Lorelai's eyes snapped open.
A faint whisper drifted through the darkness, pulling her from sleep. At first she tried to ignore it, irritated at being disturbed, but the sound persisted — low, urgent, right outside the bedroom door. A thin sliver of lantern light seeped in from beneath the doorframe, shifting slightly as if someone was standing just outside, hesitant to enter.
Another hushed voice answered. Lorelai frowned and lay perfectly still, listening. Whoever it was clearly believed both she and Val were asleep.
She waited a moment, then slowly began to slide out of bed — only to feel resistance. Her hand was wrapped tightly around Val's wrist.
She froze, staring at their joined hands in disbelief. When had that happened? She released him instantly, as if burned, and glanced at her own palm with a mix of confusion and embarrassment. That was not important right now.
