Context: Request from Gina.

Halloween (Leaves Tend to Change in the Autumn) – Part V

The other bed was cool, and Cathy felt a ripple of gooseflesh raise on her arms as she climbed in. She hadn't been expecting to feel this exposed. She burrowed under the covers, adjusting herself to the change of temperature.

Turning over, she could make out the silhouette of Jamie, lying spread-eagled on his back in the first bed and snoring softly. The sheets were bunched up around him, tangled around his legs and only covering him up to his waist. One of his arms was curved downward, as if he were holding someone close to his chest.

Cathy exhaled, shifting slightly. She felt a twinge of guilt for moving, especially without him aware of it. But as much as she loved him, she was tired of wrestling the covers away from him, and she didn't want either of them getting ideas before they were married.

Married. The word sent a pleasant jolt through her stomach. She glanced down at her left hand, the diamonds faintly sparkling in the dim light that filtered in through the window. In a few months, she would walk down the aisle and become Mrs. James Andrew Bradley.

There was still so much to do before then. Her mum and Joyce demanded they go dress shopping next weekend, and the two of them were slowly taking over the plans as if they were the ones getting married. Not that Jamie minded too much; if it were left up to him, Cathy was sure they'd be married on the roof of Big Ben and have the reception at a night club.

It didn't matter, not really. As long as she was with him…in every sense…

A wave of heat rushed over her, and she curled her toes as her eyes fell from her fiance's face to his lower body. She bit her lip, mentally scolding herself. Now was not the time to think about this. She'd moved over to this bed for a reason.

But that didn't mean she couldn't imagine how it would feel once they finally were alone together, completely naked, her lying on her back, him above her, running his hands over her breasts and her hips, kissing her neck, and finally joining together in the most intimate way they could.

Her face was beet red, she was sure; there was no denying the intense heat that flooded her limbs. She was being very immature about this. There was plenty of time for this after the wedding. But she didn't know how much longer she could wait before she drove herself crazy.

Jamie groaned, flopping onto his stomach and grabbing one of the pillows on his bed, holding it tight and settling just as quickly as he'd moved. She watched him for a moment longer, memorizing the way his nose twitched every now and then, his eyebrows slightly furrowed as if he were lost in thought. She smiled, realizing just how tired she was by watching him. She closed her eyes, immediately feeling herself drift off to sleep.

Cathy blinked, groggily trying to wake herself up. She blinked a few times, registering that someone was right in her face. She squeaked in surprise, jerking toward the edge of the bed and almost falling out. After a moment of calming herself down, she smiled tiredly, moving back to where she'd been.

Jamie was now lying next to her, practically pushing her off of the bed, the sheets balled up on his side. One arm was draped around her, his palm pressing lightly into her back. His chest moved evenly, his eyes moving slowly beneath his eyelids.

Cathy gave him a light kiss on the forehead before turning to the nightstand. 9:16 was displayed on the clock. They would have to get up soon, as much as she didn't want to. She shook him gently. "Jamie, honey, wake up."

He breathed in deeply, groaning and opening his eyes. He frowned, shutting them again and sighing.

"Jamie, come on, wake up."

"No," he mumbled, pulling her closer. "Not yet."

"It's after nine. We should eat and head home."

"Don't feel like it." He pulled her on top of him, resting his chin in her hair. "Go back to sleep."

Cathy sighed, sitting up. "I'm serious, Jamie. We should head down for breakfast and -"

He interrupted her with another lazy groan. "Can't we just stay here instead?"

She giggled. "No, we can't. We gotta leave, unless you want to pay more quid for the room."

He rolled his eyes, tugging at her waist. "Just lay back down. Please?"

"No, Jamie." She shook her head. "Come on, now, I'm serious."

"I am, too." He tugged harder, pulling her back down. "I want you down here with me," he said, kissing her nose.

"Jamie…"

"Ssshhh." He put a finger to her lips. "Let's not think about it. Just you and me, remember?"

Her heart stopped, momentarily back in the hospital, laying on his cramped bed. She bit her lip, watching him again. His smirk told her he knew she was giving in, but she focused on the almost-pleading look in his eyes. "We…we can't…come on, now…"

He pushed her hair behind her ear, bringing her closer, his lips a centimeter away from hers. "Cathy…" he whispered. "Please stay."

She sighed again, closing her eyes and leaning forward. "Alright," she murmured, kissing him gently.

He smiled into her mouth, a hand getting tangled in her hair as the other moved to her back. He pulled away, arching an eyebrow. "Why'd you move last night? I almost had a heart attack when I realized you weren't in bed."

"You hog the covers, for one thing."

"Yeah, I do." He grinned. "Sorry about that."

"It wasn't too distracting." She shrugged. "I…I also didn't want to tempt things, I guess."

"You don't trust me to be a gentleman until the wedding?"

"It's more like I don't trust myself to keep being a prude."

He chuckled, gently stroking her cheek with his thumb . "You've held out your entire life. It's only a few more months. Until then, I have the utmost confidence in you, my darling."

She snorted, laughing into his shoulder. "You did not just call me that."

"I just did." He frowned. "Too cheesy?"

"I…I don't know." She lifted her head, trailing her fingers over his stubble. "I sort of like it. It's cute."

"So I can call you that, then?"

She nodded. "I suppose, if you want to."

"I want to. It has a nice ring to it."

She laughed again. "That it does."

"So, Catherine, my darling, room service sounds wonderful right about now, don't you think?"

Knowing that there was no use in arguing, she nodded. "Yes, it does."

Jamie took her left hand, entwining their fingers. They were silent, just looking at each other for a few moments as he gently spun the ring around her finger.

"I honestly can't wait until we're married," she said, thinking out loud. Another blush burned her cheeks, and she was unable to look at him.

She felt his fingers gently tilt her chin upward. He grinned, turning them over so that she was lying down, with him supporting his weight with his elbows. He leaned closer again, whispering against her lips. "I honestly can't wait until I can call you Catherine Lorina Bradley. My darling Catherine." He kissed her again. "I love you."

She shivered, wrapping her arms around his neck. "And I love you."