He opened his eyes, then reached out and touched the sheet where she had been. It was empty.He listened for her sounds in the bathroom but heard nothing. He wanted to go to her but thought perhaps she needed some privacy. He locked his hands behind his head and stared up at the canopy, a sense of profound peace surrounding him.One night wouldn't be enough.He had never thought of marriage for himself. But he lay there now, knowing that he wanted Lilli with him for a lifetime. He smiled at the contentment he felt, the fullness of knowing and loving Lilli. He closed his eyes and waited for her to come back to bed.He didn't know how long he'd slept. Five minutes? Five hours? Time had given birth to uncertainty and fear.He threw back the covers and stood up, then looked in the dressing room. The bathroom door was open. The room was dark.His stomach turned over.He rushed inside, stepping around baskets of sleeping puppies, kittens, and rabbits. She wasn't there."Lilli?" he called, tearing back into the bedroom.
