Noah crept in quietly and took great care to shut the heavy front door softly. He didn't want to wake Allie just yet. It was still too early and he wanted to clean up before she saw him. Quietly he crept to the kitchen, placing the vase of white roses he had bought for her on the table. The room appeared faintly gray, waiting for sunlight to filter through the windows and warm the kitchen.
Noah walked to the sink, slightly turning the water on to wash his face. He reached for a towel from the laundry basket and found a clean shirt to change into. Traveling back from New York had toiled the one he was wearing and he wanted to freshen up before Allie woke up.
Turning back towards the stove, he got a better idea. Waiting to change his shirt, he carefully and quietly began making breakfast. Today was a day that called for his father's famous pancakes. When he and Allie had begun dating, Noah's father often made pancakes and usually at night when Allie would come over. She had loved his father's pancakes and it was regular habit to cook them. Today Noah was home and that called for a special breakfast. Especially because of what Noah had to tell her.
After he had piled the pancakes onto a large plate, he wiped his hands and finally changed his shirt. Plucking one of the roses from the vase, he slowly crept upstairs. When he entered the room, he had to stop in place for a moment to catch his breath. He had not seen her in almost two weeks and now was almost paralyzed by her beauty. He watched her slow, steady breathing, the way her fiery red hair sprawled across the pillow, the slight curve of her smile while she slept. It amazed him every day that this beautiful goddess could love him the way he loved her.
Finally able to move, he drifted to the side of the bed and lightly sat next to her. He lifted a single finger, brushing it down her perfect cheek, stopping at her jaw. Leaning over carefully, he tilted her chin towards him and softly kissed her crimson lips. He felt her move beneath him and watched as she opened her emerald eyes. He smiled softly as they burst in surprise and her perfect lips broke into a perfect smile. She jolted up, throwing her arms around his neck in a fierce hug.
"Noah, you're home! Oh Noah, you're finally home!"