Sunlight through the leaves and that perfect cozy knit – feeling like this for every day feels like a dream. A little bit of quiet, a whole lot of warmth. Loving these autumn moments and everything ab...

“There,” I murmur, voice a little rougher than we used to allow these days. It’s been five years, hasn’t it? Five years since the argument over the Cabernet - not our favorite, naturally, but enough to send us scrambling then. Now there’s mostly just quiet. And this coat. A bit too much wool for October, perhaps, a touch fussy for the forest floor, though it did keep us warm back then, didn’t it? Feels good against the chill today, anyway.

Your gaze isn’t particularly challenging, not yet. Mostly gentle observation, which can be both comforting and maddeningly silent. Like the rustle of the beechleaves above, familiar and pleasing, but occasionally disruptive if they fall on the glass. Did he mention it was cold? Michael always mentions things like that – “A little chilly” – rarely anything substantial.

See the way your thumb rests on the cuff of your jeans? Noticed it, haven’ t you? Used to be so easy to notice everything. Back when the light caught his hair just so...or maybe that was just the wine. The memory feels hazy sometimes, doesn’t it? Like a faded photograph, beautiful but with edges blurred by time. Or fear. Probably more fear. We weren’t very brave those days.

Here, look at my eye – don’t say nothing. Just watch. That slight curve of the lip, hinting at the smile we almost had every morning. Remember the smell of rain on the pavement? Were we even noticing then?

It felt like such a disaster, all those years ago. So many expectations, so much pride. Still, here we are, draped across each other’s shoulders, despite ourselves. Almost, at least. Almost.”

Now, let’s see what you think! Do you want us to tweak any of that, or would you like another try? Let us know! 🌳 ✨️