River:
I slipped inside the room carefully, letting the quiet of the room settle into my bones.
The curtains were drawn halfway, allowing the late afternoon light to spill softly across the bed.
My gaze found my mate. She lay on her side, her arm curved protectively around Lioren. Our son was tucked against her chest, his tiny fingers fisted into the fabric of her blouse as if even in sleep he feared the world might take her away. His lips parted slightly, a faint puff of breath escaping with every exhale.
My chest tightened.
No matter how many times I saw them like this, it never failed to undo me.
I moved closer to the bed, careful with every step, as if the floor itself might betray me if I wasn't cautious enough. I adjusted the pillows she had stacked along the edge... her usual fortress against our restless baby... and made sure they were snug enough to keep Lioren safely nestled where he was.
