Free (Sequel to Through The Dark) Complete

Chapter 27

Harry woke up the next morning to an empty bed. He noticed immediately it was much warmer than when he had fallen asleep. The electricity must have come back on. He rolled onto his back and took in a deep breath. Something smelled really good. He clasped his hands behind his head and smiled. Maybe he hadn't had it often, but he knew Julie was cooking breakfast. Home fries, bacon, eggs, pancakes, toast, and he guessed some kind of fruit. He was happy she was still here; however, he knew with breakfast came an anxious Julie. She was trying to distract herself from her mind. They always were well fed when it happened, but he figured it wouldn't be long until she ran from him. He sighed and then pushed himself to a sitting position. Part of him wished the storm would have lasted just a little longer. Maybe he was jumping the gun or patting himself on the back too much, but he thought they had made quite a bit of progress in the short time they were stuck here. He got up, washed his face, brushed his teeth, pulled his hair up in a messy bun, and made his way to the kitchen.

He was right. She was alone, cooking, with food all over the counters. He stood back and watched her for a few minutes. Stiff shoulders, tense movements, the small crinkle between her eyebrows showing. Oh yeah, she was on the verge. Maybe he should have taken things just a bit slower. But god, it was nice being here with her, hearing her open up, letting him help; hell, asking him for help. Telling him her secret. She was seemingly comfortable with him for the first time in a very long time. He smiled and walked to the counter when she noticed him. "Morning. I think the smell woke me. I'm not complaining by the way. It smells great." He stopped and sat on the stool on the opposite side of the counter from her. He knew better than to try and help. She would just tell him he was in the way right now.

"Morning. Tea? Or coffee?" She asked grabbing a mug from the cupboard. She knew he would come out eventually, but she had been hoping she had just a bit longer. She almost just got up and left immediately. Once the electricity came back on and she warmed up, she couldn't sleep anymore. It was like when the switch flipped for the electricity it had also flipped in her brain. She kept thinking about how odd this was. How much she let him in and shared.

"I will take some coffee. Thanks." He said watching her make the cup for him. "You've been up awhile. And it's definitely warm in here."

"Yeah. Electricity came on a couple of hours ago. I couldn't sleep after it did. Too warm maybe. I don't know." She placed the mug in front of him and turned back to flip the pancakes. "I called the main cabin. They said the roads are actually pretty clear."

"Oh, my god, it smells amazing out here." Amanda said coming into the kitchen. She yawned and stretched. "You didn't have to do this." She walked over to the counter and gladly took the mug of coffee that JJ shoved towards her.

"You people need to stop telling her she doesn't have to do it." Niall said as he walked into the kitchen. "I'm grateful and thankful, but let the woman cook." He laughed as all eyes were on him. He walked past JJ and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I, for one, will never complain when you cook. No matter the reason." He moved quickly away when JJ snapped a towel and caught him in the ass. "I'm not ashamed." He grabbed a mug and made his own coffee. "See, I'm even helping."

Julie shook her head. "Niall, sometimes I don't even know what to say to you."

"'I hate you' normally works." He laughed again as he reached over and grabbed a piece of bacon from in front of JJ. This time she smacked him in the ass with a spatula. "Shit!" He exclaimed. "Watch it, woman."

"Ok, Niall, it's time to come out of the kitchen before she breaks your fingers or gives you a fat lip." Amanda advised shaking her head.

"She wouldn't dare." Niall pouted. "She likes me playing guitar and singing too much. Couldn't do that with broken fingers and hard to sing with a fat lip."