Rachel stirred to the sensation of something lightly prodding her cheek, drawing her from the depths of peaceful sleep. Her sapphire eyes fluttered open slowly, taking several moments to adjust to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. When her vision finally focused, she found Arthur sitting upright beside her, his finger gently poking her cheek with an infuriatingly amused grin playing on his lips.
"Mmhh," she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep and carrying the warm, drowsy tone that came from deep rest. A flutter of pure joy sparked in her chest—waking up to his face was a privilege she'd never take for granted. "What are you doing?"
Arthur's chuckle was soft and melodious, his tone carrying that familiar teasing quality she had grown to both love and find exasperating. "Making sure you wake up before noon, Rach. I'd hate for you to sleep away half the day."
