Paulina wakes up beside Jake with his arms wrapped around her fitting like two perfect puzzle pieces. She runs her hand up and down his arm. He whispers, "Did you sleep good?"
She turns to face him. "I haven't slept that good in awhile." Her tongue moistens her lips, "Being like this with you feels familiar, feels safe, feels..."
He smiles, "Feels like home." He kisses her forehead watching her mouth open slightly, "I better go check on the girls."
On their last day hike, they appreciate the scenery, stillness of their surroundings, and the adorableness of the girls.
"What are you thinking, pretty lady?"
"I just… I don't… I'm trying not to get attached to them. But Jake, I love them so much already." She sniffles crossing her arms tight to her chest.
He stops the stroller at an overlook near a few wooden benches. "Come here. Sit down with me."
Jake notices tears in her eyes. She has always been a woman who shows her emotions as they live right on the surface. "Come here and take my hand."
After locking the stroller in place, he holds out his hands. "Please do not be afraid to be who you are… entirely. I want you in their lives, no matter what happens. There will always be a place for you… You are the woman I want to show them, teach them about strength, compassion, integrity, passion… everything you are." He wipes a tear from her cheek. "Please love them." He kisses the top of her hand.
"Thank you." He pulls her in to kiss her cheek and she melts into his touch. Their heads stay close to one another. "It's so important for us to never stop talking and listening to one another. Telling each other the truth."
"I agree wholeheartedly." Jake sighs into her ear. "You know what?"
"What?"
He inhales deeply, "I think we're one of those couples that will have a long history."
As they walk side-by-side pushing the stroller thru the park, Paulina makes a proclamation. "You know, you still remain the one person who knows me best in this world."
Jake smiles, "I like being that person." He pauses to look at her, "Hey. How about sharing your favorite second memory of us?"
Without hesitation, she states boldly. "It's the barn."
"Which time? We had quite a few memories in barns."
"Well, barns have always been an important symbol in our relationship; it's been featured in proposals and kisses and declarations of love. I hope the theme continues for us." She tucks her hair behind her ear, "My favorite barn memory would be the time we laid under the stars talking about your shots for the music video. You kissed me…"
"And you kissed me back." Jake recalls it being very significant for them.
"It sort of kick started everything for us showing me how it feels to finally let everything go and the wanting to be with you even more."
It is after nine on the final night at the cabin. Paulina finds out their adult activity by following the directions on the note left posted to the living room fireplace mantel. There is soft music coming from the bottom floor. She finds him in the sauna with his head tilted back resting on the white subway tile. The steam is creating a relaxing atmosphere with a thick halo hovering in a hardly lit room.
Jake asks, "You got my note? Was it difficult for you to find the place?" Jake's sarcastic side is finally peaked for the day.
Paulina counters back, "I got a little lost after the stairs, but thankfully I could follow the tunes." She sits on the opposite bench from Jake. "This is a great idea."
Jake sneaks a peek of the vision of his friend thru the steam. Her towel is tightly tucked just above her breasts. Her hair is pinned up off her shoulders. Paulina instantly becomes aware how low his towel is wrapped around his hips. They both lean back against the tile and exhale deeply.
"I got a question for you." Jake perks up to see her eyes light up. "What do you propose the guidelines should be during this month hiatus, if you will?"
Paulina smirks as she has been pondering the same question. "I don't know really. Why don't we talk about it and see where we land."
Jake nods in agreement. "Should we not see each other at all during this…break?"
"Honey, it's not a break." They innocently start playing footsie. "Speaking for myself, I'm not sure staying away from you is entirely that smart. Maybe limited…"
"Limited is fair." Jake licks his lips and reaches for his spare towel. Paulina watches him run the towel over his chest, arms, and forehead. Her mouth goes dry. "We're friends, so us seeing each other could be purely out of friendship."
"Yeah." Paulina takes a sizable gulp of her water and tips her head back letting sweat run down her neck. "Maybe we should wait to share what is happening between us until appropriate. It could be fun…"
Jake nods vigorously raising his eyebrows, "Keep it quiet. Just for us… I like that." They both grin from ear to ear. "Plus, it could be fun." He runs his foot up her calf. "What about phone calls?"
Paulina watches his foot on her leg, "Calls are fine. I may be busy, you may be busy… but I think it is important we talk and/or see each other at least once a day."
"Can we have a meal together?" Jake watches the sweat drip off her chin and throws an extra towel her way.
"Thanks… let's play it by ear." She tugs her towel tighter around her body before moving to sit next to Jake. "There is something I need to tell you."
Jake is completely taken with her. She is glistening. He traces a bead of sweat from her forehead down her neck.
"I've been staying at the Cory Mansion for the last three months or so." Jake's eyes widen in confusion as his finger remains still. "Yeah. Dante and I have been living in our old room. So, no one really should be blindsided by my decision."
"You have been sleeping alone?" She nods and he runs a finger along her collarbone moving closer to her ear. He thinks, "The day we make love again will make the top three, no doubt."
She smiles, "Which brings me back to the guidelines, we can't be physical…"
"Define physical, Cupcake." His lips graze her neck.
"No sex." She states bluntly while enjoying what he is doing to her.
"Define sex." Jake doesn't move from her neck.
"Are you serious?" She laughs throwing her head back giving more access for his lips. "Fine, anything that would cause me to scream your name in pleasure. Does that clear things up?"
He gets up from the bench. "Understood. Game on." He helps her up and they walk out of the room.
She reaches for his hand to stop him in his tracks, "Just so you know, I cannot wait. I cannot wait to be with you."
It is their last night in bed. The bed they have been sharing on this week long furlough. They are face to face under the covers; their usual routine before they fall asleep.
"You excited to get back?" Jake asks brushing her hair out of her eyes.
"To see Dante, yes. I have missed him so much. What about you?" Paulina sighs into his touch.
"I'm going to miss our little snow covered paradise. But, I am excited to see what happens next." She moves to lay her head on his chest.