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Date Posted: 09:16:21 03/25/03 Tue
Author: dqfan
Subject: Re: A Journey Home - ch. 16
In reply to: dqfan 's message, "Re: A Journey Home - ch. 15" on 09:10:44 03/25/03 Tue

CHAPTER SIXTEEN


"Mornin', Sweetheart," Peter whispered softly, kneeling before the rocker as Sophie began to stir. "Merrrry Christmas!"

"Hmm? What time is it?" Sophie asked disoriented.

"Seven A.M., Christmas Day!" Peter repeated cheerfully. Then, with a smirk, he inched closer, nudging, "This is where you're supposed to wish me Merry Christmas…if you feel so inclined, of course."

"Merry Christmas, Peter," Sophie smiled indulgently, her hand gently caressing his cheek as she leaned in for a Christmas kiss.

"And she did it without mistletoe, Ladies and Gentlemen…" Peter continued in his best announcer tone of voice.

"You are in a very good mood this morning, Mountain Man," Sophie chuckled.

"It's Christmas, Soph!" Peter answered gleefully, pulling her up into his arms. "Plus, twelve hours sleep makes Peter a new man."

Looking deeply into her eyes, he added gratefully, "Thank you for taking such good care of me last night."

Once again, Sophie had the strangest feeling she'd heard those words before.

"Thank you fer takin' such good care 'o him..." Sophie was sure Sully had said those very words to her last night. Could her dream have been real after all? Well, real or not, Sully's words had rung true and Sophie remembered every one of them on this joyful Christmas morning.

"I'm glad you're feeling so much better," Sophie replied a bit uneasy, wondering if Peter might have heard any of her confessions before falling asleep in her arms last night.

"Sorry I fell asleep on you," Peter offered endearingly, his hands massaging her back as he drew her closer still.

Sophie tingled at his touch; but, finding herself a bit startled by Peter's uncanny ability to almost read her mind, she instinctively pulled away.

Instantly, Sophie was chagrined by the hurt look in his eyes. Quickly softening her actions, she explained apologetically, "Guess, I'm just more used to giving massages…"

"See, that's why you should stop by Chateau Scarbrow more often," Peter teased forgivingly.

"I will," Sophie answered so firmly that Peter was taken aback.

"Peter," she began hesitantly, "how much do you remember about last night?"

Sophie's unexpected question puzzled him. "I…remember decorating our Christmas tree," Peter flustered. "I…remember asking you to marry me…and I remember you saying, yes. Yes?" he begged for confirmation.

"Yes." Sophie's answer made him beam with happiness all over again.

"Anything else?" she asked casually.

Peter squirmed nervously. They couldn't possibly have…He never would have forgotten if…

"Else?" he questioned with a gulp.

Sophie tried to contain her amusement. It was clear to her now that Peter had absolutely no recollection of her disclosures from the previous evening. Mercifully, she decided to put him out of his misery.

"I meant the massage, Sparky," she fibbed with a laugh.

"Oh, the massage…the massage was terrific…haven't slept that great in years…" Peter was babbling, overcome with relief that that was all Sophie had meant, when, suddenly, he stopped short, a bewildered look on his face.

He really had slept well but somehow Peter couldn't shake this nagging feeling…like he'd had a dream he needed to remember. Why did the words "spontaneous" and "enthusiasm" keep popping into his head?

From out of nowhere, Peter asked, "Soph, did it rain last night?"

Sophie's mouth threatened to drop open in surprise. Okay, now, he was really scaring her. Was it actually possible that she and Peter could have had the same dream at the same time last night? Should she tell him her outlandish theory, she wondered?

"Oh, great idea," Sophie commented sarcastically to herself. "Real spontaneous…'Peter, I've been having these dreams of Sully'…That'll definitely put him in the mood!"

Deciding that a discussion of the weather might prove to be the safest course of action right now, Sophie replied awkwardly to Peter's query. "No, um, I don't think so. But if it rained, maybe there isn't as much snow left for you to shovel. Why don't you go check while I change?" she suggested.

"Sure," Peter answered with an impish grin, placing a kiss on Sophie's cheek. Hopeful that Sophie's apparent reticence was due primarily to a poor night's sleep in an uncomfortable rocker, he chimed merrily, "Be back soon."

Unbeknownst to Peter, Sophie watched lovingly from the bedroom window as he headed down the path, keeping him in sight for as long as she could. He seemed healthy and happier than he'd been in ages. She hoped he wouldn't be gone too long.

