AN: You know the saying, when it rain it pours… Well I'm experiencing a typhoon. I've have several family emergencies that have monopolized my time. I will not stop writing or put this story on hiatus. I might not update as often as we would all like but, life happens and we all must adapt. Thank you, to my faithful and loyal readers who have stuck around. This story is coming to an end soon, then the final story in my series will be posted. Now on with the story.
Chapter 36: The After Glow.
A light knock woke me from my peaceful slumber. I wiggled my way out of Edward's grasp, causing him to moan unhappily. He then turns over and begins snoring. I had to smile, at how cute he looked.
The soft tapping on the door broke me from my Edward gazing. I found the shirt Edward wore earlier and put it on before opening the door. Senna smile greeted me from the other side of the door.
"How are you feeling?" she asks coyly.
I feel myself turn beet red and look at the floor. I hear her chuckle softly.
That seemed to snap me out of my initial embarrassment. I square my shoulders and lift my head. I did nothing wrong. After all Edward and I are husband and wife. I will not act ashamed of what was a magical event. It bonded us together even further then what we already were.
"Rested and ready to take on a group of pesky Peacekeepers." I said deadpan, her smile widens.
"So, what did you need?" I ask.
"You've both been sleeping for several hour and we will be sending a message to D13 soon. I just wanted to keep you informed. I also thought the both of you might be hungry so I brought you something to eat." to prove her point she motioned to a cart filled with food.
"It's not Capitol worthy but, it should fill the void. Most of it comes from canned goods I found in the pantry. It seems Demetry hasn't been here in a while and there for doesn't have anything fresh lying around. Thank goodness, he has a well stocked pantry."
Sneaking a quick glance at Edward to make sure he was covered, I opened the door to let Senna in. She pushed the cart over to the end of the bed and turned to leave. Before exiting turns her head to say,
"I put some pain medication on the cart. I figured you both might be a little sore. I'll come back in 45 minutes to collect the cart and to let you know if the message was sent by then."
With that said she left the room closing the door behind her. I made my way back to the bed and sat down next to my still snoring husband. I gently run my fingers through his hair. I can see and feel he is in dire need of a shower. Looking my self over I realize so am I. While lost in thought, I must have woke Edward up. His rough coarse voice startles me, as it fills the air.
"Keep doing that and I might never get up."
"I better stop then Unfortunately we need to get up and start moving. We are both in need of bathing, I'm sure your hungry and luckily Senna brought us something to eat, not to mention the fact that she said she would be back shortly to let us know if the Morse message was a success."
"Well then my lovely wife I say we save water and time by showering together." he says huskily, while wiggling his eyebrows.
I giggle like a school girl and playfully swat his arm. Then his expression turns serious. For a second I thought I might have hit him too hard. I was about to ask if he was alright but, he beat me to it.
"How are you feeling? Not too sore are you? I didn't hurt did I."
The amount of love and concern in his voice was my undoing. I practically pounced on him in order to kiss him fully. Once I pull back in order for us both to breath I answer him.
"I'm a bit sore but, nothing out of the ordinary I assure you. How about you, how are you feeling?"
"I have never felt more alive now that I have you back in my arms." he replied sincerely.
We kissed for a few more times before I pull back and ask in my best seductive voice,
"Now about that shower you suggested sharing…" I trail off wagging my eyebrows.
Pulling Edward out of bed and toward the bathroom. He smiled and for the first time since rescuing him, it reached his eyes. I was mesmerized.
His eyes shined like two emeralds sparkling in the sun. I felt a goofy grin spread across my face. His breath fans over my flushed skin. In that moment I am completely dazzled by his presence.
"Breath, love." he whispers.
And I gulp air I had somehow forgot about moments ago. Felling slightly dizzy from the whole ordeal I focus on centering myself.
By this time we were in the bathroom and Edward starts the shower. I hadn't realized he was still naked until then. I drink in his appearance. This man had to be part God, he was perfect in every way.
"Ready, love?" Edward smirks.
