Morning dawns

Jason can feel Katie’s breathing slow down, and knows that she’s fallen asleep. A slight grin curls the corner of his mouth and he shuts the tv off, settling his head down on the armrest. The living room is dark and quiet, leaving his mind much space to wander. But somewhere between TJY and now, some of the tension had been lifted. He wasn’t sure where or how…though he had been able to relax finally during and after supper. A memory inserts itself into his mind, but for once today, it doesn’t make him cringe. Had his battle ended so easily after such a severe attack? Jason begins to realize that even though he’s worked through the past, he may very well have flare-ups the rest of his life, and feeling the way he did now, he knew that each time might be different, affecting him in different ways. He only wished he could get more of a handle on it so he could continue to function when it happened.

For now though, like a fever breaking was the sign of a sickness wearing off, his relaxed state of mind signaled him that he’d been wrong earlier to state that the night would be hard. He would be okay…and he was even more assured of that fact, knowing that Katie was close by.

Jason finally closes his eyes, ready to face the night. He stretches out his arm and accidentally touches Katie. Instead of withdrawing though, he gently combs her hair with his fingers for just a moment, then lays his hand to rest lightly on her head.

...Morning dawns with Jason never having moved all night, and if it weren't for his alarm going off in the other room to disturb the peace and quiet, he would have been quite content to simply remain for several more hours. He was warm and comfortable in this position. But he knows the sound will have woken Katie as well.