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ominscent...
The subtle hum of movement and the quiet rustle of fabric stirred Cairo from sleep. His eyes fluttered open, squinting slightly against the dim morning light filtering through the curtains. He rubbed a hand over his face, blinking as his vision settled on Haven moving gracefully through the room. She was already dressed in her scrubs, a cup of coffee in one hand as she maneuvered between their closet and the bathroom.
As she stepped out of the bathroom again, she paused mid-step, her eyes catching his. "Oops," she murmured with a small smile. "Did I wake you? I'm sorry."
Cairo exhaled through his nose, his voice still heavy with sleep. "It's fine." He pushed himself up on one elbow. "What time is it?"
"Six-forty."
Normally, he'd still be curled up in bed, not dragging himself up until at least seven or seven-fifteen. But instead of rolling over for a few more minutes of sleep, he chose to get up. Any extra moment with his wife before she left out for the day was worth savoring.
As he brushed his teeth and washed his face, Haven sat comfortably on the closed toilet seat, her presence filling the space with an unspoken intimacy. She didn't say much, but he could feel her gaze on him, watching his every movement in the mirror.
Through his peripheral, he noticed her fingers tapping lightly against her thigh—an old habit, one he'd learned to recognize as a sign of unease or fatigue. Finishing up, he tossed his used paper towel into the trash before turning to her fully.
Without a word, he opened his arms. She didn't hesitate, standing to step into his embrace. His arms wrapped securely around her, and she melted into his chest, her face pressed against the warmth of his skin. He dipped his head, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead. When she pulled back slightly, she tilted her chin up, lips already pursed in expectation. He smiled before indulging her, pecking her lips three times before deepening the last kiss, letting it linger.
"What's wrong?" he murmured, searching her expression.
She shook her head, a faint, tired smile tugging at her lips. "Just tired."
Cairo studied her for a beat longer, sensing there was more left unsaid, but he didn't push. Instead, he nodded, rubbing a slow, comforting hand up and down her back.
A sharp ping from her Apple Watch pulled her attention away, and she glanced down at it with a quiet sigh. The moment was slipping away, and they both knew it. With a small huff, she leaned in for one last hug, pressing another quick kiss to his lips before stepping out of the bathroom. She slipped into her shoes and grabbed her bag.
Like always, Cairo walked her to the garage, seeing her off the way he did every morning.
"Send me pictures of my baby, please," she reminded him, though at this point, she didn't even need to say it. It was routine, ingrained in both of them.
