The next morning the sunlight streamed in through the windows, casting a warm glow across the bedroom. Conrad's eyes fluttered open, a smile tugging at his lips as he took in the sight of his girlfriend sleeping beside him. She was curled up by him, her head resting on his chest and her hand on his bare abdomen. Her other arm was around his waist and hand on his hip, as if she were afraid he would disappear if she didn't hold onto him. Her hair was a mess, and her mouth was slightly parted, her breath coming out in slow, steady breaths.

She was breathtaking, and Conrad couldn't believe how lucky he was to have her. When she told him about her potential cancer returning, his heart had dropped. He didn't want her to go through that again, or for her to worry about it. But, he would do everything in his power to help her. Even if it meant taking care of her and making sure she got the best treatment available. He would do anything for her. Conrad leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, his nose nuzzling her hair. She smelled like vanilla and coconut, a comforting scent that always made him feel at home. As he kissed her, she stirred slightly, snuggling closer into him with a soft sigh but not waking up. Conrad smiled to himself, his heart swelling with a mix of love and protectiveness. He buried his face in her hair, breathing in her scent. He'd missed her so much. He'd been so stressed lately, and having her back made everything seem a little bit better. He couldn't imagine life without her, and he wasn't planning on it.

He turned to lay on his back, bringing her with her so she was practically on top of him. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close. She shifted in her sleep, her face now buried in his neck. Her legs were now around his waist, and her hand had moved up to his shoulder. She mumbled something incoherent in her sleep, causing him to chuckle. His gaze fell on the back of her arm, furrowing his eyebrows at seeing a fresh bruise on her forearm. The skin was purple and blue, and it looked like it hurt. He carefully lifted her arm up, examining the mark. He didn't remember her injuring herself. Maybe she'd fallen? She was known for being clumsy. He sighed, gently kissing the bruise. He knew it wouldn't make it go away, but he couldn't help himself. He hated seeing her in pain. He had noticed she had a few bruises when she came back with his brother and Belly. They were faint, but still noticeable. She now had this fresh bruise, and he wondered how she had gotten them.

He decided not to bring it up for now. She would tell him when she was ready. He would just make sure to ask her about it later. His hand found its way to her hair, his fingers running through the messy brunette curls. He loved her hair, and he loved playing with it. He knew she liked when he did it, so he always made sure to do it as much as he could. He'd missed doing this, and he'd missed her.

The dark skinned girl stirred, her eyes slowly opening as she woke up. She yawned, stretching her limbs as she pulled away slightly to look up at him. A small smile tugged at her lips as she met his gaze, his eyes sparkling with love and affection. Her face flushed and she buried her face in his chest shyly, embarrassed by the way he was looking at her.

"Mornin', beautiful." Conrad chuckled, his fingers trailing along her spine.

"Hi." She murmurs her voice hoarse. She clears her throat, lifting her head to meet his gaze again. Her eyes scanned his face, taking in the sight of him. She'd missed this, waking up next to him and seeing his handsome face. "How'd you sleep?"

"Best sleep I've had in awhile." Conrad grins, his eyes never leaving hers. "I missed you. How did you sleep?"

"I missed you, too." Lauryn breathes out, her face still a shade of pink. "Same here. I haven't been sleeping very well."

"Yeah, me neither." Conrad admits, his hand moving from her hair to her cheek, gently caressing the soft skin. "So, how are you feeling?"

"Fine, I guess. Worried about the house. And about my cancer coming back...But let's not focus on that right now." Her stomach rumbles, causing her to flush. "I'm hungry. How about some breakfast?"

"Sounds good." Conrad agrees, his stomach growling. "But, let's stay in bed for a few more minutes." He pulls her closer, his arms wrapping around her. "I don't want to let you go yet."

Lauryn smiles softly, resting her head on his chest. She closes her eyes, relaxing against him. His fingers run through her hair again, and she lets out a sigh. "I love you, Coco."