Knowing I was caught gawking ducked my head and blushed. Quickly I remove what little cloths I was wearing and entered the shower stall. I allow the water to cascade down my head and back. Once the hot water hit my sore muscles I feel some of the tension melt away.
"Feels good doesn't it." Edward coos.
"Heavenly." I answer breathily.
"Here turn around for me." he requests as he grabs some soap.
I turn facing the water. He started kneading my shoulders and back. If I thought the hot water felt good it was nothing compared to Edward's magical handy work. After a few minutes he kissed the hollow behind my ear and turn me around again in order to rinse off.
I grown in protest. Which earns me another heart stopping smile from Edward.
"As much as I'd love to continue and possibly get the pleasure of repeating what occurred last night, we need to finish washing and get dressed, so we can find out how the message went. Besides I don't think you want any of the Amazon sisters walking in on us again" challenging me with a raised eyebrow.
I pout in responds.
"You're testing my already crumbling restraint, love. Let not push me over the edge shall we?" he counters.
Then leans down and envelops my pouting lip with his for an all to short peck.
"Fine you win." I amended but add, "But, I'd really like a repeat of last night sometime soon." I say in my best seductive tone.
"You'll be the death of me woman!" he chuckles with one last peck on the lips.
We finish showering and get dressed in some cloths Senna left on the cart with the food. We enjoyed the simple fair of food. Crackers with canned crab and fruit preserves. To drink a powdery orange flavored substance. I suck with water after the first swig of the nasty concoction.
We were just finishing up when a knock upon the door broke us from the little cocoon we had created within this room. Edward got up and opened the door reveling Zafrina.
"Greetings, hope you enjoyed your little holiday." she smirked.
"Thank you, for allowing us this time Zafrina. We really needed it." Edward responded sincerely.
"It's the least I could do, knowing your marriage so far hasn't been a bed of roses. Have you both finished eating?" she asked gesturing to the reminiscence of our meal.
"Yes, and I'd also like to thank you for everything you've done for us." I try to relay just how much her and her sisters help means.
She waves me off and says,
"It's the least I can do for the soon to be leaders of the revolution."
I always get a bit tense hearing her talk so casually about my place in the upcoming uprising. I notice Edward fidget as well. He too, get uncomfortable with such matters. Deciding to change the subject I ask,
"So have you sent the Morse message yet?"
You can visibly see the change in her demeanor. She goes from relaxed friend to professional guardian in a blink of an eye.
"Kachiri has found a safe channel to sent the message. Senna is awaiting a shift change to assure the message will reach the right people. We should be able to make contact shortly." her no nonsense tone in full force.
"What are the risks of this message being intercepted?" I ask.
She give me a look of admiration before speaking.
"You truly are made for this. Anyway the chances of the message being heard by others is slim. The chances of someone actually knowing or recognizing Morse code even slimmer."
We nod our understanding. She goes to clean up after us. Edward and I step in and tell her we have it. Once everything was cleaned up, we followed her pushing the cart into the kitchen. There we run into Kachiri. She offers a small smile of acknowledgement. Then she turns her attention to her sister and commanding officer at the moment,
"Senna is on stand by." she informs, then turning to us.
"Just so the both of you are caught up to speed, the neighbors suspect nothing of our presence. However, every available Peacekeeper is searching the city for any sign of us. They will be expanding the search by tomorrow and fanning out from there.
"They wouldn't dare enter this property without permission. It might take time to get a hold of Demetri since he is so busy in the Capitol but, once they do I believe he will give the go ahead to search the premises.
"We'll have to be ready to move before that, on the off chance they become suspicious of someone being on his should be empty property."
That said she excused herself to check on Senna.
"If we have to leave in a hurry will a satellite call still be possible?" I ask Zafrina.
"Yes as long as we are in an high elevation and satellite covered area we should be fine."
I look at Edward to see if he had anything to say. He had a far away look and I was us about to ask him what was on his mind, when Senna called out telling us she was about to send the message.
Looks like we about to make contact with D13, let's hope this goes well.
AN: And there you have it at long last. Sorry it's not as long as normal, I'll try to update as soon as I can. Thanks again, for your patience.