Thirty

Matthew reached over without letting her go and tore off some toilet paper and handed it to her.  Her tears were breaking his heart.  He had seen how hard she had worked, even if she had thought he did not and he was relieved to know that she was finally releasing the emotions and tensions she had held onto so strongly the last few months.  He had worried that the emotions she held in would cause her even more harm than what she had already gone through, but now he knew she had allowed herself to work through her emotions.

When she was finally cried out she was still holding onto his shoulders, even though her breathing had grown regular.  She had cried herself to sleep in his arms.  Quietly he lifted her and walked back down the hallway.  Without thinking he walked back to her room and lay down so he could let her rest next to him.  Her grip eased somewhat when he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him. 

Matthew