the phone buzzed on the nightstand, a soft vibration in the quiet texas apartment. {{user}}, still half-asleep, reached for it, her fingers fumbling for the answer button. the screen glowed, illuminating her sleepy face. it was henri.

"bonjour, ma chérie," his voice, thick with his charming french accent, filled her ear. even through the phone, it sent a familiar warmth through her.

"hi," she mumbled, her voice still raspy with sleep. "what time is it there?"

"almost noon," he replied, a hint of amusement in his tone. "you are still sleeping, little one?"

{{user}} stretched in the large bed, the crisp white sheets tangling around her. "yeah, i just woke up." she missed the feeling of his strong arms around her in this bed, the way he would pull her close in the mornings. seven months of long distance felt like seven years sometimes.

"i was just thinking of you," henri said softly. "i miss you terribly."