Sunlight streamed through the lace curtains, spilling gold across Hannah's apartment. The quiet hum of the town waking outside mixed with the faint aroma of fresh coffee, creating a sense of calm and possibility.
Hannah stretched, savoring the warmth of the morning, and was surprised to find Emma already sitting at the kitchen table with a steaming mug in hand. Her sketchbook lay open, but her gaze was soft, resting on Hannah with a smile that made the day feel instantly brighter.
"Morning," Hannah said, voice still thick with sleep.
"Morning," Emma replied, her grin teasing. "You look like you could use this." She handed over the mug, and Hannah took it gratefully, feeling the warmth seep into her hands.
For a few quiet minutes, they sipped their coffee, watching the sunlight inch across the floor, and listening to the distant sounds of the town stirring. There was a contentedness in the silence — a steady, easy rhythm that didn't need words.
Emma finally spoke. "I like mornings like this. Slow, calm, full of nothing but… us."
Hannah smiled, meeting her gaze. "Yeah. Feels like the world hasn't started yet, and we get to decide how it begins."
Emma leaned back, letting her fingers brush lightly against Hannah's hand across the table. "Then I think we should make today a good one."
Hannah squeezed her fingers gently. "I can't imagine a better plan."
The sunlight grew warmer, spilling across the walls, and for a moment, the world seemed paused — theirs to fill with laughter, small moments, and the quiet certainty that whatever came next, they would face it together.