Suggested
Rating: PG-13
Category: Daniel/Janet
Setting: Takes place a couple of days after the
episode Threshold. Also makes reference to events from Exodus and Enemies.
Synopsis: Janet struggled with allowing Teal’c to go
through the Rite of Malshuraan. But that wasn’t the only challenge facing her
at the time.
Author’s
Comments: Part 31 in The Journey series. Special
thanks to my friend, Sonia, who not only helped with her usual editorial flair,
but also was much encouragement with this one.
DISCLAIMER: All publicly
recognizable characters and places (the Stargate SG-1 stuff) are the
property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for
entertainment only and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was
intended. Previously unrecognized
characters and places, and this story, are creations of the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead,
is coincidental and not intended by the author.
BEYOND
THE THRESHOLD
- by
Michelle Lunsford (April 2009)
“You know, there’s nothing really important
going on at school today. I could stay
home.” Cassandra shrugged a little too
casually as she plunged her spoon into a bowl of cereal. “I mean, if you wanted some company, or
something.”
The comment pinged Janet’s maternal radar and
she used a slow drink of coffee to consider her reply. “I appreciate the offer, sweetheart, but I
was thinking I would run some errands and maybe do a bit of housework today.”
The girl’s eyebrows puckered as her mouth
settled into a disapproving frown. “In
other words, you’re going to work.”
“Yes, but it’s not work work, so I don’t mind.”
And with any luck, it will be
enough distraction to keep my mind off recent events, her inner voice
encouraged. For her daughter’s benefit
she added, “Besides, it’s stuff that needs to be done. I can’t play hooky simply because General
Hammond gifted me with an unscheduled day off.”
She fixed Cassie with a meaningful look over the rim of her mug. “And neither can you.”
“Fine.”
The huff of exasperation was accompanied by a
predictable teenage eye roll but Janet suspected there was more underlying this
conversation than a mere desire to get out of a day of school. She took another sip of coffee, examining her
options.
“But I can offer you an alternative. How about we plan to spend the evening
together? We can order pizza, fix banana
splits, watch a movie – have a girls’ night in.
We haven’t done that in a while.”
“That would be okay.” Her tone seemed sincere but there was no
mistaking the distracted look that flickered across Cassandra’s face.
“Or, if you wanted, we could invite Sam to
join us.”
To Janet’s surprise her daughter’s expression
only darkened. “That would be okay too,
I guess. I just thought…” Cassandra
poked at her cereal as her troubled air altered into something more akin to
embarrassment. “I thought Daniel might
be coming around is all. I mean, now
that the latest crisis, whatever it was, seems to be over.”
By virtue of her origins, Cassandra held a
certain level of security clearance.
Still, Janet had made the decision long ago not to burden the girl with
unnecessary details about problems that arose at the SGC. Thus, Cassie knew that Teal’c had been ill
and it had required Janet to stay on base for a few days, but she hadn’t known
the particulars.
However, as Cassie had gotten older, she’d
gotten better at filling in the gaps.
Particularly
with regard to situations involving Daniel.
“No, I’m not expecting Daniel this
evening.” Her words came out stilted but
she managed a neutral expression as she went on, “So, do you and I have a date
instead?”
For a moment it looked like Cassandra was
going to press her on the issue. Then
she gave a nonchalant nod. “Sure. But I get to pick the movie.”
“Deal.”
Any further conversation was prevented by the
sound of a horn honking outside.
“That’s my ride.” Cassandra downed the last of her orange juice
as she stood and grabbed her book bag with her free hand. “Bye Mom.”
“Bye sweetie, have a good day.”
She stared, unblinking down the hallway, long
after she’d heard the front door close behind her daughter.
That
girl is getting too good at reading me.
Rising to pour a second cup of coffee, Janet
worked out this was the third time in recent weeks that Cassie had made a point
to mention Daniel.
A humorless smile tugged at the corner of her
mouth. I suppose I should at least be thankful she’s learning to be less blunt
about it.
The first time had been after Sam had been
nearly killed by that alien entity.