"I love you too, Lulu." Conrad murmured, his chin resting atop her head. He held her close, not wanting to let her go. He's missed her, and he's determined to make up for the lost time.

****

( LAURYN'S POV )

After we got ready for the day, we decided to go get breakfast. Belly had texted me she and Jeremiah were going to get breakfast and groceries. She offered us to go with them but I assured her Conrad and I would be fine. Conrad drove us to a nearby restaurant, one we've been to before and one I've been to many times before. The Beach Hut. The place I used to went to all the time with my parents before...Well, before. Conrad held the door open for me, his hand finding the small of my back as we walked inside. I smiled, my heart fluttering at his touch. We were seated in a booth by the window, the view overlooking the ocean. I smiled, taking in the sight. I've always loved this view.

Inside the restaurant was beach theme, of course, but I'd grown used to it. I loved it here, and I knew the owners. They'd always treated me like family. The restaurant was busy but not over crowded. Which was good because I didn't like crowds. My eyes fell on a dolphin painting my mom had made. My parents were close friends with the owners and they'd put up a few of their paintings around the restaurant.

My chest ached at the thought of my parents. They'd been gone for two years now. And while the pain had dulled a bit, it was still there. Some days were worse than others, and some days were better. Today seemed to be a mix of both. I felt a tear slip down my cheek and I quickly wiped it away, trying not to think about it. But it was hard not to think about it when we were in a place that reminded me so much of them.

Conrad must have noticed because suddenly I feel a body beside me, his arms wrapping around my shoulders and pulling me into him. He pressed a kiss to my temple, whispering words of comfort in my ear. I closed my eyes, letting myself be held by him as tears continued to roll down my cheeks. I couldn't help but feel guilty. We were supposed to be here having a nice time. But instead I was sitting here crying like an idiot. And I shouldn't be like this. My parents have bene dead for two years. I accepted that. Conrad's mom recently died, and he's had a rough time. And now with Aunt Julia possibly selling the beloved beach house... I didn't want to think about it. But I knew I needed to be strong. I needed to be there for him. And here I was, crying over my parents.

"Hey, hey, beautiful, look at me." Conrad murmurs, his fingers gently gripping my chin to meet his gaze. "You're okay. It's okay to cry. It's okay to miss them."

"I'm sorry. I'm being stupid." I mumble, wiping away the tears.

"No, no you're not." Conrad reassures me, his hands cupping my cheeks. "You're not being stupid. Your feelings are valid, Lauryn. You can miss your parents. No matter how long it's been. You have every right to feel whatever you're feeling."

"I just...I'm supposed to be here for you. So much had happened lately and you've been struggling with it, I know. I know you hide it but I can see it. You're hurting, and I'm not helping." I said softly, my eyes falling to my lap.

"You are helping. By being here. I don't know what I would do without you, gorgeous." His hand on my chin lifts my head up, his eyes meeting mine. "And you've been here for me through everything. More than anyone else has. You have nothing to apologize for. So please, don't be sorry. Don't ever be sorry for feeling things, okay?"

I nodded, tears forming in my eyes again. But this time it wasn't because of sadness. This time it was because of the love I felt for him. How did I get so lucky to have someone like him?

Conrad gave me a soft smile, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "Come on, let's order. You'll feel better once you've got some food in your system." He wiped away the rest of my tears, his hand lingering on my cheek.

"Okay." I whisper, leaning into his touch. His thumb stroked my cheek and he kissed my forehead before he moved to get up and sit back in front of me. I could feel blush rising to my cheeks and I quickly turned my attention to the menu, trying to distract myself from the butterflies in my stomach. I miss the fond look Conrad gave me as he picked up his menu.

****

Breakfast had gone smoothly after that, the two of us sharing stories and catching up. It felt nice to be able to relax and not worry about anything. I could tell Conrad felt the same. We'd both been through a lot lately, and it was nice to be able to unwind and enjoy each other's company. When we got back, Conrad decided we should go surfing. Something I never really been good at. Sure, I liked it and found it fun. But I'd always sucked at it. I was no surfer like Conrad. Conrad had been a natural. Ever since we were kids, he'd loved surfing. It was something he did to help clear his mind. I'd tried to learn how to surf, but I was just never as good as him. It wasn't that I couldn't stay on the board or catch waves. I could. I just didn't have the balance and grace Conrad did.