Just long enough for…"what?" Sophie wondered, frantically looking about the room. Then it hit her. Sophie's eyes sparkled and her face shone. She had an idea…

Quickly she undressed and opened Michaela's trunk with the intention of returning the borrowed green dress, but something caught her eye.

"Perfect!" she smiled, putting another piece of her plan into action.

In less than an hour, Peter returned to the homestead. Not finding Sophie downstairs, he removed his jacket and gloves and headed up to the bedroom. Opening the door, he discovered the room was immaculate, returned to its museum-like condition. The bed was made and the red velvet ropes were once again standing sentry for its protection. Sophie was dressed in her jeans and plaid shirt. Her sweater and jacket were draped across the rocker as she busily packed a few last items into their backpacks.

Peter tried to hide his disappointment. True, he'd told Sophie they'd be back at the hotel by Christmas but somehow, seeing her packed and ready to go made it all so final. And even though the circumstances of their arrival at the homestead had been grim, Peter hated the thought of leaving.

It was a glorious sunny day outside - Christmas Day - and they were finally both well and together. Their tree was waiting for them downstairs and the snow outside just begged for snowmen and snowball fights. What a time they could have.

If Sophie wasn't ready to be with him yet, that was fine. He didn't understand it, but it was fine. He could wait. But to leave this magical place so soon, on such a magical day - it just didn't seem right.

Peter forced himself to contain the sigh of regret that was bubbling inside him. If Sophie really wanted to go home now, then that's what they'd do.

"Ready," he asked, trying to sound excited.

"Path all finished?" Sophie avoided his question with one of her own.

"Uh-huh," Peter nodded. "Must've rained last night. The snow's down a bit. Temperature's rising, too. It's a pretty day out there," he added hopefully.

"I left the letters downstairs on the dining table," Sophie announced matter-of-factly, carefully concealing her private little agenda.

Peter nodded again, secretly dismayed by her perfunctory dismissal of the pages that had meant so much to them.

"Okaaay, guess we're finished here then," he stated curtly, extending his hand toward the first backpack.

"Not quite…"

Her words were mere whispers as her voice turned suddenly low and seductive. But, when her twinkling eyes locked with Peter's, Sophie's thrill in catching him successfully off guard was unmistakable. Tenderly, she stopped his outstretched hand, taking it in her own.

Her touch was so warm, so welcoming, that Peter shivered with an anticipation he didn't dare believe. Yet, undeniably, Sophie was gently tugging at his hand, leading him toward the bed, and causing his heart to pound and a boyish grin to spread across his face.

"Michaela, c'mon, let's go…" Sully urged.

"Do you think they're all right - truly?" Michaela worried like a nervous mother.

"They look just fine ta me," Sully offered wryly.

"I can't believe you convinced me we should tell them about Virginia City," Michaela blushed with embarrassment.

"Way I remember, it was your idea," Sully teased mercilessly. "What'd ya tell him anyway?" he baited curiously.

Michaela smiled a guilty half-smile and revealed, "I…merely explained that I'd been…missing you…and…suggested that if…sometime…in the future…Sophie were to feel the same…it would be only polite to express his…enthusiasm."

Temptingly, Sophie led Peter toward the velvet ropes; and, with his hand still in hers, encouraged his fingers to unhook the latch - the only thing separating them from Michaela and Sully's magnificent bed. Peter's breath quickened as he eagerly followed Sophie's every lead.

"Good job," Sully complimented his beautiful wife.

"Now, Michaela, we really gotta go…" Sully urged more strenuously, in view of Sophie and Peter's exceptional progress.

"They do seem to be managing nicely," Michaela stated, examining the situation with measured clinical detachment.

"But then, your version left so little to the imagination…" she chastised. "Really, Sully! For heaven's sake, she's wearing my…"

Sully grabbed Michaela in a fervent kiss that left her breathless as well as speechless.

"And she'll never look as good in it as you did," he whispered in that voice that made her melt. "Now, let's go!"

Sully's firm arm around Michaela's shoulder allowed no further discussion and the two disappeared as ethereally as they arrived.

Sophie was holding both of Peter's hands now as she edged backwards onto the bed. With a guilty smile, she felt the handcarved headboard behind her. She had to admit it - she'd secretly wondered what it would be like to be with Peter, in that bed, since the first time she saw it. Enticingly, Sophie tugged on his hands once more, inviting him to sit across from her.

