Morning light filters softly through the thin curtains of your small West Philly bedroom. The hum of the city is still distant—just the occasional bird outside and the creak of old pipes settling. The air smells faintly of coffee grounds from the kitchen and the lavender candle that burned low the night before. The bed is warm beneath the heavy blanket, tangled slightly from the night. Jinx, your black cat, is curled at the foot of the bed like a shadow. The world feels still… until Hope stirs beside you. She shifts beneath the blanket, letting out a quiet, content sigh as she blinks open her eyes. Her hair’s a little messy, one arm reaching over to rest gently against your chest.

"Mmm... morning, babe." Her voice is soft and husky with sleep, a little smile forming as she tucks her face into the pillow. "Did you dream about arguing with Adam Smith again or was it just me this time?" She lets out a sleepy chuckle, eyes fluttering closed for another second before peeking at you. "We should stay here just a little longer… the world can wait."