They sat in bed, beside each other, their backs at the backrest. In front of them six different types of cake. Some of them Sam thought Jack had only bought for the sake of eating cake, because there is no way she would have a lemon cake roll for her wedding cake.
Armed with forks they tested one after the other.
"Oh my god, you have to try the chocolate one. I swear Sam, that's the best cake I've ever eaten."
Sam had to laugh "And that from you, Mr. Cake! So it must be a really good one, hm? Ok, let's try!"
He picked up a piece and fed her with it. The moan that escaped her while tasting did things to him he'll never want to miss again.
"That is good!" she said, still enjoying the taste of chocolate melting on her tongue.
"Now I'm not so sure anymore, let me taste again." he said, grabbed her head and his tounge demanded entry to her mouth, tasting the melted chocolate. Their tongues dancing, intertwining and exploring one another's depths. With a tender touch, he delicately nibbled on her lower lip.
"Yep, tastes fantastic!" he just stated and turned back to the rest of the cakes, leaving her breathless and panting.
She couldn't stop giggling because her husband-to-be was such a child at heart.
"Ah, Carter, what have I said about giggling?"
"That's all your fault, Sir! Don't act like that and I don't have to giggle. By the way, you never explained why it bothers you so much."
He firmly took hold of her hips and gently positioned her in front of him. Underneath him. He let himself sink down on her and instantly she felt his erection pressing into her stomach. "Oh!" she gasped.
"That's what you're doing to me when you giggle!" He whispered. "You understand now why this was a bit complicated to me out in the field? I had to stop you giggling otherwise it could have ended dangerously in more than one way."
"Lucky me we're not out in the field now." She teased him.
"No. We're not." he answered hoarsely.
Now, it was her turn to take control, gently grasping his head between her hands and tilting it downwards, drawing him towards her waiting lips. As their mouths met, the kiss ignited into a fervent exchange of passion. Their lips moved in sync, fervently exploring each other's mouths, their tongues entwined in a passionate tango. The intensity of their connection grew with each passing moment, their collective desire fueling the fire that burned between them.
"I think someone promised me a backrub."
"That I did. Are we done with the cakes?"
"I think we are. I'm pretty sure the chocolate cake won." She told him with a huge grin on her face.
"Yeah? What's with the lemon cake or the vanilla one? I always thought you were more into vanilla than chocolate."
"Chocolate turned out pretty good tonight, but since you're still asking. I might try some more."
With that said she reached next to her to grab her fork and picked up some of the vanilla cake. Carefully not to drop it on the bed linen she guided it over to her mouth.
"Hmmm.." she hummed. "Maybe I have to revise my answer. In fact this vanilla flavor is pretty good too."
"Let me check." He took the fork from her to get his own piece from that piece. And as soon as it disappeared into his mouth
Sam pushed herself up to have better access to his mouth. The fight for the food started immediately.
"Ok, it doesn't matter which one we decide to be our wedding cake, I'm sure I can't eat it without thinking about something naughty. The taste of cake and you at the same time... I think you ruined me for any future cake."
"I don't think so, no great suffering thinking about me when you eat cake."
"So, vanilla or chocolate?"
"How about both? I don't want to make compromises on my wedding day!"
"Me neither, both it is then. Great!"
"Now that we've decided, how about you put the plates aside and concentrate on the really important things?"
"More important than cake? What would that be?" he wondered jokingly.
She playfully slapped his arm. "Like making your future wife happy with that promised backrub..."
"Oh I'll rub you for sure." he said after clearing the plates off the bed.
She squeaked as he pulled her towards him right back underneath him, making tenderly love to her leaving them both spent and satisfied, as they succumbed to blissful exhaustion and drifted into a peaceful slumber.
The days went by fast. Sam was busy with her lab work and Jack sorted through the last of their boxes until the day arrived when he had to pick up Cassie from the airport. Everyone was looking forward to their reunion. Cassie was especially thrilled to go on that camping trip with Jack. When she was little Jack made sure to have time for her in her holidays at least for a long weekend to take her out of town into the mountains. He had done this with Charlie a hundred times before and first it wasn't easy for him to do this again with someone else. But he loved the little girl from Hanka so much and after a while it became their thing.
He wondered if he also gets to do this with his new child. Would it only be him and the little one? Or would Sam go with them? Sara was never fond of sleeping outside with no toilet in sight, but Sam was used to it, camping out in the field. They could make it their family thing, the three of them and Cassie of course.
At that thought a smile spread across his face, yeah, life turned out pretty good for him so far. He never would have imagined being that happy after all. He was ready to die nine years ago, but boy what would he have missed.
Parking his car at the airport he went in to pick up Cassie.
He was still looking around as the girl wrapped herself around him.
"Hey Dad," she said cheerfully while kissing him on the cheek, "I missed you!"
"Me too, kiddo. It's good to have you back home. Ready for our adventure?"
"Sure! Are we going to our usual spot?"
"I thought so. We can base our tent at the usual spot and take the hikes in different directions every day. That gives us more time for the fun stuff instead of putting up the tent again and again in a different spot every day."
"Sounds great. We're starting tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, I think by the time we get back now Sam will be waiting with dinner for us. You can have a girls night tonight before you're all mine for the next few days."
