A/N: Soooooo, quite a bit has happened since I last updated this collection: exams are done and dusted, I turned 18 and graduated... Just waiting on my Associate Degree to be issued once exam results come back. Now it's summer and the Crop Over Season. Apologies for taking so long to update. This one is shorter than my usual stories, but I should be publishing more soon. Thanks also to charahkids for looking over this a while back. I dabbled with it a bit after he edited, so any mistakes you see are mine.

Chapter 15: Wish (on a shooting star...or a satellite)

Words: 3,349

Charles Bartowski was a contented man. In fact, in moments like these, he felt like he was on top of the world. This feeling of utter contentment and euphoria was one he wanted to last forever. Despite the peaceful stillness surrounding him, Chuck was becoming restless. But with Sarah using his chest as a pillow, he was wary of moving and disturbing her sleep.

They were finally able to resume their favourite sleeping position of him lying on his back and Sarah resting her head on his chest- a position which had been uncomfortable for Sarah as her pregnancy progressed. As it was the first night they'd been home since their baby's birth, he wanted her to have as much sleep as possible. Sarah had fallen asleep shortly after her mother and Molly had left nearly three hours ago. He had barely slept though, only letting his eyes rest for a few minutes. His brain was still active and there was so much to think about.

All of his thoughts centred on his little boy: Levi Stephen Bartowski. He was asleep in the crib to the left of their bed. The tiny baby had created such a huge change in their lives, but it was one they gladly welcomed. When they found out that Sarah was pregnant, he had been consumed with elation and when he first held his son, his heart swelled with love.

Carefully lifting himself up, still mindful of Sarah, Chuck craned his neck to look at Levi better. It was immaterial that he and Sarah had already spent hours just looking at him in the past three days, in slight disbelief, joy and awe that he was there. He would never tire of studying Levi's features - his round face, plump cheeks, high cheek bones; or with holding his tiny hands and feet nor would he tire of gently running his fingers through his son's blonde wisps of hair. He was beautiful. Perfect.

Levi had captured his heart. There was no doubt that he loved Sarah. Their love was intense and the love he felt for his son was just as profound. When he had cut the umbilical cord and the baby boy was handed to him, Chuck was consumed with an intensity of emotions that was indescribable. Sarah had suggested that Levi's middle name be Stephen when she held him, and it was only when she had reached up to his face to wipe his cheek that he realized there were tears running down his face. In that moment, they had clutched each other's hands, adrift in a turbulence of emotions. Love. Contentment. They had a son who was a product of their love. A son...the word still thrilled him. He was a father. He had a son. Sarah was a mother. They were a family. He said it over and over to himself in his head, a mantra that was beginning to conquer the fear he had that somehow this was a figment of his imagination and that when he opened his eyes he'd wake up in his Burbank apartment that he shared with Ellie and Awesome, stuck in his funk.

"He's beautiful Chuck." Sarah had said as Levi gripped her thumb. She had tears in her eyes as she smiled down at the baby. "Thank you so much for giving me this."

Chuck's eyesight shifted to the picture frame which held the drawing he had done on the bullet train. It hadn't been an easy road- dealing with Sarah's memory loss- but now, three years after that evening on the beach, they were happy. His heart clenched with melancholy as he remembered seeing Quinn escape with Sarah. Getting her to trust him and to stay with him had been a challenge, and there had been moments when he wallowed in self-pity and anger. Then there had been moments when his soul vacillated, first on the side of despair and then on hope. But, they had stuck together and as Sarah rediscovered herself and fell in love with him, so did he fall in love with her again. Sarah's memory loss had been like a test on their love. It was as Empress Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia had said: "Our love for each other might have been sincere on sunny days, but it was never as strong as on days of suffering and sorrow, when all the previously hidden richness of the soul is revealed." He snickered to himself when he thought of what Casey would say if he knew he was quoting a former Russian monarch.

