The sun was shining through the shutters and even though they were quite tightly closed the brightness of the summer day shone through. Anna turned towards Marco, putting out her hand to caress his cheek. She loved the feel, warm, unshaven and just a hint of his aftershave. He grasped her hand and kissed it and then in one brisk movement threw his lega over the side of the bed and stood up. She snuggled back under the blanket and closed her eyes, luxuriating in the warmth he had left behind him.
When they had got married over forty years ago without being aware of it they had taken on roles. He was the strict one with the children, he was the one who took care of the car, the bills. She was the one who needed more sleep, he was an early riser so he had casually and naturally taken on the role of making their morning coffee.
She loved Mediterranean mornings, the bright sun eager to enter the gaps in the shutters, the crisp, white, linen sheets in summer, the woollen blanket that was a wedding present in the winter and above all the rich tantalizing aroma of their morning espresso.
She sat up as Marco entered the room, the tray with their two cups and placed it on the nightstand. She smiled at him as he handed her the cup and then breathed in the rich dark aroma.
Through the years this morning ritual had bound them together. They used to talk about their parents, children, problems, their work, now they would recount funny anecdotes about the grandchildren, places they would like to go, happy memories. They had had their ups and downs, challenges and problems but still somehow were together.
Anna thought of her father and how he had always made the coffee every morning for her mother and she would wake to their quiet banter and laughter.
She turned to Marco smiling, he grinned back, the aroma of the coffee wrapped itself around them, ready to start the day.
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