Noah
The power came back on sometime before dawn, though neither of us noticed right away, tangled together on the small bench near the window, the storm outside finally settling into a soft, steady drizzle.
I woke first, the pale gray light of early morning creeping in through the front windows, and for a long moment I simply stayed still, watching Sophia sleep against my shoulder, her breathing slow and even, a small, peaceful smile still resting on her lips even in sleep. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt this kind of stillness, this quiet, uncomplicated contentment that had nothing to do with contracts or deadlines or anything waiting for me back at the office.
She stirred a few minutes later, blinking slowly, disoriented for a moment before her eyes focused on me and a sof
