Disclaimer: all the usual apply
Chapter 32
On the way to Germany.
Amelia POV
It was early spring when they left Mourmelon for Germany. Everyone was in high spirits as they loaded into the trucks. The news from the front was that the German army was all but beaten and it was simply a formality now until they officially surrendered.
She was sitting in her usual spot, wedged in between Babe and Joe with Webster sitting directly opposite her while Luz shot her a wink from his seat on Webster's one side.
She closed her eyes and turned her face upwards, allowing the spring sun to warm her cheeks as the brisk breeze tugged at some stray strands of hair.
She sensed Babe watching her and opened her one eye an inch to peer at him. A small grin was on his lips, the sun making the freckles dusted on his nose and high cheek bones stand out against his pale skin.
She closed her eye and turned her face back to the sun, a content smile now accompanying her.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing. I'm just happy."
"Yeah?"
"The sun's out, I've got the people I adore most in the world around me and you are right here next to me. So I'm just happy."
She felt the familiar weight of his arm settle on her shoulders and as he pulled her closer her smile widened.
XXXXXXX
Webster POV
Watching Babe and Amelia interact never failed to make him smile. A lot of things had changed between the time he'd left Easy and his return. They'd lost good men and the ones that were left were forever changed. But the thing that had struck him most was the shift in the relationship between the two soldiers.
In Holland there'd been a flirtation of course, but Amelia allowed most of the men to harmlessly flirt with her from time to time so no one thought to much of it. In Hagenau however it was evident that the flirtation had developed into something much deeper and more profound. It was clear in the way Babe's eyes would silently follow Amelia around the room and the way her body always instinctively turned towards him even before she'd seen him. Even more so in the way they would melt into each other just a fraction whenever they touched, as if they could finally exhale a breath they'd been holding for hours.
On the bench across from him Amelia let out a faint sigh and dropped her head onto Babe's shoulder, her eyes still closed. Babe kissed the top of her head, his eyes closing for a moment as she breathed her in. Looking up Babe found him staring. He gave the redhead a knowing smile and a nod, which was returned with a smile before Babe started up a conversation with Sergeant Martin who was sitting on his other side.
Glancing over the men sitting on the back of the truck he caught a few sneaking a look at Amelia, their faces automatically softening when they found her.
Everyone knew something was going on between their two friends, even though the two soldiers in question never admitted as much. Even when the replacements had joined them and inevitably commented on Amelia, it wasn't Babe that had told them she was spoken for, even though he was there, but it had been Bull and Tab. The men would regularly arrange for them to have a moment of privacy, conveniently leaving the room at the same time or walking ahead of them to the chow lines.
He figured everyone took some pleasure in seeing the two people happy because it reminded them of home and their own sweethearts waiting for them.
Amelia's eyes fluttered open and fell onto his. Her lips turned up into a wisp of a smile and she shot him a wink.
For now at least, they really were just happy.
XXXXXXX
Amelia POV
As the trucks rolled into the town they'd be staying in for a while she broke off the conversation she'd been having with Luz. The place was pretty, with cobbled streets and buildings with elegant arches. She suspected it's how the other towns they'd seen would have looked, had the war not levelled them.
There were already troops moving about, directing traffic and civilians.
"Hey Em," Luz called and she turned to look at him. "What's this place called again?"
"Sturzelberg. We're in Germany darling."
"In the belly of the beast, huh?"
She smirked just as two young girls ran giggling past their truck. "Doesn't look that bad to me."
Luz smiled and shook his head.
The trucks pulled to a stop near the town centre and she jumped out.
"Easy Company. We've got that building over there," Malarkey said as he pointed to a five storey apartment block.
She eyed it for a moment, wondering which families had been put out because of them, but quickly shook off the thought.
They'd have their homes back when they moved out, minus some valuables of course.
She filed in next to Gene as they made their way over to the building, her keen eyes resting on Babe's silhouette where he was walking just in-front of her, deep in conversation with Joe and Web.
