Sleeping

Jason was still sitting on Jessica’s lap. The party had gradually quieted down; the music had been turned lower and the lights dimmed a little. Valentina and Chiara were sitting a bit farther away on the sofa, talking softly, but Jessica still hadn’t let him go.

Jessica’s warm, soft body had wrapped around Jason like a complete refuge. Her kind arms were looped around his narrow waist, and every now and then her fingers moved gently over the skin of his stomach. Jason had rested his head against Jessica’s soft chest. He could hear her calm heartbeat and feel her warm breath on his hair.

Jessica spoke in a very quiet, warm voice:

“You’re tired, aren’t you? Let yourself sleep right here…”

Jason only made a small sound from the back of his throat. He no longer had the strength to resist. His eyelids had grown heavy. Jessica brought one hand up and stroked his soft hair, just like someone cradling a delicate, precious thing.

“It’s alright… I’ve got you.”

Jason completely let himself go. His body, which always carried a little tension, finally went completely soft and sank into Jessica’s warm, heavy embrace. She pulled the blanket more securely around him and tightened her arm around his waist so he wouldn’t slip.

Chiara looked over from across the room and smiled. Valentina gave a quiet, approving nod with that same careful gaze of hers. No one said a word. There was only the warm silence of the room and the soft sound of Jason’s breathing as he drifted fully into sleep, safe in Jessica’s arms.