48 – Breakfast on the Shore

Laura groaned and rolled over, instinctively burrowing into the dark warmth next to her. “Bright.” With another wriggle, she practically pulled Bill on top of her as he chuckled. “Stop it.”

“Laura, you have to get up now.” He ducked his head and kissed the tousled hair under his chin. “We both do.”

“Call in sick.” She mumbled, twisting her hand tighter through the chain of his dogtags.

“Laurie, it’s my first day at the field, and you’ve just taken a vacation.” With another chuckle, he rubbed her back and bent to lick her shoulder. “You still taste like chocolate.”

“Wonder why.” She nipped at his chest in retaliation. “Don’t want to get up.”

“So you said.” Rolling over, he rested on his elbows and gazed down at her. “Morning.”

“Early morning.” Closing her eyes, she sighed as he bent and kissed her again, one of her hands running up his chest and around his neck. “Love you.”

“Love you too, but you still have to get up.” Bill chuckled as she frowned, her eyes stubbornly remaining closed. “What.”

“Your fault.” Her lips were pursed in almost a pout, and so adorable, he kissed her again without thinking about it.

When they separated, he lifted an eyebrow. “Why my fault?”

“You…did things to me last night.” One eye opened, “not complaining, because they were amazing things…but, I don’t want to get out of bed.”

“Well, Madame President,” Bill shifted and let one hand run along her side. “I can pretty much assure you that you gave as good as you got last night…” She giggled, both eyes half open and watching him. “Can I possibly interest you in a shared shower, since we’re now running late?”

“I could be persuaded.” Her eyes fluttered shut again. “Perhaps.”

“Hmm.” Lifting his head, Bill squinted at the clock. “Shower at which I worship you then breakfast, I’ll make the coffee before I go take care of the horses?”

“Define worship.” She giggled softly as his finger traced a line between her breasts and down to rest on her stomach. “That’s a good start.”

“How about this?” He bent his head to nip at her neck, moving his mouth to her ear. “And, I’ll wash your hair.”

“And dry it?” Laura let out a soft sigh.

“If we get up now, I’ll have time to dry it.” He chuckled.

“’Kay.” She tightened her grip on his neck. “Carry me.”

“You are demanding this morning.” Bill eased over to the side and twisted to lift her. “Sheets.”

“Hmm.” With her free hand, she pushed the covers back, kicking them off her legs as he lifted her. Standing, Bill looked back at the bed, her eyes following his gaze. “Told you.”

“Frak. Swear I thought I got all the cake off of you last night.” He sighed.

“You did.” Absently, she toyed with his hair. “You just missed a few crumbs. Good thing you changed the sheets.”

“Yeah.” Shifting her weight, he moved toward the bathroom, almost tripping over something. “Frak!”

“What?” Laura tightened her grip on his neck and looked down. “Oh. Morning, Lucky.” At the answering meow, she giggled as the kitten turned and ran out of the room.

“Almost stepped on her.” Bill continued on through the door and gently put her down just outside the shower. “Ready?” At her nod, he reached past her and turned on the water, holding his hand under the water until he nodded. “There you go.”

“Warm.” Dropping her head back under the water, Laura sighed softly, turning slightly as he guided her.

“Ready?” At her soft hum, he chuckled and began to wash her hair as she absently traced blind patterns on his chest. “Laura…”

“Hmm?” Her fingers continued dancing across his chest, moving lower, causing him to catch his breath.

“Laura…you keep that up, I won’t have time to dry…” As her hand opened and slid down, he groaned and gave up, pausing only to make sure the shampoo wouldn’t get in her eyes before backing her against the wall of the shower.

Forty five minutes later, he was striding into the kitchen, letting the door swing shut behind him. “You’ll need a jacket this morning.”

“Already have them out for both of us.” She handed him a mug and bent to pour food into Lucky’s bowl. “Horses okay?”

“Fine.” He sipped at the coffee. “Sharon left a note last night, she’ll check on them later today since we’ll be gone all day.”

“Good.” Laura leaned against the counter and nibbled on a piece of toast. “You’ll make sure Kara doesn’t slip back to the house?”

“Yes, Madame President.” Bill winced as she slapped his arm lightly. “I’ll make sure she stays involved, and we’ll come by to pick you up on the way home.”

“Good. I thought I’d tell her I want to stop by and pick up a few things we hadn’t taken yet,” Laura gestured with her toast as he sat at the table and started in on the plate she’d set out for him, with toast and eggs on it. “And there really are a few scrapbooks I’d like to grab before she realizes they’re there.”

“Ah…sounds interesting.” He nodded and raised an eyebrow. “The eggs…what’d you add?”

“Some of the Tauron herbs your mother gave me, you like?” She smiled as he took another large bite. “That’s how I knew we’d need jackets.”

“Definitely like. You’re not having any?” Bill watched as she finished her toast.

“I had some of yours.” Laura sipped her coffee, eyes wide as she watched him. “I’ll miss you today.”

“Likewise.” He chuckled. “And don’t we sound domestic?”

“Saul would have a fit.” She commented wistfully. “And then glare at us for laughing at him.”

“You miss him too?” Bill held out his hand and waited as she crossed the kitchen and perched on his lap.

“I do.” Setting her mug next to his, she helped herself to another forkful of the eggs. “Despite our beginnings…New Caprica changed a lot of perceptions.”

“Indeed it did.” He picked up the toast on his plate, absently holding it to her mouth before taking a bite himself. “You two survived a lot down there.”

“Including each other.” Laura shook her head slightly. “And with each other. And you two survived all those years before we met…all those shore leaves…”

“I spent hauling his ass out of bars?” Bill chuckled softly. “He was one of a kind…well, more than we knew.”

“Yeah.” She picked up her coffee cup and held it toward his. “To Saul…and, I suppose Ellen, wherever they may be…and to hopes for the future…”

“To Saul.” He hesitated, shaking his head. “And Ellen. They were happy when last I saw them.” He touched his mug to hers. “I can still hope…since there’s two already here…”

“We know it can happen.” Laura murmured softly, turning slightly to kiss his cheek. “Finish your breakfast, I’ve got to finish getting ready.”

“Hey, your fault I didn’t have time to dry your hair.” As she stood, he grinned and ran his hand along her body.

“Trust me, Admiral, well worth the time I’ll take myself.” She giggled and strode out of the room, sipping her coffee as the kitten scampered after her.

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