December 2022

Jay woke up and blinked his eyes. He wasn't home. Yet the feeling of a warm body in his arms was so familiar. Hailey. They were at the hotel. At a honeymoon suite. Smile formed on Jay's face. Oh. He was at the hotel, on bed, with his wife. Wife. Hailey was his wife. Images from the previous day filled his mind. It had been their wedding day. Hailey in a white dress walking down the aisle, looking like an angel. Like a princess. Hailey's small hands putting the ring into his finger. Kissing Hailey. Dancing with Hailey. Kissing Hailey more. It felt like a dream, and still it had happened. It was true, the beautiful woman lying in his embrace was his wife. Mrs. Halstead.

Jay couldn't resist the urge of kissing Hailey. He pressed a soft kiss on top of her head, savouring the sweet smell of her hair. He buried his nose into her hair.

The wedding had been beautiful. Small and informal, just perfect for them. Nothing showy or brass. Just their closest people and little intimate restaurant near the lake. It had been a perfect day.

Jay felt Hailey begin to stir. He gave a kiss on her forehead. "Good morning Mrs. Halstead."

Hailey opened her blue eyes. Hearing his words made her smile, the beautiful smile that urged Jay to kiss her again on her lips. Kisses were slow, soft and loving, just like yesterday had been.

"Good Morning, hubby", Hailey answered when their lips finally aparted.

"Slept well?", Jay asked.

"Like a baby. This bed is incredible. You were incredible", she smirked referring to their activities of the previous night.

"Always a pleasure to live up the expectations", Jay grinned and kissed her again, stroking her back softly.

Hailey giggled and caressed the soft hairs at the nape of his neck.

"Yesterday was so perfect. I think everyone had a good time", Hailey said.

"Yeah, definitely. Although considering the amount of shots our friends downed I believe they don't have such a good time today", Jay laughed.

"Well, they probably continued that after we left, so I think so you really are on point", Hailey agreed.

"This was a wonderful surprise from them", she continued waving her hand, denoting the suite.

They had agreed that they wouldn't go to the honeymoon right after the wedding, but apparently that decision had been far too less romantic for Kim's liking, so their friends had booked them the honeymoon suite. It had been pleasant surprise to them yesterday.

Jay nodded, stroking now Hailey's hip, his fingers circling the bullet wound scar from last month. Hailey could see he was distracted by it.

"Don't", she said gently. "I am here, we are married", she continued wanting to bring him back to the present.

She cupped his cheek with her hand and leaned to kiss him again.

"I'm here", she repeated against his lips.

Jay reciprocated the kiss eagerly, like wanting the proof that she really was there, alive. Kisses turned more heated, and their hands wandered more purposeful along each other's bodies.

"You are here. You are here with me", Jay whispered.

"With you. Yours. ", Hailey answered between the hungry kisses. Despite a totally satisfying night, she felt that she wanted him again. She wanted her husband.

"Mine. Always mine", Jay murmured while leaving a line of kisses to her breasts, treading down her body. "My wife", he sighed before pressing his lips right below her belly button.

After their passionate lovemaking they lay in bed just holding each other. They heard a knock on the door.

"Mr ja Mrs. Halstead, your breakfast is here", they heard the voice.

"Thank you, you can leave it there", Jay answered standing up and trying to find his boxer trunks. Hailey tiptoed to the bathroom. After pulling trunks on, Jay went to take breakfast carts in.

Jay opened the curtains and visited the bathroom after Hailey had been ready. Coming back there, he stopped at the door admiring the scene in front of him.

Rare winter sun was lightening the room. There, in the middle of the king size bed, amongst white linen beddings sat Hailey, wearing his white button up shirt, her hair wild and curly. She was even more beautiful now than she had been yesterday in her dress. Yesterday she had been like a princess, but today she was so… so Hailey. His Hailey.

Hailey raised her eyes, seeing Jay standing there and looking at her. The look on his face was so affectionate that Hailey's heart clenched. During the years she had learnt that the look was something that was meant only for her. It felt still so powerful to see him looking at her like that. She smiled at him brightly, her dimples showing.

"You are so beautiful, Mrs. Halstead", Jay said.

Hailey's heart skipped a beat hearing him saying those words.

"Not so bad yourself", she answered with a glint in her eyes, and admired the view of her husband's bare muscular chest and strong arms.

"You have to stop looking at me like that, or the breakfast is getting cold before we have time to eat it", Jay said with a husky voice.

"Aren't you insatiable, Mister", Hailey giggled.

"Only when it comes to wanting you", Jay almost grunted when crawling the bed and kissing her.

But before things could get more heated again, Hailey's stomach rumbled.

"Well, I take that as a cue. Maybe it's better to feed you before you get hangry", Jay laughed between the kisses.

They sat on the bed, enjoying their amazing breakfast in bed.

"We really had to remember to thank guys for this, this is fantastic", Hailey mumbled while enjoying her breakfast.

"You mean Kim, this all has her handprints all over it", Jay laughed and fed Hailey a chocolate covered strawberry.

"I could get used to this, you, me, bed, champagne and strawberries", Hailey sighed.

"Me too", Jay confirmed leaning against the headboard of bed. "But I have to disappoint you, we had to go to work tomorrow. Probably our own fault, we decided we don't take any leave."

"Nah. I don't care. I love working with you too. I love my whole life right now", Hailey answered ecstatic. "I know I sound like some cheesy romance movie, but again, I don't care."

Jay laughed happily. "I love you"

Hailey fed him a strawberry. "I love you too."

"And, for you information, I don't care either if we have to go to work. I'm happy as long as I am with you. No matter what we are doing", Jay stated.

At that moment, they meant it. After all they had experienced; getting shot, confronting their personal demons, being apart when Hailey was in New York, everything was perfect now as long they had each other. Together they were always gonna be good.