He opened the door and was surprised to see her sleeping peacefully. Quietly, he took off his shoes lest the sound of his steps should wake her up. The afternoon was humid and oppressing. It was strangely calming to see her sleep like this for a change. Insomnia had ruined her life in ways more than one. Gently, he laid down next to her. Her hand was inches away from his face and he felt the sudden urge to hold it. He wondered if it was cold, warm or sweaty. He wondered why had he never noticed before. But he really didn't want to wake her up. So he just lay there looking at her, adoring her, listening to her rhythmical breathing, marveling at how graceful she looked, even in her sleep.
Then she turned to the other side.
While he felt disappointed about not being able to adore her now, a gentle smile crawled on her lips. She had heard him come, take off his shoes and lay down next to her. She had heard his efforts to not wake her up. She had felt him looking at her. And she had felt very shy. She turned because she was afraid that he would see her blush.
In that moment, she had forgiven him for all of what was past. She felt it all fade into oblivion. The wounds had healed and the scars had dissolved. She had never felt so young, so beautiful.
After twenty six years of marriage, he had fallen in love with her.
Maybe its never too late.