The keys in my hand jingle as I unlock the front door to our house. Rain pours down all around me as I get the door open and shut it behind me. “Jazzy, I’m home!” I call out, rain dripping off my clothes. Silence greets me. I furrow my brows, knowing I saw her car outside. “Jazzy?” I call out again. I walk into the kitchen and see Jazzy staring out the window at the rain outside. “Jaz? You okay?” I ask.

Jazzy shrugs, her eyes not moving from the window. I study her body language; her hands curled up against her chest, her shoulders hunched. She’s in pain, I think to myself. Finally, she shakes her head. It’s then the hazy light catches her face and I notice the trail of tears. “No, I’m not okay,” she mutters as she lets out a breath, her whole body shuttering.

“What’s going on?” I ask, walking up behind her, putting my hands on her arms and rubbing them.

“I don’t know,” Jazzy chokes. I feel her take a shaky breath as I see a couple more tears trickle down her face. “I just woke up feeling like this. My chest aches. I can’t sleep even though I feel like I could sleep for days. I just hurt…everywhere…emotionally, physically, mentally.”

My eyebrows furrow in concern. “Did anything happen to cause this?” I ask gently.

Jazzy shakes her head. “It just happens,” she mumbles. “No reason whatsoever. Just my mind decides to wake up and hate me. And I can’t escape my head. I feel so alone and isolated.”

“You’re not alone, you hear me?” I say as I reach my arms around her waist and pull her closer. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. Is there anything I can do to make this better?” Jazzy shakes her head. “Alright, I’ll just sit here with you, if that’s alright?” I say. Jazzy nods and I plant a kiss on her shoulder before hooking it with my chin. I pull her in a little tighter and she reaches a hand over and clutches my arm. I gently place a hand over hers and rub my thumb against her skin. I follow Jazzy’s gaze out the window and watch the rain fall onto the patio outside. I feel Jazzy’s breaths even out and her grip on my arm loosen as we stand in this silent moment together.

Eventually, Jazzy turns herself around in my arms and wraps her arms around me. I hold her close as she lays her head on my chest. “Thank you,” she whispers after some time.

“For what?” I ask, running my fingers through her hair.

“For just sitting here with me,” she says. “It’s exactly what I needed.” She lets out a tired sigh as I place a soft kiss on her forehead. “I love you, Cal,” she says tiredly.

“I love you, Jaz,” I answer. I look down as Jazzy’s eyes start to close. I give her a small smile as I gently scoop up my tired wife. “Let’s get you to bed before you fall asleep standing up,” I say as I cradle her to my chest and carry her to our bedroom.

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This piece was done by the amazing Calmomila