Maria woke up from the sun that peeked through her window curtains and onto her face.
She was about to move her body to stretch, but then she noticed the strong arm that was draped across her waist and holding onto her tightly.
Arthur had kept his word and stayed with her all night, and it was the best sleep she had gotten in a while.
She slowly turned her body so that she could face him, and saw that he was still very much asleep.
There was a peacefulness in his face that she had never seen before.
Before she registered what she was doing, she instinctively reached up and delicately grazed her fingers along his cheek.
He stirred slightly under her touch and without opening his eyes, said in a deep voice, "Don't tell me it's time to wake up."
Maria giggled and took her hand away. "Are you a grumpy morning person?" she teased him.
He hmphed and muttered something under his breath before he used his arm that was wrapped around her to pull her suddenly to him.
