The Grinch jerked awake several hours later and allowed several moments to pass before he observed his surroundings in the dim light of his home.
All was well.
He stretched his lanky form, his legs and arms bending into almost impossible positions before he relaxed, allowing his appendages to collapse around him. He peered around him in the darkness and was just able to make out Connie, sleeping amidst blankets and rags he'd collected for her. She had piled them all in a nest on the floor and that area became hers. Now, as his eyes glanced over her, he noticed Max curled up at her side.
Stupid dog was growing fond of the girl. But then, so was he.
After his rather unorthodox show of affection, the Grinch had decided to put the situation behind him and never mention it again. Connie had other ideas. Just before she went over to her bed for the night, she'd come up to him. He'd been in his chair, snacking on a bottle he'd found at the dump earlier.
"Goodnight, Grinch," she'd said, lightly kissing his cheek. He'd been shocked at first. Shock gave way to his own affection and he turned to wish her a good night as well, but found that she'd gone to bed already, blankets covering her so that she was almost indistinguishable from the rags she slept on.
Without moving from his own bed, the Grinch pondered his situation and wondered how he had even come to this point. To the point where he cared for another person besides himself.
It hadn't been hard, as he assumed it would be. He'd always looked out only for himself. Surely adjusting to taking care of someone else would be a hard one, wrought with difficulty?
But it simply wasn't so. It was easy. Connie made it easy.
He rose and tied his robe around his form, silently making his way over to her nest. Placing his hands on his hips, he peered down at the still sleeping girl.
As he looked at her, the Grinch felt the corner of his mouth turn upwards. He wiped it off as he noticed the blankets start to move.
Connie stirred softly, raising her head. Her eyes were open and they easily found his. She smiled at him slightly, his heart melting at the sight.
"Good morning," she said, rubbing her eyes.
"Good morning," he returned, not even putting much emotion into his words. She grinned widely at his morning greeting and rose herself, shaking off her rags and bending down to remove a large one from atop Max's nose. She loosed a giggle as the dog licked her face gratefully and the Grinch felt himself relax at the sound.
He hoped she would stay.