9Oct.

I love the rain.
The rippling sound of the droplets rolling off the roof.
Each drop continuing to the final explosive impact.
Tip.  Tap. Tip. Tip. Tap. Tap.

I force a cough, and cuddle under a fleece blanket with my hot chocolate.
I love my moments of solitude on the sofa in the rainstorm.
Enjoying each minute.  Each hour.
The long stressful day melting away with each falling drop.

I hear the familiar rattling of her keys as she unlocks the front door.
Smiling as she enters, carrying an umbrella and a laptop bag.
She unstraps her heels, and shakes the umbrella at the door, before stepping into the hall.
The bag settles on the table nearby, and the door closes behind her.
We nod in silence.  A smile and a blink of an eye.

She steps out of the shower, and steam flows out behind her.
A smile again, and there is a renewed energy in her step.
She disappears off into the room to dress.
I settle on the sofa with a fleece blanket and an oversized cup of hot chocolate.

She joins me on the sofa, now in her robe.  Lilac and trimmed with a pink satin sash.
I offer her my chocolate, but she seems uninterested.
So I nibble at it myself, trying to catch a mini star marshmallow or two.  Or three.
Eventually I succeed.  She gets up and heads to the room.

After dropping off the hot chocolate, I join her in the bedroom.
Remembering to to turn off the lights quietly, and not wake her.
She’s had a long day, and I know the sleep is a welcomed end.
I slip under the covers and settle into the down feather pillow.
Pulling the comforter over my nose to ward off the sniffles.

I feel her shift closer and settle on my right shoulder.
A soft kiss on my cheek, and we settle back to sleep.
The rain continues softly.
I love the rain.