"Hey," I whispered softly, not wanting to awaken the duo if either was sleeping deeply. Mother and child were curled up on the couch and the sight was every father's dream. Slowly, my wife blinked open her eyes, a bottomless abyss of love shining from within. Her welcoming smile drew me forward and cautiously she leaned forward so as not to waken our child. Taking the initiative, I crawled in behind her, lifting her up so she could settle back into my lap.
"How long have you been sleeping?" I whispered softly into her ear, the gesture causing her to ripple slightly in my lap.
"I don't know. Our little one here was fussing something awful. Maybe an hour?" The tone of warmth she used in reference to our child was the epitome of love she felt and that we shared together. Drowsily she reclined into me, shifting once again.
"Do you want to go to bed? I can stay up, I don't mind." The little one was almost always in someone's arms, if not mine or Bella's, then a friend or family member. More often than not, one of us stayed up to hold the sleeping child.
"Can we just sit here, like this, for awhile? I like the peacefulness."
"You bet. Nothing but eternity for the two of you." Softly, I rubbed Bella's cheek. She turned her head slightly into the solace, serenity radiating from both of us. I wanted to hear the happiness as well as feel it, so I asked.
"Promise me something. Promise me that we will always have this, the loving comfort and embrace of each other." Placing a small kiss on my neck, she responded in her own accordance of peace.
"Forever, Jacob. We will always have forever, I promise." Her words of devotion illuminated my already glowing heart. Slowly, she fell into a peaceful sleep, the gentle cadence of hearts blissfully burning my soul. Still on Earth, alive and I had found the only heaven I wanted.
"An eternity of time, my sweet Bella." I whispered to my own sleeping family. The breathing and contentment of my angels lulled me into their own slumber of peace. An eternity of time to share an endless love was the only thing I had ever asked for and had been blessed with.