Somebody Like Me

Wrinkling his nose slightly, Sergio peeked one of his eyes open, his ears alerted by the sound of his phone which buzzed across the room, disturbing the quiet which filled it. It was early, just from one look around the room, Sergio could tell that it was slightly earlier than he was used to waking up, but he doubted that he would have the opportunity to fall back to sleep, even if he didn’t have anywhere to be for a while. He doubted that it would be too long before Cassie’s alarm filled the air.

Carefully rolling onto his back, he glanced up at the ceiling sleepily for a few seconds before he turned his head, his dark eyes settling on Cassie who was curled up a little away from him, still sleeping soundly, a sight which made him smile a little.

It had been a little while, after they’d headed out to dinner with Fernando and Olalla, a couple of weeks had passed, and whilst there was still the odd awkward moment between the two of them, Sergio was pleased with how things were working out between them. It still felt a little odd, the way in which their relationship changed still seemed a little strange, but he had to admit that he liked it, even if things did seem to be moving along quickly. He had grown to like having Cassie around more often.

Watching her for a couple of moments, he marveled at the soft sounds of her snores before he gently shuffled down the bed, carefully peeling the duvet away from her stomach before he shifted his hand, pushing the material of her pajama shirt up slightly to reveal the small bump that she carried. It wasn’t very big, often, Cassie opted to try and hide her bump a little, but Sergio adored seeing it, even if Cassie’s pregnancy had come along as a surprise. He was more than slightly excited about the prospect of their son or daughter coming along.

Quirking a small smile, he gently brushed his thumb against her stomach before he leant down, pressing a soft kiss against the bump. “Buenos dias, peanut” he mumbled as he gently traced circles against the bump with the pad of his thumb.

“Do you do that every morning after I stay the night?”

Sergio, who’d been quietly mumbling to her stomach, jumped a little at the sound of Cassie’s before he tilted his head, offering her a boyish smile. “I like to talk to peanut” he mused, shuffling back up towards his pillow “And you’re not a big fan of me fussing over your bump when we’re around other people, so I like to make the most of the opportunities I get” he added impishly.

Cassie rolled her eyes. “You know you’re an idiot, right?” she posed, a playful glare on her face.

Sergio let out a laugh before he nodded his head. “I do” he confirmed “But, for the time being at least, I am your idiot. Aren’t you lucky?” he teased, poking at her side playfully. It was common, since they’d grown to be a little more comfortable around one another, they’d developed a habit of teasing one another, and it pleased Sergio who was determined to keep Cassie as calm and content as he could throughout her pregnancy.

Cassie giggled softly, a sound which caused Sergio’s smile to widen a little before he gently moved his hand, cupping her cheek gently in his palm before he leant down, pressing a soft kiss against her lips. Cassie into the gentle kiss for a couple of moments before she gently leant, her fingertips gently brushing the hair off of his forehead. “Do you have anywhere to be this morning?” she posed softly, her fingers messing with his hair slightly.

Sergio, who’d closed his eyes at her touch, shook his head gently. “I’ve got the morning off before we travel tonight” he mumbled softly “What about you?” he added as he reached his hand up, gently catching her wrist before he pressed a tender kiss against her palm.

“I’ve got a little work to do” Cassie replied softly “But I can do it from here if you’d not mind me sticking around for a little while longer” she added, smiling up at him gently.

Sergio feigned thought for a moment, something which caused Cassie to scoff playfully. “I’ll head home if you’d prefer it” she quipped, her tone deliberately bright and cheerful.

Sergio pretend to think for another couple of seconds before Cassie poked his side, causing him to let out a small laugh before he shifted towards her, his arms taking up a familiar position around her waist. They were affectionate, whenever they found themselves alone together, they tended to hug and fuss over one another, and Cassie had to admit that she enjoyed it, even if they were still very much in the honeymoon phase of their relationship, she hoped that it was something that would continue as their relationship moved forwards.

“I don’t think I’d mind you sticking around too much” he mumbled, pressing a soft kiss against her forehead.

Cassie rolled her eyes before she snuggled a little closer to him, enjoying the soft embrace as a comfortable silence fell over the two of them.

Sergio gently brushed his hand up and down her back, watching her quietly, before he dipped his head, pressing another soft kiss to the top of hers. “I love you, Cass” he mumbled softly. He knew that it was a little soon, he and Cassie had only been in a serious relationship for a couple of months, but the moment had felt like the right one, even if he was slightly wary about scaring her off. He wanted her to know how he felt about her.

Cassie, who’d been quietly cuddled into his side, startled a little at the sound of his voice before she leant back, her green eyes wide. “Huh?” she spluttered softly.

Sergio quirked a small smile and gently lifted his hand, brushing a few loose strands of dark hair away from her eyes. “I said that I love you” he repeated “And I know it is still early, and the last thing I want to do is make you feel uncomfortable around me, but I thought you should know that, even if you don’t feel ready to say it back yet. I like having you around, Cassie, I really like it, and I’d like to keep it that way for a while yet” he added warmly. He could see that she was nervous, from the moment that the words had fallen out his mouth, she had looked a little uncertain, and he wanted to comfort her, not wanting her to feel pressured into saying the words back to him.

Cassie allowed his words to hang around them for a couple of moments before she nodded her head, offering him a shy smile before she pushed herself up to her feet, musing about finding them some breakfast before she ducked out of the room. Sergio watched her out of the door before he quietly shook his head, wordlessly hoping that he hadn’t made things awkward between the two of them.