บท 83: The Morning After

***JAKE'S POV***

It was about midday when I finally woke up. It had been just before dawn that the sleep stole Alex from me, so I just watched her until I fell asleep, still holding her in my arms. I hadn't moved at all in my sleep. And neither had Alex. She was still wrapped up in my arms, pressed against my chest. My right arm was numb from her laying on it, but I didn't care. This was likely the first and last time that this would happen for us.

"Good morning, Alex." I whispered to her. "Or possibly good afternoon." I kissed her on the forehead. "I love you." I was reluctant to get up. I didn't want to let her go. I didn't want this to be the end. She was asleep, and we didn't know if she would wake up when the sun went down. Not only that, but the sleep had taken her early this time. The spell had pulled her under and washed over her in a more thorough hold than it had before.