Page 34 of Baking With A Ghost

"I've been waiting forever for this and it's perfect, just like I knew it could be."

Snowball'smeowsandbattingpaws on my face draw me from the deepest slumber I've had in forever. Peering down at the man wrapped around me, I know he's why I slept so well.

"Okay, girl. Give me a minute."

She jumps off the bed, full gallop to the kitchen, once she's satisfied my eyes will remain open. My eyes may be open, but I don't want to leave this bed, now or anytime soon. Simon is snuggled against me, leg thrown over mine with his hand on my chest and his head on the pillow next to me. He fits perfectly, like the last puzzle piece in the box.

"I need to feed the cat, I'll be right back." I place a tiny kiss on his button nose and his eyelids flutter.

"M'kay. Don't take too long."

He moves just enough for me to slide out from under him and I move to the kitchen to deal with the furry beast's breakfast. As I'm there, my phone pings on the kitchen table.

At 8 A.M. on a Sunday, it can only be one person.

Ivy:I'm dying over here. How did it go? Did you get to meet? I need details!

Shaking my head I send her a quick reply, assuring her I'm okay and I'll fill her in a few days. I love Ivy, but my attention is all for the man now sleeping in my bed. The same one I never thought I'd be able to touch, let alone hold in my arms.

Before I leave the kitchen, I set up the coffee pot and set the timer for an hour from now, then slide back under the covers next to Simon. He immediately pulls me back to how I was, before I left to feed Snowball, and settles next to me.

"So tired."

Taking his hand, I kiss each of his fingertips. "Sleep, Si. All you need. I'm not going anywhere."

He drifts off to sleep again and I hold him, watching his pink lips part, as he falls deeper in sleep. Against my nature, I fall back to sleep with him, never feeling more at peace.

John

Feeling Alive

"HowlongwasIasleep?"

I turn my head to find Simon, in the doorway of my bedroom, adorable in my too big pyjama bottoms and sporting bed head. He rubs at his eyes, squinting at the afternoon sun.

Placing my coffee down on the table, I walk over to fold him into my arms.

"It's past 2 P.M. so about fourteen hours or so."

He chuckles. "They warned me I'd be wiped out. I didn't think it would be that much."

"How do you feel?"

He wraps his arms around my neck, sly smile on his lips. "Fantastic. I'm here with you."

Like a bee to a flower, I can't not kiss him, especially when he's this close and touchable. I drop a kiss to his mouth and he presses into me, a plea for more than a good morning kiss.

"Simon… I still can't believe you're actually here."

I rest my forehead on his, feathering a kiss on his nose. He has the cutest nose.

"We have a lot to talk about, but… " He presses impossibly closer and I sigh at how amazing he feels against me. "Are you up for, ah, some physical activity?"

"I hope you're not asking if I want to go for a walk, in which case the answer would be no. But if you mean you want to put your hands on me and make me feel even more like a real human… then the answer is yes."

Cupping his face, I stare into his trusting brown eyes, elated he chose me. I want Simon to know I'll treasure this gift from him forever. Even though he'd been dead for so long, the possibility of what may have happened to him if this didn't work out is something he risked for me.

"I want to make you feel good. I want to give back what you did for me. It killed me to not be able to touch you like this when you were with me." I slide my hands down his arms and grip his hips, while his hands slide into my hair. "Are you sure it's okay?"

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