CHAPTER 15

The annoying sound of their alarm went off at 6:45am. Seeley rolled over and hit the same button he hit every morning.

He rubbed his eyes and rolled to side to see Tempe burying herself under the covers. He liked that idea and joined her.

"Mind some company?" he whispered as he snuggled up to her under the darkness of the covers.

She didn't answer with words. A placement of her arm around him and a kiss on his chest gave him his answer.

"We need a vacation," he mumbled.

Tempe laughed.

"Um, Seeley, we just got back from a vacation."

"I meant some time off to recuperate from last night."

He moved his hand that had been on her arm, down the side of her body slowing down as he reached the curve of her hip. He went even slower in reaching around behind her and in one motion; he pulled her as tight as he could.

"Seeley, work, soon."

"I know, but can't I just lay here and relish the moment, us baring our souls and bodies before I stuff myself into another constricting suit."

"You look handsome and sexy in a suit."

"Thanks." It was no consolation to him, as he hated the dress code the FBI instilled upon its agents.

"Seeley, when do you want to get married? You know, a date?"

He had been so caught up in getting the ring and asking her he had actually not thought of a date.

"Definitely not Winter, Fall or Spring."

Tempe chuckled, "Summer then?"

"Yeah, Summer is good", realizing that was the only season left.

"Would you be disappointed if I didn't want a big wedding?" Tempe inquired.

He pulled back and looked into her eyes.

"Whatever you want, Temperance, I will go along with. Well, except not with one of those extreme weddings, like scuba diving, or bungee jumping. Or my favorite, the couple who got married straddling two mother crocodiles in the swamps of Florida."

Tempe looked at him like he had three eyes. "Straddling a crocodile?"

"I know, scary huh?" He had been through a lot over the years but straddling a crocodile, even though with its jaws taped shut, was not his idea of fun, excitement or romance.

Her lips were always so fresh and inviting in the morning, today being no exception. He sat up, straddled her for a few moments, before planting a few kisses on her chest and then her lips.

"Ok, then, small wedding in May of next year," Tempe announced after their tongues played for a few minutes.

"Oh, by the way, I should tell you that Angela already knows. She helped me pick out the ring. Well, she didn't really help pick it out; she took me to a jeweler who picked it for me. He didn't pick it per say." Seeley stopped and rubbed his hand over his face, as he didn't want to falter any further.

"She was with me when I picked out the ring."

"That's good to know so that when she squeals with exuberant decibels today when I see her, I will know why."

They both laughed.

"Angela has wanted this to happen for a very long time," Seeley said as he started to get up and head for the shower.

"Almost as long as I have, " he added as he leant back over the bed, kissed Tempe's forehead and then went to the bathroom.

Tempe thought for a moment. Angela had told her to buy a ticket for that ride a few months after she and Seeley had started working together. She got up and walked to the bathroom door that was open a few inches. She stepped in and knocked on the shower door.

"Exactly how long have you wanted me, us?"

He cracked open the shower door and lingered for a moment.

"From the moment I first laid eyes on you.