Empty not Lonely

Elaine padded down the hallway, her bare feet cool on the hardwood, her silk robe hanging open, the cool evening air caressing her exposed skin.

Saturday had been a good day. A quiet day. The sort of day she'd once thought she would enjoy. Shopping in the morning. A workout after lunch. Coffee and conversation with Evan and Tessa. There had been plenty to fill the hours, plenty of reasons to feel content.

And yet the house felt empty. Not lonely exactly. Just missing someone.

The bathroom light clicked off behind her as Elaine headed toward the bedroom. Freshly brushed teeth. Nightie that Mark had bought her on her last birthday. Hair brushed. The evening routine was complete.

Bedtime.

The thought which normally would have been comforting left her feeling disappointed. A soft sigh escaped her.

Mark hadn't been gone long enough for his memory to fade into the background. The pain of losing him was still fresh, still raw. When she was alone, thoughts of him snuck up on her, sometimes bringing a smile to her face, sometimes a tear to her eye.

But now she had Roy...

Roy was different. Before Roy, Elaine had assumed that chapter of her life was over. Love had been wonderful. Love had happened. Love had ended. Then she'd met him, her man, her boyfriend. Now she couldn't imagine her life without him in it.

The realization still amazed her sometimes. At her age, she'd thought she understood herself. Thought she knew what her future would look like. Then Roy had arrived and turned all of that upside down.

The house wasn't empty because Mark was gone. The house was empty because Roy wasn't there.

A laugh escaped her despite herself. How ridiculous. How completely, utterly ridiculous. And completely true.

The bedroom greeted her with familiar comforts. Soft lighting. The neatly made bed. A framed family photo on the dresser. The novel Claire had recommended sitting patiently on the nightstand.

Elaine eyed the book suspiciously. It looked boring. Claire insisted it was brilliant. Those two opinions did not necessarily contradict one another. Picking it up, she climbed onto the mattress and settled against the headboard. The first page lasted all of thirty seconds before her thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Roy.

Was he with Zara tonight? Maybe Michelle. Possibly Jessica.

The names stirred a small pang of jealousy. Not resentment, of course. Roy's girlfriends loved him just as much as she did. They deserved time with him. Deserved affection and attention and all the wonderful things he brought into their lives. Elaine genuinely believed that.

It just didn't stop her from missing him.

A finger traced absently along the edge of the book. She could text him. A simple message. Thinking of you. Miss you. Hope you're having a good evening. Something small. Something harmless.

Then another thought arrived. What if he was having a wonderful evening with someone else? What if she interrupted? What if she pulled his attention away from someone who needed him?

No.

That didn't feel fair.

Closing the book, Elaine set it aside and smiled softly to herself. Patience wasn't so terrible. Waiting had its own sweetness. Roy loved her. That wasn't changing. Whether he spent tonight with her or tomorrow with her or next week with her didn't alter that truth.

Soon enough he'd be beside her again. Soon enough she'd wake up with his arm around her. Soon enough she'd hear his laugh in her kitchen. The certainty soothed something inside her.

A gentle chime echoed through the house.

Elaine frowned. The doorbell. At this hour? Glancing toward the clock made her frown deepen. It was late. Far too late for casual visitors.

For one brief moment, worry flashed through her. Had something happened to Evan? To Claire?

Another ring followed.

Heart suddenly racing, Elaine slipped off the bed. The robe belt tightened instinctively as she crossed the house. Not that the robe offered any real protection. Still, it felt reassuring.

The hallway seemed longer than usual. The front door loomed. A nervous glance through the peephole.

Then the world exploded into joy.

Roy.

Standing on her porch. Bag slung over one shoulder. Looking tired. Looking rumpled. Looking absolutely perfect. The door flew open.

"Roy!"

She practically launched herself at him. The duffel bag hit the ground. Strong arms caught her immediately. A delighted laugh escaped him just before Elaine kissed him.

The kiss wasn't elegant. Or graceful. Or dignified. She didn't care. Neither did he.

For several wonderful seconds, the rest of the world ceased to exist. Only Roy mattered. Only the feeling of being held. Only the warmth of his arms.

Eventually they broke apart, though neither strayed far. Elaine pressed herself against him again, resting her head against his shoulder. His familiar scent filled her senses. Home. The thought appeared instantly.

Home.

One hand rubbed slowly up and down her back.

"I missed you too," Roy murmured.

The words made her smile.

"You did?"

A chuckle vibrated through his chest.

"Very much."

Elaine closed her eyes. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

For a moment neither spoke. Neither needed to. Then Roy looked down at the bag.

"I was hoping I could spend the night."

Her heart nearly burst.

"You were?"

His smile appeared in his voice.

"Michelle even packed me an overnight bag."

Elaine laughed. A bright, delighted laugh that echoed out into the quiet night.

"Of course she did."

"Apparently I can't be trusted to prepare for overnight visits myself."

"She's probably right."

Roy groaned dramatically.

"Et tu, Elaine?"

That only made her laugh harder. Then she reached up, cupped his cheek, and looked into his eyes. The exhaustion there was obvious. The affection was even more obvious.

"Come inside," she said softly.

Her smile grew warmer.

"Welcome home."