They were sleeping.
That is, they were sleeping-in and in the late hours of morning, Ennis woke to see her husband's sleeping face directly in front of her.
Shifting slightly, Ennis craned her neck to check the time. The alarm clock on the bedside table read 10:45. Ennis was reminded that Czes was probably hungry and wanted breakfast – wait, Ennis thought, he's with Maiza today. Ennis let out a sigh of relief. Honestly, she didn't feel like climbing out of bed to go do some housework, not with her swollen belly, making her feel utterly like a cow and causing her feet to become sore with simply a few steps.
Ennis returned to her position of lying on her side, which was, unfortunately, becoming uncomfortable, once again due to her enlarged stomach. She reasoned that there was still some time before Firo woke, so she used this time to observe her husband.
She smiled at his handsome, baby-shaped face as he breathed slowly, quietly, undisturbed, a peaceful, serene look to his whole being. Locks of his messy bed hair dangled over his forehead and a few strands snaked over his eyes. Ennis reached out to push them out of the way, gently so not as to wake him. Then her hand strayed down to Firo's round cheeks and she touched them; they were warm. Her hand continued on a path, tracing his jaw line almost wonderingly, before drawing down his neck and sloping over his strong shoulders. Her hand followed down his arm, feeling his toned muscles, and ran over the side of his abdomen before coming to a rest at his hip. In passing, Ennis enjoyed this moment of exploring the shape and smooth, lean texture of Firo's body and skin.
Ennis giggled softly, feeling blessed and lucky to have such a wonderful and caring husband, but stopped short and glanced back up at Firo's face to check if she had interrupted his slumber. His eyes were still hidden by his eyelids, indicating that he was still fast asleep.
Then, bravely, Ennis removed her hand from his hip and placed it over his chest. She felt his rhythmic heartbeat underneath her palm, thump, thump, thump, and she expressed a small smile. This time, however, when she flashed another peek at her husband, his eyes were wide awake and staring straight back at her, as if boring holes into Ennis's own pair. His fierce eyes were filled with warmth and sincerity, brimming with life despite the horrors and ordeals he had endured. Ennis took a sharp intake of breath, feeling a jolt of electricity pass through her.
They lay there like that for some moments, though it felt much longer, gazing at each other. Ennis felt her cheeks grow warm, and noted that Firo's own cheeks were becoming pink. Shy and mortified, Ennis started to withdraw her hand but Firo held on, locking her hand and keeping it right over his heart. Then, he grinned (the smile that Ennis adored) and Ennis couldn't help but beam back as well.
"Good morning Ennis," Firo murmured softly into his wife's ear as he wrapped an arm around her round waist and pulled her close, nuzzling her neck lovingly.
His breath tickled her neck and she shivered. Then, "Good morning Firo."
Firo planted a kiss on Ennis's forehead when she fidgeted. Firo noticed that she was biting her lips, a look of apprehension on her face.
"…Ennis? What's wrong?" He asked, concerned, thinking that perhaps there was something amiss with his wife and their unborn children. He did not want it to be an emergency; last time she went to the hospital, it had been, fortunately, only a false alarm. He did not want another surprise like that again.
Ennis clutched at his nightshirt before admitting, for the first time, her fears about giving birth to Firo.
"I'm just scared…that I might go into labor when you're away and busy…and I'll be in the hospital alone…and the pain…what if something goes wrong, and the babies – ."
"Ennis," Firo immediately cut in, his voice deep and serious, preventing her from listing more worries.
"Ennis," He repeated, locking his eyes with his wife. "I will always be with you, and I will be with you the whole time. That's a promise. Whatever happens, we will endure it together."
His promise at once reassured and soothed Ennis's mind, relieving her of all her previous anxiety. Of course, she thought with a smile, he will definitely be by my side. I trust him. With Firo, everything will be alright…
Ennis spoke aloud the rest of her thought.
"Because we are husband and wife."
Firo cradled her cheek. "Because we are husband and wife," He echoed.
Then, with a sigh, he closed his eyes and kissed his darling wife on the lips.
Everything will be alright.