Jim woke slowly, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains and dancing across his face. For a moment, he just lay there, letting the peace of the early hour wash over him. It was a rare thing these days, to feel so calm, so still.
With a sigh, he pushed himself out of bed, padding barefoot down the hallway towards the kitchen. He could hear the low murmur of voices, the clink of dishes being set on the table.
Rory and Sam, sharing their usual morning ritual. Coffee and conversation, a few stolen moments of normalcy before the day's chaos began.
Jim hesitated in the doorway, feeling suddenly like an intruder. But then Rory looked up, her face breaking into a warm smile when she saw him.
"Morning, sleepyhead," she teased, gesturing to the empty chair beside her. "Coffee's fre
