Delaney woke early the next morning and slipped from their bed. Wrapping her robe around her she was quiet as she left the room and crept down the hall with bare feet. Her heart was brimming with happiness as she walked down the grand, high hallway that led to the stair from their bedroom. She paused here and there to silently greet some of her favorite paintings.
The smooth, almost warm, wooden railing felt nice beneath her hand again as she went down the steps. The entryway was empty except for a few maids straightening things. Delaney smiled at them and waved before continuing to the front door. She pulled it open, hearing its familiar groan like an old man lifting himself from a chair.