CHAPTER 11
The early morning light cast a soft glow through the bedroom curtains as Darren stirred, feeling the warmth of the morning sun on his face. Beside him, Jess slept peacefully, her chest rising and falling in rhythmic tranquillity. He couldn't help but marvel at the grace that time had bestowed upon their sixteen years of shared laughter, challenges, and unspoken understanding.
Careful not to disturb her slumber, Darren gently slid out of bed, his movements unhurried. The subtle creak of the floorboards beneath his feet went unnoticed by Jess. As he moved around the room, Darren couldn't shake the feeling of gratitude that washed over him. Sixteen years of marriage had woven a tapestry of memories and affection, making their connection more profound with each passing day.
Darren couldn't resist the magnetic pull drawing him back to the bed, where Jess lay: a testament to the love that had endured the tests of time.
He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, feeling her stir beneath his touch. Jess blinked away sleep, her eyes meeting Darren's with warmth that spoke volumes. No words were needed as they communicated in the silent language that only years of shared history could cultivate.
In the soft morning light, they embraced, their bodies entwining with a familiarity that transcended the physical. It was a dance of love, a gentle ebb and flow that mirrored the seasons of their life together; a love that had grown richer with each passing year.
Their lovemaking was not a hurried affair but a celebration of their intimate connection. As their bodies moved in unison, there was an unspoken understanding that their love was not bound by the constraints of time.
In the quiet intimacy of the morning, they lay together, wrapped in the gentle embrace of dawn, the promise of another day unfolding.
***
Jess shuffled the fried eggs into a neat arrangement. She hated it when Darren didn't heat the frying pan and the slimy white sloshed around like a wayward omelette, with their yolks skidding across the pan. She gently edged each one carefully lifting them to ensure they'd not stuck before finally scooping one onto each of the warm plates under the grill which were laden with fried tomatoes, bacon and mushrooms.
The Air fryer beeped signalling the hash browns were ready. Such a brilliant invention, she thought grabbing the handle and sliding out the cooking pan.
She wiped her hands on the tea towel over her shoulder, then used that to ferry the hot plates from the grill to the table.
Now standing in the hallway, she called to the troops, ‘Breakfast’s on the table.’
Benjie was the first to appear; bless him, the little man was always ravenous, probably his age she thought, sitting down at the antique pine table that once sat proudly in the kitchen of her mum and Dad's Cottage, yards from their new build.
Darren exited the bathroom down the hallway and Maddie followed him.
‘Wow, this looks great love, thanks.’ he said tucking into the bacon.
‘No problem, you're doing the dishes,’ she smirked at him.
‘Nice one.’
‘You're welcome.’
‘What time you going in today Jess?’ he asked.
‘Straight after breakfast, lots to do; can't divulge,’ she said covertly glancing at Benji and Madeline.
‘On the homeless guy?’
She nodded.
‘I’ve got to catch a train to Stafford later,’ he said without warning.
‘Ah, nice to know.’
‘Clive's only just text me: lastminute.com. Sorry, love; you know how it is in my game.’
‘Don’t I just; any idea how long you’ll be gone for?’
‘It’s supposed to be just a strategy meeting regarding the OCG case I’ve been working.’
‘We know how that can pan out. Problem with Clive is he twists the truth to get his own way,’ Jess moaned.
She turned to the kids. ‘You guys had better get ready for school.’