The sun is coming through my bedroom window. It has a lot of trees to go through before I can see the light. But, I have been awake and watching for at least an hour now.
I watch the dark sky change colors until I know the sun is up. The soft light fills the room. The bedroom in the cabin that my grampa built. We have been coming here a lot more now that I'm retired. I am the caretaker of the cabin.
I am also the caretaker for the warm body that is laying next to me. The body I have desperately missed the last three months while she has been working in DC. Maybe not so much a caretaker, but a share taker. I actually let out a small laugh at that thought, and I feel her move on me.
She has an arm wrapped over my chest, and a leg draped between mine. She is pressed into me like she doesn't want to let go. Thankfully I did not wake her. She needs to learn to relax and sleep.
Shortly after she came home from The Hammond she was promoted. I knew about her confirmation before she did because Hank called me to let me know. She called me from The Hammond when she finally got the notification, and somehow, she already knew that I knew before her. Didn't matter. It could not take the smile from her face. She smiled the whole time we were talking, and we didn't care who else could hear us.
With the promotion came a new assignment. She got a sweet assignment as the commanding officer of the SGC. I could not have been more proud of her. From that somewhat naive Captain I met so long ago, to this strong, confident, General, Carter has impressed me every step of the way. After her promotion ceremony, we came home. Our home.
Now the Captain Carter I once knew is now a General in the United States Air Force. I never doubted she'd make it here. General Carter. My wife. I close my eyes and inhale and relish in the memories we have made over the years.
I brought her up here to the cabin with the guys all those years ago after her father died. Her heart was broken with everything that was going on in her life besides her dad. Including me. We finally had a chance that weekend to talk about us. We both wanted an us.
She and I were the most natural progression of anything I have experienced in my life. It happened the day the guys left. One look from her said everything we ever needed to know.
That late afternoon, as the sun went down behind the trees, I stood in front of her and took her hand in mine. She fell into me. I held her so tight as she cried. She eventually led me to my bedroom and we have been together ever since.
We got married right before she went to Atlantis. It just made sense. I am a bit more old fashioned than she is. The fact that she chose me still makes me feel like the luckiest bastard in all the galaxies I have been to.
I quietly retired something like a year ago, right after she returned from The Hammond. It's been good. I like being retired. I like it even more when Carter comes home after work. Because she comes home to me.
She has been in DC for the past few months working. Since I'm retired, she can no longer share what's going on at work. Which I am totally fine with. I retired for a reason. The younger generation has taken the reins. When she came home this time, we had her beamed straight to the cabin. And here we are, the morning after.
I feel her leg stretch out and her foot traces my shin. She is waking up. I wait until she moves her head. When she moves her head I know she is awake.
"Hey," I whisper.
I hear her hum into my chest. I feel her arm reach further over my body and she tightens her fingertips into my skin. She slides her hips up closer to my body. I want to roll her over and make love to her.
"Good morning," I hear her whisper back to me.
"Feel better today?" I ask.
"I do. Now that I am home and on leave."
She moves. She is on top of me now and has my full attention. She looks down into my eyes. The morning light makes her eyes look dark blue. She is gorgeous.
"So, uh, what would you like to do today?" I ask.
"First, I want to do this," and I feel her hand reach down between us.
"Then I want to do this," she gasps as she settles herself on me. Her lips are on mine and I am so glad to have my wife back back in town.
I make coffee while Carter is in the shower. Soon the cabin is filled with the smell of fresh brewed coffee and the shower soap that Carter uses.
She comes out of the bathroom and looks in a drawer in the kitchen. She is looking for something. I go to kiss her, and she shies away. Now I know what she's looking for.
"I still have your toothbrush. I only used it once," I tell her with a smirk on my face.
"I know I just kissed you, but I feel grimy," she says, laughing.
She giggles and smiles at me. Her look and giggles still melt my insides. I laugh with her.
"You did more than just kiss me," I replied, pulling her in for a hug.
I let her go and point back to where our bedroom and bathroom are.,
"Purple one. My drawer, towards the back. I even put it in a container for you."
"Thank you," she says. Then she goes back to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Our bathroom. My wife is home again. I could not be happier.