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He wasn't quite sure what woke him up, the pressure difference on the surface of the bed next to him, or the slight rustling he heard in the dark. But Jonathan could tell his wife was in some distress. He sat up to match her height, leaning against the headboard. He wasted no time in pulling her into an embrace, though there was no telling how long she had been awake. He was no expert when it came to words, especially in his groggy state, but offering comfort was at least good for something.
“It's alright Char, I'm here,” He said softly.
He couldn't see in the dark room, but felt her begin to ease against him. He waited patiently for her breathing to steady, which had been more panicked when he first awoke. He had a guess as to what the problem was, but didn't want to assume.
“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked quietly.
He felt her hand brush against his arm, reciprocating the supportive contact he was trying to give.
“Do you ever get those dreams,” the anxiety was still clear in her voice, “even though you know it's all over… but you're back inside the castle, staring down the most horrid things.”
He let the question dissipate into their dark bedroom.
“Yes,” he whispered, only loud enough to reach the ear beside him.
“I know it's immature of me to be frightened by just a dream,”
He considered protesting, not wanting her to believe such a statement, but it was clear she wanted to continue.
“When you wake, and the fear doesn't leave, what do you do?”
He felt her breathing rise and fall against him, it was still too dark to see her face, but he could guess what it looked like at the moment.
“I think of you,” he spoke softly after a moment of pause, “I think of the person who was always right beside me when I didn't think I could go on.”
Though she seemed to respond well to his words, the anxiety seemed to return, now with tears that weren't present before, or at least went unnoticed.
“But what if the dream is about… losing… the person you can't live without, do you ever have those?”
Jonathan tried not to think too deeply in the question, knowing full well what she meant. He felt a warm, wet drop fall on his arm before he brought himself to share what he thought he wouldn't disclose.
“You know those nights,” he began, still trying not to say too much, “when you wake up, and I'm not next to you…”
He got a nod.
“…It's because... you shouldn't have to see me cry. I wish I could tell you that the pain gets better, or easier to bear, but,”
He continued to hold her, stroking her hair.
“Just because it's a dream, doesn't mean the feeling isn't real,” he went on, “in fact, it shows just how much you care. Each time I wake up from…something like this… I know that I can't live without you.”
He wasn't sure if what he said would help, it was the best he could do. He continued to let her hold on to him, her grip desperate, but her quiet tears subsided. He thought now he should try to liven the situation.
“Don't worry though. I'm not going anywhere dangerous without taking you with me. I need someone to keep my stupidity in check.”
He was happy to see a smile break through her face in the darkness his eyes had adjusted to. It seemed he was successful in taking her mind off her worry.
“You're absolutely right about that, you couldn't get very far at all without me.”
There was still evidence of her previous distress in her voice, but had definitely improved.
Jonathan laughed softly, “Which means I'll always stay close to you, no matter what.”
He paused before exclaiming what he hoped would put her mind at ease for good.
“I promise, I will never leave your side. You'll never be alone.”
She instantly held him even closer, and he kissed the hair. He wasn't quite sure how long they stayed that way, but his morning alarm jolted him awake not long after, or at least it felt that way. Surely some time had passed, as sunlight was barely visible through the window. After shutting it off, he looked at Charlotte’s face, sleeping peacefully despite the noise. He let himself admire the tranquility before raising gently out of bed. As he crossed the room to leave and start his day, a sound behind him stopped his movement.
“Jonathan,” he heard her tired voice whisper. “I love you.”
He turned back to see her eyes fighting to stay open. He placed a hand against her face, gently brushing it across her cheek.
“Rest, Char. I know. I love you too.”
He wasn't sure if she was even awake long enough to hear, but he smiled, glad to see her at peace.