The scenery slowly shifted.
Jules didn’t even have time to brace herself before another daydream pulled her under. Suddenly, she was back on set with Chris, tucked behind one of the props, hidden from prying eyes.
“So, my place tonight?” Chris whispered close to her ear, his lips leaving soft kisses along her skin.
Jules kept glancing around, nervous about getting caught.
“I have rewrites to work on. I can’t.”
He pretended not to hear, his mouth finding the freckles on her collarbone. He kissed them one at a time, teasing.
“I love these freckles. Did you know that?”
“Chris…” she warned, though the strength behind it was pitiful. She wasn’t stopping him. She didn’t want to.
He leaned back to meet her eyes. “Do you have to go home first, or are we going straight from here?”
She sighed, already knowing she’d lost this battle.
“I need to get some writing done…”
“After,” he whispered, brushing his lips over hers.
“After,” she whispered back, surrendering. And then they kissed, deep and unhurried, lost in each other.
Footsteps approached. They pulled apart instantly, adjusting their clothes in a frantic, silent scramble. Chris pressed a few quick kisses to her neck as Jules clamped a hand over her mouth, trying to stifle her giggles.
“Where are they?” they heard a crew member nearby.
“Probably making out somewhere. I don’t care… I’m getting paid either way,” another voice replied. Chris and Jules locked eyes, barely containing their laughter before he pulled her back in, his lips finding hers once more.
The scene shifted again, like a rollercoaster with no brakes, her mind plunging into a new reality.
She was in a dimly lit room, cradling a tiny baby in her arms, gently caressing her impossibly small fingers while she breastfed. The chair she sat in was oversized and plush, wrapping around her like a cocoon, but all of her focus was on the little one nestled against her. So tiny, so sweet. She traced each delicate finger, counting them in a soft whisper.
The door cracked open. Chris stepped in, tiptoeing across the room and trying not to make a sound.
“How is she?” he kneeled beside them.
Jules glanced up, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
“She’s fine. It’s just a fever. Babies have fevers, remember?”
Chris exhaled, but his eyes stayed locked on their daughter.
“She’s so tiny. I forgot how tiny they are.”
Jules let out a quiet laugh.
“Where’s Liam?” she whispered.
“I got him down for the night,” Chris said, finally tearing his gaze away to meet hers.
“He didn’t even ask for a goodnight kiss from Mom?” Jules pouted dramatically.
Chris grinned. “I promised him ice cream tomorrow. He was very understanding.” She huffed, still pretending to be wounded. He tilted his head, having his fun. “I, however,” he said, inching closer, “would very much like a goodnight kiss from Mom. Does that count?”
Jules smiled, her pout vanishing. “I guess that’ll have to do for tonight…”
