Chapter Track: "Breathe A Sigh" – Def Leppard

He awoke to the warming rays of sunlight through the windows; however, he didn't open his eyes as he enjoyed the warmth on his face and bare chest and the peace it brought him as he lay in bed halfway beneath the sheets. He sighed with contentment, having never before felt such deep tranquility as he finally opened his eyes and found himself lying on his back staring up at the ceiling, feeling empty-headed and refreshed from the deep, dreamless sleep he'd had.

He turned his head slightly to the left and grew puzzled when he realized he had awoken in his parents' bedroom; he blinked in rapid succession as his gaze swept across the fireplace and the dresser with the oval mirror sitting atop it. He was perplexed at the trail of clothes strewn across the floor leading toward his side of the bed; the bedroom door was wide open. What the hell? he thought, blinking and frowning as he looked to his right.

His heart skipped a beat at what he saw.

She was laying on her side with her back facing him and the bed sheets exposing all but her lower half. Her long hair, slightly tangled and messy, cascaded down the pillow behind her like a dark-brown waterfall. The sheets were draped over the lower half of her buttocks and concealed her legs; it flowed along with and displayed the curves of her body beautifully. Her right leg was brought up at an almost ninety-degree angle, while her left lay straight. Her left arm cradled her head from underneath the pillow while her right arm rested on her side, her elbow fitting rather well in the crook of her waist. Her side and arm rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm, her breathing soft and assuaging. Madeline was lost to the realm of wondrous dreams and restful sleep, far too gone from experiencing the dream-like quality of her conscious lover's reality.

I must be dreaming…

In slack-jawed wonder, Jack looked her up and down. He stared at how the sunlight bounced off her creamy-white skin, making it glow and adding to the surrealism. Was it really just a dream? To prove it to be true, he rolled onto his side and reached out with his left hand. He touched her arm and gasped. Oh, my God, he thought with a growing smile. Last night DID happen…

In a furious series of images, his mind's eye assailed him with memories of the night before. He recalled with a disbelieving gasp at how they timidly undressed each other, how their hands explored each other's bodies; he remembered kissing her as passionately as he could as their first night together commenced slowly, delicately. Maddie grew fearful as things progressed; however, he whispered reassuringly he was only going to do what she allowed, that everything was up to her, that whatever happened happened, and if it didn't, he wouldn't be heartbroken—he made sure she knew she was never, ever going to be taken advantage of. It was in that pivotal moment, when she looked up at him, and he down at her, that they fully trusted each other, embraced their passions, and laid down.

They mirrored the same shocked but sensual expression as skin brushed skin and their bodies touched. With no other way to go but further, they let it all go and lost themselves in the moment, and at long last, they were joined together. He had started out slow, as painless as he could possibly make it, just as she had asked him to. They talked throughout it; he made sure she wasn't scared or in pain. When ten minutes passed, when Maddie was still with him and able to relax, her hands began to slide up and down his back. She began to sigh and look up at him with all the ecstasy and fascination he felt as well. Eventually, it all became a passionate blur, though their night together wasn't rough or aggressive in any way. He had never before felt such consuming lust, such furious ardor. No amount of words in the world could've described the storm of emotions and sensations that assailed him during it all. And the look in Maddie's eyes… He recalled hearing her say she loved him. He said it right back, without hesitation. The look she gave him, and he her, solidified their belief in each other's feelings, sealing their fates together in an unbreakable bond that they knew was meant to be.

It was after they professed their love that their passion grew wild: she wrapped her arms tightly around him, she sighed and said his name in a way he'd never heard her say before. Quite soon, his body was covered in a sheen of sweat; he grew exhausted and overwhelmed by passion. Scared by it, and by what could have happened, he eased back and eventually slowed to a stop before his moment of pleasure happened. Afterwards, he and Maddie laid side by side half-way under the covers, panting and staring wide-eyed at each other. Neither spoke a word as they tried catching their breath; after a minute or two, Maddie had cuddled up beside him and rested her head on his heaving chest. Still enraptured by their night of love, he enveloped her in his arms, kissed her frequently, and professed his love for her more times than he could recall. He had never felt so elated and bewildered in all his life. His first time had finally happened after so long, and he couldn't have been more happy with who he shared it with.

