Chapter 16: A New Dawn

The first light of dawn crept into the room, casting a warm glow over Kenzy's sleeping form. Levi watched as her eyelids fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes, a soft smile spreading across her face as she gazed at him. He smiled back, feeling his heart skip a beat as their eyes met. "Good morning," he whispered, his voice low and husky. Kenzy's smile grew, and she reached out to touch his face, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "Good morning," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Levi's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, and he leaned into her touch, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him. They lay there for a moment, lost in each other's eyes, the world outside receding into the background. As the reality of their situation dawned on them, Kenzy's gaze dropped to the clock on the nightstand, and her eyes widened in surprise. "Oh no, we're going to be late," she exclaimed, scrambling out of bed. Levi chuckled, throwing off the covers and following her. "Late for what?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back against him. Kenzy laughed, her voice husky with sleep. "For work, for breakfast, for everything," she replied, trying to wriggle free. Levi held her close, feeling the warmth of her body against his. "We can be late for once," he whispered, his breath tickling her ear. "We can take our time, enjoy the morning." Kenzy's struggles ceased, and she leaned back against him, her eyes closing in bliss. "That sounds like a perfect plan," she murmured. As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Levi felt a sense of peace settle over him. He knew that they had a lot to face, a lot to navigate, but in this moment, everything felt right with the world. They spent the next hour lost in each other's eyes, savoring the quiet morning moments, and enjoying the warmth of each other's company. It wasn't until the sound of Kenzy's phone ringing broke the spell that they reluctantly parted, Levi watching as she answered the call. As she listened, her expression changed, and Levi's instincts kicked in. He could sense the tension building in her body, the concern etched on her face. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice low and urgent. Kenzy's eyes met his, and she mouthed, "It's my dad." Levi's heart skipped a beat as he watched her listen, her expression growing more serious by the second. He knew that her relationship with her father was complicated, and he could sense that something was wrong. Without a word, Levi wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as she listened to her father's words. He could feel her tension, her anxiety, and he knew that he had to be there for her, to support her through whatever was happening. As she hung up the phone, Kenzy took a deep breath, her eyes searching Levi's face. "I have to go," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Levi nodded, his heart aching with concern. "I'll go with you," he said, his voice firm. Kenzy's eyes softened, and she smiled, a small, tentative smile. "Thank you," she whispered. Together, they faced whatever lay ahead, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment.