All I Need...

They lay next to each other, not touching, pretending to be asleep. With each passing second, her fingers itched to touch him. She unsuccessfully tried to force the memories of them clinched together out of her head. But when his arm splayed across the pillows, her body was drawn to his like a magnet. Curled into his arms, head resting on his chest, she could hear his heart pounding. Its frantic rhythm matched the beat of her own. Their fingers twined together like there was no more natural thing in the world. They remained there, not moving, barely breathing, definitely not speaking. Doing nothing which might break the spell they were both under. They shouldn't be here. Couldn't be together like this. She also didn't care. Not when this felt so good, so right. Opening her mouth to speak, the words died on her lips at his moan. I love being here with you, he whispered. The fingers of his free hand ran down her cheek, she leaned into the caress. Every day we aren't together, I think about you. Their arms slid tighter around each other, bodies closing whatever gap may have still existed between them. I need this. Your arms around me. Your love. It's all I want. All I need. The hushed words wrapped around her, warming a chill she didn't know existed, drawing her in. Eyes sliding closed, savoring his touch, she was lost. To the moment. To him. She felt his weight shift, knew he now hovered over her. His lips brushed hers, softly. I need you... Need your love... It's all I need... His words echoed in her head, as clearly as if they belonged to her. And maybe they did. Perhaps he was just the one who had the courage to speak them out loud. But the next time his lips met hers, there would be no stopping him. She only hoped she wouldn't have to wait too long to show him how she felt. And maybe one day she'd be the one to tell him... ...you're all I need...

Fairy Tales

Tears still stained her cheeks and her eyes burned from lack of sleep. The escape she craved would not come quickly tonight. Elizabeth rose from the bed, silk sliding luxuriously over her hips, pooling gently at her bare feet. She knew without looking that her girls were fast sleep, curled up together in the same bed despite each having their own. In the same way, Liz was keenly aware of the fact that her husband now slept soundly somewhere else. Their bed was cold. Lonely. Empty. Fresh tears pricked at her eyes. Once upon a time, she believed in fairy tales. That there were happy endings. That good things happened to good people. ...now she knows better... There is no knight on his white steed, riding to rescue his damsel in distress. There is no fairy godmother waiting in the wings, ready to waive her wand and magic everything right. No. Those elusive happy endings had to be earned and sometimes, their price was too much to bear. Once upon a time, though, she believed. She could still recall the good times, ones not so very long ago. Joyous moments of better times were still frozen somewhere in her memories. Snapshots of their wedding day. Of the girls being born. Their first ballet recital. Precious moments with their arms wrapped around her neck, eyes full of the unconditional love that only a child can show their parent. Their sweet boy...Jake...Who was with them too short a time. Who still has a special place in her heart. Who still remains a source of both happiness and crushing sorrow. Despite the choking ache that clenched her heart, somehow she found strength within herself to wake up every morning, get out of bed and try to smile. Like most wounds, the pain fades with time. Sometimes nonexistent. Other days, the pain was as strong and fresh as in the beginning. The charms she wears about her wrist - when she bothers with such things at all - serve as a constant reminder of what never was and what would never be. But every so often, she allows herself to wonder what if. Maybe one day, she'd feel that joy again. That they would find their way back together. Because deep down, she still wants to believe in fairy tales. In happy endings... And most of all, that one is waiting for her.