When My Shift Ends | ?

twenty-seven | first draft

"You own Twilight?" She asks, a teasing tone to her words.

He grabs the remote off the dresser before making his way back to the bed, wearing a proud smile. "I live in Washington. Of course I own Twilight. It's the film of our state."

"I live in Washington and I don't own Twilight."

He laughs, lying face down on the bed and tossing the remote in Ellie's direction before wrapping a lazy arm around her. With his face buried into his pillow, he mumbles, "Well then you clearly lack pride for where you live."

She bites back a smile, pressing play on the remote to get the movie started. "Fifty Shades of Grey takes place in Seattle. Do you own that too?"

He lifts his head slightly, squinting his eyes at her. "That's because Fifty Shades is a Twilight fanfiction. No. I do not own it." He drops his head back onto the pillow, his eyes falling shut briefly before they're wide open again. With a suggestive smirk he adds, "Though I'll buy it if you'd like me to."

She shoves at his shoulder, holding back a laugh. "Get your mind out of the gutter."

He adjusts on the bed, a smile still on his lips as he gets comfortable. "I'm just saying."

Her hand finds its way to his arm, mindlessly rubbing up and down it as she focuses her attention on the television. After minutes of silence, she turns to Cooper to strike up a conversation, only to find him fast asleep. Her amused smile fades as she stares at his sleeping figure, a sudden sense of worry falling over her.

Placing a tender hand to his shoulder, she shakes him. "Cooper?"

His eyes flutter open before squinting in confusion. He looks to Ellie and then he's lifting his head from his pillow, glancing around the room. "Mm? What time is it?"

"I don't know." She shakes her head, guilt taking over. "Sorry. I should have let you sleep. You were only out for a few minutes. I just got worried."

His lips curl up as he pulls her closer to him. "That's all right. I sleep too much anyway."

She brings a hand up to his face, pushing his slightly damp hair back from his forehead. His eyes search hers, fighting to stay open. With a soft smile, she says, "I should really go. You need to rest."

His mouth stays shut as he has an internal debate with himself, until finally he's giving in and nodding his head. "Okay. You're right. I'll rest up today and then we can do something tomorrow." She begins shuffling, ready to make her way out of the bed, when Cooper's arm tightens around her. "Just give me a few more minutes with you. I want to have good dreams."

She forces the blush to stay off her cheeks, settling back in beside him. "What do you want to dream about?"

His smile brightens. "You. Me. A dog, maybe."

"That does sound like a pretty good dream."

"Do you think you'll be into gardening when you're older?" He asks, his hand slowly rubbing up and down her back. "Or baking? Or maybe you'll have a book club you meet up with on Wednesday nights."

She snorts. "Have you met me?"

A quiet laugh passes his lips. "You're right. You'll be busy with your I-hate-the-world club on Wednesday nights. How silly of me." He pauses, pressing his lips together for a moment before asking, "What do you think you'll be like when you're older?"

Her body tenses slightly at the unexpected question, unsure how to respond to it. When she looks back into his eyes, she relaxes once more. "I don't know. I guess I'll be the same but with more wrinkles."