Thank you to Ilovetoship, AdamaGirl and Imperfect Being for reviewing, your reviews make me smile each time I read them :)

Chapter rating: T

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

All mistakes are my own. I hope you enjoy!

6th August

Laura had just opened the book store and was sorting through the latest arrivals when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind. She stiffened immediately, trying to fight off who ever was behind her, but then stopped and smiled when she heard Bill whisper "hello sweetheart".

"Bill" Laura squealed surprised, turning around in his arms to face him, "what are you doing here? You're not meant to be back in town for another two days"

"A friend owed me a favour, so I decided to come surprise my favourite girl" he replied kissing her softly. She grinned and kissed him back, this day suddenly becoming a whole lot better.

Breaking apart, Laura ran her hands up Bill's chest to cup her hands around his face and whispered "thank you" against his lips.

"Your welcome" he told her "I'm all yours for the next two days, so what do you want me to do?"

"Well Billy is out sick today, so you can help me sort through these books, and then I'll be all yours tonight" she told him.

"Okay, where do you want me to start?" He asked, giving her a quick kiss before removing his arms from around her waist.

"In my office, there is a box full old classics" she told him.

"Yes Sir" he said giving her a salute and walking in the direction of her office. She smiled watching him, she couldn't believe this sweet, incredible man had come back especially to surprise her, he really was one of a kind.

"Laura" Bill called out from her office holding a book in his hand, "look what I found, it's a classic, my favourite".

"Sea Rider Falcon, I haven't read it in years. I don't remember how it ends" she replied examining the book.

"I don't either, I never read the ending" he told her.

"You're kidding, it's your favourite" she replied.

"I like it so much, I don't want it to be over, so I'm saving it".

"Well maybe I should do that to" she replied handing him the book back.

"I think I'd like to finish with you, how about we read it together?"

Laura smiled at him softly and replied "that sounds good to me".

With the time having just approached five o'clock, Laura turned over the closed sign and grabbed her handbag and keys.

"What do you want to do tonight?" Bill asked her coming to stand beside her.

"Well we could go back to my place and I could cook you dinner" she proposed.

"Should I trust your culinary skills?" He asked jokingly.

She lightly smacked him on the arm and replied "I can cook just fine thank you, maybe not as well as you, but I get by".

"Okay, dinner at your place it is then" he said wrapping an arm around her waist and guiding her out of the store's back entrance.

"Make yourself at home" she told Bill dropping her keys into the tray beside the door and walking towards the kitchen.

Bill took of his shoes and followed her into the kitchen. "I'll be your sous chef" he told her wrapping her arms around his waist.

Laura rested her hands atop his, leaning her head on his shoulder and looked up at him smiling. She cupped the back of his neck with her hand and kissed him, before replying "okay, I'll take care of the meat and you can cut up the vegetables".

"What are we making?" He asked her as she handed him carrots, celery, potatoes and onion.

"I thought to pay homage to your heritage, we could make a Tauron stew" she replied as she pulled a tray of diced beef from the fridge.

"When did you learn to make Tauron stew?" He asked genuinely interested.

"I shared an apartment with a girl during my final year of college was Tauron, and when her mother visited during the holidays, she decided both of us needed to learn how to cook at least one Tauron dish" she told him.

"You're perfect" he said leaning over and kissing her on the cheek, as she placed the beef into a large cooking pot.

The couple worked in tandem, effortlessly moving around each other to finish the meal. With the pot simmering on the stove, Laura grabbed a spoon, dipping it into the pot and lifting it up to Bill's mouth for him to taste.

"Yum" he replied his eyes sparkling before he leaned over and kissed her, ensuring she could also taste the flavors.

After dinner the couple sat down on Laura's couch to continue reading Sea Rider Falcon. She rested her head on Bill shoulder, snuggling into Bill's side and pulling her legs up underneath her.

"I must warn you that I'm getting into the part that I haven't read yet" he told her upon opening the book.

"Oh dear, are you going to be able to continue?" She asked cheekily.

"Chapter seven: the raft was not as seaworthy as I had hoped. The waves repeatedly threatened to swamp it. I wasn't afraid to die…I was afraid of the emptiness that I felt inside" he paused closing the book and turning his face to look at Laura "I couldn't feel anything, and that's what scared me. You came into my thoughts, you filled them, it felt good".

When Bill stopped reading, she looked up at him and asked "are you alright?"

"I love you" he told her softly.

Laura stopped breathing for a second, momentarily stunned into silence as she took in his words. After a few minutes his words sank in and she smiled up at him placing hand on Bill's chest "I love you too".

"About time" Bill, who had been waiting with baited breathe for her response, said and leaned down to capture her lips with his.

She slid the hand resting on his chest up to cup the back of his neck and she moved to straddle his lap, pushing him back further into the couch. Their lips crashed together, tongues battling. He pulled his mouth away from Laura, and looking at her, tousled hair, swollen lips and panting, she was an angel.

Moving off Bill's lap, to stand in front of the couch, Laura held her hand to out and said "come with me".

A/N: if anyone wants to read what happened right after this chapter, I have posted the drabble as a separate story.

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