I love you, he thought as he looked her over, feeling his heart gush with a waterfall of adoration. It washed over him, yet it burned like fire in his veins and made his heart pound powerfully; it chilled him to the bone but set his limbs aquiver in giddy exuberance. His fantasy had been fulfilled at last, and now to have awoken in bed with her was almost too much for him to handle. He wanted her again, just as he had her last night, but he knew better than to ruin a perfectly blissful moment. He didn't want it to end, and yet he ached to be one with her again.

His eyes ran up and down her body once more. He stared in fascination at how her body flowed, how it rose and fell, curved and straightened, like the land he'd explored so long ago. His explorations, however, were nowhere near as beautiful and wild as her sensual body. She was more beautiful than the land, more captivating than the sky above it, and more spirited and lively than the beings that dwelled in both worlds. She was unearthly, goddess-like, above anything and anyone he'd ever encountered.

He touched her shoulder with his fingertips before slowly drifting them down her arm, sliding over her torso and outer thigh, before returning to where he began. Her skin was softer than silk, more graceful and delicate than a swan's white plumage. His callused hand scratched across her smooth flesh like sand paper, but he didn't pay attention to that as he caressed her. He scooted closer to her and propped his head up with his other hand as he leaned over her and lowered his head to her shoulder; his facial hair brushed her skin as he gingerly kissed up and down her arm.

Softly, Maddie stirred awake. Jack watched her eyes slowly open before he scooted back to give her room. She inhaled deeply and rubbed at her eyes. She rolled over and faced him with a tired but peaceful grin. Their eyes met, and once again Jack felt his heart swell with a feverish infatuation. He smirked softly and cooed, "Good mornin'."

"Mornin'," she replied huskily, her voice hoarse from sleep. She adjusted her hair, flicking it out from underneath her arm and back. It blanketed her shoulders and breasts in a beautiful mess. She frowned with annoyance and, in an effort to straighten her appearance, ran her fingers through it to comb out the tangles it had received from their night of passion.

Her tidying wasn't necessary: on the contrary, Jack thought she looked more beautiful and seductive because of it. He drew his hand back up to her arm and caressed it with his thumb.

At his touch, she paused and looked back into his eyes. She hummed with contentment and gave him the sweetest smile. In response, she placed a delicate hand on his hip. He shivered and gasped as she slid her hand up and down his side. She scooted closer to him and kissed his chest before pressing her face against him.

She snorted through her nose softly. "Your heart's poundin', Jack."

He wrapped his arms around her and grinned. "So is yours."

"Can you blame me?" she chuckled, looking up into his eyes with a sly twinkle. "Last night was…" She trailed off and shook her head, at a loss for words to describe it.

"I know," he agreed and kissed her.

"I've never experienced anything like that before," Maddie continued after he pulled away. She wrapped her arm around his torso. "Thank you, Jack, for…understanding."

He smiled. "Neither have I." He kissed her again and caressed the side of her face with his fingers. "And you're welcome. Are you…okay? Was it…good for you?"

She grinned and nodded. "Yes."

Relief and pride swelled in his chest. He held her close and sighed with contentment. "Good."

"Was I…good?"

"Yes," he laughed and kissed her forehead, "though at times you got carried away."

"I did?" she exclaimed as she looked back up at him, a wry smirk forming across her mouth. "You were getting' a little feisty yourself, Jack." She flashed her gaze down their naked bodies pressed together and then back up at him to prove her point. "And even now, look who's gettin' rambunctious!"

"Can you blame me?"

"Easy there, stud. You'd best be calmin' down now."

"Why should I?" he questioned playfully as he kissed down her neck. He grinned when he felt her heart pound and heard her breath quicken. He glanced up at her through his eyelashes and smiled when he saw her eyelids flutter and her mouth part slightly. Before she could stop him, he rolled over on top of her. He propped up his elbows by her sides so he didn't put all his weight on her as his lips traveled down her neck and straight down the middle of her chest.

Despite his efforts to seduce her, she came out the stronger one and, pressing her hands against his stomach, pushed him gently away from her. "Because," she replied logically as she met eyes with him, "chores need to get done some time this morning."

He rolled his eyes and pushed back against her hands. "That can wait, Maddie. That doesn't need to get done just yet." He lowered most of his weight down on her and kissed her passionately.

