me… is it helping?

You look like your thoughts might be a little less overwhelming now, baby. What are you thinking?

About kisses? Mmm, I do love those. Yeah, give me some of those.

Mmmm.

What else are you thinking of, princess?

Cause when I’m right here, so close and wrapped up to you, maybe…

Oh, here? How about… here? You like that one?

Oh I love those giggles and… yep, another big yawn.

It’s working, I’m making you sleepy.

Here, why don’t we turn on the sound machine… that’s what it’s for right? The nights when you’re feeling all the feelings and need a little help?

What are you feeling tonight? White noise, birds, city sounds, the ocean?

Mm, good choice, the ocean always helps me relax too.

Let me just…

There we go. Snuggle back in here, baby.

That’s it, just like that.

Close your eyes while I stroke your hair. Listen to the ocean and the sound of my voice… feel my lips on your forehead, my heartbeat beneath your cheek.

I’ve got you, princess, so just let your mind wander and your body relax. I’ll be right here while you unwind.

We can lie here like this, as long as you like.

Can you feel the way my chest rises and falls as I breathe? The vibration of my voice as I talk?

Mmmm, just listen and relax. Let me make you feel relaxed as you fall asleep.

Hm? What was that?

I’ll be right here, baby. No matter how long. Tonight and every night, I will be right here.

When you are happy, when you’re sad… when you’re overwhelmed… and every feeling in between.

I’ve got you, princess. Slow and steady breaths as you relax. Breathe with me.

I am so incredibly proud of you, and I feel so lucky to be here with you… taking care of you, listening to you, holding you…

It’s… there’s nothing better.

My sweet princess, you are safe and loved, right here in my arms. I’ve got you. Just close your eyes, and let yourself drift off.

I’ll be right here when you wake up.

That’s it… sleep now.

Goodnight, baby. Sweet dreams.

I love you.