the space between us 2: a novella | daerin

6

AZALEA

୨୧

The following morning came with beautiful weather and a weight lifted off my shoulders. The intensity of my worries had melted away overnight with the feel of Casper's arms around my waist as the light flickered through the curtains.

"Morning," Casper mumbled against the nape of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine and making my hair stand on end.

"Oh," I giggled softly. "Good morning," I said, turning to face my wife. Her eyes were still closed, but a serene smile graced her lips.

"It's nice to feel you like this," Casper murmured. "I don't remember the last time we slept through the morning like this."

She was right. It had been too long. If I hadn't been suspended from work, I'd be walking through the front door right about now, kicking my shoes off just as Casper would be waking up for work and Tilly would be up shortly after to greet Archie. But things were different now. For once, I could be home and spend time with Tilly, greet Casper when she gets home from work later and we'd be complete. It sounded perfect.

"It has," I replied. "But I'm home."

"Right you are," Casper replied, her eyes fluttering open. "You're right where you should be," she added, quickly pulling me from my side and hoisting me on top of her.

"Cassie!" I squealed in surprise.

"Hey, you'll wake up our little monkey," she said in a hushed whisper.

"I'm not trying to," I replied, trying to keep my voice down. "I'm not the one who hoisted up their wife."

Casper grinned. "Yeah, that was me. But anyway, back to the point."

"And the point is?" I questioned, quirking a brow as I looked down at her.

Her hands were pressed against my waist, where they belonged if I'm being honest, and the playful look on her face told me all I needed to know.

In seconds, she'd sat herself up and before I knew it, our lips crashed together. Warmth surged through me like never before. Her hands trailed around my waist and up my back underneath my shirt, and I could almost melt into her touch.

Our kisses turned passionate, and as my hands found their way through her hair, her breath hot against my skin, our bodies entwined, the door flew open. I let out a soft shudder, and the distance between us grew as we broke apart.

"Tilly," Casper spoke, her hands still resting on my waist.

"Why are you on Mommy's lap?" Tilly questioned, her eyes wide with curiosity as she looked over at me.

"We're, um... doing yoga?" I answered, trying to sound convincing.

Tilly looked up in disbelief but nodded anyway. "Sure. Are we having breakfast?"

"What do you feel like having, superstar?" Casper asked our daughter, her tone warm and inviting.

Tilly's eyes sparkled with excitement as she thought about it. "Pancakes!" she exclaimed. "With strawberries and syrup and maybe some whipped cream!"

"Pancakes it is," Casper said, smiling at her enthusiasm. "Why don't you help us make them, Tilly?"

Tilly's face lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "Yes, please!"

I climbed off Casper's lap, and we all made our way to the kitchen together. The morning light streamed through the windows, casting a golden glow over everything. The smell of kimchi stew from last night still lingered faintly in the air, blending with the fresh aroma of the new day.