Truth

speak with Courtney, but why Emily? He knows where you are. He knows where she is; you’re sisters.”
    Claire stared at him momentarily, “You’re right.” She reached for her iPhone.
     
    *****
     
    The angry sound of Derek’s voice brought Sophia out of her restless sleep. She could hear his tone and see his expression; she couldn’t understand the cause. With his hands on her shoulders, he turned her to face him. “Why Sophia? Why in the hell are you sleeping in here?” Disorientation from the sudden wake, muted her ability to speak. “I reached for you and you still weren’t in bed. I thought you might still be drawing. But you’re sleeping, without me!”
    Her mind reeled, “How did you know I was drawing?” Her soft voice didn’t mirror his irritation, though it did a poor job of hiding her unhappiness.
    “ What’s the matter? Why are you crying?”
    This time a little stronger, “How did you know I was drawing?”
    “ I watched you.” As he spoke and her body convulsed with repressed sobs. “You looked so beautiful with your hair up, that sexy nightgown and charcoaled fingers.”
    “ But, you didn’t say anything. I never knew you were there.”
    “ I didn’t want to disturb you. It’s the first time you’ve drawn since you moved here.”
    She tried to turn her face away. His expression was no longer upset, she saw the man she loved. Even with limited light she could see the concern and relief in his soft brown eyes.
    “ Please don’t look away. Talk to me.”
    She couldn’t move her arms with his hands on her shoulders, so she lifted her head to reach his lips. His hands left her shoulders and scooped her body into his arms. Between kisses, surrounded by his embrace, she whispered, “I thought you didn’t want me because I can’t be what you want.”
    Derek stopped kissing and looked into Sophia’s beautiful gray eyes. The sadness made his heart wrench, “What are you talking about. You’re everything I want. When did I ever say anything different?”
    She pushed herself up to sit. “You didn’t. But ever since I got here, I feel like I’m expected to be someone else, you know, Mrs. Derek Burke .” She wiped her eyes on the clean sheets, “I’ve been trying...”
    “ Stop trying. Stop trying to be someone you’re not. I love you .” His embrace squeezed the air from her lungs. Her body collapsed against his. “I’ve missed my Sophia. Besides, who the hell is Mrs. Derek Burke ?”
    Sophia smiled from behind her tears as the sparkle returned to her eyes. It was the glimmer Derek hadn’t seen in what seemed like ages. It was the most beautiful sight he could behold.
    The last two weeks of stress melted into a fury of passion. For the next few weeks, every time Sophia walked by their guest room, she’d blush.
    Together they reconnected their bodies and minds. Glorious sensations sent both of them to untold heights. When their exhausted bodies finally fell into tender embraces, their words revealed more of their misconceptions.
    “ I don’t want you to be anyone else. Not, Mrs. Derek Burke. You’re Sophia Burke and I love you !” His heart swelled with the recent vision of blue clouds floating across his wife’s beautiful eyes.
    Sophia revealed her insecurity around people like Danielle and how she felt inadequate amongst the professionals in his life.
    While allowing his lips to roam over her full breasts and tight midsection he tried to ex-plain and demonstrate his approval. Yes, she’s his wife. Nevertheless, he didn’t want her identity to be a reflection of him, only of her. “If you want to work at an art studio, and it’ll make you happy,” his smile shimmered in the darkened room, “go for it. Do what makes you happy.” Never once did he want to marry someone like him. Truthfully, he never wanted to marry, until he was awestruck by the most amazing, energetic, caring, and possibly crazy, woman he’d ever met.
    They both knew they’d just overcome a difficult time for their marriage, learning a valuable lesson -- the need to communicate. Neither should assume they know the other’s thoughts. They don’t. That ignorance keeps life exciting.
    Inhaling deeply, Sophia nestled into his warm shoulder, listened to the beat of his steady heart, and drifted into a peaceful sleep. When she awoke he was gone, presumably off to work. For the last two weeks she’d tried to get up and make him coffee and breakfast. Smiling into the tear stained pillow, she