Romantic Holmes

After the fact.

In spite of my sated state and the warmth provided by my companion I can not sleep. In fact, I am resolved not to succumb to Morpheus' insidious call or the growing need to close my eyes at all costs. Before tonight I had spent every night of my existence alone and now, if for only this one time I shared my bed with another. It will be morning in a few hours and I am determined not to waste a moment of what I know might never re-occur.

Much had been declared in the heat of passion, but I could not help wonder if the cold light of day would find my love regretting all that he had promised. If that were the case, then I know this night might be all we ever shared. Despite my lack of experience I am not so naive in the ways of love that I do not know that much can change with the cooling of one's ardour. Ours is not a relationship that would be accepted in polite company or sanctioned by any church after all. Indeed, in the eyes of the law we are both now criminals, destined, if we should continue, to always conduct our affair in private.

I can not let myself hope that once the sun rises again he would even want to persevere and I know I have no right to ask him to. We have no future as lovers but there was still a chance of a family for him. I will continue as I always have - alone.

No, it would not be fair to hope, or to ask. It was far better to have loved this once then to have never known love at all.