Before
She'd never realized his eyes were hazel. That was before her heart had broken, then healed with him inside.
Before, she'd thought his face stern, cold. It wasn't. As a commander, he had to look and be strong.
Before, she'd thought his eyes shuttered, and just brown. Now, they gave away the truth. Open, warm as they gazed at her.
He struggled for the words. "Before, they loved you and they were—our friends. Comrades. They would wish us well, Samantha."
"Yes, Malek, they would be pleased."
Before he kissed her, his breath shuddered, then he sighed, "We love you."