"Can you blame me? You're addictive. I missed this so much while I was gone, just sitting with you, touching you, hearing your voice. I feel empty without you with me."
"I missed you too," she murmured, her voice growing quieter and sweeter. "The bed feels too big when you're not here. I keep reaching for you in my sleep." She lifted her head just enough to look into his eyes, her fingers tracing his jaw. "Promise you'll always come back to me, okay? My big, naughty, wonderful Stan."
"Always," he said without hesitation, his tone warm and sincere. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose, making her smile widen. "You're my home, Sophie. Nothing feels right unless I can hold you like this."
For a moment they simply stayed like that, quiet, close, breathing each other in. Eventually, Sophie stood again, picked up the small tray she had set aside earlier, and carried it to the kitchen counter with a promise to wash it later.
