It was early afternoon when Chuck heard a knock on his office door. Looking up he found his best buddy leaned up against the frame, giving him an impatient look, even going so far as to look at his watch and back to the taller man.
"What's up, Morg?" Chuck asked, still typing away at the program he was working on.
"You are aware of the time, right?" Morgan asked, stepping into the small room and taking a seat in one of the visitor's chairs that sat across from Chuck's own chair.
"Yeah, Buddy I am," Chuck nodded, absentmindedly picking up his smart phone and waving it at his friend, "It still have time, set an alarm and everything."
"Uh-huh," Morgan gave him an incredulous look, "And what time did you set it for?"
"1:45," Chuck informed him, not taking his eyes off his screen, "That will give me enough time to go home, load up the bags, pick up Molly and Sarah, and drop Molly off at Emma's before we head out to Napa."
"Chuck, it's 2:15," Morgan gestured to the clock that hung on the wall over his head, rolling his eyes as his friend's eyes widened in panic then quickly pulled up the alarm app on his phone and swore. "Set it for 1:45 AM, didn't you?"
Chuck glared at his friend before quickly saving his project and shutting down his computer as he gathered his suit jacket and messenger bag emblazoned with the Orion Games logo and rushed toward the door before Morgan called back to him.
"Forgetting something?" Morgan rounded his friend's desk, opened the top drawer and extracted a small box, checked to make sure he'd grabbed the right one and, tossed it to Chuck who deftly caught it just like when they were in little league. "What happened to carrying that thing in your pocket at all times?"
"I didn't want Sarah to find it at the house before we left for Napa," Chuck shrugged, placing the velvet box in his pocket, "Thanks for looking out." With a grateful smile, he was out the door.
Morgan chuckled at his friend's situation glad he wasn't in the same boat. Thanks to the Colonel's influence on Alex and Alex's influence on him, Morgan had long since switched his digital clocks to read in military time. No more having to worry about AM or PM when setting his alarm, and it wasn't so hard to translate it from 24-hour to 12-hour time, once he was used to it. Checking the lock on the interior of his friend's office door, he shut it behind him and made his way back to his own office to resume his work for the day. He wanted to make sure he finished on time as he and Alex were supposed to be meeting her parents for dinner that evening to discuss the guest list.
Ellie was walking with Clara to the van where her husband was busy loading up their suitcases for the weekend, when she saw her brother tear into the parking lot, tires nearly squealing on his fancy car as he slammed the car into park and lept out. She loved her little brother, but the man would be late to his own funeral if left to his own devices.
"Running late, little brother?" She did not make any attempt to hid the snark of her inquiry. She received an eyeroll and a grumbled response. She turned to her daughter, "Go see if you can help your dad get our stuff in the van. I have to go talk to your uncle."
"Okay, Mommy," Clara nodded and skipped off to where her father was closing the tailgate of the van.
Ellie waited until Clara had reached Devon before entering her brother's condo, "Chuck?" She called as she headed up the stairs to find him frantically gathering their luggage together, which had thankfully been packed in advance. "Where are Molly's things?"
"In her room," Chuck grunted, his bag open as he tossed in his dopp kit and closed it once more.
"I'll get her stuff loaded in the van," Ellie informed him, "I'll then swing by Anne's and pick her up to take her over to Emma's, that should save you some time. Once you pick Sarah up, you can swing by Emma's to say goodbye before hitting the road."
She saw relief flicker across her brothers face as he gave her a small smile, "Thanks, Elle, I set my alarm for the wrong time and didn't realize it until Morgan came by a half our after my alarm should have gone off to send me on my way, so I'm running a bit behind."
"I gathered." Ellie rolled her eyes, "You just worry about loading up your car with your stuff and I'll take care of Molly and her things."
"Okay," Chuck nodded as she turned on her heel to head down to the former guest room that had been converted into a nursery when Sarah and Molly had moved in. Just as he had said, sitting on top of Molly's dresser was a small roller bag decorated with Minnie mouse and a spare diaper bag filled with enough diaper and wipes to last the weekend with some spares, just in case. Shouldering the diaper bag and picking up the suitcase, she headed back out to her family's van, gesturing for Devon to open the tailgate so she could toss the bags inside.
