Chapter V: Morning After Contemplations

Author's Note: Married themes present, so use your discretion. Plus all the usual disclaimers. Thanks for reading!

Even though she loved sleeping in, Shane awoke early the next day. Dawn was breaking and the sky was an absolute beautiful mélange of colors…gray, light blue, puffy white clouds, a tinge of dusty rose, with a subtle glow of sunlight. It was times like these she wished she could paint. If her soul could feel how the sky looked… that's how she felt, like a glorious new beginning. She also felt very well loved. She smiled to herself and chuckled softly.

Oliver was still in a deep slumber. She didn't want to wake him up. He looked so peaceful. She had never noticed his long lashes before and she had never seen his hair in such disarray. She felt the blood rush to her face as she remembered how she had particularly contributed to his tousled hair. She loved to stroke his nape as he sweetly kissed her, but last night everything had been hot, steamy and so passionate… she knew she had held on tight to him like there was no tomorrow. He looked boyishly cute and so sexy at the same time. She smiled, exhaled, and her pulse quickened, remembering all the wonderful feelings he had elicited from her the night before. Her Oliver was an amazing lover. Everything was simply amazing between them because they were so deeply in love with each other.

Shane arose gently from the bed so as not to disturb him. After a quick trip to the bathroom, she decided to put on Oliver's tuxedo shirt instead of one of the silky robes she had packed. It smelled of him and it was like being wrapped in his embrace. She made her way to the kitchen area of their suite. She could make some coffee and maybe have a couple bites of their wedding cake to tide her over until it was time for breakfast. It was a dreamy concoction of white cake, lemon curd and pastry cream filling. The layers were thin and delicate, emulating the fashion of classic patisserie European cakes. Her stomach grumbled and she took a bite. Heaven, she sighed… but it didn't compare to the heaven she found more than once in Oliver's arms the night before.

Oliver, her husband… never in a million years would she have thought she'd find the love of her life when she moved to Denver. After all the angst and traumas they had to overcome, they finally found their happily ever after. Shane half-smiled. She was sure Oliver wouldn't want their marriage likened to a fairy tale, but he was indeed her knight in shining armor disguised in a 3-piece suit with a pocket watch. While Oliver didn't defend her with a sword atop a horse, he did defend her with his love, faith, support and prayers. Shane heaved a deep, happy sigh of pure contentment. She wanted to savor this moment in her memory for years to come. She was so absolutely happy and deliriously in love.

It was at this moment that Oliver emerged from the bedroom. He woke to find himself alone in the bed and missed Shane terribly already. Now that they'd shared a bed, he couldn't imagine waking up alone again another morning without her, nor did he want to. He entered the sitting area of their suite to find his wife sitting on a cushioned seat; legs crossed, wearing his white tuxedo shirt and cup of coffee in her hand. She was looking out the balcony glass doors as the sun broke through the early morning sky. He was shaken to his core and tried to take silent breath so she wouldn't know he was gazing at her. He had always thought Shane was distractingly beautiful, but the sight of her before him on this morning took his breath away. Her curls were in disarray and her face was devoid of makeup. He quickly thought this might become his favorite picture of her in his mind. She looked peaceful and deep in contemplation. He couldn't thank God enough for having Shane in his life.

Oliver came up behind her, laid a hand on her shoulder and kissed her on the cheek. "My love, good morning." Shane smiled and looked up at him. "Good morning, my dear husband. I love calling you that!"

"You know, the bed is awfully empty without you."

"Already missing me?"

"Always, my dearest Shane."

Her eyes glossy with happy tears, she got up and bearhugged her husband. Oliver hugged her back and realized his wife had barely any clothing underneath his shirt. As he trailed kisses along her neck, his scent and hers mingled…. a combination of sandalwood and roses…and what else? Blackberries? Her scent was heady enough and when it mingled with his own, it was a feast for the senses that drove him to immediate distraction. He took a step back wanting to create a mental memory of his wife just as she stood. She was a vision in his shirt, unbuttoned just enough to show a glimpse of cleavage. It also skirted the top of her thighs so he could feast his eyes on her shapely legs.

"Shane?"

"Yes Oliver."

"I hadn't realized you have really beautiful legs." He said in a rush of words.

Shane smiled brightly. "This is almost in the same vein as my question last night regarding your most shapely torso, Mr. O'Toole."

"Yes! How did you get such shapely legs? And how come I hadn't noticed them until now?"

"Office attire that required me to wear sensible skirts and slacks?" She replied. "Well, you certainly more than noticed and felt my legs last night." Shane bit her lip trying to control the laughter that wanted to erupt.

If it was possible, Oliver started to blush rather brightly as he remembered the events of the night before.

"Oliver, you are just too cute for words." Shane leaned in and took his lips in a light kiss. He almost lost himself in her kiss. They couldn't keep them light anymore. Just a soft touch had them immediately deepening their kisses, but he managed to stop the kiss to bring up again the important topic of her quite fit legs.

"You haven't answered my question. I did tell you last night about my calisthenics routine."

"Well, I run a few times a week. And I guess the constant walking in high heels helps define the calf muscles as well."

Oliver glanced again at her legs and the toned thighs were his undoing. He pulled her closer to him, took her lips in a soft kiss, his hands at her waist. Shane felt his hands on her hips, making their way down the sides of her thighs. His touch made her skin feel like it was on fire and ice at the same time, making her shiver. Her subtle gasp gave Oliver an opportunity to deepen the kiss and quickly bunch his shirt up over her hips, drawing her closer.

"Shane?" He worded her name in a question, his husky voice gave her tremors of excitement.

"Yes…?" She gasped as she felt his lips trailing kisses along her cheek and jawline.

"I want to feel your shapely legs around me again."

"By all means, dear husband."

And in the dance of love, they created their own steps. These steps were passionate, tender, full of joy and amazement. They had something quite stunning and beautiful between the two of them. They were the stars of their own movie, and they both knew what to say, how to move, how to dance. And it was beautiful.