Chapter 49

True to my word, I walked back upstairs to my room, armed with a loaded plate of food. Knocking on the door before entering, I waited until I got a response, but none came. Concerned, I slowly opened the door and peered my head inside.

"Malia?" I called out quietly before entering the room. All of the lights had been turned off but the television was playing on a low volume. I recognized the familiar cartoon characters dancing and singing across the screen about being their guest. Quietly walking over to the bed, I set the warm plate down and the eating utensils. Smiling to myself, I noticed that Malia had her back to me and had taken the liberty to change into one of my shirts, sleeping soundly on our bed. The comforter had been pulled over her body and over her nose and she was cuddling with on the plush pillows. Brushing my thumb gently across her cheek, I gently shook her with my other hand. "Malia." I quietly called out to her once more. "Wake up, Sweetheart."