Abeyance

---

He gazed at her intently. Her face rested gently, and every once in a while the edges of her mouth would turn upward into a smile.

Beautiful.

He watched this process repeat several times. Each time, just before her smile faded, she would sigh. The sound was bliss. A tiny moan, like someone in her dream, was hugging her.

Perfect.

He waited until she smiled again, then shook her shoulder. Her eyes popped open. She was disorientated for a moment, then she saw his face and smiled, “Wha?”

“You asked me to wake you at 4. It’s ten past.”