Daniel had come over for dinner.
After he’d gone, Cassie had come into the den and, with an attitude of
adolescent pretension, demanded to know if she and Daniel were officially back together again.
It wasn’t long afterward that SG-1 went to
Vorash to help relocate the Tok’ra, a mission that resulted in their being
missing in action and presumed dead for days.
Janet wrapped her hands around the mug, warmth
from the fresh brew seeping into her skin.
And that was when Cassie came
home, found me crying, and asked point blank if I was in love with him.
She’d known the answer but hadn’t been able
to admit it. Not even to her
daughter. Staring into the dark liquid
in her mug, the inevitable question echoed in her mind.
And
even after what happened, why can’t I bring myself to tell him?
^
* ^ *
^ * ^
* ^ *
^ * ^
* ^ *
TWO
DAYS PREVIOUS
“Hey.”
Daniel stood in the doorway of her office, hands slipping into the
confines of his pockets as he searched her face. “I wanted to see how you were holding up.”
Janet knew concern motivated him, but the
audacity of his statement still felt like a punch in the gut. She crossed her arms and fixed him with the
glare she typically reserved for the most temperamental of superior officers.
“Listen, I’m not sure what I need to say
right now that would be helpful.” His tone
hinted that he knew he’d screwed up, but that didn’t stop him from approaching
her. “But you know I care too much to
stand by and not say anything.” He
didn’t falter, even as she continued to glower at him. “Janet, I couldn’t help over-hearing your
conversation with Sam. She’s right, you
know. We’re not ‘doing nothing’.”
Narrowing her eyes, she infused her words
with a cold harshness. “Of course
not. We’re letting Teal’c die. That’s definitely something.”
“That’s not what I meant—”
She thrust her finger at him. “No, Daniel!
You don’t get it. None of you
do. I took an oath, one that requires
that I will administer no harm. What we’re doing to Teal’c,” she jabbed each
point into his chest, “goes against my training, my understanding of medicine,
and my fundamental beliefs as a doctor.”
Daniel didn’t back down. “Doesn’t that oath also require that you
follow a regimen that you consider for the benefit of your patient?” She opened her mouth to protest but he pressed
on, “Or do you really want to get into an argument with me about interpreting
the spirit of true meaning intended by ancient pledges?”
She stared at him, initially too angry to
respond, before finally planting her hands on her hips. “That is not fair.”
“Janet, all I’m saying is, give the Rite of Malshuraan a chance. All the times in the past you’ve been there
for us—you’ve taken care of us, over and over again.” He took a step closer and she had to tilt her
head to look up at him. “We’ve trusted
you with our lives. Now we’re asking
that you trust us.” He rested a hand on
her shoulder and his expression softened.
“At the very least, trust me. I believe this is what Teal’c would want.”
“It’s not that I don’t understand what
Bra’tac is trying to accomplish. I can
even accept the argument that Teal’c would rather die free than suffer the
alternative. But what’s being asked of
me...” she glanced away, shaking her head in exasperation.
“This isn’t easy for any of us.”
Snapping her gaze back to him she retaliated,
“I’m not denying that. I just wish
everyone would stop looking at me like I’m the bad guy here.”
“Janet, no one is—”
“But that’s what it feels like, Daniel!” She twisted out of his grasp. “As if I’m standing alone in a fight against
the rest of you.” She waved a hand to
accentuate her words. “Like no one
understands – or is even trying to understand – how challenging this is for
me.”
He didn’t reply, but his gaze was so acutely
sympathetic that she had to turn away.
In the stillness of the moment she felt some of her ire fade, but it
left her all the more weary. She sensed
Daniel step up behind her, close enough she could feel his breath against the
top of her head when he spoke.
“I’m sorry you feel that way because nothing
could be farther from the truth.” His
voice was adamant. “Janet, you may come
at this from a different point of view than the rest of us but that doesn’t
mean you’re standing alone. I’m here.”
His fingers clasped her upper arm and unwelcome warmth seared through to
her skin. “And if there’s anything more
painful than watching the man who is like a brother to me hover at the brink of
death, it’s watching the woman I love torment herself because she’s been
ordered not to intervene.”