As she got to the door Malarkey motioned her over to him and Johnny, who were standing slightly off to one side.
"Don needs me. See you in there," she told Gene before breaking from the line of men.
"Now this is my kinda war," she said in greeting when she got close to the two men.
They both smirked, and Malarkey offered her a cigarette. She declined the smoke with a casual wave of her hand and Malarkey gave her a 'suit yourself' shrug, before lighting his own.
"The fella's were talking, and we decided that you should have an apartment to yourself," Johnny said.
She frowned, her lips already forming around the objection when Malarkey cut her off. "Save your breath, it's been decided. You know we love having you around. But after months of sharing our foxholes and barracks this is only fair."
"Think of it like a belated Christmas present," Johnny added for good measure.
She smiled and relented, honestly excited at the prospect of having some space to herself. She loved the men, but a girl needed some space and time to herself. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
They smiled victoriously and Malarkey playfully rattled her helmet.
"Let's go," she said, turning to the door and the sergeants followed on her heels.
Entering the building her eyes took a moment to adjust to the dimly lit interior. A long hallway stretched out to her right while the stairs on her left led to the upper floors. She hesitated, realising she didn't know which room the men had set aside for her.
"Second floor," Johnny's voice came from behind her.
She shot him a grateful smile over her shoulders before starting the climb to the second floor. The building was bustling with the sounds of soldiers settling and searching the rooms, stashing whatever valuables the permanent occupants hadn't been able to take with them.
On the second floor she walked down the hallway, peering into the rooms as she passed them. Most consisted of a small dining room and kitchen with another door leading to what she assumed were the bedroom and bathroom. A few of the rooms had extra bedding already strewn on the ground.
She frowned and turned around to look at the two sergeants who were behind her. "Are some of the men sleeping on the ground?"
"Yip, that doesn't mean anyone is sharing your room so don't even try to convince us otherwise," Malarkey chided her.
"This is you," Johnny said as she reached a closed door.
She paused and looked from left to right, judging where everyone was and where the exits were.
"We're gonna be on your left and Joe, Babe and Web are on your right. Most of Easy's on the first three floors," Johnny said, reading her mind.
"OK. Call me when we head out," she said, her hand already resting on the smooth metal doorknob.
Both men nodded before moving past her to their room.
She turned the knob and pushed open the wooden door. Stepping inside the apartment she saw why the men had chosen this one for her. Most of the others were clearly intended for small families, but this one was just large enough for one person to live in, two people at a push, and she loved it.
The floors were a deep, chocolate brown with a worn green carpet muffling the fall of her boots. The furniture was modest, but in good taste, the brown of the table and chairs almost matching the floor. There was sunlight streaming in through a large window which overlooked the street below. Placing her rifle and helmet on the dining room table she strode over to the window. Peering out she saw soldiers moving about, while others flirted with some local women.
She turned away from the window, crossing the short distance to the first of two closed doors which were set to the left of the dining room.
Opening the first she was greeted by a very small white and yellow kitchen, the light drifting in through a drawn yellow curtain casting a soft glow on the room. She closed the door, convinced she wouldn't be using it while she was here.
Opening the second door she stepped into the small bedroom. A single bed with light blue bedding was placed against the furthest wall, making room for a night stand and a large wooden dresser. There was another door to her left which led to a small bathroom. To her utter amazement the room had a bathtub. She hadn't seen one in months and the mere thought of laying in the warm water was enough to pull her into the room. A lavender scented bath soap was laying on the side of the tub, right next to shampoo of the same scent. Picking up the bottle she flipped open the lid and sniffed, closing her eyes for a moment as she savoured the almost unfamiliar smell. She promised herself she'd take a bath the first chance she got, already excited at the prospect of smelling of something other than army soap, gunpowder and men.