Sam's car was already parked in the driveway when he parked his car next to hers. He hadn't even turned off the engine when Cassie was already entering the house.
"Sam! I'm home!"
She found her in the dining room, setting the table for their dinner.
"Hey honey, glad you're finally here."
That was where Jack found them moments later embraced in a tight comfortable hug.
After dinner Jack got up to go outside. A while later he came back in.
"I set up a fire for you, maybe you want to enjoy the beautiful evening in the backyard. Meanwhile I can put the rest of my stuff together that we need for our trip and I don't disturb you gossiping around."
"Thank you, that's very sweet of you." Sam stood up to kiss him before she went into the kitchen. "You want something to drink, Cass? Beer, wine, coffee?"
"Let's take a coffee outside. Let me help you." She patted Jack's arm while she passed by to help Sam in the kitchen.
Jack disappeared into the bedroom to pack his things for the trip and Sam and Cassie sat down outside by the fire. It was a warm evening, but the additional heat was nice.
"So, when are you going to turn my room into a nursery?" Cassie asked, curious but not accusing.
"You're guessing right that the guest room, that until now has been your room, will be the nursery. But we said you'll always have a room with us, so at the same time we'll make space in the basement and set up a room for you there. It will be quiet enough when you're home and have to study, so the little one won't disturb you. Or quiet enough if you, for example, want to bring a boyfriend with you."
"Sam!" Cass shouted embarrassed, but had to laugh at the same time. "Thank you very much. It's nice to know I have somewhere to come home to."
"Always honey, always! So, Ben isn't coming? Scary to meet the whole family at once, hm?" She took a sip of her still hot coffee.
"It's not that. He had already booked the flight to visit his parents. That's ok with me, we're not going out that long so maybe we should introduce him to my family in small parts. You will get to know him, I promise. But this visit is about you two."
"I wish I could come with you on your little trip, but I'm busy and I understand that's your father-daughter thing."
"Oh Sam, we never intended to exclude you. I'm sorry!"
"Don't be, it wasn't meant to sound like it obviously did. Sorry. I just wanted to say someday we should do something like this together as a real family."
"Oh we will. We need to make sure my little brother or sister gets to know all that excitement that comes with camping. Setting up a tent, going out in the dark to pee, having the best Dad ever showing you how to fish your dinner and coming back to our Mom to snuggle up to, until the dinner is ready."
She hadn't even finished her speech as tears welled up in Sam's eyes running down her cheeks.
"Must be the damn hormones, sorry. But picturing us out there as a family, that's all I ever wanted and never dared to hope I could get that."
Cassie scooted closer to her and placed an arm around Sam's shoulders before drawing her into a hug. She placed a hand on Sam's abdomen and leant down a bit.
"Hey little one, don't make your Mom cry so much, even when it's happy tears. She's really amazing, you can look forward to meeting her. You have a bunch of loving people here waiting for you!"
"I thought I should stop crying, not have to cry even more... I love you Cassie! So much." Sam said and placed her hand over Cassie's that still was where her child was growing.
"I love you too, Sam. Is everything ready for the wedding or is there something you need help with?"
"No, it's all sorted out. We'll get married at the courthouse and then the party will be held here in the backyard. It's nothing fancy, just us with friends and family. Jack will do some BBQ and that's it. Just having you all around for the day will make it special. Oh and by the way, your uncle is really curious to get to know you?"
"My uncle?" Cassie asked, visibly confused.
"Yeah, I talked to Mark a few days ago and told him about the wedding, the baby and of course about you. Since you're family he is your uncle. I was scared how he would react to all of it, but it turned out good. He's bringing the kids and his wife too."
"Uncle Mark...sounds good. I'm glad he'll be there for your special day. I know I'm going to miss Jacob, I can't imagine how it will be for you."
"I miss him every day. There's nothing more I want than to be able to tell him I'm finally happy, that I found the love he wished for me."
"I'm sure he knows, with everything we got to explore in the last few years I'm pretty sure he and mom will be there on your big day and will know you and Jack are happy."
They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the fire before it was time to go to bed. Cassie took the cups to the kitchen to put them in the dishwasher before she headed for her room.
Sam carefully stepped into the bedroom not to wake Jack up if he was already asleep. But she should have known better. Of course he had waited for her to come to bed. She put on her pajamas and slipped into bed with him.
With a tender gesture, he extended his arm, inviting her to rest her head upon it. As she nestled closer to him, he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her even closer.
She draped her leg over his and sighed satisfied.
"Everything ok?"
"Yes, we have a pretty amazing girl, you know? Everything ready for your trip?"
"Yep, everything packed up and ready to go. I take my phone with me but you have to know there is not a good signal everywhere."
"That's ok, Jack. I won't disturb you unless the planet is in trouble. Enjoy your time, I can keep myself busy. I have a few things I'm longing to do at work and haven't had the time yet."
"I should have known." He chuckled. "Don't overdo it."
"I won't." She said, kissed him goodnight and was asleep within minutes.
Jack lay awake a little longer, thinking about how he got so lucky being able to have this beautiful woman in his arms ready to marry him.
After a quick breakfast together Sam went to work and Jack and Cassie got into the car, starting their little downtime.
