After a lengthy and emotional reunion with her family, they sat down together for a meal and then Birdie went upstairs to take a bath.
In the bathroom, Hunter joined her. He came in and embraced her tightly immediately. Her body was wet, slippery and soapy. He took advantage of that to massage her shoulders for a while.
As some of the tension seeped out of her body, she felt lighter, as if she could suddenly breathe easier. She closed her eyes and relaxed, enjoying this brief moment of tranquility, where there was nothing shattering, no danger and no duties. The world was all good and it was just her and the man she loved.
Birdie had admitted it to herself in his absentia. Yes, she loved him. She loved him so much that every second away from him was torture.
She loved him so much t
