Delia woke up from a deep and dreamless slumber, the first truly peaceful sleep she had experienced in a very long time. She murmured softly, her hand reaching out for the warmth that had been her anchor throughout the night, the arms that held her closer and protected her from the chills of the night. But the other side of the bed was empty. She touched the sheets. Their warmth was gone, leaving only a faint, lingering coolness. He had been gone for a while.
She opened her eyes slowly, the soft morning light of her room greeting her. She watched the empty space beside her with a sense of longing so profound it was a physical ache in her chest. For a moment, she allowed herself to just feel it, this new and unfamiliar feeling of missing someone.
