The morning sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a soft glow over the room, warming the bed where Riley and I lay tangled together.
I could hear her gentle breathing, feel the rise and fall of her chest against mine, and for a moment, everything outside of this space ceased to exist. I could feel the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, so close to me, like it was syncing with my own.
It was a feeling that made my chest tighten with a strange mix of love and protectiveness. She was mine, in every way that mattered, and nothing was going to change that.
I shifted slightly, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead. Riley stirred, her nose scrunching up adorably as she tried to pull away from the warmth of the bed, but I wasn't ready to let her go just yet.
She was always the practical one, wanting to get up and face the day, but I wasn't quite done with her. Not when she was lying here, wrapped up in my arms, so peaceful.