"Change of plans, Dev," She shrugged.
Devon gave her a knowing look and chuckled, "You called it, Babe. I take it we're picking up Molly and bring her with us to Granny's house?"
"Yep," Ellie gave a sharp nod before rolling her eyes, "Good thing we decided to pull Clara's old car seat out of storage for Molly to use."
"Indeed," Devon agreed, putting the van in gear and heading over to the babysitter's house to pick up their niece.
Sarah was waiting outside the arts building when her boyfriend pulled up. The mix of surprised, awed, and impressed looks from the handful of students still on campus waiting for rides or extracurricular activities to begin, did not escape her notice. Nor did she miss the way some of the female students reacted when her very attractive beau emerged from the car to open the passenger door.
"Sorry," Chuck gave her a sheepish look before giving her a quick kiss, cognizant of the underaged spectators they'd seemed to have attracted, "I lost track of time, and it turns out my alarm was set for the morning, not the afternoon like I thought it was, and…"
Sarah pressed a finger to his lips to cease the spiral, "It's okay," She gave him a reassuring smile, "Ellie already filled me in… and Morgan called before that."
Chuck groaned, causing her to giggle, "I am so sorry."
"It happens, thankfully our family is awesome and jumped in to help us out," She shrugged, sliding into the car, waiting for him to close her door and circle around to his seat before continuing. "Let's just go to Mom's so we can say goodbye to Molly and Clara and get this vacation started."
"Roger Dodger!" Chuck nodded, dropping the hard top of the convertible, grinning at the dropped jaw reaction he got from the students who had been watching the whole interaction.
"Show off," Sarah teased.
Chuck shrugged, "Hey I got a beautiful woman, and a kick ass car, why not show them off while I blast some tunes? Speaking of," He reached down to the stereo, pressing a few buttons and his 'road trip' mix began to play starting with 'Barracuda,' which earned him an eye roll as he deliberately pealed out of the parking lot, causing the both of them to laugh at his antics and in excitement for the trip they were embarking on.
A short, 15-minute drive later, they were pulling up behind the Woodcomb's van out front of Emma's home. Chuck put the top up on the car and they headed up to the front door, not even bothering to knock before entering.
"Mama!" A blond projectile in toddler form came barreling toward Sarah's legs.
"Hey Sweetheart!" Sarah beamed, picking up her little girl, "Were you good for Miss Anne today?"
"Uh huh," Moly nodded, her curly pigtails bouncing adorably with the motion.
"And are you gonna be good for Granny while Daddy and I are spending time with Uncle Awesome and Auntie Ellie?" She caught the girl's eyes.
"Yes'm," The little girl agreed before noticing who was standing beside her mommy, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!" She repeated practically launching herself from her mother's arms to be caught in the strong embrace of the man she knew as her daddy.
"Hey Sweet-pea," Chuck grinned, "I missed you!"
"Miss you Daddy," Molly agreed then scrunched up her little face in thought, "Daddy bye-bye?"
"Yeah," Chuck confirmed, "Daddy and Mommy are going bye-bye for a few days. You and Clara get to stay here with Granny, and I bet she has all kinds of fun stuff for you to do."
"You bet your sweet bottom I do," Emma smiled, watching the exchange, "We're gonna go to the zoo tomorrow!"
"The zoo!" Clara squealed, "Can we go see the lellaphans?"
"Of course, Clare-bear," Emma looked taken aback, "It wouldn't be a trip to the zoo if we didn't see the elephants!"
"Yay!" Clara cheered, "Did you hear that Mommy? Granny Emma said we're gonna go see the lellaphans!"
"I heard," Ellie smiled and nodded to her daughter.
"Babe, we should get a move on if we're gonna make our reservation in Monterey," Devon pointed to his watch. "That goes for you too, Chuckster."
"Alright," Chuck nodded and pressed a kiss to his daughter's cheek, "Alright Baby Girl, be good for Granny and Mommy and I will be back before you know it. I love you, bunches."
