MOTHER's DAY
By AJB
EPILOGUE
The day's glow brightened the bedroom with white gold. Samantha blinked awake, the curious silence confusing for a moment. Soft breathing at her side drew her attention and her sleep-jumbled mind sorted itself - Martin's warm body shifted, and her arms automatically reached for him.
Outside, the street was quiet. The window curtain rolled with the slight breeze that slipped through the cracked open window. Samantha felt the wind's coolness brush one cheek while the other warmed comfortingly on Martin's shoulder. The rise and fall of his chest as he breathed suspended time in a magical way. It was a perfect moment.
She ran the plane of her hand across his flat stomach and up, resting it flat over his heart where she was reassured by its strong beat. She let the feeling of completeness envelope her. After a time, Martin's head rolled in her direction, drawn to her even in sleep. Samantha's hand then moved across his chest, traveling lightly over the odd smooth-roughness of old scars. She tipped her head just enough that she could watch her hand as it wandered up his neck, across his strong jaw and stubbled cheek, and get tangled in his unruly hair. Smiling, she gently combed the mess, noting its unusual length and the cropped patch over his new scar. Under her fingertip, she felt a perfectly round divot in his skull. Instead of feeling sadness by this particular scar, she was overwhelmingly grateful as it had saved Martin's life.
The corner of Martin's eye twitched and a soft sigh escaped him. He was drifting to wakefulness. Samantha kissed his temple and Martin's hand automatically rose in answer, his fingers tentatively brushing her cheek. From there, his fingers trailed along her skin and he cupped the back of her neck as his eyes fluttered open.
She smiled. They kissed, the embrace deepening. Sam wiggled until they shared a pillow, and they paused, forehead to forehead. The corner of Martin's mouth twitched upward as he pulled her unresisting body close.
"Morning," she whispered, a thrill zinging up her spine where his fingers traced a wandering line down her neck and spine.
"Morning," he answered softly as his eyes drifted open. A few thrilling seconds passed as twinkling blue smiled at her.
He slipped his other arm under her warm, willing body, filling his arms with her.
She pressed impossibly closer and felt the mutual arousal that sparked so easily between them. His wandering hands loosened a breathy groan from deep inside and she threw back her head, closing her eyes to fully savor his touch. Martin's warm lips swept up the long column of her neck and she shivered.
His kisses paused at that certain spot just below her earlobe . . . and he chuckled.
Flustered, Samantha gasped. "What are you . . ." It was then that she heard it.
"Mama! Mama! MAMA!"
Finn. "Oooooh grrrrr . . ." Her body sagged. She heard Finn's crib rattle.
"He actually gave us an extra hour," Martin laughed lightly, kissing the tip of her nose.
"His timing has always been just great," she noted with a frustrated tone.
They parted, flopping sideways to lie on their backs and hold hands. Finn didn't sound upset, she realized. Instead, he quieted and was having a pleasant conversation with himself. It was cute.
"How long do you think he'll entertain himself?" Martin asked as his rolled sideways so his free hand could tease her nipple.
"Not long enough," Samantha answered, twisting a little more so he could reach all of her. She rested her hand on his hip. "But he does sound kinda busy at the moment." She leaned in to nuzzle his neck.
They kissed again, working to attain their previous arousal.
A muted thump froze their motion and they listened, cheek to cheek. Finn was oddly quiet. Samantha frowned. "What the . . ." was all she was able to utter before the bedroom door, which had been ajar, opened wider.
Martin and Sam sat up abruptly as Finn toddled drunkenly into the room, dragging his favorite blankie and babbling happily.
Samantha gaped. After a moment, Martin chuckled. "Uh, oh. The game's changed for good now. Looks like he learned to walk and escape his crib at the same time, Mom!"
"Wha . .?" was all she could manage as her son made a wavering line to her side of the bed. Once there, he reached for her but fell, and then closed the gap with an accomplished crawl. Sam automatically leaned over scooped him up. "Look at you!" She corralled him with a hug. "Houdini walking!"
Martin rubbed the boy's back, a silly grin on his face. "I shouldn't be surprised that he's an overachiever. Just like Mom."
"Very funny!" Samantha laughed. Then she turned and pulled Martin into the giggling, squirmy embrace, leaving him with no chance of escape. Not that he would escape, because Samantha knew with absolute certainty that Martin would always be a part of her – their - life.
Mother's Day had been weeks ago, and it had been a very good day, but this was the moment that would always define the celebration in her heart and mind.
The End
02-08-11
A/N: Thank you for all the wonderful feedback. I've had some squirrly times here at home, but things seemed to be resolved for the moment, so I will reply! And before you ask, yes, there is another story in the works. AJB
