sunrise

The chill of the early morning has me reaching for you even before I open my eyes. I smile in anticipation of a long lazy morning. A frown forms as my finger tips encounter nothing more than rapidly cooling sheets. Without hesitation I sit up and throw the covers back. I am only a "morning person" where you are concerned. This is further cemented into my consciousness when my toes touch the cool wooden planks that have darkened with age and the smoke from an untold number of fires that have warmed this small cabin. Not wanting to waste any more time I jump out of bed and pick up the socks that you had discarded so quickly only hours before. The quilt from the bed will keep me warm enough until I can find you.
Quietly I open the door and step out onto the small porch. As expected you have ignored the perfectly good chair and are sitting on the edge of the porch with your back resting against one of the roof supports. I know that you are waiting for that moment when the sun peeks over the edge of the horizon. It is always breath taking. I would find it even more beautiful if it happened a few hours later. Then again, no one put me in charge of the clocks or calendars. For some reason I no longer feel the coolness of the early morning air when I notice that you had only slipped on a pair of jeans letting me know that you had every intention of coming back to bed. 
Without taking your eyes off the still dark sky you motion for me to join you which I do without hesitation. Knowing that self sacrifice has its benefits I loosen the quilt and settle it around us. A wicked chuckle starts from somewhere deep down inside of you when you realize that I am wearing your socks, the quilt and a smile. I don’t mind the hour. I don’t notice the changing of the guard as the night creatures give way to the song birds. In the space of a few heart beats the velvety night sky is replaced with a shadowy slate blue that gradually blushes and brightens. I am aware of the heat from your body and the way it is winding around and through me.  
Pulling the blanket more securely around us you idly comment, "You do know that it is cold don’t you?"
"I did notice that, but I decided that your socks would take care of my cold toes. The rest is up to you."
"Is that a fact?"
Your hands begin a lazy yet thorough tour of the rapidly warming flesh hidden beneath the folds of the quilt. One lingering kiss blends into another. I no longer care about possible splinters from the plank floor or the stunning sun rise. The passion between us is so intense that it blots out everything else. Feeling breathless and more than a bit light headed, I lean into the warmth of your body. You wrap your arms around me and we are so close its almost like your heart is beating inside of me, beside my own. I smile at the fanciful notion that it is in fact YOUR heart beating inside of my body. I have told you often that you carry my heart with you. 
"Come on. Let’s go back inside. I have a feeling that there will be lengthy, complex negotiations regarding the return of my socks. But I think we should start with something smaller. Like the quilt."
"All you had to do was ask."  Almost before the words are said, I stand up and toss the quilt into your lap. Glancing over my shoulder, I smile and add "If you want the socks you’ll have to come and get them."