"Love you bunnies," Molly tried to echo the sentiment before giving her father a tight hug.
Sarah took her daughter back into her arms and gave her a hug and a kiss, "I'll miss you so much, kiddo. I love you."
"Love you, Mama," Molly gave her mother a sloppy kiss on the cheek before wigging to be put down and running to her grandma without hesitation.
"Is it bad she has no qualms about us just leaving her places?" Sarah asked her boyfriend, sotto voce.
"Would you rather she cry and scream and work herself up into a fit?" He countered.
"No, I guess not," Sarah sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder as they waited for Ellie and Devon to finish saying goodbye to their daughter and telling her to listen to Granny Emma an keep an eye out for her little cousin, a job it looked like she was planning to take very seriously.
"Ready to roll out?" Devon asked, approaching the younger couple.
"Ready and waiting," Chuck smiled at his brother-in-law giving him a fist bump as the couples made their way out to their vehicles and loaded up to caravan up to Napa with a stop in Monterey for dinner.
Dinner in Monterey was beautiful, the seafood restaurant that Devon had found online had rave yelp reviews and a breathtaking ocean view. The two couples dined on a variety of seafood dishes, each getting something different and sharing bites amongst each other as the enjoyed the company and sumptuous wine. They all ordered the chocolate mousse for dessert, and the rich treat was the perfect ending to their meal. Sated with good food, wine, and conversation, they paid their checks and headed back to their cars to finish their journey to Napa.
The bed and breakfast that Emma had chosen for the was made up of eight individual cottages and the main house. Each unit was a studio design with a large four poster bed with a pristine white duvet and a colorful throw blanket in case they needed a little extra warmth. Sarah and Ellie fell in love with the bathrooms and their deep tubs that were large enough to soak in, even if the tub was being shared by their larger than average hunnies. There were even some social areas with chairs and a standing fireplace/heater where a small group of people could enjoy the quiet solitude of the country setting of the property.
After touring both their cottages, they decided to head over to their own units to get some sleep as it was nearly 10pm by the time they'd arrived. They'd all worked that day before embarking on their vacation and were exhausted. It didn't take either couple long to get changed and ready for bed and snuggle up in the large, pillowtop mattress in their rooms and fall into a deep sleep.
The next morning the couples joined the other guests of the bed and breakfast in the man house where they shared a delicious meal to start their day. Emma had signed them up for the group package which included a day-long winery tour. The trolley, which was to take them, and a handful of other visitors around to the three wineries they would be visiting that day was set to arrive just after noon. When they'd inquired at the front desk after breakfast as to the dress code for the tour they were on, the desk agent assured them that the package that had been purchased for them was a very casual tour.
Devon had opted to wear a pair of chinos, a light blue sweater, and a casual pair of suede oxfords. Ellie had opted for a floral dress and comfortable flats and had brought her favorite sweater with her to ward off the chill that came with the late-winter weather. Chuck had opted for a pair of dark wash jeans, a green button down that complimented his hazel eyes, and his trusty high-top all-stars. Sarah wore a belted camp dress with large pockets on the breasts and buttons down the front. She had also chosen to wear flats, figuring they would be more comfortable for a day of walking.
The trolley arrived shortly after they had arrived at the area set aside for tour pick-ups at the property. Much to their relief, it seemed everyone else on the tour were around their age and made up of a mixture of couples and small groups of friends. The vineyards were beautiful, and the views from some of the areas were breathtaking, Chuck had seriously considered asking Sarah to marry him at least a dozen times during their tours that day, but every time something happened to prevent it. Either the tour guide rushing them along, his sister or brother-in-law interrupting or intruding on the moment he was trying to carve out for them, during one attempt, a tractor had started up, making such a noise Chuck could hardly hear himself think let alone have the conversation with Sarah he was wanting to have.
Arriving back at the bed and breakfast after their tour had concluded with a wine and dine dinner, they strolled along the paths that led to their cabins and bid each other good night.
"Are you okay?" Sarah gave Chuck a concerned look, "You haven't been quite yourself today, you were so distracted, it was almost as if despite being physically here, your mind is a thousand miles away."
