The sunlight filtered in through the windows, waking the sleeping form slowly and delibrately. The lump that had shoved itself under the covers hours earlier groaned and rolled over, trying to shield itself from the sunlight pouring in more and more as the minutes passed. As the room began to warm from the light, the lump moved, sitting up and throwing the covers from its body.
The man groaned and rubbed at his eyes as the light hit his eyes painfully. He yawned and stretched his arms wave above himself, trying to get himself a little more awake. He looked over at the clock, squinting a bit to make out the red numbers that flashed as it changed over to another minute. Another minute. Another day.
He stepped out of bed, going into the bathroom for a quick shower.
After his shower, he finally went downstairs, expecting to hear her familiar voice humming or trying to sing a song that was playing from the tv where she always had it on MTV. He said 'trying' because...well..she didn't have the best singing voice in the world. But, it was endearing all the same.
He smiled at the thought of catching her dancing around the kitchen while making pancakes or waffles or some fattening breakfast food in her pajamas. Those usually consisted of baggy gray pants tied loosely just at her hips and a tank top that ended low at her waist. Her hair pulled up into a messy bun or ponytail; strands falling around her face. Her tan arms moving quickly and effeciently as she fixed their breakfast, her hips moving to the beat of whatever song happened to be playing in the background. He loved catching her like this; so goofy and just..so her. He loved it when she caught him watching her, a slight blush covering her as she realized what she had been doing and then the smile that covered her face reaching all the way to her eyes as she told him what she was making that morning.
He was a little confused as he stepped off the step onto the cold, hardwood floor. No tv was on, no smell of the breakfast that had usually awakened him so many mornings before. His eyebrows creased in confusion as he walked towards the living room. Nope, the tv was definitely not on.
He poked his head into the kitchen. Nope, she wasn't there standing at the stove. "Hmm....," He wondered out loud.
It was then he spotted movement out of the corner of his eyes outside on the deck. He smiled slightly; it was her.
He opened the sliding door and stepped outside. She was curled into one of the lounge chairs, a bowl of cereal and a glass of milk sitting in front of her, the paper beside that. She looked up, "Hey you.."
He smiled, leaning down the press a quick kiss to her lips, "Hey yourself..why didn't you wake me?"
"I figured you needed the rest.."
He sat down beside her, "Thanks.."
"Not a problem...are you hungry?"
He shook his head, taking her hand in his, "Naah..I'm good right now...we'll hit the McDonald's later anyways, I'm sure."
She grinned, "Knowing you, of course."
"I'm surprised I didn't get to catch you dancing around the kitchen to N'Sync this morning.."
She blushed slightly; a very cute feature he decided. "That was only one morning..I can't help it if that 'Pop' song is catchy..and very danceable."
"It was cute."
"Yea..I'm sure it was for you."
He grinned, kissing the top of her hand gently, "365.."
She nodded, "Yea...365."
He sighed, taking in a deep breath, "I can't believe it baby..."
"Why not?"
He shrugged, "I just..I didn't think I was strong enough.."
"Of course you're strong enough...you've had to deal with a lot of shit AJ...in your personal and public life...you've done well."
He nodded, looking up at the blue sky, "I guess you're right."
"I'm always right, aren't I?"
He smiled, "Yea..that you are. I can't win with you."
"Not really."
"But that's okay...love you."
"I love you too AJ.."
"Soo...when do you think everyone'll start calling?"
"Ummm...probably within another hour.."
He stood up, pulling her from her seat and wrapping his arms around her waist, "Sooo..what do you say me and you make sure we spend this next hour together?"
"Oh, really?"
"Yep..I'm thinkin' me and you need some quality time together.."
She smiled, "Sounds good to me.."
Later that evening, after everyone had either called or come over to celebrate with him and her, they had decided to turn in early. He did have to get up early the next morning anyways. But, he was having trouble going to sleep so easily. The moonlight filtered in through the windows gently; bathing her in just enough light to make her look like an angel. His angel. He smiled and brushed a strand of hair that was lying on her cheek. She had been there for him throughout everything...everything negative and everything positive. She had been there on the 3 month anniversary, she had been there on the 6 month anniversary, and now she had been there for the 1 year anniversary. One whole year sober; and AJ hadn't felt so good in such a long time. He smiled and leaned down to kiss her neck gently. She shifted and mumbled something in her sleep, her arm coming up to brush whatever was trying to interrupt her dream away. He chuckled slightly and pulled the covers up and pulled her so her back was against his chest.
This was the way he wanted to wake up each morning. Her curled up next to him. Her dancing around the kitchen in her pajamas. Her laughing when he did something goofy or stupid.
Yes, AJ did feel alive. More alive than ever before. Like it was for the very first time. He was truely alive.