When Coco's eyes fluttered open, the first thing she saw was the soft light of morning seeping through the curtains.
She blinked slowly, disoriented at first, slightly confused as to where she was until she realized her body was wrapped in something warm— a thick blanket had been draped over her, and beneath it, right beside her, and over her waist..
The first husband laid beside her with his arm wrapped loosely around her waist.
He was still there, even after her lack of response.
He was still asleep beside her, his chest rising and falling steadily against hers where he had curled protectively beside her during the night.
The mediator's presence had kept sleep from turning into another nightmare and that same quiet comfort held her even as dawn broke outside, as if telling her that he will never go somewhere else.
She didn't move. She didn't dare disturb him. She let herself be held and closed her eyes again, surrendering to the comfort of Zaque's embrace.
