I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, savouring the many scents I had quickly associated with home. My husband's arms were wrapped around me, his head lying at my neck and shoulder. We sat on my old rocking chair in our daughter's room. She was just at the edge of waking now, her eyelids flickering every few minutes, but her brain was still asleep.
I turned over and leaned into Edward's chest, attempting again to push out my shield so he could hear my thoughts. I heard his sharp breath intake and knew it was working. This time I did not concentrate on showing him specific memories, instead just letting my mind wander. I held my focus on the shield that was trying very hard to push back on me. The strength of it was slowly beating me, and two minutes later it had won back my mind. I heard Edward breathe out and realised he had been holding it while listening to the thoughts he usually couldn't catch. When he could no longer hear me, he gave me a gentle squeeze and laid his head on mine. I closed my eyes again and let my mind free to relax in this one moment of absolute perfection. There was nothing but our breathing, our daughter's heartbeat, and Edward's arms around me.