Map to Redemption

Day -24

**A/N: I'm back! Life has not been easy, but I love this story and intend to complete it. It will just take me much longer than I originally thought. Anyway, I wanted this to be a little snapshot into a day where Jake and Lyra are alone, adjusting to being a new couple living together after both have been alone for so long. Even a typical day for them has its twists and turns. I hope you enjoy it, and sorry in advance for any editing snafus. I ran out of juice after the third pass and decided to let it ride.** 

When Lyra awakes the next morning, she nearly has to pinch herself. It was the greatest day of her life, without exception. She could not believe everything that had happened in such a short time. She shifts slightly, trying not to wake Jake up, but she's feeling a bit sore from the previous night's activities, especially in her abdomen where she has the incision.

Jake feels her moving beside him and wakes up with a soft groan, his arms tightening around her for a moment before he realizes she might be in pain. He opens his eyes, his gaze a bit groggy and his voice rough with sleep.

"Darling? Are you alright?" he asks, his hand gently caressing her side as if he's assessing her pain level.

"Just a little sore. Sorry to wake you, my love," she answers softly. She gingerly rolls over to face him, nuzzling his face gently.

Jake smiles at her gentle nuzzling, his hand coming up to caress her cheek. His touch is soft, reverent. "Don't apologize, love," he whispers, his voice still thick with sleep. He brushes a stray lock of hair back from her face. "I'd rather you wake me than be in pain. Do you need me to get you anything? A heating pad or pain medication?"

She smiles fondly at him. "A heating pad would be wonderful. Thank you, dearest."

Jake nods, giving her a lingering kiss on the forehead before reluctantly extracting himself from the tangle of their limbs to find a heating pad. He rummages through a nearby cabinet, finally locating the heating pad and plugging it in at the outlet near the bed. He returns to her side, placing it gently on her abdomen and pressing the button to turn it on.

"There you go, my love. I hope that helps a bit. If you need anything else, just let me know."

She looks at him seriously after placing the heating pad over her sore abdomen. "Thank you. There is definitely something that I need right away."

With a completely stoic expression, she leans in closer. "I need a good morning kiss from my handsome fiance."

For a brief moment, Jake is stunned by her serious expression, but then his surprise melts away into a warm grin.

"Is that so?" *he asks, his voice low and teasing. He moves closer to her, his eyes filled with affection. His fingers gently tilt her head up towards him as he leans in, his lips just a breath away from hers.

"Well, it would be my pleasure to give my beautiful fiance a good morning kiss."

She smiles, placing her lips against his gently, teasingly. She refrains from leaning in further, no matter how much she wants to. She prefers to savor every moment from this magical life they are beginning together.

Jake can feel the teasing hint of her lips against his, and senses her restraint. He can tell she's drawing out the moment, and he smiles against her mouth, enjoying her tease. He gently brushes his fingers along her jaw, his touch tender and soothing.

"You're playing a dangerous game, love,"*he whispers, his voice a low, rumbling murmur. "Teasing me like this..."

She grins, answering softly. "You have the power to stop the teasing at any time."

Jake laughs softly at her challenge, a spark of teasing amusement in his eyes. He leans in a bit closer, his breath warm against her mouth. "Do I, now? And how should I go about stopping it, pray tell?" he asks, his voice soft, low, and just a bit wicked.