I sat on a blue towel with waves on it as I watched my boyfriend surf. Butterflies filled my stomach. I still can't believe he's my boyfriend. Even after all this time. Even after everything we've been through, it still feels surreal. My eyes were glued to him, taking in his movements. He moved effortlessly, his body seeming to mold into the board. It was mesmerizing, the way he moved. It was almost as if he were one with the ocean. As if he was a part of it. The way the water glistened off his body was captivating, his muscles flexing as he paddled out. His brown hair was wet and messy, and his skin was sun kissed from being out in the sun.

My heart fluttered, and I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. He was perfect. He looked so at ease out there, so in his element. I admired how surfing gave him peace, something that always seemed to elude him on land. Watching him now, I felt a deep sense of pride and affection. Conrad had been through so much, yet here he was, finding joy in something simple and pure. As he caught another wave, I could see the concentration on his face, the slight tilt of his head as he gauged the wave's height, the way his body moved in sync with the ocean's rhythm. It was like watching a dance — graceful, powerful, and utterly captivating. "Come on in, Lulu. The water's great." Conrad called, flashing me a dazzling grin.

"No thanks. I'll just watch from here." I call back, returning his smile as blush crept up my neck. "I like the view."

Conrad chuckles and looks down, he's too far for me to see the blush on his cheeks.

He paddled back out, his eyes never leaving mine. When he was far enough out, he hopped onto his board and rode a wave in. My heart skipped a beat as he came towards me, the water glistening off his body.

When he reached me, he hopped off the board and waded towards me, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Whatcha lookin' at, cutie?"

"Nothing." I squeaked, my face heating up as I looked away, trying to hide the redness in my cheeks.

Conrad chuckled, shaking his head. He stepped closer to me, his hand reaching up to cup my chin, his eyes meeting mine. "Liar." He's hovering over me since I'm laying down. His thumb gently stroking my jawline. He's so close, I can smell the salt water and his cologne. His skin is still damp from the water, and his eyes are a shade of green that makes my breath hitch.

I could feel my face heating up as I stared into his eyes, my heart racing. His other hand reached up and brushed a strand of hair out of my face, his fingertips brushing against my skin. I let out a shaky breath, my eyes darting down to his lips and back up to his eyes. He was so close now, I could feel his breath on my face. My heart pounded in my chest as he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in the softest kiss. 

It was slow and tender, full of emotion. His hand on my cheek was warm, grounding me in the moment. Everything else faded away — the sound of the waves, the seagulls overhead, even the warmth of the sun — all I could focus on was him. When he pulled back, his eyes searched mine, as if seeking reassurance. I smiled softly, letting him know I was okay, that I wanted this. He smiled back, a look of pure adoration in his eyes.

"You're amazing, you know that?" He whispered, his thumb gently caressing my cheek.

I let out a small laugh, feeling shy under his intense gaze. "I think that's you, Coco." I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

He shakes his head slightly, still smiling. "No, it's definitely you."

I felt my cheeks flush again, and I leaned forward, resting my forehead against his. We stayed like that for a moment, just breathing each other in. It was peaceful, just the two of us, together in our own little world. 

He pulls back, his smile turning into a playful grin. "Come on, let me teach you how to surf, baby." He said, standing up and offering me his hand.

I hesitate, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Surfing had always been a challenge for me, but with Conrad by my side, I felt a bit more confident. I took his hand, letting him pull me up from the towel. His grip was strong, yet gentle, and it sent a surge of warmth through me.

"Alright," I said, trying to sound more enthusiastic than I felt. "But don't laugh if I fall."