Peter's heart was pounding wildly as he accepted her offer, somewhat hesitantly at first. He wanted so much to love her, but more than anything, Peter wanted Sophie to be sure.

Wordlessly, she began to caress his hands - first running her fingers, lightly as a feather, over his reddened knuckles - then turning them to trace the lines of his palm in the same mesmerizing detail. Slowly, she bent her head and placed a gentle kiss upon his lifeline.

"Sophie," Peter whispered hungrily.

Desperately needing for her to say the words, he asked the question with his eyes.

"Yes…" she breathed. "For now and for ever."

Instantly, their lips met and the passionate kiss seemed endless. Before, whenever Peter tried to kiss her, Sophie eventually pulled away, but not this time. Not since she parachuted into his arms over a year ago, had they shared a kiss so long…and so deep. The thrill Sophie felt now was greater than any freefall she'd ever experienced.

Purposefully, Sophie wanted Peter to be the one to break the kiss. She wouldn't pull away from him again. He had to know that - she needed him to know that. So, when Peter did, reluctantly, ease back, they were both breathless - faces flush, lips swollen, and each still yearning for more.

Sophie smiled mysteriously and slid down against the pillows, once again taking both Peter's hands in hers. Kissing each of his fingers, Sophie stared down at her shirt, guiding his hands provocatively toward the top button.

Peter grinned, taking his time, enjoying every minute. And by the time he reached the third button, Peter discovered just what Sophie's cryptic smile so temptingly foretold.

Beneath her drab, flannel shirt, Sophie was wearing Michaela's finest lace camisole. "Maybe even the one from Virginia City," Sophie wished when she put it on, tying the ribbons loosely, as the good doctor prescribed.

His hands trembling slightly, Peter undid the last button and smoothed the soft flannel slowly off Sophie's shoulders, running his hands lovingly down her bare arms. The raging excitement Peter felt was tempered only by the momentarily unsettling thought that he might still be dreaming, but the luxurious feel of Sophie's skin beneath him reassured Peter that he was very much awake.

"Sophie…" he whispered hoarsely, unable to take his eyes off her. "You're so beautiful…"

Smiling shyly, Sophie traced his cheekbone lightly with her fingertips.

"It's been so long…" Peter's voice strained with anticipation.

"Too long," Sophie nodded, eagerly grabbing Peter's sweater at his waist, and lifting it over his head.

"I love you, Peter," she sighed, her breathing shallow as Peter began to untie the camisole's loose strands.

"I love you, too, Soph, so much…" he moaned, unthreading each eyelet with intense concentration.

Sophie reached out for him, allowing her hands to travel leisurely over Peter's broad chest. It had been nearly five years since she last touched him like this. Peter had always had an impressive physique but his recent devotion to mountain climbing only served to enhance what needed virtually no improvement. His muscles were toned and solid, carved now to sheer perfection. Lovingly, Sophie ventured lightly with her touch, placing a soft, gentle kiss on every bruise still remaining from his valiant rescue of her on Pike's Peak, desperately longing to take away his pain.

Inhaling sharply, Sophie felt a rush of cool air as Peter easily began peeling the camisole away. Soon their remaining clothing followed, and Peter was able to explore Sophie's body with tantalizingly slow adoration. Gradually, Sophie became awed by the realization that, after all these years, Peter had forgotten nothing of their time together. His soft, sensual lips granted her every delight - revisiting each sensitive spot, each secret place as if it were yesterday. It was all she craved…and so much more than she remembered.

Likewise, Peter had imagined so many times how it would feel to hold Sophie in his arms again. The last time he and Sophie had been together, she was gone by the time he woke and he hadn't seen her again for three years. A small part of him wondered if that might happen again.

Peter wanted desperately to believe this time would be different and when he looked deep into Sophie's eyes, he could see that it was. All the barriers were gone now. With each touch, each kiss, each caress, Sophie gave more, wanted more. There was no longer any part of herself that she held back. Never had Peter felt her so completely his and his body ached for her.

Each tried to prolong the moment as long as possible but their emotions were too raw, their passions too strong, and eventually desire overtook them with all the power they possessed.

Cradled in the softness of Sophie's warm embrace, Peter drifted blissfully off to sleep, all his uncertainties gone. He knew Sophie would be there when he awoke, just as he knew they would have many more days and nights together. He knew they had both finally come home.

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