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She hasn’t been able to sleep.
It’s one of those nights. She tosses and turns, growing more frustrated that nothing is getting her any closer to drifting off. She can feel the exhaustion behind her eyes, can feel the want to sleep but just isn’t close enough to properly fall asleep.
She glances over at the window. She forgot to shut the curtain; the snow is still falling heavily, twinkling lights illuminating across the buildings just in time for Christmas. She yawns, rubbing her eyes. Beside her, Ricky catches her eye and Lucy’s heart leaps in her chest. She didn’t realize he was awake.
“You can’t sleep either, huh?” Ricky murmurs. His hair is messy, a piece falling down on his forehead and it reminds her of a younger version of him, staring at her across the room while on stage.
“No,” she admits. A soft sigh escapes past her lips. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ve been tired all day and couldn’t even finish shopping with Ethel.”
“Thank God for that,” he teases her. She sticks her tongue out at him.
“I’m going to be even worse tomorrow. I just know it.”
Ricky cranes his neck. “It already is tomorrow, dear.”
“Oh, great.”
It’s silent for a moment, then her husband has an idea. “Why don’t we go out and watch some TV for a bit?”
“TV?” Lucy repeats dubiously. “At this time of night?”
Ricky shrugs, sitting up. “Why not? I dun’t have to be at the club until Monday.”
She should protest. It’s very late and she’s going to be even more tired when they have to get out of bed. Fred’s coming over in the morning to take care of a leaky faucet. It’s been leaking for over a week and Ethel’s finally nagged at him enough to get him to come over and fix it.
But then Ricky takes her hand into his and without stopping herself, Lucy rises from the bed and the two meet in the middle. Maintaining eye contact, Ricky brings her hand up to his lips.
“Mi querida.”
Her heart beats wildly. Lucy doesn’t know what he’s just said, but she can tell it’s meaningful.
The living room at this time of night is completely dark. Ricky guides her in there, his arm over her waist.
“Wait just a moment,” he tells her, picking up the remote and sprawling out on the couch. “Alright, now.”
“Now?” She raises a brow. “There’s nowhere for me to sit.”
“You can use me.”
“Use you?”
“Yeah. Why not?”
She pauses. Why not?
“Okay.”
Lucy is careful while lowering herself. Ricky’s arms come around her securely once she’s down on top of him and soon as he does, she once again sighs. His arms are strong and warm and all the stress of the day slowly melts away as his embrace surrounds her.
She breathes in the scent of Ricky, filling her entire body and her eyes close, her cheek against his firm chest.
It’s at this point she thinks; thinks back to the earlier days of their romance. Of sneaking glances and shy smiles and nervous flutters. She recalls the instantaneous passion, the deep sense of desire and want by both of them. She thinks of sweetly written letters, of dates that neither of them wanted to come to an end.
And now they’re here.
A life built together. A love that hasn’t faded.
“Hey,” Ricky whispers. “What’s got you all quiet all of a sudden?”
“I’m just thinking, Ricky.”
“Oh, yeah? What about?”
Lucy tilts her head, meeting his eyes. “Us,” she says simply.
He smiles - that same dazzling smile that’s had a hold on her since the very first time. A kiss is pressed to the top of her head, and the flutters come back all at once.
The television is turned on. Lucy shifts to make herself comfortable. She’s hardly watching the program he has on.
Even though he doesn’t tear his eyes away, Ricky’s fingers are trailing over her arm, leaving a path of fire in his wake. He glances down, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiles. “You fallin’ asleep on me?”
“Maybe.” She can’t help it. Being in his arms is so peaceful and warm. A shield from everything going on in the world and responsibilities and expectations. “But I can't help it, Ricky. You’re just so comfortable.” She snuggles in more.
He huffs out a laugh. “You’re going to have to get up sometime.”
“Not right now I don’t," she says, a smile gracing her lips.
When she feels his lips near her ear, no matter how uncomfortable the position must be for him, Lucy’s breath hitches.
“No sé cómo he tenido tanta suerte.”
She barely suppresses a shiver. “I don’t know what you said,” she says weakly, “but I take it it’s a good thing?”
The chuckle vibrates throughout his chest.
“A very good thin’.”
She catches his hand, lacing their fingers together. “I love you,” she whispers.
Ricky’s other arm is keeping a grip on her. He smiles down at her head. “I love you too.”
They stay there until the early morning hours, fast asleep in each other’s arms.