The sunlight stretched long across her skin like gentle fingers, pleasant warmth bringing her out of her dreams. Anna sighed and stretched as the light reached her face, the brightness cutting through the darkness of her sleep. She slowly opened her eyes, welcomed by the equally bright illumination pouring from the tall windows, indicating late morning. The light had a prism-like quality after the storm, meaning that the hotel room walls were painted with a dozen rainbows. She hadn't slept this good in months. No wonder the rush of memories from the night before swirled through her mind.
She turned to the other side of the bed but found it empty. Her hand reached out to touch the cold sheets; David must have woken up long before her. Frowning, she stretched her legs without haste; she wishes she could say it was all just an elaborate dream, but the pleasurable aches in her body say otherwise. She sat up slowly, hands pulling the sheet closer to her chest. The unfamiliar space of the hotel suite added to the sensation of her disorientation, and it took her a moment to regain her wits.
Her legs wobbled at her first step out of bed as if she were a fawn learning how to walk. Regaining her balance, she moved towards the windows and opens them fully, trying to shake off some traces of their night of extensive passion. She fetched a robe from her suitcase. Wrapping it firmly around her body, she glanced into the mirror on the wall, expecting to find the after-effects of their overindulgence reflected on her body, but the face staring back at her is anything but that. She looked radiant, her skin almost glowing, the mussed hair being the only proof of her intrepid evening.
Anna frowned, the flashes of their lovemaking pulling her mind backward again. Her eyes surveyed the room, purposely ignoring the items of clothing scattered on the floor, and only now notice the glass of water on the side table and an aspirin, another considerate gesture on David's part. She took the glass with a grateful smile and emptied it in two mouthfuls. She heard the door to the bathroom open. Another deep breath, and she was finally ready to face the partner of her indiscretions.
The state of the room gave her some unease; she picked up their discarded clothes and placed them on a chair. Playing cards lay scattered about the floor like so many fallen soldiers. The room still radiated passion; Anna wondered if they had permanently imprinted themselves into the atmosphere of the suite.
She found her suitcase and set about selecting an outfit for the day, strangely reluctant. All of a sudden, calling the airport to see if her flight will be on time doesn't seem enticing. She was about to retrieve her clothes but paused; she could feel his unmistakable presence materializing behind her. She turned on the spot and came face to face with David.
"Good morning," the familiar voice welcomed her. As predicted, David appeared to be fully awakened, unlike her, still battling the confusion of sleep and the circumstances. Also, unlike her, he remained half-naked, proudly displaying his sun-kissed torso in all its attractiveness. And some of her own handiwork was visible; she presses her lips as her gaze falls on the line of red blotches on his clavicle and his hip.
"Good morning," she said, choosing not to meet his eyes and instead focus on the smell of coffee in the hotel coffee maker. He wasted no time in serving her; a cup in front of her was inviting, its bitter aroma promising to bring even more clarity to her mind.
"Thank you," her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat. She brought the cup to her lips, hot liquid swirling on her tongue, and steeled herself for the inevitable conversation.
"I hope you slept well," David started, clearly wanting to ease her into the awkward subject.
"I did, thank you," she tips her head in acknowledgment of his concern.
"I am glad," he smiles, and Anna held her breath as she wondered what will come next.
But nothing does. David continued to pour coffee as if this was a normal day. They both reached for a packet of sugar, their fingers grazing. The touch sparked instant electricity as if the embers of the passion ignited with a flash. Anna pulled back her hand, feeling another blush threatening to bloom on her skin. To her surprise, David did the same.
Her own conflict was temporarily forgotten; she now focused her sharpening gaze on the man in front of her. She did not think that David Hayward would find their uncurbed activities as anything but natural to him. He was a man who has never denied himself anything, after all. He carried on sipping his coffee, and Anna's eyes narrowed. He looked as if he were about to speak but, again, does not.
"What is it?" she asks this time, her curiosity still burning fiercely.
"I'm just thinking about how magnificent we were last night," he said.
Anna's smile widens; having him return to his charming self is a step towards normality.
"I should be getting to the airport," she remarked, her eyes perusing his body. There was little elation in her tone, maybe a little regret.
But he didn't respond, only stepped closer and wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing her closer to his chest.
"David, what-" the rest of her words are swallowed by his lips pressing against hers. Her body gave in at once, leaning into his embrace, amicable warmth unfurling within her. It felt so right. David smiled against her mouth and pulled back, his eyes swirling good-humouredly but clear in their lustfulness.
"Do you need to get to the airport?" he pulled her closer still, hand moving down her back, and pressed her against his hips.
"Well, I don't suppose anyone is expecting me in Port Charles for a few days…."
Then a most delightful smile broke over his face; he sprang up and caught her to his heart. "Then stay just a little longer. Then I will go my way and you yours, and I promise you won't have to spring me from jail again, well at least not soon."
"I'll hold you to that." With that, he scooped her into his arms and took her back to bed while her laugher rang in the air.
And so that beautiful day went on, slipping through their fingers as they tried to hold it. Only a few hours—true; yet such hours were worth it after a cycle of so many common years. From dawn to fall of night there had been nothing to mar their enjoyment of each other it, no quarrel or strife. The day took with it only smiles and laughter, but it left behind the gift of memory. And fortunately, nothing is ever really lost as long as we remember it.
The End