"Jack," she giggled after he pulled away. A hint of admonition could be heard in her voice, but it sounded forced. Again, she tried pushing away, but he pinned her down with his body.

"Jack, stop," she murmured, still smiling. "Calm yourself."

His humor faded into desire as he breathed, "No. Not when I have you like this. Not after what happened last night. I want that again."

Indecision crossed her face and lingered there as she searched his eyes with hers. Temptation beckoned…but so did morning chores. Still, the desire and passion he was consumed by wafted around her; she closed her eyes and kissed him softly, on the cusp of giving in.

"Maddie," he whispered, almost begging for it as he ran his fingers through her hair, "I love you, and…I want you… right now."

Her eyes widened as they searched his in wonder. She slid her hands up his chest, up and around his neck, to the back of his head. She pulled his face to hers and kissed him back with twice as much passion, easily outdoing his efforts and making him moan voluptuously. Before things could escalate, however, she pulled away and pushed his upper body up off her. She gave him a knowing smile and shook her head. He gave her a puzzled look, barely coming out of his amorousness, but she said resolutely, "Not now, Jack. Chores need to get done."

He half-scoffed half-laughed. "Maddie…" He tried going for a kiss.

She leaned away and gave him a stern look. "Come on. Time to get up and start the day."

He sighed in defeat and got up off of her. He flopped to one side as she scooted out from underneath him. He lay in bed befuddled and frustrated with the sheets barely concealing his lower half. He sighed and gave a despairing groan as she slipped on her undergarments and her shirt.

She looked back at him over her shoulder, laughed, and rolled her eyes. "It's not the end of the world, Jack. Come on, get dressed."

He looked dejectedly at her. With a groan, he swung his legs around off the edge of the bed. His body was sore from their night of passion, but he wasn't complaining in the slightest.

Chuckling, she walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pressing her chest into his face as she hugged him. "There will be other times, Jack. Don't worry."

"Really?"

She nodded and laughed boisterously, looking at him with an adoring twinkle. "Of course, my love." She kissed his forehead before withdrawing her arms from him. She stiffly put her pants on and buckled her belt. "But not right this second. I think it's best we…wait for a while."

Jack nodded as he stood up out of bed and retrieved his pants. "I understand. Sorry if I was bein' a little…"

"Rambunctious?" she finished as she swung her vest on and pulled her boots onto her feet.

He chortled and looked away, embarrassed. "Yeah, I guess."

She laughed as she walked up to him. She wrapped her arms around his bare torso and kissed his chest. "I understand. But for now, just keep your passions to yourself while we go take care of the animals, okay? We've got a full day ahead of us: the cattle and horses need fed and watered, the garden needs tendin' to, and the—"

Jack silenced her with a long, passionate kiss. He smirked as he pulled away and looked into her eyes. "I know, Maddie."

"Is that my cue to shut up?"

"Maybe."

She shook her head and watched him shrug his shirt on. "I suppose you're gonna be usin' that trick from now on, aren't you?"

"Maybe."

A hard smack on his arm smote his scheming and bade him to quickly finish dressing. "Jack Marston, you'd better wipe that smirk off your face," she warned before she strode out the bedroom and into the hallway. "Now hustle up and get dressed. We've got work to do."

He stumbled out the door as he followed her outside, smirking and chuckling all the while.

"Jack, you can stop starin' at me now."

He blinked and looked away out across Sundance's ears and at the herd of grazing cattle. Beneath him, his horse shifted his weight from hoof to hoof, his pasterns and knees popping. "Sorry," he murmured, his heart pounding in his chest.

"What's with you, anyway?" Maddie teased as she reined Gypsy closer to Sundance. The mare sidestepped over to the palomino stud.

"I just love you." His heart felt like it would hammer out of his chest when he looked back at her, and for the fifteenth time that day, he fell in love with her all over again. He sighed with passion and smiled gaily at her.

She smiled affectionately at him and held out a hand.

Jack took it and, turning in the saddle, brought it up to his lips and kissed it.

Maddie rolled her eyes and blushed. "Oh, stop it, Romeo. Look at you, all happy and bright-eyed. I don't think I've ever seen you this ecstatic and lovin' life." She shook her head, absolutely amazed. "It's beautiful, really."