He shook himself from the thought- wanting to focus on the present. He and Sarah had made new memories as she discovered old ones, and the time spanning their discussion about finally having a baby up to this very moment consisted of some of his favourite memories. Chuck's gaze returned to Sarah and he lazily ran his forefinger along the length of her arm.

He sighed when he caught sight of the faint scar on her left shoulder. It wasn't easy to spot with the naked eye, but when one had spent countless hours committing the body of the ethereal creature that was Sarah Walker, it was not that difficult. He knew every inch of her body, every scar and the story behind them. Even in the warm June night, he could still feel the memory of burning cold fear from that evening seven months ago. The mission that had almost claimed Sarah's life and their then unknown baby's life had seared itself into his memory. The gunman had been aiming at her head, but Sarah had ducked moments before the bullet left the chamber and it grazed her shoulder. Chuck lightly traced his finger over the scar and silently thanked whatever higher being there was, that the reminder of that night wasn't something more morose- like death. A grin twitched on his lips when a light snore escaped Sarah's lips. She always argued that she did not snore, and on one occasion Chuck had recorded her, but she refuted the idea that it was her on the recording.

Unable to stay in bed any longer, since his mind was far from tired, Chuck eased himself out from under Sarah. She mumbled something about Chuck hogging the sheets, rolled over fully on her stomach and clutching his pillow close, she buried her face in it, inhaling his scent. Chuck waited until he was sure that she was asleep before completely moving out of bed. With an ease quite different from when he had stepped (or maybe stumbled was more appropriate) into Sarah's world, Chuck navigated the minimally lit room with a masters in silent grace. Since becoming a spy, he had gotten better at stealth. But as luck would have it, his characteristic clumsiness was so heavily ingrained that on occasion that stealth went haywire. When Sarah had been pregnant and sleepy, he had gotten better at moving silently around their home so she wouldn't be disturbed. He didn't always have success, as Sarah sometimes awoke because of his missing warmth or on the occasion that he stumped his toe and yelped in pain or bumped into furniture. Nevertheless, it was a skill he prided himself in and now he was able to sneak up on Morgan much easier than before.

Smiling, Chuck made his way over to Levi's crib. Thanks to the nightlight, he was able to see his soft features. Levi lay on his back, his arms up and at the side of his head. From the chest down, his body was covered by a blue blanket with a criss cross pattern which Emma had made for him. Mary had been under Emma's tutelage as well, but when her baby booties hadn't come out as they were supposed to after five attempts, she had huffed and declared that she would stick to what she knew best. And that was how she had decided to create a children's illustrated book which included tips on how to handle live explosives, fighting techniques and bomb disarmament. Chuck laughed lightly at the thought as Casey had volunteered to help her.

At the side of the crib lay a stuffed toy dog that Sarah had made for him. Well, Sarah insisted that it was a dog; to him it looked like a mixture between a rat and a dog. Sarah had gotten the idea from an online parenting blog which she had perused during her pregnancy. She was incredibly proud of how it had turned out and usually silencing anyone who insulted it with a glare. The grin spread across his face as he rearranged it with care, moving it to the top of the crib. His eyes were then drawn to his son. A warm smile curved his lips. It was impossible for him not to smile at the sight of him. He was healthy, safe and content. That was all he could ever want. With the tip of his thumb, Chuck stroked his son's cheek and watched him intently, a smile on his face as his chest rose and fell with each breath. While he slept, Chuck saw the edges of his lips curl up into a smile.

Meanwhile, Sarah rolled over on her back, her hands feeling the sheets for Chuck's body. She frowned when all she grasped was the blue sheet beneath her. Sitting up against the headboard, Sarah squinted slightly as she searched the room for her husband. When she saw him standing beside their son's crib, Sarah smiled widely. She didn't think it was possible to love Chuck more, but when she saw the love and wonder in his eyes after seeing their son for the first time, she fell in love with him a little more.