Putting the shampoo down she reluctantly walked away from the bathtub and back to the bedroom. Out of curiosity she opened the dresses to find a handful of pretty dresses hanging from wooden hangers. Running her fingers over the delicate material she considered taking one of the pretty garments for herself, but just as quickly decided against it.
They were still technically at war, so she wouldn't have much use for a dress. Besides, whoever lived here lived comfortably but modestly. She wasn't going to take from them if she didn't have to.
With a final longing look she closed the wardrobe and strode out the room, grabbing her rifle and helmet on the way out.
Just as the doors shut behind her and she started to turn for the stairs her body collided with something solid, nearly sending her flying.
Two strong hands steadied her and she looked up into Babe's deep brown eyes.
"You alright?" he asked.
"I'll live," she replied with a smirk.
His hands dropped from her shoulders as his eyes flicked to the door behind her. "This your room?"
"Yip, got the place all to myself."
He whistled as his eyes got a mischievous glint to them.
He took a step towards her and dropped his head so his mouth was right next to her ear. "Would you like some company later?"
She felt her heart jump as warm coils curled inside her stomach as his breath caressed her skin. Looking up at him with her own devilish grin she replied, "Well soldier, you'll have to try your luck and find out."
"You should know, I'm a very lucky man."
Standing on her toes, she brought their lips within a breath of each other, "That's the hope."
His jaw was working and quickly glancing down she saw his knuckles were white as he clenched his fists.
She raised an eyebrow, allowing a smug smile to spread across her lips.
He took a deep breath, his chest touching hers for a split second before he let out the air. "You should know. It's taking every ounce of self-control not to throw you against that door and kiss you like my life depended on it."
"Only kiss?" she teased.
"Fuck," he growled under his breath just as Joe and Web appeared over his shoulder.
"Time to go," she said in a chipper voice, quickly moving past him with an evil giggle.
Joe looked from her to Babe and smirked. "You're evil," he said, loud enough for everyone in their immediate vicinity to hear.
Glancing over her shoulder, she smiled brightly at the three men and replied, "In the very best way."
XXXXXXX
Whatever plans she had to spend time alone with Babe were quickly dashed when it became apparent that the universe had other intentions.
They were regularly sent out on patrols at different times or had duty at one of the outposts whenever the other one was back in town. Whenever they were around at the same time one of their friends would call them away on some ill-timed adventure which they couldn't say no to without raising all kinds of eyebrows. So all in all she'd given up hope on having any time alone with him until the damn war was actually over and done with.
She'd just come back from another peaceful patrol with Bull and Shifty when she saw Dick striding out of the home the officers were using for their living quarters. His face was pinched and his shoulders hunched forward, worry clearly written all over his handsome features.
"I'll catch up," she said over her shoulder to the two soldiers, already on her way to intercept Dick.
"See you at the current affairs briefing," Bull said behind her back.
"Major Winters," she called, using his formal title.
He paused and turned to her, his face softening a fraction but the worry still etched into his eyes.
"Amelia," he greeted her once she was standing in-front of him, "How was the patrol?"
She shrugged, "Quiet. The usual."
"M'hm," he replied, clearly distracted by something.
Dropping her voice so they wouldn't easily be overheard she asked, "Dick, what's wrong?"
His eyebrows shot up in surprise, "That obvious."
"Pretty much."
He looked around and indicated she should follow him behind a supply truck which was standing off to one side.
As soon as they reached the relative privacy the truck provided Dick spun on his heals to face her. His lips were pursed into a thin, almost white, line and his eyes were hooded by the deep frown etched into his forehead.
"OK, now you're scaring me," she said.
He took off his helmet and ran his hand threw his hair. Looking down to his boots he said, "Sorry. It's Nix."
"The drinking," she filled in the gap.
His eyes shot up. "You've heard."
"It's Nixon. He's always enjoyed the odd drink. But these days, whenever I see him he smells of alcohol. He hides it pretty well, I don't think the boys suspect anything."
