Friday

Michael hung up the phone. The blue prints sitting in front of him no longer had any appeal. He knew he was wearing a goofy grin but he didn't care. Things with Sara were great, in fact, they couldn't be better. Last night they had talked some more and this weekend he was officially/unofficially moving in. They'd already enlisted Lincoln and LJ's help in moving his stuff on Saturday. The only other obstacle on that front was his parole officer and that would be taken care of on Monday so he wasn't worried.

Last night in bed they'd begun to talk more about getting married. Sara assured him they could just go down to the courthouse but Michael had spent way too much time inside courthouses over the past few years and didn't want to start off their married life in one. In the end, they decided to have a small wedding with family and a few friends.

The only thing standing in their way now was Nika and the divorce, which was what was now to blame for his goofy grin. He'd just hung up with Frank. And Frank had just hung up with Nika's lawyers. Michael had no idea what his lawyer had said to them but according to Frank they were now scrambling. Frank seemed to think they would be heading before a judge before the end of the year. A little longer than he had hoped but that was ok. He was thinking a spring wedding anyway.

~

Michael arrived at the apartment and let himself in; she'd given him a key yesterday morning but this had been his first opportunity to use it. Sara was working tonight to cover for a colleague and wouldn't be home until late. Making his way into the kitchen, he put some leftovers into the microwave for supper.

With plate in hand he made his way over the computer. Michael had been thinking about their wedding all day and he knew in his mind the type of place he wanted. He just had to find it. He started his search and by the time he finished his meal he'd stumped onto a small bed and breakfast just outside of Chicago. It was an old Victorian that had recently been reivated. It had a garden in back with a gazebo they used for weddings. There was also a large banquet room for use in case of rain. It seemed perfect. He printed out the information to share later with Sara.

Turning off the computer he took his plate into the kitchen. Then heading into the bedroom, he decided to work on unpacking some of the things he'd brought from his apartment last night.

Michael had just finished putting away the last of his things when he heard the door open. Glancing over at the clock he saw it was already nine thirty. The time had really gotten away from him and she was even later than he'd expected. He made his way into the living room to greet her. Coming around the corner he paused in the doorway and smiled, "Hi."

Sara was exhausted. She'd planned to only be at the hospital for an extra hour however a patient had been brought up a few minutes before she was set to leave and she'd jumped in to help. By the time they'd gotten her stabilized, it was after nine.

She heard him come into the room and looked up to see him standing in the doorway to their bedroom, hands in his pockets. "Hi," she returned with all the effort she could muster. She allowed her purse to fall off her shoulder and threw her keys down on the table.

Michael saw the sag in her shoulders and the exhaustion on her face. He quickly crossed the room and pulled her into his arms. "Rough day?"

She sank into him, absorbing his strength. "Yeah."

He pulled back and brought his hand up to stroke her face. "Have you eaten anything?" She shook her head no. "Tell you what. Why don't you go take a bath and I'll warm you up some dinner?"

Sara sighed, "That sounds nice."

Michael gave her a small kiss and headed off to the kitchen. Sara made her way into the bathroom to start running her bath.

She'd just sunk her tired body into the bath water when Michael brought in her plate of food. Taking the plate from him, he turned to leave, "Yell if you need anything," and shut the door behind him.

~

Thirty minutes later, her belly full and her muscles a little less achy, she made her way into the bedroom. Michael was lying on the bed in a pair of pajama bottoms and a t-shirt reading.

Sara made her way over to her dresser and selected a pair of panties, slipping them on under her towel. Reaching into her second drawer she pulled out an oversized t-shirt and pulled it over her head. She let the towel fall. Sara wasn't sure why she was being careful to keep herself covered. It wasn't like Michael hadn't seen her naked before. He had taken the time, hours actually, over the past week to explore her body in distinct detail. But tonight she was so tired. She didn't want to tempt him.

Putting the towel into the hamper, she pulled back the covers and got into bed. Turning off her bedside lamp, she rolled over to get some sleep.

Michael followed her lead. He'd wanted to tell her the good news but it could wait. So instead he set his book down, turned off the light and lay back for sleep to over take him.

But fifteen minutes later he was still awake. And so was Sara. She'd been tossing and turning since she'd lain down. Michael rolled over and reached out to her.

When she felt his touch, she rolled over. Seeing the concern on his face, "I'm ok Michael. I just…I just can't seem to get my mind to shut down. I'm still keyed up I guess."

Michael knew she was exhausted and need sleep. It was already ten thirty and morning would come before she knew it. He wanted to help but wasn't sure how. She always slept so well after they made love but he knew she wasn't up for that, and then he had an idea. "Come here."

"Michael it's ok. Sleep will come. I just need to…" But Michael didn't wait for her to finish. Instead he had made his way across the bed and was now facing her, his elbow on the pillow supporting his head. He placed his other hand on her stomach. "Michael what are you doing?"

He found her eyes and held them. "Trust me." It was both and statement and a question.

Sara swallowed and closed her eyes. She knew that look. Knew he wanted her and didn't know, even in her exhausted state if she could deny him. "I trust you," she whispered. "But Michael…I don't know if…"

Michael didn't let her finish. He bent down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. When he pulled back she opened her eyes. "Let me help you Sara. This is just for you." As he spoke these last words, his hand slid into her panties and Sara stiffened. "Just for you," he vowed. His fingers began their exploration. Slipping in between the folds of her lips he found her center. Sliding the tip of his middle finger inside her, he began to massage her opening. Hearing her breathing begin to change, he smiled.

He continued to tease her, not allowing anymore than the tip of his finger to slip inside. Adjusting his hand, he brought his thumb up to circle her clit. "Look at me," he said softly. When her eyes found his they were glazed heavy with desire. As he slipped his finger deeper inside her and then another, he whispered, "I love you Sara."

His fingers continued to stroke her and he could feel her tension building, her breaths quicken. His thumb increased its pressure and he began to hear the breathy moans he'd begun to recognize came just before she found her release. Continuing his ministrations Michael bend down to whisper in her ear, "Come for me." Seconds later he felt her muscles contract against his fingers and then her body go limp.

Sliding his fingers out from her panties he started to roll away, but she grabbed hold of his wrist before he could turn over. She rolled away from him but held his arm around her waist. Although he was rock hard from what he'd just been doing, he closed the distance between them and settled behind her.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Michael reached up and kissed her brow, "Anytime." They cuddled against each other and he listened to her slip into a deep sleep. For him sleep took a little longer.