From the hallway came sporadic noises and voices. Alfred laid still, punishing himself by letting his body feel the way every noise made Aurora tense up. His heart broke as he wondered how often she put on a brave face to hide the fear underneath.
"It's okay to be frightened," he finally whispered.
"I'm not afraid." She sat up, as if the idea was insulting to her.
"I didn't say you were. I said it's okay if you were..."
"I can't." She said it in a tone that was harsher than he'd ever heard, but she looked terrified, traumatized almost. Suddenly, it all came into focus for him, all his senses exploding to give him a clear picture.
"Its double for you. I never realized. I'm sorry."
"What?" She pretended not to understand.
"Your family is Jewish," he hated the way she closed her eyes, wincing at the word. "And you're a woman. Any way you look at it-"
"I'm not enough." She finished the statement, her eyes turning darker as she let the words sink in.
He was powerless. He pulled her trembling body against his, cupping her face with both her hands as he kissed her. She looked back, giving him a half smile before leaning back, kissing him deeper. He lowered her to the bed, breathing heavily. She gave a soft nod, knowing he was nervous and insecure.
As he lowered himself into her, she swung one leg, pinning him against her. She seemed so unsure, but wasn't ready to give up on him. She leaned her head to kiss him but German soldiers barged into their room.
Alfred felt Aurora jump, her body searching for his.
"What are you looking for?" Alfred demanded. The men didn't answer as they searched. Aurora knew they were searching for hidden people, searching under the bed and behind doors. "You're interrupting my wife and I!" Alfred cried. He tried to distract them. She tried to hide it, but he could feel Aurora's fear. He could taste the bitterness of her fear in his mouth.
"Sorry for the intrusion. Thank you for your cooperation," the soldier said, studying Aurora up and down before leaving.
By the time Alfred shut the bedroom door, he turned to find Aurora, staring out the window, her body trembling. "You should rest," she whispered, her voice returning to the Sergeant tone she used at work.
He had come to far to back away now. "No," he placed a hand on her waist, spinning her so she faced him. "Tonight, I am your husband..." he lead her by the hand to the bed, holding her tightly. "Let me comfort you, Aurora," he added her name, hoping it would mean as much as he thought.
It must have worked. She buried her face in his chest, sobbing softly. "I thought they knew," she whispered as he stroked her hair. "I thought they came to kill me."