Dick sighed, whether out of relief or exhaustion she wasn't sure. "He's getting worse."
"I suspect he won't be alone before long. After everything we've seen, I wouldn't be surprised if more of the men started to drink their demons away, especially now that we have more free time."
Dick nodded and said, "Yeah well, he's been demoted."
"What?" she exclaimed and Dick shot her a warning look.
"What?" she repeated at a more appropriate volume.
"From Regiment back to Battalion. They noticed the drinking."
"Damnit Nix," she swore at her friend in his absence.
Dick raised an eyebrow at her choice of words, the man never swore. Well, almost never.
"What do you need from me?" she asked.
"Just keep an eye out for him. If you get a moment have a private talk with him. He seems to open up to you so hopefully talking about it would help."
"OK, I'll do that. And what about you?"
"What about me?"
"Dick, he's your closest friend. Seeing him like this has to be hard on you. So what do you need?"
The tall officer smiled down at her. "Just knowing you're looking out for him is enough Amelia."
"Fine," she relented, "but if you need anything else please let me know."
Placing a gentle hand on her shoulder he said, "I will."
With a final smile she turned to leave, briefly glancing around the truck to make sure they hadn't been overheard.
She fell in behind some soldiers that were making their way to the town square to hear Nixon's current events update.
Reaching the square she scanned the faces for her friends. With a cigarette dangling from his lips Luz's hand shot up when he say her, waving her over.
She moved past the men and grabbed the only open seat which was conveniently right next to Babe. Luz shot a wink her way before continuing whatever card game he'd been busy with before her arrival.
"How was the patrol?" Babe asked.
"Quiet."
He nodded. "Good."
Nixon climbed onto the small stage that had been set up as the men passed a pack of smokes around. When it reached her she passed it on. No one was trying to kill her after all.
She studied Nixon closely. His complexion was shallow, the dark circles that most of them had manage to shake still stubbornly siting under his eyes. His uniform was dishevelled by army standards and his hair needed a brush.
Damnit Nix, she repeated her earlier statement to herself.
Reading from a clipboard Nixon started his update asking the men to remind their families back home to donate whatever they could to the European families in need.
No one was really paying attention and he didn't seem bothered in the least by that fact. Some of the men were quietly talking while Luz kept playing his card game. She was almost sleeping with her eyes open, the afternoon sun baking her into a stupor.
There was a rustle of papers as Nixon flipped over a few pages, looking for something interesting to tell the assembled soldiers.
Stopping at a page he said, "I'm sure that you'll all be happy to know Oklahoma is still playing on Broadway."
As soon as he said it she cringed, already knowing what was coming next.
She eyed Luz as he took his un-lit cigarette from his lips and started signing at full volume, "Oklahoma when the wind comes sweeping down the plain," the other me joined in and he started conducted them, "and the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet, when the wind come-," he stopped mid-sentence, making a cutting gesture and everyone feel quiet. Everyone except a new replacement who finished the verse in a high pitched choir boy voice.
Everyone laughed, she also couldn't help to smile even when the guy blushed profusely.
"O'Keefe, are you sitting on your bayonet?" Christenson teased. "Why don't you leave the signing to Luz or Em."
"Play nice children," she chided from her seat.
The men gave her foolish grins, Babe's the largest of all. She rolled her eyes and he sat back in his chair, casually throwing his arm over the back of hers.
"Awww, Rita Hayworth's getting married," Nixon continued his briefing.
"Oh, Rita, say it isn't true," Luz added.
"War time news," Nixon started and everyone quietened down, shifting in their seats and turning their full attention to him.
"Resistance in the Ruhr's crumbling. It looks like there might be a breakout in the Remagen. Apparently the Krauts forgot to blow up one of their bridges when they headed back over the Rhine. I guess the boys in the 17th Airborne did OK after all."
"Ah, forget it. We'd be in Berlin by now, sir, if it was us instead of them, huh?" Luz boasted and the men around her chorused their agreement.