Becoming a mother had involved so many emotions she was not fully prepared for. Even though she had interacted with Levi for less than three days, being his mother had dismantled so many of her presuppositions, and left her exceedingly happy. For most of her adult life, she had found security in compartmentalizing her feelings. After her experience with the CATs, Ryker and Bryce's supposed betrayal, she had been even more careful that no errant emotions could break through her mask. She had sealed them up behind protective layers, but meeting Chuck had changed her. Her and Chuck's relationship over the years had gradually peeled away those layers, breaking through the compartments. When she joined the CIA, the dreams she had had of a house with a red door and white picket fence, children playing football in the yard and school plays had all been shoved away. They had been blocked, and she had never allowed herself the time to think about what ifs. But now, she wasn't afraid to dream. Because her dreams were already coming true.

Chuck looked down at his son as he slept peacefully, oblivious to the rest of the world. He would preserve her carefree existence for as long as he could. Arms sliding around his waist interrupted his thoughts.

"Hey," Sarah mumbled, resting her cheek on his back.

"Hey yourself," he greeted back, turning in Sarah's arms so that they were facing each other. "You're supposed to be sleeping." He quirked his brow at her.

Sarah smiled up at him. "I'm feeling refreshed already."

"You won't be saying that when Levi is up at all sorts of ungodly hours."

Sarah laughed lightly. "I won't mind." She was so elated that he was finally here- nearly a week after the due date- that him waking them up in the early morning hours was welcome.

Chuck kissed the crown of her head. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

Sarah cocked her head to the side slightly, a smile tugging at her lips. She then wrapped her arms around his neck and Chuck slipped his around her waist, drawing her close. "It's always nice to be reminded."

Bending his head slightly, Chuck bumped his nose with Sarah's. With a slight tug on Chuck's neck, Sarah crashed her lips into his. When the kiss ended, the two stayed in their embrace, their foreheads touching.

Levi yawned and a small cry escaped his lips which caused their attention to shift to him.

"Hey buddy," Chuck smiled down at the baby. He pursed his mouth and wrinkled his forehead. Enthralled, Chuck watched as he flexed his hands and wiggled, causing the blanket to shift around his body.

"Ooooh, Chuck," Sarah fawned over him, "look at his little legs."

Chuck nuzzled her neck. "I know, maybe he will be a football player."

Sarah chuckled. "With all that power in his legs, you might be right. I'm certain I'm bruised inside from his kicks."

With their voices in such close proximity, Levi stared up at them, his eyes showing a mix of curiosity and happiness. He yawned and wiggled in the crib some more, dislodging and toppling the stuffed dog. Smirking, Chuck adjusted it again, only for Levi to knock it over again.

"Not a word," Sarah grumbled.

He chuckled at her and out up his hands in front of him. "I wasn't gonna say anything."

Sarah glared. "You were about to." She jabbed a finger in his chest. She picked up the toy and hugged it to her chest. For a girl who never paid attention to swing class during Home Economics and was only recently taught the basics by her mother and the Internet, she was extremely proud of the fruits of her labour. "If I hear a peep out of you about the colour, or its eyes, then you will be sleeping in the guest room."

Chuck rested his chin and her shoulder. Sarah could feel the vibrations from his body as he tried to suppress a chuckle. "Now, we both know you wouldn't be able to sleep comfortably if I'm not there." He then kissed Sarah on her neck which caused a flood of colour to rise in her cheeks along with a smile that tugged at her lips.

"I guess I could make an exception this once," Sarah breathed out, her breath hitching as Chuck grazed his teeth along her ear lobe.

Stepping back slightly, Chuck smiled with satisfaction. "Besides, what could I possibly say about this magnificent dog you've made?" He smirked. "I'm sure Levi will just love the fact that it's almost as red as Clifford, and that its right eye is the size of a nickel while the left is the size of a bottle cap...and those ears, wow...how long and droopy they are but that's all the better to hear aliens from another planet with."

Sarah slapped him on the arm and scowled at him. That caused Chuck to laugh. Ignoring his antics, Sarah leaned over the crib and picked up Levi who was growing restless. "Ignore Daddy baby. He's just being silly," Sarah cooed down at him. "Your Momma worked very hard on your toy, and I think I'm super good at it. Don't you agree?" Levi opened his mouth and there was a twinkle in his eye. "Ooooh, yea you do! You agree with Momma." Sarah then cradled him against her chest. "Maybe Momma will make more toys for you. You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Sarah smiled down at him. "Yea, maybe I'll make you a cat and a rabbit next."