Janet pivoted, her hands clenching into fists
at her side. She could feel muscles
tensing all the way down to her toes.
She stared up at him wide-eyed. “Excuse me?”
His expression was warring between an all out
grimace and an apologetic frown as he reached up to fidget with his
glasses. “Okay, so… not the most
romantic delivery I could have devised.
And I realize my timing is appalling.”
The look of contrition was winning out but there was earnest honesty in
his eyes as he confessed, “But yes, I do love you, Janet.”
She blinked, then shook her head. This was not happening. Not here and definitely not now. She closed her eyes
and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly.
When she opened her eyes again the calm mask of professionalism was
firmly in place.
“I’m sorry, Daniel. I have to return to my patient.”
^
* ^ *
^ * ^
* ^ *
^ * ^
* ^ *
PRESENT
TIME
Janet spent the morning tackling her list of
domestic tasks and errands, effectively pushing the conversation with Cassandra
to the back of her mind. But during the
drive to the grocery store she’d, without thinking, reached to turn on the
radio. One sentimental love song on the
oldies station later and the scene of Daniel’s revelation from two days
previous had started a repeated loop in her head.
It had been pure impulse to drive past the
grocer. Less than five miles remained
before she reached her new destination and she was still questioning the rash
turn of events.
Well,
the general did order us all to get some rest when he gave us this day off, she mused. Considering
I’m not going to be able to rest until Daniel and I talk about this, I
suppose I could say I’m following orders.
She chuckled without humor before muttering a
curse. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened
as she turned off the main road. Only
four miles to go. With luck, her insides
might stop churning by the time she got there.
Janet didn’t think about what she was doing
as she parked in the lot of his building.
She didn’t consider what she was going to say as she made her way up to
his floor. Her hand shook when she
lifted it to his door, but she balled it into a fist and knocked anyway.
When the door opened, she was certain she’d
never seen him look more flabbergasted.
Well,
at least I won’t be the only one off balance here.
The turmoil in her gut was threatening to
make her knees buckle but she tried to smile and managed a tentative, “Hey… may
I come in?”
“Um… sure.”
He stepped aside, giving her a wide berth.
Great, I’ve
made him nervous. Why didn’t I think to
call from my mobile before barging over here? She turned, brushing aside the self-censure,
and saw the books and papers spread across the table behind him.
“I’m sorry — I’ve interrupted your work,
haven’t I?”
“It’s, ah… It’s all right. I could probably use the break.” He ran a hand through his hair, which was
already standing up at odd angles. Combined
with his rumpled jeans and button-down shirt, it made for an unexpectedly
charming appearance.
Janet cleared her throat, queasiness evolving
into panic as she realized she didn’t have the slightest notion what was
supposed to happen next.
Damn,
why didn’t I stop and think this through?
“So, um…” Daniel waved toward the sofa. “You wanna sit down? Can I get you anything?”
She glanced over her shoulder. It wasn’t the first time she’d been to his
apartment, so why did it suddenly feel so unfamiliar? She bit her lip and looked back to find
Daniel peering at her intently from behind his glasses.
“No thank you. I don’t…
That is I’m not really sure what I’m doing here.” Furrowing her brow in irritation she amended,
“No, that’s not entirely correct. I know
why I’m here, I’m just not sure—” she hesitated. “Actually, I think the only thing I’m one
hundred percent certain of at the moment is that I’m babbling like an idiot.”
“Come on.”
He was immediately at her side, the touch of his hand at her back a
reassuring pressure. “Have a seat and
we’ll see if we can figure it out.
Okay?”
She nodded, moving involuntarily as he guided
her forward. He sat beside her, not too
close, and lightly took her hand. But he
didn’t say anything more and Janet realized that she would have to find some
kind of starting point.
“I was on my way to the grocery store…” She shrugged and stared at the floor. “But I ended up here.”
No answer at first. Then, softly, “I’m glad you came.”