Nixon smiled indulgently at them.
Flipping over a few more pages he must have decided that was all they needed to know because he quickly dismissed them thereafter.
The men didn't move, everyone continuing whatever they'd been busy with before the briefing had started.
A child's shriek rang out over the town and everyone reached for their rifles, however the cry was followed up by twin sets of hysterical laughter as two little girls chased each other across the square.
She followed their path, smiling as she watched them play.
She felt Babe lean over to her, "Why do I think you were the kid that caused all kinds of mayhem?"
She glanced over to him. "I was perfectly well behaved. Just a little bit wilful and stubborn that's all."
He smiled fondly down at her. "Good to know some things never change."
"Hey!" she objected, poking him in the ribs for good measure.
He laughed and ruffled her hair.
Swatting his hands away she said, "Like you were such an angel? Please, four boys could only leave a wake of destruction in their path."
He grinned. "Yeah, my poor ma. I raised all kinds of hell with my brothers. At least my sis was there to help keep us in line."
"That sounds exhausting. Both those women deserve a medal if you ask me. I can barely keep one of you in check."
He smirked. "When we got older it got better. And then Amy gave me all kinds of hell when I stepped out if line."
"Amy?" she asked, she hadn't heard that name before.
His face dropped for a second, almost panicked and she realised the mistake he'd made.
She laughed and touched his shoulder. "It's fine Edward, don't panic. We all have a past. As long as that's where she is I don't mind."
He sighed in relief and smiled sheepishly. "You sure? Most girls don't handle it well when you bring up your ex."
"Well, most girls don't go gallivanting across Europe with a company of grown men."
"Fair enough."
Dropping her hand from his shoulder she said, "Besides, I like hearing about your life before the war. Even the Amy parts. So, what's the story? I gotta know if I need to be ready for fight when I get to Philly."
He chuckled. "Nah, that won't be necessary. We dated for a few years, guess you could say we were high school sweethearts, each other's first loves. We were real close and I think our folks figured we'd end up getting hitched. We were each other's first for a lot of things come to think of it."
She raised an eyebrow at his final remark and the blush that crept up his cheeks told her he knew what she'd heard and that she was right.
"Well, I'm sure Doris from Aldbourne was grateful for your prior education," she teased him, enjoying the way his cheeks turned a brighter shade of pink.
She laughed, patting his knee. She briefly caught site of Joe and Tab looking their way, knowing little smirks on their faces.
She rolled her eyes at her two friends and turned her attention back to Babe.
He shook his head and said, "Yeah well, I didn't hear any complaints."
"Oh, I'm sure you didn't," she replied. "So, what happened?"
He frowned.
"To you and Amy," she clarified.
"We ended things before I went to basic training. We both knew we weren't ever gonna get married to each other. So we decided to call it quits instead of dragging it out while I was away. I actually think she got married last year."
"Oh wow! Well I'm glad things worked out then."
"What 'bout you. Who was your first love?"
"You assume I've had one?"
"You're an amazing woman surrounded by men all day every day for years. I hope someone had the guts to try and woe you otherwise I fear for mankind's future."
She smiled at the compliment. "There was someone. His name was James. He was a pilot in the RAF and we met just after I'd completed my training, but before I was deployed to Africa. He was a typical pilot. A real Ace, but he was also kind and funny."
Babe took a drag of his cigarette, and blowing out the smoke said, "Yeah, I really don't need all the details. It just makes me want to punch the guy."
She rolled her eyes at his dramatics. "If it makes you feel better, Derek never really liked him."
Cigarette between his lips he replied, "That does actually."
"Anyway," she said pointedly and he gestured for her to continue her story. "I thought I was in love. Or should I say at the time I really thought it was love. Before I deployed we, ummmm…." she faltered, this time it was her turn to blush as her mind raced for what to say next.
Babe smirked at her discomfort. "Yeah-yeah, I get it. He gave you a good send off."