"Yeah, no, I'm great," Chuck shook his head waving his hand as if to dismiss Sarah's concerns about him. "Sorry, Baby," He pulled her into his arms and gave her a soft kiss, "I guess I'm having a little trouble letting go and relaxing."
"Aww," Sarah pouted mockingly at him, "Well let's see what we can do to help you relax, huh?" She stepped back, taking his hand in hers and pulling him into the bathroom where she proceeded to draw a warm bath complete with bath salts before turning back to him while the tub began to fill. "I know soaking in our big tub at home always relaxes me," She smiled up at him, making sure she had his full attention as she undid the belt that was cinched around her waist and slowly unbuttoned her dress from top to bottom, letting it fall from her body to reveal the blue lace bra and panty set she knew was his favorite of hers.
"Wow," Chuck gasped, taking in the sight of his girlfriend wearing the thin pieces of lace and fabric that might as well not even be there for how revealing they were. He couldn't help but reach out to her.
"Uh, uh, uh," She gave him a coy smile, "You are wearing entirely too many clothes, Mr. Bartowski. I insist that something be done about that. And soon," She pretended to try to reach back to unhook the bra, which resulted in back arching and breasts being pushed forward on display, "Because I simply cannot reach to undo this and need your help."
"Oh, well that does seem a little problematic," Chuck nodded somberly as he toed off his shoes, unbuttoned and removed his shirt, then undid her buckle, button, and zipper that held his pants up, letting them drop around his ankles with a soft swish of fabric. He pulled off his socks before stepping out of his jeans and toward Sarah, who had bent over to turn off the taps. "Is this better?" He softly growled, stepping up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist, using his chin to brush her hair out of his way as he began to nuzzle her neck.
He smiled when he felt her shiver at his touch as his hand began to roam along her waist and up her ribcage, "Hmm, I think I discovered the problem here," He hummed, letting his fingers trail along from her back to her front along the band of her bra, his fingers leaving a trail of goosebumps along their path, "It seems your bra doesn't open from the back," His long fingers finally met in the center of her chest as he made a quick pinch and flick motion, releasing the front clasp of the lace frippery. He let his thumbs flick over her stiffening nipples as he slowly drew the fabric back until the straps of the garment fell of her shoulders and down her arms where he let it drop to the floor in a whisper.
Sarah felt his hands back on her sides as his large hands and long fingers, all strong and dexterous from hours spent at a computer, coding, tracing their way over her body. She let out a soft moan and rocked her hips back into him, she could feel him stiffening and barely restrained herself from reaching back for him, knowing that she would be denied until he was done with his exploration. It was mesmerizing, wonderful, and damned frustrating, the attention he lavished on her in these intimate moments, he wouldn't let her touch him until she was a quivering mass of nerve endings from his ministrations, and even then he may still not give into her until he'd succeeded in bringing her to orgasm at least once using his hands, his fingers, his lips, tongue, or any of his other appendages to achieve his goal.
She trembled as she felt his fingers along the waistband of her panties, the tips occasionally brushing against the skin underneath or over her lace covered hips to run along the inside of her thighs along the lower hem of the garment she knew he loved so well. "You know how I feel about you wearing these," He growled softly in her ear as he nipped and sucked along her neck, shoulder, and jaw, "And what seeing you in them does to me. Do you have any idea how turned on I am knowing that this was under that dress of yours, all day?"
"Mmm, I have an idea, oh!" She sighed as she felt his fingers slip under the waistband of her panties over her soft curls and dip inside.
"You are so wet for me, Baby," Chuck groaned, "Makes me want to turn you over the counter and take a nice… long… sip of you. Taste you like all those wines we sampled today, although I can tell you, you are of a much sweeter vintage than anything found in those bottles."
As he spoke, she could feel him slowly penetrating her, using one then two fingers, the heel of his hand and his thumb massaging her clit causing her to cry out in pleasure, "Yeah, that's it Baby," He hummed, a smile on his lips at hearing the soft, wet noises created by his ministrations. When he felt her begin to pulse around his fingers, he slowly withdrew loving the sound of a whimper that escaped her lips at his retreat.
