His hands trembled as he reached for the knob, slowly twisting it unlocked. He pushed the door back, peeping inside like he’d done as a child when he wanted to sleep between his parents.

She was sleeping, soundly…those soft breaths she took had his erratic breathing calming and mirroring hers. He stepped further in, slowly closing the door behind him as to not wake her.

Her face was turned in his direction as she slept on her side, her loose red hair covering more than just a ...