Gemotions

He could feel a smile stretching across his face, even before he reached the living room. Sarah had been speaking on the phone with her parents. He heard the familiar rhythm of the Welsh language, a melody he’d grown to love. Curiosity made him tiptoe closer. He found her seated on the sofa, a book open in her lap.

He decided to step in, startling her. “Bore da!” he blurted, beaming. Her face immediately broke into a grin. "Oh my god, Alex!" she said, her voice filled with delight. "When did you…?"

He proceeded to attempt a longer sentence. His pronunciation was hilarious. Sarah collapsed against the sofa, the sound of her laughter echoing through the room. They spent the next hour practicing, her correcting his errors with loving patience. The afternoon sun streamed through the window, bathing them in a warm, golden light.