The night continues.

The party continued in a warm, quiet stillness.

Jason was completely sunk into Jessica’s embrace. His lean, light body rested on her soft thighs, his head buried deep in the hollow between her breasts. One of Jessica’s arms had slipped around his narrow waist, her fingers resting gently against his visible ribs. Her other hand stroked his soft hair, sometimes sliding between the strands, sometimes pressing her palm against the back of his head to hold him more firmly against her chest. Jason’s slow, steady breaths made Jessica’s chest rise and fall slightly. His thin legs were drawn up a little, hidden beneath the blanket. Every so often he shifted in his sleep and pressed his face more deeply into the warmth of her body, as if even unconscious he wanted to sink further into that embrace.

Chiara picked up her glass and walked toward the window. She pulled the curtain aside a little and looked out at the dark garden.

“The air has gotten quite cool tonight. It’s good we closed the windows earlier.”

Valentina, sitting on the nearby sofa, moved a piece of cake still left on her plate and said,

“Yes. And those scented candles you put on the table have given the room a lovely smell. It really feels like autumn has come inside the house.”

Chiara turned back and smiled.

“I like the scent of cinnamon and apple myself. I thought it would suit a birthday.”

Jessica, without changing her position, said quietly,

“You chose the music well too. It’s calm… it doesn’t disturb anyone.”

Chiara came closer and sat down on the chair opposite them.

“Do you want me to turn the volume up a little, or should it stay like this?”

Valentina shook her head.

“It’s fine as it is. Let’s keep the atmosphere this peaceful. I don’t think anyone is hungry anymore either.”

Chiara glanced at the table.

“There’s still some of that apple tart left. If anyone wants some, just say so and I’ll bring it.”

Jessica shifted her shoulder slightly to better support the weight of the sleeping body on her lap, but said nothing. She only pulled the blanket over Jason’s legs again and tightened her arm around his waist. Jason’s quiet breathing remained the only sound that could be clearly heard in the brief stretches of silence.