She nodded, averting her eyes as he cheeks burned.
Having mercy on her Babe decided to move the story along, "So what happened?"
She looked back to him and said, "We wrote while I was away. When I got back to England I went to the airfield to find him because he hadn't been waiting for me at the train station like he'd said he would. One of his squad told me he'd been shot down the day before I'd arrived. He didn't make it out of the plane in time."
His face dropped and he grabbed her hand, squeezing it. "Shit, I'm sorry."
She smiled softly at him. "Thank you. It was a fine romance, but we never would have made each other happy in the long run anyway. It was something that was meant for a point in time, not all time."
With a final squeeze of her hand her let go and leaned back in his chair, his eyes studying hers. "We both ended up exactly where we belonged didn't we?"
"Yes, because I ended up with you. I was always going to end up with you," she said.
"Ready to head out?" Joe asked Babe from where he was sitting and both their head whipped in his direction.
"Yip."
"Another patrol?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
The men nodded.
"OK, be safe."
"From what?" Joe asked.
"The squirrels," she retorted. "I don't know Joe. Technically we're still at war, so just be careful. For me."
"Fine, for you," he replied, getting up to leave.
Babe was about to follow his lead when she stopped him by grabbing his arm. "If you can, come and find me when you get back."
In a whisper only she could hear, he replied, "I'll always find you."
XXXXXXX
Slipping slowly into the warm water, she relished every inch of skin it touched until she was submerged up to her chest in the deep bath.
She wiggled her toes and rolled her shoulder before settling in for a long overdue bath. She stayed in the water until her skin started to prune, topping up the bath with hot water when it started to cool down even a fraction.
Finally, when she felt like she'd been soaked through, she washed her body and hair with the luxuriously feminine lavender products she'd discovered on her first day.
Stepping out of the water onto a fluffy brown mat she wrapped herself in a large brown towel which had come with the bathroom. She'd rummaged through the bathroom cabinets on her first day and found a pot of thick white body cream. It didn't smell of much, but after nearly a year of living off of army soap this seemed the epitome of luxury to her.
She layered the cream on before slipping into her white undershirt and black PT shorts, twisting her hair up into the towel to keep it from dripping down her back.
Lazily strolling from the bathroom to the bedroom she considered what to do next, since for once she didn't have anywhere to be. Deciding she'd lay down on the bed for a moment while she decided what to do with all her free time, she pulled the dark blue blanket draped over the foot of the bed up to her waist, just enough to protect her from the slight chill that still clung to the early Spring air.
She startled awake to the sound of a faint knock. Looking around confused she reached for her watch on the bedside table, feeling completely disorientated. Holding the face of the watch up to the moonlight streaming in through an open window she squinted trying to read the time.
01:00, shit I fell asleep.
The knock came again, three quick wraps to the door, just loud enough for her to hear from the bed. She padded to the door on her bare feet and peered through the peephole, for the first time realising she wasn't wearing much and that the night had turned quite cold since she'd fallen asleep.
A familiar pair of eyes, shielded by an army helmet greeted her. As she reached for the doorknob a coil started to wind itself up in the bit of her stomach, excitement and anticipation combining to speed up her heart instantly.
"Hey," she whispered as the door opened to reveal Babe standing in-front of it.
His eyes glanced over her exposed legs, running up her body before settling on her face. He visibly swallowed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Hey," he replied, a flush creeping up his neck from beneath his collar.
She took his hand and pulled him into the room. He gently shut the door behind him, the click of the latch falling into place shooting threw her spine.
She stopped when her thighs touched the cool wood of the dining room table and he took a small step to bring their bodies together. She reached up and lifted his helmet off, placing it behind her. He reached behind her, pressing her into him as he placed is his rifle next to his helmet.
He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his fingers skimming her neck, leaving a trail of goose bumps in their wake. She closed her eyes at his touch, subconsciously leaning into it.
