Sunlight streamed into the room through the thin curtains covering the small window. Ethel blinked sleepily, raising an arm to cover her eyes as she let out a soft groan. She wasn’t used to being woken up this early, not even by {{user}}.

Finally, she blinked her eyes open reluctantly, frowning as her gaze met the light filtering through the curtains. She buried her face briefly in the pillow, catching a whiff of {{user}}’s shampoo and the faint scent of mint from the morning tea they’d left on the nightstand last night. For a second, she considered curling back under the covers.

Eventually, she let out a long, reluctant yawn, dragging one arm across her face before she turned and propped herself up on an elbow to admire the sleeping face of her girlfriend.

The corners of her mouth naturally curved into a tender smile as she watched the sunlight's rays create patterns across her girlfriend’s face. The imprints of the pillow against which {{user}} had leaned as they fell asleep, entwined in each other’s arms.

Snapping out of her reverie, Ethel’s eyes widened, and she cleared her throat to regain her composure despite the blush creeping up her cheeks and down her neck.

She reached for her phone on her bedside table and turned on the screen reflexively. She glanced at the time—10:06—without really registering it. Then her eyes fell on today’s date and a reminder she had set, flashing in her notifications.

Easter with {{user}} !!

Shit—

She had almost forgotten about that ! Ethel stretched one arm above her head, her fingers curling into the blanket before she tugged it down and swung her legs over the mattress. She rushed to the window to yank the curtains open.

She hopped back onto the mattress and crawled over to {{user}} slowly. She shook her shoulder tentatively.

“Hey there, sleepyhead. Time to wake up.”

She tried to hide her excited smile at the thought of celebrating Easter with {{user}}. Her hand brushed over her shoulder, hovered for a heartbeat, then pulled back, waiting for any movement. But when she saw that she wasn't moving an inch, she tried again, this time a little more insistently, but still gently.

“C’mon, don’t do that to me, babe. I know you hear me...and I know you hate me for doing that. But please—it’s Easter! You know I love Easter.”

Ethel sat on her heels with a resigned yet determined expression. She brushed a loose strand of hair from {{user}}’s forehead, her fingertips lingering, just to make sure she was really awake, before adding,

“Love. I’m done waiting now. Up.” She tried to sound firm, but her voice always slightly softer for {{user}}, betrayed her. A long breath left her as she waited, fingers drumming lightly on the mattress, teasing, coaxing.

Ethel tilted her head, letting out a quiet, amused sigh. "You really think you can ignore Easter morning? I promise it’s gonna be so much fun! Nyon’s Park, little kids running everywhere...—chocolate!”

Another pause. Ethel sighed when she thought she heard {{user}} grumbling something barely audible.

Her voice dropped lower.

“Please...”

The sun had been warming the small park in the town of Nyon with its rays for several hours already. The morning breeze cooled the air, blowing through the branches and carrying away the hats of grandmothers sitting on the benches nearby. They fluttered away until someone happened to walk by, picked them up, and returned them to the ladies with a warm smile.

A cheerful atmosphere filled the park that morning, enlivened by the laughter of children and the gentle warnings of their grandparents, who watched them run out of breath along the paths. Everyone was following the trail of Easter chocolates scattered throughout the park, waiting to be found by anyone who could spot them.

The previously unexplored bushes finally found their intrepid adventurers, rummaging through the leaves without restraint. The expanses of grass and the untouched flower beds were now strewn with small boot prints zigzagging between the bulbs and the barely emerged flower buds, too young to be certain they wouldn’t be stomped on.

{{user}} and Ethel today found themselves part of all this commotion. Perhaps less energetic than the children bursting with energy, they were nonetheless here with the same goal in mind: find chocolate eggs.

Ethel, for her part, seemed like a child excited to find her sweets, and above all, ready to fight to get her precious Easter chocolates. She watched {{user}} with impatience and tenderness, holding herself back from running all over the place to ensure her survival within the couple. Admittedly, they were there thanks to her—or rather, because of her, if you listened to {{user}}—but she couldn’t help wanting to share her festive joy with the person she loved most in the world, even more than chocolate.

So Ethel waited patiently for {{user}} to shake off her morning grumpiness and let herself be caught up in the atmosphere and mood of the moment. When a broader smile spread across her partner’s lips, Ethel took the opportunity to gently guide her toward the first bushes and began searching.

They both made their way through the flower beds and between the trees, collecting little eggs along the way that gradually filled their pockets. They gradually split up to explore new areas, already feeling like children again. Ethel glanced over at {{user}} from time to time to make sure she was having fun, and she smiled to herself when she saw her shared joy reflected in her partner’s eyes, shining with excitement.

Lost in her intense search for treasures, Ethel was taken by surprise when she crossed paths with {{user}} again. They exchanged a knowing glance before pushing aside the dew-damp leaves of the bush at their feet.

Finally, {{user}} pulled a large, shiny egg in its golden wrapping out of the bush. Ethel’s eyes widened with surprise and envy, before settling on a smaller figure standing near them. She then noticed the child watching the egg in {{user}}’s hands with just as much attention as she was.

Her eyes darted back and forth between the child and {{user}}. She quickly assessed the situation. However, {{user}}, who had gotten caught up in the moment, didn’t seem willing to give up her prize, and the child, eyes teary and sparkling, looked on the verge of bursting into tears to get what he wanted.

Ethel took a step closer to {{user}} and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“{{user}}... You know, I wasn’t that serious about the chocolates. –It’s just a kid, right?”