He turned her until she was facing him and could see him lift his hand to his lips and meticulously lick them clean, "Mmmm, delicious," Chuck grinned devilishly at her before lifting her and setting her to sit on the vanity before dropping to his knees and slowly removing the offending piece of lace that had kept her hidden from him all day. He pressed soft kisses up her inner thighs from her knees to her apex before gently lifting her legs over his shoulders and taking his time tasting her, loving the sighs, whimpers, and small mewling noises she made at every flick of his tongue and caress of his lips against her. Leaning back, he met her eyes as he sucked his fingers back in his mouth and lowered them to her core as his mouth focused on the nerve center that he knew would bring about her release. "Just let go, Baby," He whispered against her, "I want to feel you cum for me."
"Chu…" She gasped, losing herself in the sensations and reactions he elicited from him. "Oh God!" She cried as she began to rock against him, drawing his fingers deeper and creating more friction against her center until she shattered around him with a moan. She felt him slow his rhythm drawing out her pleasure and easing her down.
"Wow, Baby," Chuck whispered, lowering her legs from where they rested on his shoulders and standing to his full height to wrap her trembling body in her hands, "That was amazing."
"I think that's my line," She chuckled weakly against his shoulder as she caught her breath, only to have it stolen away as he bent to press a lingering kiss to her lips. She could taste herself on him and it made her desire for him grow stronger. She slid her hands from where they were tangled in his hair, trailing down his chest. She smiled against his lips as he felt his abs quiver as her hands drew further down his body until they reached his hips where one slipped inside his boxers, causing him to groan low in his throat as she gave him a couple languid strokes before withdrawing and pushing his boxers down around his ankles.
Her hands immediately found him again, stroking and massaging, loving the little growls and noises that emanated from deep within his chest, the slight thrusts of his hips when she hit a particularly sensitive point. It was getting harder and harder for Chuck to maintain his control as he dropped his head to her forehead and gasped, "Need you, Baby, now."
"I'm ready for you," She whispered, nipping at his lips as she scooted forward on the counter, using her grip on him to guide him to rest against her, "See?"
"Yes!" He gasped, pulling her closer until her as was just barely resting on the vanity as he crouched down slightly, hitching her leg over his hip as he let her guide him and pull him in until they were fully one, "Oh God," He groaned, as he gave her a moment to adjust to him as he always did, "So, so good," He felt her clench around him and gave a reflexive thrust as he saw the wicked smile on her face. Oh yeah, she knew exactly what she did to him. "I don't know if I'm gonna last," he moaned.
"That's okay, Baby," She whispered huskily in his ear, nipping at his earlobe, causing him to reactively thrust again, "Mmm, just like that," She hummed as he began to slowly rock into her until they were gasping at the sensation elicited from their joining.
She could feel herself getting close again when he whimpered, "Deeper, need deeper," with the question in his eye. She gave him a minute nod of her head, groaning as he withdrew and pulled her down from the vanity. She gave him a wicked look and bent over the counter; her legs spread for him. When he entered her again, she let out a long guttural groan as he was now stimulating areas he had been unable to reach with their original position.
"Oh, God," She grunted pressing back against him, meeting him thrust for thrust, "So close!"
"Me too, Baby, I'm gonna, I'm gonna," His rhythm became erratic until he let lose a deep groan as he gave a few quick, firm thrusts and she felt him let go, which triggered her own release. She felt him press soft kissed across her shoulders, neck and back as he slowly withdrew from her. "Bath?"
Sarah let out a soft giggle, turning to wrap her arms around his shoulders and press a kiss to his lips before going to check the temperature of the tub. The water had grown lukewarm while they were otherwise occupied so she drained most of the water and began to refill the tub.
They took their time relaxing and enjoying the warm water that surrounded them, every so often their casual touches became more deliberate, eliciting sighs of pleasure from their partners. Once their bath water had grown cool again, drying themselves with the fluffy towels the property provided for them and slipped on their robes to meander to their bed where they stripped down once more and climbed into bed, indulging in one more round of slow lovemaking before finally falling asleep.