"Look at me," he whispered, the sound of his voice increasing the tension of the coil building in her stomach.
She opened her eyes and her breath hitched when she saw the naked desire in his. She rested her hands on his chest and she could feel his heart hammering against his ribs.
"Are you sure?" he asked, even as his muscles vibrated under her touch.
"I'm sure of you. I want you. Always," she whispered.
He leaned down and her eyes drifted closed. She expected his lips against hers, and when she felt them burning a path down her neck her breath audibly hitched.
She reached up and entangled her hands in his hair just as one strong arm wound around her waist and the other gently pulled her hair, exposing more of her skin to his lips.
He kissed, sucked and nipped a trail from her ear to her collarbone. She moaned, desperate to feel more of his lips, more of him.
She felt him grin against her skin as he dragged his lips up to her mouth.
"I love hearing you moan," he growled against her lips.
"Then shut up and kiss me," she insisted.
He smirked for a heartbeat before crashing his lips into hers. The kiss deepened, his tongue exploring her mouth as she pulled his hair.
Breaking their lips apart she purred, "My turn."
Tracing a path with her tongue from his right ear, all the way down his neck she nipped at the delicate skin, smiling in satisfaction when he groaned and his hold on her tightened, his arms feeling like steel rods wrapped around her.
As she moved her lips and tongue from the one side of his neck to the other, her fingers unbuttoned his jacket. He shrugged it off, the thud of the heavy material hitting the wooden floor muffling the his groan.
She pressed their lips together, raking her nails through his hair as he deftly undid the buttons of his shirt, letting it fall to the floor.
His hands now free he snaked one around her waist, pressing her body flush against his while the other ran across her back, before ghosting over the side of her breast.
She moaned into his mouth and pushed his undershirt up, feeling his taught muscles tremble as her nails grazed his stomach.
They broke their kiss for a moment as his shirt came off and her eyes raced over his toned chest and stomach. She bit her lower lip and felt a finger pressed to them.
Tearing her eyes away she met his smouldering gaze. She lifted her arms and he lifted her shirt over her head, throwing it to ground.
Immediately they pressed their bodies together, the feeling of his skin touching hers leaving her breathless even as he buried her lips beneath his.
XXXXXXX
Babe POV
The sensation of Amelia's skin touching his was enough to shatter what little self-control he had left.
Cupping her rear he lifted her and she wound her legs around his waist, her arms holding onto him as their lips never parted.
We walked to the bedroom and gently dropped her onto the bed. He stood over her for a moment, admiring the way the moonlight streaming in through the window danced across her skin and he imagined tracing it's patch with his lips.
She pushed herself upright and reached for his belt, discarding it quickly.
She smirked up at him. "Your boots are in my way."
He swore in his head but quickly bent town, taking off his jump boots in record time. When he looked up he found Amelia watching him, her bottom lip captured between her teeth as her flushed chest rapidly rose and fell.
He took a step towards the bed and she placed a palm against his stomach, just above the line of his pants.
"Not yet," she whispered, deftly undoing the buttons of his pants.
He allowed them to fall to the floor and nearly collapsed when she raked her nails over the sensitive skin of his lower abdomen all the way down his thighs, taking his underwear with her.
She leaned back, a smug smirk on her face as she admired her handy work. He kicked off the clothing and sank onto the bed, slowly crawling over her body, keeping his a torturous inch away from hers.
When her reached her lips he breathed, "What do you want Amelia?"
Digging her nails into his back, arching her body up so her breasts pressed against his chest she moaned, "You."
He growled, her words lighting something deep inside of him he didn't even know existed.
Tracing a path with his lips and tongue from her delicate throat, down her sensitive stomach, he stopped at the edge of her shorts. She arched her back and moaned in protest at his hesitation. He traced the line of her short with the tip of his tongue as he slowly slid them down her legs.
For a second he lifted his head and admired her, not able to comprehend what he'd done in his life to deserve this perfect creature.
