Chapter 3: Sunday

Zoe woke to see the morning sun trickling through the blinds. John lay behind her, one heavy arm draped over her waist, his breath warm on her shoulder. She lay there for a moment, feeling so . . . content, waking up with him beside her. Almost as soon as she woke, John seemed to sense it and stirred, pulling her close before his eyes were even open. She turned over to look at him and realized that he was relaxed with her, and had been all weekend.

She slid her hand over his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin, and the strong, steady beat of his heart. Would they be as lucky today as they had been the past two days and neither of their phones would ring? She could only hope so. Feeling a nudge of greeting at her thigh, inviting her touch, she obligingly slipped her hand beneath the covers to envelop him. "Well, good morning to you John," she murmured as she kissed his shoulder.

"Zoe," he replied as he laid his hands on her hips, rolled on his back taking her with him. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes, both hands touching and kneading her bottom as she slowly and gently took him in. Zoe loved mornings like this, when she was still drowsy and languid, when time didn't seem to matter and it was enough just to lie there and hold him with her body. Almost. Eventually, they had to move and at the first stroke, the band that had held their self-control in check broke. Their movements became more frantic and desperate as they sought their release. Her release came first leaving her collapsed on his chest; he then rolled over with her and found his own.

The sound of John Lee Hooker, wafted through the apartment. After lunching on pasta and sipping a good wine, John sat on the couch reading "The Art of War", a book he'd been meaning to re-read ever since he had helped Darren McGrady find out who killed his brother. Zoe was comfortably lounging on the couch with her back to one of the arms and her feet on John's lap, reading the New York Times.

"So, do you think our respite is over?" Zoe asked as she looked over the paper.

John sighed and put his book aside. "We're about due don't you think? Two days without the phone ringing for either one of us?"

She nodded and put her paper away as well and confessed. "I've never had a weekend like this before."

"So, having a hot stud at your beck and call all weekend is a new experience for you?" He teased.

She lowered her eyes and, with a hesitant smile, mumbled, "You know that's not what I mean."

John did know because weekends like this were uncommon and valuable; having not had a relaxing weekend doing absolutely nothing in God knows how long. He'd never experienced watching TV all night with a woman then falling asleep on her couch. Never made a woman breakfast then sit and enjoy it with her. Never spent two wonderful hours at a bookstore; looking for books that took his fancy and watching her run her hands through bookshelves with this look of awe in her face. It had been a long time since he had experienced a woman doing things for him and with him. He'd lived his adult life focusing on others, their safety, their demise, or serving his country. It felt wonderful to once in a while think about nothing else but himself and to not have someone demand his attention and protection.

"I do know what you mean Zoe," John said pulling her close and cupping her face. "This weekend taught me that it is possible to have "normal" as long as we're wise about it."

She smiled and took his hands in her own. "That it's okay to have lazy Friday nights doing absolutely nothing but watch TV and mock unrealistic TV shows."

He nodded. "That it's okay to not worry about anyone else but ourselves on a Saturday, go grocery shopping, tease each other, talk to each other, and make love."

She sighed. "And that it's okay to wish the weekend wouldn't end and that the phone doesn't ever ring to call either one of us away?"

He hugged her close. "Yeah, it's okay to feel that way," he said knowing that they both understood the life that they had chosen. That they would make this work, with enough effort and dedication, this could work.