Conrad chuckles, a light, comforting sound. "I promise, I won't laugh. And even if you do fall, I'll be right there to catch you."

I rolled my eyes playfully, but his words made me feel safer, more willing to give it a try. Conrad led me towards the water, the waves gently lapping at our feet as we approached the surfboards. The ocean was cool against my skin, a refreshing contrast to the warm sand.

Conrad hands me a smaller board, one he'd picked out just for me. "This one should be easier to handle," He explains, his tone patient. "We'll start with the basics."

He guided me through the steps, explaining how to position myself on the board, how to paddle, and how to stand up once I caught a wave. His instructions were clear and encouraging, and the way he looked at me made me feel like I could actually do this.

"Okay, ready to try?" He asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

I take a deep breath, nodding with a nervous smile. "Ready as I'll ever be."

We waded out into the deeper water, and Conrad stayed close, watching me with that reassuring smile of his. The first few attempts were shaky — I struggled to find my balance and ended up tumbling into the water more than once. But every time I fell, Conrad was there, pulling me back up, laughing with me instead of at me.

"You're getting better, Lulu." He encouraged after I managed to stay on the board for a few seconds before wobbling off again.

"Yeah, right," I scoff, laughing as I wiped the saltwater from my face. "I think I'm just making a splash more than anything."

Conrad grins, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "That's all part of the fun. Besides, you're doing great for someone who's just starting. It took me a while to get the hang of it too."

I look up at him, feeling a mix of frustration and determination. "Thanks for being patient with me. I know I must look like a mess out here."

He shakes his head, his expression serious but warm. "Not at all. You look incredible. And you're having fun, right? That's what matters."

I nod and smile a little, feeling more relaxed. "Yeah, I am. It's nice to be out here with you."

"Good," Conrad said, giving me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "Let's keep going. I know you can do this."

We spent the next few moments in the water, with Conrad giving me tips and encouragement. Slowly, I started to get the hang of it, managing to stay on the board for longer periods and even catching a few small waves. Each small victory felt like a huge accomplishment, and Conrad's cheers and high-fives made it all the more rewarding. When we were done, we head over to a food truck that was selling snow cones, the vibrant colors of the syrups catching our eyes. We both opted for the same flavor — blue raspberry, a sweet and refreshing treat after our time in the water. It was my favorite flavor, it wasn't Conrad's, but he still liked it and still decided to get it for his flavor.

Thankfully there wasn't a long line at the food truck and before we knew it, we were eating our snow cones and sitting across each other at one of the picnic tables near the food truck. I honestly was feeling lightheaded, thinking it was because of the heat and maybe from the surfing, but my mind goes back to the possibility of my leukemia coming back. I made a mental note to keep these symptoms in mind to let my aunt and uncle know to talk with them later about it. I didn't want to alarm Conrad either. Not yet, not until I know for sure. 

And I really hope it isn't true. I don't want to go through that again. Especially not now, not when things are going so well. And not when we were having trouble with the beach house possibly being sold. It would just make things worse. But I can't let myself dwell on that now. Not when we're having such a great day. I take a deep breath, reminding myself that I'm okay. I was probably just feeling lightheaded from the heat or from all the excitement. It was probably nothing to worry about.

As we enjoyed our blue raspberry snow cones, the cool syrup contrasting with the warmth of the sun setting over the ocean, Conrad looks at me with a content smile, his eyes reflecting the soft glow of the setting sun.  "You did great out there today," He says, taking another bite of his snow cone. "I'm really proud of you."

I grin, feeling a warm glow of accomplishment. "Thanks. It was actually a lot of fun, even with all the falling. I guess I just needed a good teacher."

Conrad laughs, the sound light and carefree. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, beautiful. And you're definitely a fast learner. We'll have you riding those waves like a pro in no time." 

"I don't know about being a pro," I said with a chuckle, "But I'll definitely keep trying. Thanks for making it fun and for being so patient with me."

Conrad's smile grew as he looked at me, his eyes filled with pride and affection. "It's my pleasure. Seeing you have fun and improve is worth all the effort. Plus, it's always better to have someone to share these moments with."

