Marie slid into bed next to him and leaned into his warmth. He responded by tightening his arms around her and burying his nose in her hair.
“You smell like lavenders,” he whispered. “Being with you is like experiencing the first day of spring all the time. So fresh and beautiful.”
“You’re such a charmer,” she replied, chuckling.
“I only speak the truth, my love. You know you’re the most important thing in the world to me right?”
“I do know that. I’m so lucky that you’re mine,” she said, giving his shoulder a squeeze.
“I’ll always be yours. I want you to know how much I love you and how much I always will.” He ran his hand softly down her cheek, then slid his finger down her nose, pausing on her lips so that she could kiss his fingertip.
“I love you too,” she said.
He smiled at her as she traced her hand up his neck, finding the ring of plastic at the base of his skull. She pressed the switch and watched as he powered down for the evening. He lie completely still, no quiet breath, no flicker of movement behind his closed lids
“Good night, my love. See you in the morning.”
