Timothy's POV

Our third anniversary fell on a Thursday, which meant Penelope had a council subcommittee meeting in the morning and I had two territory calls in the afternoon, and we'd agreed a week earlier to do the actual celebration on Saturday when neither of us would be busy.

That morning, I woke up early and watched the light filter through the curtains—a habit I’d kept since the second year. There was no crisis; I just wanted to appreciate the peace.

She slept facing me, looking ...