Chereads / Merger of Hearts / Chapter 28 - Chapter 28: A New Morning of Forever

Chapter 28 - Chapter 28: A New Morning of Forever

The soft morning light filtered through the large windows of their bedroom, casting a gentle glow on the sheets that lay in disarray from the night before. Olivia stirred awake, the memories of their first night together flooding back to her in a rush of warmth. The feel of Ethan's touch, the closeness they had shared, and the tenderness he had shown her made her heart swell with love.

She blinked sleepily, her body still buzzing with the aftereffects of their night—*four* rounds, each more intimate and passionate than the last. She smiled softly to herself, feeling both exhausted and amazed at how Ethan had managed to keep going, his strength and stamina seemingly endless.

Stretching lazily, she sat up, only to catch a glimpse of herself in the mirror across the room. Her eyes widened in shock. Hickeys—small but undeniably noticeable—dotted her neck and collarbone, a trail of love bites marking the passionate moments they had shared. Olivia gasped softly, her cheeks turning crimson as she ran her fingers over the marks.

"Good morning, beautiful."

Ethan's voice broke through her thoughts, and she turned to find him standing in the doorway, holding a tray of breakfast. He was wearing nothing but a pair of pajama bottoms, his hair slightly tousled, giving him a relaxed, carefree look that made her heart flutter.

Olivia pulled the blanket up to her chest, suddenly feeling shy. "Ethan!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of embarrassment and amusement. "Did you… see what you did to me?"

Ethan chuckled, setting the tray down on the bedside table. "Of course I did," he said with a playful grin. "Every single one of those is a reminder of last night."

Her blush deepened as she tried to hide behind the blanket. "I look like I've been attacked," she muttered, half-laughing, half-mortified.

Ethan leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead, his lips brushing against her skin. "Attacked with love," he teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Olivia rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. She watched as he set the tray in front of her—freshly made pancakes, fruit, and a cup of coffee. "Breakfast in bed?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Only the best for my wife," Ethan replied, sitting beside her on the bed. "I figured after last night, you might need a little pampering."

She glanced at him, the memories of the previous night rushing back. Ethan had been... tireless. His stamina had surprised her at every turn, each round leaving her breathless and amazed by the way he had guided her through it all, making her feel cherished. She had never imagined that he could be so relentless and yet so gentle at the same time.

"Honestly," she began, laughing softly, "I didn't know a person could have that much energy."

Ethan smirked, clearly proud of himself. "What can I say? You bring out the best in me."

Olivia laughed, shaking her head, and dug into her breakfast, appreciating the thoughtfulness behind his gesture. As she ate, she couldn't help but feel a sense of overwhelming happiness. Her life had changed so dramatically in such a short time, and though it was still sinking in, she realized she wouldn't want it any other way.

Later that day, after breakfast, Ethan continued his mission of pampering her. He ran her a bath, filling the tub with fragrant bubbles and rose petals, and made sure she had everything she needed to relax. He even sat with her, his hand trailing lazily over her back as she soaked in the warmth.

"You don't have to do all this, you know," Olivia said softly, glancing over at him with a smile.

"I want to," Ethan replied, his voice sincere. "I want you to feel loved, every second of every day."

And he made sure she did. The rest of the day was filled with small moments of tenderness and affection—Ethan constantly checking in on her, surprising her with little gestures of love. He'd pull her into his arms randomly, peppering her with kisses as they walked through the house. He even made dinner for them that night, insisting she take it easy and enjoy their time together.

As the sun began to set, Olivia found herself sitting on the balcony, wrapped in one of Ethan's sweaters, watching the cherry blossoms sway in the evening breeze. The tranquility of the moment washed over her, and she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the happiness that seemed to permeate every corner of her new life.

Ethan joined her a few moments later, sitting beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "What are you thinking about?" he asked quietly, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

Olivia leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm just… so happy," she whispered. "I didn't think it was possible to feel like this."

Ethan pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "It's just the beginning, Liv. We have the rest of our lives to make each other even happier."

She smiled, closing her eyes as she let his words sink in. It was true—this was just the start of their journey together. A journey filled with love, laughter, and, undoubtedly, more moments of tenderness and passion.

As the night grew darker, they sat there in silence, content in each other's arms, knowing that whatever challenges the future might hold, they would face them together.