"You're beautiful," he gushed and squeezed her hand lovingly. His heart thundered away, making his breath quicken the longer he stared at her. The mid-morning sun glanced off her clothes and skin, making her absolutely glow. He adored the pink flush on her cheeks. Her hair shimmered in the sunlight; stands of red could be seen every so often. The breeze swept up her hair and duster lazily as she and Jack sat atop their horses on top of a hill overlooking the cattle and Féileacán as they ate their fill across the Great Plains.

Maddie blushed a deeper shade of pink at his comment and looked away. "Oh, stop it, you great big kiss-ass. You should be lookin' out for any cattle rustlers instead of gawkin' at me." The wind took her hair and blew it across her face. Irritated, she released Jack's hand to tuck her hair back behind her ear.

"I can't help it: you're too beautiful to resist, Maddie."

She gave him a warning look, even though the corner of her mouth was turned up into an amused smirk. "You'd better stay on your horse, Jack. Don't even think about foolin' around out here in broad daylight, especially when we've got cattle to look after."

He grinned mischievously and flashed his eyebrows. "Oh, now you're just givin' me ideas."

She sighed and rolled her eyes. She snorted through her nose and shook her head. "My God, perhaps I shouldn't have given myself to you last night…"

"Don't even say that, Maddie! Did you not enjoy it?"

She looked at him coquettishly out of the corner of her eye. "I'm not sayin' that."

"Well, then, what are you sayin'? That we just not think about it or, God forbid, we not do it again? 'Cause I might have a problem with the latter, or hell, with the whole thing entirely."

Maddie smiled over at him. "You lustful swine." She drew her attention back to the cattle and at the world around her with a dreamy sigh; her eyes glazed over with reminiscence. "It was wonderful, was it not?"

He nodded enthusiastically.

She laughed and shook her head. "My previous statement still stands, Jack Marston. If I believed in goin' to church, I'd sent your ass straight there for some purification."

"Oh, to hell with that."

"My thoughts exactly, my love," she agreed and looked him in the eyes. Her brown ovals shimmered with delight and endless affection. She held out her hand for him, and as he took it, she said, "I'm glad I stayed. I belong with you, anyways."

"My thoughts exactly, my love," he repeated and held her hand tighter.

Later that evening, when the cattle and Féileacán were driven back into the corral for the night and their horses were unsaddled and turned out with the rest of the livestock, Maddie and Jack walked hand-in-hand out of the barn and towards the house. As they neared the porch, though, Maddie tugged on his arm and led him instead to the gazebo. They sat down closely to one another. Jack watched her look out at the ranch and smile.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked proudly. "We did this, you and I. We built it back to what it once was, just us two. Isn't that something?" She looked back at him and stared into his eyes.

He nodded and scooted closer to her. Letting go of her hand, he brought his arm up and over her shoulder, resting it on the railing of the gazebo with his hand closing around her right shoulder. He kissed her cheek and brought her closer to him. "I couldn't have done it without you."

She sighed with contentment and rested her head on his shoulder. "I know, and I was glad to help. Truly. Now look at it. Beecher's Hope is strong and alive once more."

They were silent for a time as they listened to the crickets chirp and the nocturnal animals begin to stir about. They watched as the sun began to dip down past the horizon and splash a beautiful sunset against the sky.

"So what happens now, Jack?"

He looked down at her and smirked. He half-shrugged and shook his head. "Don't know. You got any ideas?"

She smiled brightly up at him. "I have one, but I don't think we're ready for it yet."

He furrowed his brow and blinked. "What are you talkin' about?"

She held out her left hand to him, looked pointedly down at her bare ring finger, and grinned.

His eyes widened. "Oh. That."

She laughed and leaned against him lovingly. "Yes, that." Her tone changed to a more serious one as she looked back into his eyes with sincere concern and curiosity. "Unless…you don't want that."

He kissed her softly in reassurance. "Oh, believe me, I do. It's just…I wasn't expectin' that is all."

"I see."

"I'm serious, Maddie. I want that."

"Then let's make it happen…but after a while. How does that sound to you?"

He kissed her forehead. "Sounds wonderful."

"Great! In the meantime…" She trailed off as she leaned up and kissed him passionately, taking him by surprise. Her hands traveled up and down his front, making him sigh. As she pulled away, she smiled playfully up at him. She stood up and took his hand.

"I like where this is goin'," he said breathlessly as he let her lead him into the house and straight to their bedroom.