A new day dawned, and Anastasia found herself roused by an energetic Alexander gently shaking her awake.
Blinking the drowsiness from her eyes, she offered the young boy a warm smile.
"Good morning, Alex. Did you sleep well?" she asked, ruffling his tousled hair affectionately.
He nodded eagerly. "Uh huh, no bad dreams for me this time." Anastasia internally grinned at how considerate Alex was in trying to relate to her issue. "Are your nightmares gone too?"
Anastasia's smile softened as she slowly nodded. "Yes, I'm okay now." she stroked his back and hugged him.
Every time she hugged Alex, she could smell how his pheromones radiated so much happiness.
Sometimes she wonders how can Alex love her even though she has been so mean to him all these years.
The pair rose and went through their morning routines of washing up and dressing for the day.
