Jake's POV:

I wake up to her in my arms and can't help but smile.  We are entangled in each other and I am the happiest that I can remember being.

I can not believe that this woman, full of light and life, can love me and wants to be with me.  I do believe that we are made for each other, but my insecurities still cause me to deny reality.  There is still a small part of me that can't believe that she loves me.  I can't believe that I might get to live out my days with MC.   It isn't that I deserve it. I absolutely do not.  The choices of my past have caused grief and heartache.  I have not done anything to reach this happy place.  It has been her kind words, her concern for me, and her willingness to fight with and for me that has saved me.  She has taught me how to love and how to be more human. But the fates, or God, or chance has put her in my life.  

I don't want to wake her.  She looks so peaceful, but I am brimming with energy and can hardly wait for her lips to meet mine again.  It isn't that we haven't reconnected many times during the night, but I have waited so long for her, it is never enough.  I want to run my fingers through her hair and kiss her beautiful lips, touch her silky skin, and let my fingers travel to the once-forbidden places that are now exclusive to me.  There will be plenty of time for that, I know.  I should try to sneak out of bed and make her coffee, maybe heat up some of the cinnamon rolls that were in the refrigerator.  I should get up and start the fire, make sure the world is inviting and comfortable when her eyes open.  I should start a bath for her and slowly wake her with the gentlest of kisses, letting her know that I cherish her and that she deserves all of the best the universe has to offer.  

But I am afraid when she wakes the magic of the night will be over and that it won't ever feel like this again, like the first time that a dream comes true, like the first moment that you realize and not just hope that there is a happy ending for you.  I am too selfish to let this moment go.

Unable to commit to what to do and happy right where I am, I lay in silence and take in her scent.  There is no part of her that isn't intoxicating to me. I notice the silence, she isn't making the sounds that I have grown to love.  Her face is full of a smile that I can't deny and her face holds no tension.  I thought that she couldn't be any more beautiful but I was wrong.  Her cheeks have a slight blush as if somehow she knows that I am watching her.  Red and swollen, her lips bear the memories of last night.  Her hair is wrapped around her bare shoulders and looks like pure silk.  Damn it.  I can't wait.  I am going to wake her and I am going to show her all of the ways... 

 That silence. It is more than just the normal sounds that come from living outside of the city. Why is it so quiet?  I know I live in the woods, but I can't hear the birds singing or hear the trees moving in the breeze. I can't hear the train rolling by or the occasional dog barking,

My curiosity pulls me slowly out of the bed.  I slide out from under her and move across the room to the window.  I almost trip on all of the flowers and candles that I had set up.  Cursing under my breath, I am pretty sure I hear her giggle, but when I look in her direction her eyes are still closed. Peeking through a crack in the curtains, I see nothing but white.  The sky is still dumping snow and the air is swirling with snowflakes that can't decide where to land. How is it possible that we have slept, and not slept, through an entire storm?  

I have so many things to do now before I can return to her.  I need to check on the car, find out about road conditions... Do I have internet? Do we have power?  I am thankful that I chopped all of that wood in the fall, at least we will have a fire and food and each other.  I look over and she is staring at me, a smile mixed with concern.

"Jake, what is the matter?" she asks, her voice still holding on to its sultry tone from the night before.

"Nothing is the matter, love.  Everything is perfect," I say as I walk across the room and climb in beside her, my arms wrapping quickly around her like a magnet drawn to its source.  I kiss her cheek and she snuggles back into me a sigh of contentment escaping her lips.  I lay there with her in my arms, enjoying the warmth and the love I feel.  She starts to stretch.  "Do you notice how quiet it is?" I ask.

She works her body around until she can meet my eyes, my arms rest on her hips and she bears the weight of her body on one elbow.  She is all, everything, and all matter. 

"I guess it is quiet, but it is still early.  I haven't heard from the train in a while, though.  What is going on?" She replied without concern only curiosity. 

"Nothing bad," I run my finger slowly up her side.  I see her shiver and I pull the covers up over her body. "It appears that we have had a bit of a storm last night."

"And we had no idea that was happening?"  She says, jumping out of bed to look through the very same spot that I had been. "Baby, that wasn't a bit of a storm, and it is still going so we haven't missed the whole thing. I can't believe we didn't know what was happening."

"We were a bit distracted, Sugar knees,"   I say trying to get her to laugh at the absurdity of the name.

I see a smirk appear from the corner of her mouth "We were distracted, weren't we, Captain Hottie Pants."  I laugh, see her run, and jump on the bed beside me.  Her arms fling around my neck and she attacks me with kisses.  I return them for a moment and then push away a little.  " I would love to continue this, but I have some things that need to be taken care of so you can be safe and warm."

She pouted, "I can think of other ways things that need to be taken care of.  I can think of many ways that I can be kept warm."

"Woman, how am I supposed to say no?  How am I supposed to do all of the things  that need to be done?" I am fighting off a laugh her pout is adorable.

"I am one of those things," she whines.  She leans in and nibbles on one of my ears.  She lowers her voice into a sexy rumble. Breathing into my ear, she whispers, "Do me first, " and then snickers at her own lame plea, realizing that it was more cheesy than sexy.

