The morning light streamed through the curtains, warm and golden, casting soft patterns across the wooden cabin floor. The air was still, quiet except for the occasional chirping of birds outside and the rhythmic sound of Tucker's breathing. Melina was awake, but she hadn't moved for a while, content to just be there, tangled up with him.

He was on his back, one arm resting behind his head, the other draped loosely around her waist. His face was relaxed, lips slightly parted, chest rising and falling steadily. She smiled to herself, tracing lazy patterns on his bare shoulder, her fingertips ghosting over the familiar ink of his tattoos. She knew every line of them by heart now, but she still liked the excuse to touch him.

She let out a quiet sigh, shifting a little closer, pressing her cheek against his chest.

Tomorrow was his day, but her heart was already racing at the thought of what was coming. She knew. She knew what Tucker was planning. He thought he was being sneaky, but she had seen the signs—how he kept reaching for his phone when he thought she wasn't looking, the hushed conversations with Liv, the way his eyes lingered on her longer than usual, like he was memorizing her.

It was sweet, really.

And maybe if she wasn't already so sure of how deeply she loved him, she'd be nervous. But there was no fear here. Just warmth, just him.

Her fingers brushed over his ribs, lightly enough that he stirred, making a small noise of protest before shifting, pulling her closer without even opening his eyes. She grinned, tilting her head to press a soft kiss to his collarbone.

"Mmm," Tucker hummed, still half-asleep. "That tickles."

She giggled, nudging her nose against his jaw. "Morning, birthday boy."

His eyes cracked open just slightly, still heavy with sleep. A lazy smile stretched across his lips as he tugged her closer. "Not yet," he mumbled, voice rough and warm. "One more day."

Melina hummed in agreement, tracing a slow circle on his chest. "How does it feel? Your last day of being this age?"

Tucker smirked, stretching his arms above his head. "Oh, you mean my last day before I reach peak wisdom and maturity?"

She snorted. "That's one way to put it."

He rolled onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow as he studied her. "Feels like any other day, except..." His expression softened, and he reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't know. Feels like something big is coming."

Melina's heart did a little flip.

Oh, it is.

She tried not to give anything away, just smiled at him. "Well, whatever happens, I promise it's gonna be a good day."

Tucker's fingers trailed lightly down her arm, his touch warm and familiar. "As long as you're in it, it already is."

She rolled her eyes, but the blush creeping up her cheeks betrayed her. "You really are getting wiser, huh?"

"See? Told you." He grinned, then suddenly grabbed her waist and pulled her on top of him. She let out a small gasp, but before she could protest, he was wrapping his arms around her snugly, burying his face into her neck.

"We should just stay like this all day," he mumbled, lips brushing against her skin.

Melina laughed, squirming in his hold. "Tempting, but we do have things to do."

He groaned dramatically. "Like what?"

"Like breakfast. And, I don't know, enjoying our last full day here before we go back to reality."

Tucker sighed, nuzzling into her. "Fine. But only because I know you're gonna make pancakes."

She pulled back, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm making pancakes?"

Tucker flashed her a lazy grin. "Obviously."

Melina huffed, but she was smiling. "You're lucky I love you."

"Yeah," he murmured, looking at her like she was the only thing in the world. "I really, really am."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, Tucker suddenly flipped them over so he was hovering above her, trapping her beneath him. "But before pancakes," he murmured, brushing his lips against hers, "I think I need a little more convincing."

Melina laughed against his mouth. "You're ridiculous."

"And you love it."

He wasn't wrong.

And tomorrow? Tomorrow would change everything.



---



The sun was beginning to set, casting golden light through the trees surrounding the cabin. The day had been lazy and perfect—morning pancakes, an afternoon swim in the lake, and now, stretched out on the wooden deck, they were soaking in the last bits of warmth before the night cooled the air.

Melina was lying on her back, her damp hair sprawled across the towel beneath her, her bikini top still drying in the evening air. Tucker was beside her, propped up on one elbow, tracing idle patterns on her stomach. He hadn't been able to stop touching her all day—whether it was his arm around her waist, his fingers on her back, or the way his lips kept finding her shoulder when he thought she wasn't paying attention.

Tomorrow was his day, but the weight of what was coming sat between them, unspoken but present.

Melina bit her lip, watching the sky shift from orange to pink. "You excited for tomorrow?"

Tucker hummed, his fingers still trailing absentmindedly over her skin. "Yeah. But I think I'm more excited for right now."

She turned her head to look at him, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Why?"

"Because." He shrugged, leaning down and pressing a kiss just below her ribs. "I've got you, we're here, and I don't need anything else."

Her chest ached in the best way.

She propped herself up on her elbows, looking at him through her lashes. "You sure you don't want to at least hint what you're wishing for at midnight?"

Tucker grinned, but there was something deeper in his eyes—something almost nervous. "I think you already know."

Her breath caught.

Yeah. She did know.

And maybe it should've scared her, the idea of something that big, something that permanent. But when she looked at Tucker, the only thing she felt was certainty.

She leaned in, brushing her nose against his. "If I do, then I think your wish is about to come true."

His breath hitched, and for a moment, he just looked at her, like he was memorizing her face. Then, slowly, he smiled. "Guess we'll find out tomorrow."

Melina's fingers curled around the back of his neck, pulling him down into a kiss. He sighed into it, his body melting against hers, hands pressing into her waist like he never wanted to let go.

And truthfully? Neither did she.