Chapter 9

About a week later

Jack lay on his side watching Kate sleep in the early morning sun. He brushed some hair out of her face, feeling its softness between his fingertips. He loved to watch her sleep, and had done so every morning since he had made his choice. He had only returned to the condo twice to get a change of clothes and some necessities.

They had spent the better part of the past week in bed, reacquainting themselves with each other's body, inch by inch. Kate's body was different now, but Jack loved the new curves and thought she was more beautiful than ever. He would lay his head on her growing stomach and feel the life moving inside her, his son.

Although it was difficult, they had also discussed many things in the past week. He had come clean with his addiction and although he couldn't reveal too much about his job, he let her in to his world. She was surprised and appalled at some of his disclosures, but she took them with grace and understanding.

She had also comforted him when he shook the bed in the dark of night, immersed in nightmares and the remains of his withdrawal symptoms. She held him tightly all night and listened to him without interruption. He was left with a sense of peace that he hadn't felt in a long time. To share the feelings that he had kept bottled up for so long was surprisingly liberating.

He quietly slipped out of bed so as not to wake her, and headed toward the kitchen to start the coffee maker. On his way, he passed what was soon to be the nursery, and stopped in the doorway. Kate had painted it a soft blue and painstakingly decorated it with all shapes and sizes of teddy bears.

Jack walked over to the crib and noticed the small bear he had given her was lovingly placed in the middle. He knew then and there that he had made the right decision. And ultimately, it was the only decision that he could have made.

The coffee was steaming as he carried it back to the bedroom. He set a mug down next to Kate's side of the bed, and went over to his bag to retrieve something. He had bought it the same day as the teddy bear, but had been waiting for the right time to give it to Kate. Now seemed like the right time. He took the velvet box out of the bag and palmed it.

"Jack?" The coffee aroma must have awakened her.

He turned around and went over to the bed and sat down next to her, relishing their newfound closeness.

"Morning sleepyhead," he said playfully and kissed her cheek, handing her the mug of coffee. She only allowed herself one cup a day because of the pregnancy, but couldn't get out of bed without a cup first thing. She loved when Jack woke her up this way; it had become their special morning ritual just in the past week.

As she took her first sip, he leaned over and placed a small, black velvet box in her lap. She lowered her cup and stared at Jack, then looked down at the box and picked it up.

"Jack?" She opened the box and looked inside.

A small, diamond inlaid heart lay shimmering against the black velvet, diamonds glinting in the morning sunlight. She took the heart and the gold chain it was attached to from the box and held up.

"Oh, Jack, it's beautiful. Thank you." Tears were glinting in her eyes.

"It's my promise, to be here for you and Junior, "he said, pointing at her belly.

Tears were flowing again, but this time, there were happy tears. "I love it, it is perfect. Will you put it on me?" She held out the necklace to Jack and lifted her long silky hair.

He got up and encircled her neck with the heart, "I know it should be more, but that's all I can offer right now." She knew he was talking about their future and marriage, but fully understood his hesitance on the subject. After all, they had only been back together for a week.

She kissed him full on the lips, thanking him. "It's perfect, I don't expect anything more right now Jack. I am just happy to have you here with me. It's enough for me right now to know that you want to be here, with me and Junior."

She sat back and fingered the heart, loving this man even more, if that was even possible. For all the hurt he had caused her in the past, his promise made it all worth it. Hopefully, he would want more in the future. But right now, she was just thinking about next week.

"Jack?" She asked, as he was clearly lost in thought, "What are you going to do next week when you are supposed to go back to work?"

He had been giving this a lot of thought lately. He couldn't possibly go back to field ops after he had made this promise to Kate, so he had made some inquiring phone calls in the past few days.

He let out a sigh, "Well, I've given it a lot of thought and made a few calls. With Tony in prison indefinitely, and most likely out of a job, and Chappelle gone, Hammond has agreed to let me resume my post as director of CTU."

"That's great." She wasn't entirely enthusiastic that he was staying at CTU, but at least he wouldn't be out in the field.

"It's generally an office post, but I can't promise you I will always stay there. If they really need me..." He let his sentence hang without an ending.

"I know, and I wouldn't ask any more of you, but just promise me you'll be careful, we are both depending on you." She leaned in to kiss him again, not wanting to spoil the wonderful mood she had been in just minutes ago.

Jack whispered between their kisses, "I promise."

To Be Continued....

Note: I thought this was going to be the last chapter, but I can't just end it here, so there will probably be more. Hope you like it!