Irritable Morning

It was dark in the bedroom, but around the window, there was the yellow-orange tint from the street light outside. Ellie always thought that glowing shade looked exciting, as if there was some incredible stage show hiding behind the drawn curtains, but one that always vanished when you opened them.

Ellie lay with her back to Jasper. She could tell he was still sleeping; his breathing was deep and even. If Ellie turned over and snuggled up to him, his warm solid arms would go around her, his legs would intertwine with hers, and her head would rest on his chest. It's where she felt the utmost safety, not that she had anything to feel unsafe about, but just the usual worries of every day dissipated as soon as he held her to him.

Ellie got out of bed very slowly. The last thing she wanted to do was to disturb her husband. She needed to get in the bathroom, get showered and dressed before Jasper awoke and reached across for her. She usually loved their time together in