Vendetta

The Calm Before the Storm

The morning sun filtered gently through the curtains, casting a soft, golden glow over the room. Katherine stirred slightly, blinking awake to the sight of Edward's head resting on her shoulder, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. His steady breathing against her skin was warm, comforting, and for a moment, she didn't want to move. She smiled to herself, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face and planting a soft kiss on his forehead.

His face was peaceful, the lines of worry that so often furrowed his brow now relaxed in sleep. She marveled at how vulnerable he looked in these moments, so different from the determined and intense man who had been pushing through pain and danger for the past few weeks. He had been through so much—yet here he was, holding her like she was the only thing grounding him in this chaotic world. Katherine's heart swelled with affection, but as she gently extricated herself from his embrace, she couldn't help the flutter of nerves that danced in her chest, a blush rising to her cheeks as memories of the previous night flooded back.

She moved carefully, trying not to wake him, pulling on the oversized shirt she'd found draped over a chair. Her skin tingled at the cool air, contrasting with the warmth still lingering from Edward's body. Quietly, she padded across the room, heading toward the washroom. As she closed the door behind her, she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror and couldn't help but smile again—this time, a mixture of shyness and contentment crossing her features.

Her fingers brushed through her tangled hair as she recalled the intensity of last night—the passion, the closeness, and how raw it all felt. She felt a little embarrassed, seeing her flushed face, but she couldn't deny the happiness that came with it. Katherine washed her face, the cold water snapping her back to the present. She leaned against the sink, staring into the mirror with a small, wistful smile before stepping into the shower. The warm water cascaded over her, soothing the last remnants of sleep and tension from her muscles. The quiet hum of the water was a welcome reprieve, giving her a moment to reflect on everything.

A few minutes later, Katherine emerged from the washroom, wrapped in a towel, her hair damp and glistening. She glanced at the bed and saw Edward still fast asleep, his face serene. The sight of him, resting so peacefully, brought a soft warmth to her chest. Smiling to herself, she quietly slipped out of the room and headed toward the kitchen.

The house was quiet as she moved around, pulling out ingredients for breakfast. The smell of freshly toasted bread filled the air, and as she busied herself buttering the slices, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Katherine turned to see Edward standing in the doorway, his hair slightly disheveled, eyes still heavy with sleep but warm as they met hers.

"Happy New Year," he said softly, his voice rough but filled with affection.

"Happy New Year," Katherine whispered back, her smile broadening. She moved toward him, and they leaned in, their lips just about to touch when the toaster clicked loudly behind them. They both laughed, the moment broken but not lost. Edward leaned in and kissed her cheek instead, his lips lingering for just a second longer.

"Sit down, Kate. I'll handle this," Edward said, motioning toward the table.

Katherine raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Are you sure? You look like you need more sleep."

He grinned but winced slightly as he moved to grab the toast. "I'm sure. Besides, you did most of the work already."

As he spread butter on the toast, Edward felt a sharp ache in his side—a reminder of the injuries that still hadn't fully healed. The adrenaline from the past few days had dulled the pain, but now, in the calm of the morning, every movement sent small waves of discomfort through his body. He winced again, but this time tried to hide it, not wanting Katherine to worry.