A Vignette of Imagination: Morning Smiles

 Ava opened her bright blue eyes to a warm and annoyingly bright sunrise.  She always managed to lie in the exact spot where the curtains are slightly out of place and the two rays of sunlight that sneak into the room are always directly in her face.  She can hear the birds chirping out the window.  It must be before noon.  She moves from the sun and realizes she’s not in her own bed.  It’s bigger for starters, and the room smells of vanilla.  A smile brushes her cheeks as she realizes what she did last night.  Her naked body beneath the covers brushes up against his.  She breathed in the fresh morning air, taking in each moment so she wouldn’t ever forget a detail.  She curls up to him placing his arm around her and nuzzling his chest with her head.  It’s almost surreal to her, to actually have him in her grasp.  He stirs a little, squeezes her gently and opens his eyes.  She’s never seen anyone wake up with a smile before. Her fingers caress his chest.  She can hear his heart beat so steadily, so strong.  She looks up to meet his gaze and he pulls her lips to his with his warm hand slightly beneath her chin. 

It felt like a lifetime she had been waiting for him.  She waited while he was on base states away, then over seas, in war zones, and now in her arms for the first time.  It seems impossible to fall in love with someone without ever having held them before, but they did.  He’s here for good now.  Served his country and now back in it to start his life.  She wanted to never let go for fear that her dream would disappear.  Each time she squeezed him tighter, he’d hold onto her tightly and kiss her hair.  Over and over she lived this moment in her dreams, but no dream came close to the passion in this reality.  Finally, she could feel his skin, his warmth, his grasp.  A tear ran down her cheek.  He brushed it from her face and promised to never leave her.  They’d have a life together, in each other’s arms.