#taolth

Her indifferent tone caught him off guard. She was typically the enthusiastic one. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She shook her head, a smile spreading on her face. "I'm fine. Let's go." She grabbed the bag nearest her and started toward the door. 

Thomas moved in front of her, his hand covering hers, pushing the luggage away. "I know you, and this is not you. Please tell me what is troubling you, my love."

"Nothing, really," she insisted. "I'm fine. Promise." 

"Alex."

Her forced smile fell at the sound of the concerned tone in her name.

"I'm just tired," she admitted, her gaze drifting down. 

"Do you want to cancel the trip?" His finger curled under her chin, lifting her eyes back to him. "Just say the word."

"No, I'm really looking forward to a holiday with you. We need it."

"If you're sure that's what you want."

"I am."

His brow quirked at her. "Why don't I believe you?"

"Honestly, the thought of traveling, of driving, of getting on another plane...." She sighed again, realizing there was no escaping it. "Right now, all I want is you and a night of cuddling. I want to put on something comfy, curl up with you on the couch, and watch Hallmark movies."

"Okay," he agreed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. 

"We can't!" Alex protested, looking back at their luggage. 

"Why not?"

"What about our trip?"

"We can go tomorrow, or even the day after, whenever you are ready." 

"Really?" Her eyes lit up at the thought of just getting a night of rest.

"Whatever you need." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. 

She wrapped her arms around him, laying her head on his chest. Warmth spread through her as he held her close, kissing the top of her head. "This is what I need," she admitted softly. "Just one night of nothing but this."

"Then it's settled," he decided. "Let's stay in today and watch Christmas movies."

"Are you sure? I know you were looking forward to the trip."

"I'm certain. I can't imagine a more perfect vacation than spending it with you in my arms."

"Even if you have to suffer through some Hallmark movies?" She chewed her lower lip, looking up at him with hope-filled eyes.

The joy and relief in her eyes were all he needed to see. That was her; that was his Alex. "Only for you, my love, only for you."

Thank you for reading. I have a really cute art of these two enjoying movie night on the couch, but I decided to post it separate. So keep an eye out for that.

"But—" she hummed, her drowsy thoughts fluttering away.

The corner of his lip tugged up at the sight of her fighting to stay awake to be with him. "But what?"

"It's a holiday." She nodded to agree with herself. "You get to stay here."

"Is it now? I must have missed it."

"You must've... It's a special important one too."

"Oh, is it now? What pray tell is this special, important holiday?"

Alex snuggled closer to him, savoring the lulling rhythm of his heart. "I'm pretty sure it's National Stay in Bed with Your Wife Day."

"Is that so?" His brow arched as she nestled into him.

"Mmhmm."

"How does one celebrate this occasion?"

"You stay right here and don't move. It's very easy; just stay in bed with your wife. Work later."

He stifled the growing chuckle rising in his chest. "Anything else?" His hand drifted down her back and over her hips, dipping in the valley between her thighs. "Are there specific activities to celebrate this day?"

She pressed a kiss to his chest, her body warming in response. "That's for later."

"So this holiday has an itinerary?"

"Yes." She interlaced her fingers with his, bringing his arm around her waist once more. "Sleep and cuddles now. Other activities later."

"Okay." He leaned forward, brushing a kiss on the top of her head.

"You'll stay?"

"How can I not? It's National Stay in Bed with Your Wife Day."

"Thank you."

He reached for his phone on his nightstand, still holding Alex in his other arm. "Let me just text my assistant director to let them know I'll be late."

"Very late."

"Very late," he confirmed.

Alex smirked proudly, her fingers playing softly with the hair on his chest. "Look at that, Mr. Hunt is going to be late... again. And he texts! What is this world coming to?"

Thomas shook his head, unable to suppress the smile on his face. He finished his text, turning his phone on do not disturb. He settled back into bed, his arms wrapping safely around his wife. "My view of the world has shifted. There's more than work and my art—" He drew soft circles on her skin, mesmerized by how peaceful she looked sleeping in his arms. "—There's you."

"I must be pretty special then," she murmured, fighting the weight of her fatigue.

He nuzzled his face into her, letting his eyes close as he savored being with her. "You must be."

"YES! Don't you know what that means?"

"Clearly not."

"Spring forward! Daylight savings!"

"I'm not following."

"Daylight savings is tonight, well tomorrow, but kind of tonight if you think about it," she rambled, frantically threading her fingers through her hair.

"Alex?"

"Thomas! It's the forced loss of an hour of sleep. An. Hour. Of. Sleep!"

"Right," he pulled her hands away from her hair, trying to calm her. "In autumn, you gain an hour. It's how it balances out."

"Gaining an hour is fine; losing it is not okay! An hour's less sleep is an hour's less sleep!" She pouted. "I love sleep, Thomas. I need my sleep!"

"That I did know." He nodded in eager agreement with her words, knowing all too well what sleep-deprived Alex was like. There were two things he quickly learned not to get in the way of—sleep and coffee. His hands cascaded softly down her back, his thumb drawing soft circles. "We can go to sleep earlier tonight to make up for it."

"That's not the point! Losing an hour of sleep is just not okay," she insisted again. "Did you know Daylight Savings has been linked to increased accidents and higher health risks, including strokes and heart attacks?"

"That can't possibly be true—"

Alex pulled up an article on her phone, holding it out to him.

"I stand corrected."

"See! It's a bad, bad thing. Two bads!"

"Don't you think you're blowing this a little out of proportion? I know you and sleep have a very intimate relationship; nevertheless, perhaps I can manage to distract you enough that you forget all about it."

"How would you propose to do that?" Her lips pursed, ready to protest.

"We start by not leaving the house to avoid those increased traffic accidents. Instead, we enjoy an evening and day in. I'm quite sure I can help you relax to avoid any unwanted health risks." He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before brushing the rest back behind her shoulder. He lingered near her, the heat of his breath tickling her neck.

"How would you do that?" She licked her lips, her deep brown eyes getting lost in his.

His strong hand tenderly cradled her jaw in reply. Lowering his lips to hers, he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, calming her tension and leaving a warm reminder on her cheeks. He paused there for a moment, savoring her nearness, before pulling her lower lip lightly between his own. His voice was low as he leaned back slowly, "How was that?"

She pressed her fingers to her lips, hiding her growing grin. "An adequate start."

"Only adequate?" His brow rose in challenge. "I suppose we'll have to practice. Although, it might take all night and I know you're already losing sleep. We'll have to reschedule for another time."

Alex's head dipped to the side. "I think I can make an exception."

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to get in the way—"

"Thomas."

"Yes, Alex."

"Just kiss me already."

"What about Daylight Savings and your sleep? I wouldn't dream of getting in the wa—"

His words were silenced as she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him back to her. For the first time, perhaps it wouldn't be the worst night of the year.

A/N: I feel like out of all my OCs / MCs, Alex would be the one to understand my irrational annoyance and pain. Daylight Savings is my least favorite day of the year. I just want sleep... I say that as I stay up late and avoid sleep like it's my job. It's the principle of the thing? 🙈