Another sensation: I was rugged up in a coat and gloves, so all of me was cozy, toasty, except my face which took the full, icy slap of the winter night on the cheeks. It was kind of glorious. Alive! I could smell rain a-comin’ but when I looked up, up, up, stars made mockery of the city lights, just over there.
When I got home into the light and warmth and shed my layers, Mr B handed Madeleine to me without a word, as if he knew. He knew. Madeleine snuggled onto my chest, nuzzling her head under my chin in just the place she loves the most and I love the most. She was divinely warm. Her jaw slowly dropped open and she started to snore, soft little snuffles. I hugged her close and thought, Wow.