I nod, savoring the last of my snow cone. The blue raspberry flavor was a perfect end to a great day. "I'm glad we got to spend the day together. It's been a while since we had a day just for us." I pause when I notice the amusement in his eyes. "What?" 

"You have raspberry syrup on your cheek." He replied with a teasing grin.

I reach up, trying to wipe it off, but Conrad stops me gently. "Let me get it, baby." He offers, his voice soft and warm. He leans in, brushing his thumb lightly over my cheek to remove the syrup. The touch is tender, and I can't help but feel a flutter in my chest.

"Thanks," I say, my voice barely above a whisper as I look up at him. He smiled, his gaze full of affection.

"You're welcome, cutie." He replied, his hand still resting on my cheek. My heart skipped a beat, and I lean into his touch, savoring the closeness between us. I can't believe how perfect this moment feels — just the two of us, sharing something so simple, yet so meaningful. It's like time has slowed down, and nothing else matters.

Conrad's thumb lingers on my cheek for a moment longer, and I can see the softness in his eyes as he looks at me. The beach, the ocean, the whole world fades away, and it's just us. His smile is so genuine, so full of warmth that it makes my heart swell.

"You're staring." I whisper, unable to hold back a small smile.

"So are you." He smirks and I can't help the blush creeping up my neck while my heart skipped a beat. He always knew how to make me feel seen, like I was the only person in the world that mattered in that moment. His smirk widened slightly as he noticed the blush creeping up my cheeks, and I tried to laugh it off, but my heart was still racing.

"Well, maybe it's hard not to stare when you're looking at someone so...Distracting," I teased, my voice light but my emotions heavy with the meaning behind my words.

"Yeah, I get it," Conrad replies, his voice soft but with a teasing edge. He leaned back slightly, still holding my gaze. "You're pretty distracting yourself, you know."

I chuckle, trying to keep things light even as the weight of my feelings for him settled in my chest. "Guess we're both in trouble then, Coco." I joked, though I knew there was more truth to that statement than I was letting on.

Conrad's smile softens, and for a moment, the teasing faded. "I wouldn't call it trouble, Lulu." He said, his voice a little more serious now. "It's more like...I'm lucky to be distracted by you."

My heart swelled, the vulnerability in his words sinking deep into me. I opened my mouth to respond, but the words seemed to catch in my throat. Instead, I reached across the table and took his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin under my fingers, biting my lip to hide the smile spreading across my face. There's something about the way Conrad looks at me, the way his gaze lingers, that makes me feel like I'm the only person in the world. My fingers intertwined with his, and for a moment, we just sat there in comfortable silence, surrounded by the sound of the waves crashing in the distance and the soft rustling of the breeze.

"You always know how to make me feel special," I finally whisper, my voice soft, but the words heavy with meaning. "I don't know how you do it, but you do."

Conrad's thumb gently rubs the back of my hand. "Because you are special, Lulu. I don't have to try—it's just you." His voice was steady, sincere, and it made my chest tighten with emotion. For a moment, I forget the worry gnawing at the back of my mind. Here, with Conrad, the world feels right.

"I love you, you know." He murmured suddenly, breaking the silence, his voice low and sincere. It catches me off guard, and my breath hitched. It's not the first time he's said it, but every time feels as special as the first.

"I love you too." I whisper, meaning it more than ever. I lean forward, resting my forehead against his, letting the cool ocean breeze wash over us. The sound of the waves and the chatter of people around us fades into the background. It's just us, here and now, and I want to hold onto this feeling as long as I can.

We sit there, close and content, finishing our snow cones as the last rays of sunlight dip below the horizon. It feels like we're in our own little bubble, and for now, that's enough. The worries about my health and the future can wait. Right now, I'm holding onto this moment, onto him, and that's all that matters.

A/N ugh, lauryn & conrad are just too cute together! I can't get enough of writing their sweet moments