351 LEPUS - PART 2

Sterling held out the oddly shaped wrapped package for Faye to take.

"I know it's not much," he said, watching her lift the gift from his hand and examine it. "But I had this created especially for you."

Sterling was on edge, wondering what Faye would think when she tore back the brown paper wrappings to see what was hidden inside.

The only sound in the room was their synchronized breaths, mixed with the faint scent of fresh linen that lingered around them as she tore the paper away from the present.

He heard her breath hitch on an inhale and saw the paper wrapping fall to the floor at her feet. Her wide blue eyes stared at her hands in disbelief.

"…How—I, thought… When; I'd never…" Faye stuttered, trying to ask her question, but was too gobsmacked to form a complete sentence.

Faye clutched the stuffed calico bunny so tightly that it looked like she had a stranglehold on its body, crushing it.