Readers: there may be some of you who notice this isn't the original version. I changed the characters a bit and cleaned up my writing a little, but I assure you, the story is in its heart the same. All the series with formerly Jason and Marea (now Mark and Lily) will also change to fit it. I just was dissatisfied with my writing style (author's constant process of trying to improve self). I also felt my characters needed to have a slightly different look and feel to them behaviour so I've changed them up a teeny bit. Please enjoy. It's still the same couple; you'll see.
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Mark looked upon his fiancée with adoration as she lay sleeping soundly next to him in their bed. Her long soft red curly hair spilled along her back and shoulders, some of the ends tickling his nose as he snuggled in close behind her, wrapping his arm protectively around her waist. The mid-morning sun leaked in through the gaps of the closed blinds, ignored altogether by the sleepy couple still in bed. Saturday mornings were meant for sleeping in, and neither of the pair was interested in changing that fact. The addition that this morning was a cold Christmas Eve morning made the desire to sleep in even stronger. Lily's long eyelashes fluttered against her cheekbones lightly in response to Mark's movements, but she did not wake. She made no motions other than the soft rise and fall of her breast as she breathed in and out with the slow and heavy pace of one asleep. Mark brushed her hair out of the way and kissed her bare shoulder gently before resting his head on it, more than willing to lay next to her for a little while longer.
Mark's eyes wandered around the room. He'd gone to bed early the night before, and was not sleepy now, although he didn't want to get up, either. He was content to let his mind wander and to watch Lily sleep. He thought she was even more lovely when she slept; her features would relax and, often, a hint of a smile would be playing at her lips. He nuzzled his nose into her neck and remembered the first time he'd seen her smile. That day, almost seven years ago, was always remembered by Mark as a long, although happy one. They'd met in college, fresh out of high school, both of them trying to get used to large lecture halls and walking to different buildings for classes.
Mark felt comfortable in this new environment. He enjoyed meeting people and had high hopes about being in a more adult atmosphere. Walking into math class and plunking his overly expensive textbooks on the desk while retaining anonymity was refreshing, and he enjoyed his time scanning the classroom. Just before the bell rang, a girl quickly paced in through the door, and chose the first empty seat she saw: the one beside him. Her cheeks were flushed and sweat was beading on her forehead. She tried to discreetly mop her brow, embarrassed, but nobody was paying attention to her, except for Mark.
He was getting bored of watching the professor prep for class so he decided to study his new neighbour. She was taller than most for a girl, and was most definitely at least a head shorter than he. Her firey curls were pulled back and twisted into a bun at the nape of her neck, while strands constantly loosened and broke free to frame her face. Her eyes were solid brown, and studying her profile, he noted that her lashes were long and her lips were full. She took no note of his scrutiny and flipped disgustedly through her textbook. Her skin was fair, and her curves were ample, softening her frame. He rested his head on his arm, taking her in interestedly. Most people wouldn't have given her a second glance over. Still, something about her intrigued him. Her features were lovely, and he found it endearing the way she frowned as she studied her text. His train of thought was interrupted by the professor clearing his throat and introducing Math 101.
Some months later, they had already become fast friends. They were study partners, and worked well together. Mark had found her personality addicting from just a few minutes into their first conversation after their first math class together. She had turned to him and smiled, offering her hand and introducing herself. Mark shook her hand and felt a twinge inside him as he gazed at her smile. He loved seeing her face light up, and she looked very pretty when it did. Her smile was bright and genuine, and matched her personality, he soon found. She was open and energetic, and often liked to shock him by saying out of place things, which were also sometimes suggestive. He couldn't help but chuckle along with her as she laughed at his facial expressions when she said something random and/or innuendous.
Their friendship built up over their next years at college, and Mark had a few tough relationships, through which Lily was always there to support him. She educated him of the wonders of cookie dough ice cream, and she always made sure to let him know she was there for him. When her boyfriend cheated on her, he held her and soothed her, and over time helped her build up her shattered confidence. The two of them became very close, and their other friends began asking them when they were going to start being an item and banging each other already.
Mark smiled to himself when he thought of how foreshadowing that joke was, and tightened his grip around Lily's sleeping form. He looked over at her again and kissed the shell of her ear, laughing softly as her body twitched slightly in reflex response.
He remembered clearly how after a while, every time he saw her through the years, he had a feeling whose meaning he could not fathom. His stomach would sometimes do a flip if she looked at him, or his arms would ache to hug her close to him at times. The day her ex-boyfriend cheated on her and she dumped him, about two years into their friendship, he held her close as her body shook with silent sobs. He stroked her back, and realized how right it felt to have her in his arms. He loved her, and he knew it, but he couldn't tell her. What if she didn't love him back? What if it ruined their friendship? He didn't want to chance it, and kept silent for just over a year whilst wanting her from afar.
He snuggled in and listened to the ever-playing radio, always on low volume for some music in their room, now on some country station Lily had tuned it to sometime last night. That was one thing that he never understood about her: her taste in music. Her music playlists were scattered, but nonetheless amusing to listen to. He rolled his eyes at the music, preferring the likes of something harder-sounding, but was too comfortable to get up and change the station. A man crooned out lyrics, "Then she falls asleep with just my t-shirt on, and even when her hair's messed up and her makeup gone, you can't hide beautiful, you can't hide wonderful..." His ears pricked up at the song and remembered hearing it several times playing on Lily's MP3 player. He hugged her closer. The hand over her belly clenched into a fist and his mouth set in a firm line as he thought with distaste about her previous boyfriend. The asshole had not treated her well; it was obvious in her uncertain reaction when Mark gave her compliments.
He realized how stupid he probably sounded, but he couldn't help singing the chorus quietly to her. His low voice murmured into her ear, "You can't hide beautiful, you can't hide wonderful..." and abruptly stopped when she stirred. He cringed, and waited to see if she was awake or not. Lily sighed softly and picked his arm up off of her. Obviously awake, she turned around to face him and draped his arm back over herself.
"Hey," she purred sleepily and nuzzled his cheek, her eyes refusing to open.