Chuck looked on as Sarah walked around the room, telling Levi about all the toys she would make for him. Seeing her, clothed in her plaid pyjama bottoms and a pink camisole as she cooed down at their son made him love her even more. In fact, he fell in love with her more every day. A tiny wail escaped his lips and Levi scrunched his face, and pawed at his mother's chest.

"Or maybe he agrees with Daddy," Chuck commented to Sarah.

Sarah sent him a scorching glare. "As if you could do better."

Chuck considered telling her that when his parents left them he and Ellie had realized the need to be cautious over how they spent their money. As such, when there was a rip in either of their clothes that was repairable, rather than throw them away, they learned how to stitch. He decided he'd let her have this small victory.

Sarah shifted her attention back to Levi when Chuck didn't offer a retort. Humming softly to him, she continued to walk around the room in hopes of soothing him. Chuck adjusted the pillows on the bed and got the feeding pillow from the chair in the far corner of the room. Levi wasn't pacified by the movement or the soothing tones of his mother so Sarah handed him to Chuck while she got comfortable in the bed. Moments later, the room was quiet, only being interrupted by the soft sounds of Levi as he sucked away contentedly.

Chuck looked down at the blonde haired baby and smiled contentedly. Sarah too was preoccupied with looking into his bright blue eyes. Chuck wrapped one arm around Sarah's shoulders and she shifted slightly, snuggling into his side as the baby nursed. When Levi's eye lids began to droop and his hand dropped from Sarah's chest, Sarah eased him from her chest and with one hand supporting his head, she used the other to tuck her breast into the nursing bra. Sarah turned to Chuck with a soft smile and their lips met in a gentle kiss. They held each other's gaze after their lips had parted.

"I think he's ready to go back to sleep," Sarah looked down at the baby who was yawning, tethering on the edge of sleep.

"I'll take him," Chuck offered, easing the baby out of her arms. Chuck placed a burping cloth on his shoulder and rested Levi's head in the crook of his neck. The fuzziness of his hair tickled his neck, but he delighted in the powdery scent of the baby and the warm softness of his skin. Getting out of bed, he walked across the room, while rubbing his hand up and down the baby's back. Chuck then began to hum the opening verse of Nina Simone's 'Feeling Good'. Levi hiccupped twice, sucked his lips a few times and then drifted off to sleep. He walked over to the crib and laid him down gently. Chuck then pulled the blanket over the baby and placed the stuffed dog back in the crib, an action which Sarah smiled at.

Sarah climbed out of bed and walked over to one of the windows, and pulled the curtain back so they could see Burbank clothed in its night raiment. Chuck came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Sarah smiled at how safe and loved she felt in his arms. Revelling in his touch and his presence, and warm against him, Sarah looked out with radiance in her eyes. They were silent for a moment as they just reflected on their lives and all that led up this moment.

"Look Chuck," Sarah pointed to the sky where a streak of light had caught her eye. They beamed as the shooting star left a trail of gold across the night sky. Sarah turned in his arms, her eyes as luminous as the shooting star they had seen moments ago. "What did you wish for?"

Chuck didn't answer immediately, watching as the final trace of light faded away. "You know if I tell you it won't come true." As he spoke to her, he remembered standing with Sarah as they drank beers, watching a satellite explode in the sky. He'd made a wish then.

You see that star out there on the horizon? That's the Air Force bouncing Morimoto's satellite out of the atmosphere and burning it up. Make a wish, it's yours.

Back then he had wished for her to be happy. And he had hoped that happiness would be with him.

Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly. "As far as I'm concerned, all my wishes have come true."

A/N: Feel free to review, even if it's as guest.

Until next time,

xoxoxoxoxo

~Barbadiangirl 24/07/2015