I run my finger through her hair and hold her gaze.  "It would be my pleasure to do you first."She slaps my arm in mock offense. I grab her hand and place soft kisses on each finger. My hands move to her lower back and my lips move to her mouth and, once again, the storm outside disappears.

MC's POV:

He had decided to get out of bed before I had, telling me to go back to sleep since we really hadn't gotten much last night.  Before I opened my eyes, I missed his warmth.  I hadn't shared a bed with him many times, but I couldn't help it.   Last night changed so many things in my mind.  I didn't want to wake up without him anymore.

Slightly dramatic, I sighed and opened my eyes finding a note on the pillow next to mine.  

Good morning, Beautiful.  I wish you were waking up in my arms, but I have many things to do.  It won't take long.  There is no hot water for the shower, but I can heat up a bath for you later.  The percolator is on with coffee for you.  I have started a fire.  Cuddle up and get warm.  I love you more than words can say.  --Captain Hottie Pants. :)

I chuckle, placing the note back on the pillow. Heading to the bathroom, I wash up as best as I can and throw on one of his shirts.  It somehow maintains his cedar and sage smell through his detergent.  The smell is comforting and makes me remember his embrace and the smile at the thought of him can't be wiped from my face.  I am happy, though happy isn't the best word to describe it.  Satisfied isn't the right word either. Content, yes, but so much more than that as well.  Maybe someday I will find the right word for this feeling, this type of soul-searing contentment.

Coffee in hand, I walk to the window and peek out. I can't see anything but white. Snow is piled up on the windows and lurks in the doors. The sky is a crisp blue and layered with fog and flurries of snow that attempts to release themselves from the branches.  The ground is laced with ice.  We hadn't expected any of this, but I can't exactly say we had been watching the weather channel.  We had been lost in thoughts of each other even before we were physically distracted by each other. 

Realizing how cold he will be when he returns to the cabin I grab a pot and light the pilot light to begin making his chocolate milk. He teases me about having a sweet tooth, but he could eat chocolate all day and night and never be satisfied. I find some cocoa powder and sugar and add them to the milk. Stirring the pot and throwing in vanilla and a little nutmeg, I let my thoughts wander to last night and all of the months that have been building up to this moment. A smile creeps across my face.

Then I look at my watch. He had been gone an ungodly amount of time given the weather conditions.

"Good news," He said, flinging open the door, stumbling inside, and removing the seven layers of clothes he was wearing to brave the weather.  I can't help but be drawn to the sight of him. He has no idea how good-looking he is, no idea how irresistible he is.

"What is it?" I said, meeting him at the door with a cup of hot cocoa. I begin rubbing his arms, trying to get his circulation going. He is staring at me. I can't imagine what I have done.

He takes a few sips, savoring the warmth, then he sits the cup down on the table next to me, grabbing my hands in his.  They are freezing cold.  I pull them to my lips and blow on them.

"First, can you greet me like this every time I enter the room?" I look down and I notice that the shirt that I am wearing, his shirt, has slipped off one of my shoulders giving him ample view of my cleavage. I hadn't realized how big it is.  He leans down, kisses my neck, and moves to the shoulder exposed there, causing me to giggle.  Then, pulling back, he softly smiles at me, our eyes deepen quickly before he looks away, He places his hands on my hips, needing the touch as much as I do. "Second, thanks for the cocoa, it is cold out there, and third, the good news is that there is so much snow, I don't think we are leaving for a few days. Also, good news, I managed to drag the tree and your bag through the snow so our plans don't have to be foiled. The twinkle lights may not work as the power is out, but we have other ornaments.  We have no internet, but I think there is an old radio somewhere around here that can keep us informed on the storm.  I have plenty of food and a warm fire, and the added benefit is that we are alone and..." he says without skipping a beat. His sapphire eyes raise up to look at mine. Every time I look at them I am lost in their depths. His arms are now wrapped tightly around my hips. He pulls me close.  Too close for me to resist him for long.

"Whatever are we to do?" I say in my best damsel in distress voice while placing the back of my hand on my forehead in a feigned expression.

His smile is broad and his eyes are full of all kinds of wonderful ideas. "I can think of one or two things that we have recently added to our repertoire of approved activities that could keep us occupied." His voice is deep and raspy. He chuckles under his breath and his cheeks redden ever so slightly as his hand slips under my shirt.

I laugh, knowing that his formal voice is a nervous habit. I love that I still make him a little nervous. I  secretly hope this will always be the case.

"Oh, you think that's funny?" He says, raising one eyebrow.

Lifting his shirt over my head, he begins to tickle me but stops and instead picks me up and spins me around as I wrap my legs around his waist, knowing where this is headed.

"No, I think you are adorable and kind, and handsome and...I would rather be here with you than anywhere else." I respond.  He stops my words with his lips as he carries me back to the bedroom.

I can still smell the peonies and the orange blossoms and us.  I can see the tangle of sheets that stay as a reminder of our rendevous.  My eyes land on the note and I consider the way this man takes care of me.  The way that he loves and the person he is. I want to know him more each day.  I want to breathe his air, see his sky, and drink him in.  I don't care if our time is spent playing games or reading or sitting in front of the fire.  Being in his presence is the place I want to be.  I am greedy and need more of him.  I am grateful for this storm and the chance that it gives us to have more time together.

Everything I need is in this cabin and I don't mind for a second that the world is shut out for the next few days.