Love Returned: Mark and Jane

The Morning

     As Jane awoke, she found herself surprisingly refreshed and with such a song in her heart as only those who have experienced the horror of night terrors can imagine. It had been so long since she had not feared sleep that it felt almost strange to her that as she laid down the previous night, only peace was found in her mind.

     Thinking of her husband, Jane turned on her side to where she thought he should be, but found his side of the bed surprisingly empty. She also noticed that the robe, which has been lying on the ground last night, was now gone. Pulling on a robe of her own, she found her way to the sitting room, where a pot of hot tea, perfectly toasted bread, fresh flowers, and a slightly anxious Mark awaited her. "Good morning!" he said quickly, coming over and intending to give her a kiss on the cheek until she turned quickly turned her head so that it landed on her lips.

     Motioning her to the more comfortable of the two armchairs, he proceeded to pace and rapidly tell her of the fact that he thought it would be best, albeit painful, to at least give each other a brief summary of what had happened since they last saw each other.  Jane agreed with this and began her version of the story slightly before this, when things first began to happen, and Mark, taking her cue, did the same.

     At the end, they both sat, happily uncomfortable, for a good amount of time, musing on the things that had transpired. They sat mostly in silence for that entire morning, and only moved from that room into the garden when it came time to eat again.