He floated his body above hers and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth as he tried to slow down his racing heart.
She cupped his face with her one hand as she intertwined her fingers with the chain of his dog tag, gently pulling him down to her.
He slowly joined their bodies, her breath hitching with every passing moment. He paused a moment, needing to be sure she was fine before he continued.
"I love you Amelia," he breathed against her lips as her body vibrated underneath his.
XXXXXXX
Amelia POV
"And I love you Edward," she hushed against his skin.
At first he moved slowly, tentatively, each thrust teasing her with a promise of what's to come.
She clung to him, nails digging into his back and shoulders. She hitched up a leg, and he grabbed her thigh, his movements becoming harder and more determined.
She moaned loudly and he caught her lips with his.
"You have to be quiet baby," he panted against her mouth.
She pressed her lips to his in response. Moaning into his mouth as his movements brought her closer and closer to the edge.
The air around them was electric as he moved deliberately, every thrust intending to get under her skin and into her bones, tattooing his name onto her soul.
He released his hold on her thigh and reached between their bodies, stroking her as his rhythm became more and more erratic.
"Edward, please," she begged. For what she wasn't sure, all she knew is she wanted to feel more of him, wanted him closer and unwilling to believe that he'd ever be close enough to her.
"Let go for me Amelia," he rasped into her ear, his warm breath hitting at her very centre.
The coil in the depth of her stomach contracted more and more as she clung to him. With one final stroke the coil snapped, sending a lighting strike coursing through her veins into every part of her being.
She bit down on his shoulder as her muscles reverberated under his touch.
He buried his face in her neck and grunted incoherently as his movements deepened even more. His entire body shuddered as he groaned, "Amelia".
She held onto him, savouring the feeling of his warm, damp skin underneath her fingertips and his strong muscles shuddered and gave in as he collapsed onto her.
His chest was heaving as their breaths came in short gasps. She wound both her legs around his waist, as she kissed his shoulder and drew circles with her fingernails on his back.
"Fuck," he blurted out and she couldn't help but giggle.
He pushed himself up on his one forearm. "Sorry, it's just that was…"
"Intense," she finished for him.
"Incredible," he added, leaning down to kiss her already swollen lips.
"I think you left a few marks," he teased, rolling his bitten shoulder.
"Just marking my territory. Wouldn't want any German girls getting any ideas."
He raised an eyebrow. "There's not a woman in the world that stands a chance against you. I'm all yours and you are only mine."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Yes, it is. You're my girl."
She smiled and used the hand laced into his hair to push his lips down to meet hers.
Slowly parting their lips he rolled onto his back, one arm casually slung behind his head. She turned onto her side, laying her head down on his chest as she threw a leg over him. He kissed the top of her head, hugging her to him.
"I wish you could stay the night," she said.
"One day, I'll wake up next you every morning."
"Mmmm….that sounds perfect."
Just as she drifted off to the sound of his steady heartbeat, she felt him shift out from under her. She moaned in protest and reached for his hand, flimsily holding onto it.
She heard him chuckle and opened her eyes a slither, her muscles too heavy to move much more.
"I promise you. When we get home, I'm never leaving you alone again."
Tugging him back to the bed she kissed him softly. "Sweet dreams," she murmured.
"Sweet dreams," he repeated.
Reluctantly she let go of his hand and felt as he draped the blanket over her, tucking her in and pushing some rogue strands of hair from her face.
She vaguely heard clothing hurriedly being put back on before the door opened, a whispered "I love you," reaching her dreams just before the door closed with a familiar click.
XXXXXXX
My wonderful readers, hope everyone had a great weekend. So finally those two took the plunge! It wasn't originally planned for this chapter, however as I started writing it I realised this felt like the right time. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and as always (I really can't say this enough) thank you for all the support!
FIY: I'm going to try and post next weekend, although there may a bit of a delay since I just got two new kittens and they are taking up loads of my time. Mostly by being super cute!