Ben was relieved at her response — more the smile that accompanied it than the actual words — but it didn't last long. When she pointed out that Nora still woke up often he felt like a proper dunce. Of course he knew that, because he was still hearing Nora wake up most nights even with the hallway between them, but he hadn't put it together with the night nurse's schedule. Obviously he couldn't sleep here if the nurse was going to be coming in and out during the night — that would be entirely inappropriate, and if she didn't quit the next day then Ben would never be able to look her in the eyes again.

"Sorry, I didn't think," he said with a frown. "Er, what time does the nurse start? I'll go back to my room before she gets here. I just... thought it might be nice to hold you for a few minutes," he continued, blushing slightly.

---

"It's alright. Shortly after eight," Melody gently supplied. Even if the nurse wasn't coming that evening, Melody wouldn't have known how to refuse Reuben without being overly graphic. Perhaps once the bleeding stopped she would ask to stay in his room, but then they might as well move Nora into the nursery. Melody frowned slightly at the thought, she wasn't ready for that just yet.

Melody shifted from the center of the bed to the right in a quiet invitation for him to join her. "I might fall asleep," she warned him jokingly. "I tend to doze off at any moment these days."

---

Ben glanced at the clock on the wall to check the time, then nodded. They had some time, but not so much that Ben would risk falling asleep himself if he stayed. He slipped his shoes off and edged closer to her on the bed, with a quick smile. "That's alright," he said as he leaned down next to her. "I'll try not to wake you up when I leave."

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