His tone was steady and despite the gentle
caress his thumb traced across her fingers, Janet trusted that he wasn’t being
presumptuous. Still finding no focus to
her thoughts she reached for the next thing that popped in her mind.
“I’m glad Teal’c is okay now. But,” a shudder ran across her shoulders, “I
think I’m still reeling over what happened.”
“That’s understandable.” In the silence she could almost feel him
fighting the urge to slip closer. “Do
you want to talk about it?”
“I don’t know.” She reclined into the cushions, her eyes
drifting shut as she leaned her head against the sofa back. “I’m not sure there’s much point. It’s over now. And it ended...”
“For the best?”
How did he manage to make it sound like a
suggestion rather than an assertion?
But she couldn’t disagree. “Yes, for the best. To even think of Teal’c enduring any of the
alternatives he faced is enough to assure me of that. But it still—” she sighed, unable to finish
the thought.
“It still hurts.”
His whisper swept over her like a warm caress
and she couldn’t stop the tear that escaped past closed eyelids.
“Yes.”
A simple word, but it felt so good to admit it. “Would you believe Teal’c actually apologized
to me? Said he was deeply grieved – his exact words
– for putting me in such a difficult predicament. That he understood the cost I’d paid in
allowing him to go through the Rite of Malshuraan.”
She could hear Daniel’s smile as he said,
“That sounds like something he’d say.” A
touch, brief but tender, wiped the dampness from her cheek as he went on, “You
were amazing, by the way. Teal’c may
have been the one to fight his way back from the edge, but if you hadn’t been
there to help him at the very end…”
She knew Daniel’s intent had been to express
his pride and gratitude regarding her actions, but the clear implication in his
words directed Janet’s thoughts elsewhere.
It wasn’t the first time she’d come so close to losing a patient –
probably wouldn’t be the last. But that
never made it any easier. Even knowing
that Teal’c was resting, safe and well back at the SGC, didn’t make it easier.
A tingle crawled up her arm as Daniel gently
squeezed her hand. “You know, it is okay
for you to be upset about what happened.”
She didn’t know if he was referring to the
situation with Teal’c, or if he was attempting to guide the conversation toward
more personal matters now. But she could
feel his eyes on her, coaxing her to look at him. When she did, there was much she recognized
in that familiar gaze – trust, admiration, affection. But new emotions were swirling in those
depths. Emotions she now realized Daniel
was making no effort to hide.
The recognition was enough to provoke an
unexpected vulnerability and her words poured forth before she could stop them.
“And I suppose it was okay for you to choose
that moment to dump your feelings on
me?” She pulled her hand free and stood,
wrapping her arms tight around her as she stepped away from the sofa.
“Maybe I was wrong to choose that moment.” His voice was calm but it didn’t mask his
offense. “But, no, I was not wrong to be
honest about how I feel. In fact, it’s
something—”
Bare feet thudded across the carpet as he
moved toward her. But it was the ache
echoing in his silence that started the crack in her fortifications.
She turned her head, not quite looking over
her shoulder. “In fact, it’s what?”
“It’s something I should have admitted to you
well before now. If I had, I think it
would have saved us both a lot of hurt and frustration.”
She swallowed, reaching for a courage she did
not own. “So why didn’t you?”
He was silent for a long while. “Because I was afraid. Because I’m an idiot.” The sound of movement again and she could
feel him standing behind her. “Does it
really matter?”
The more skeptical part of her wanted to
point out that it did. But she couldn’t
fault him entirely. Not when she’d had
her own demons of fear and uncertainty to battle.
She slowly faced him. “No, I don’t suppose it does.”
“Janet, all I ever wanted was for things to
go well between us.” His eyes were vivid
with unguarded sincerity, drawing her in.
“When we were on that last mission, light years from home, dealing with
Apophis, the replicators, and Teal’c having been brainwashed—” he shook his
head. “It never gets easier to face
death, no matter how many times you’ve done it before.”
He moved nearer, reaching to touch her
shoulder. “In the middle of all that
chaos, a single regret ran through my mind – knowing that I could die having
never told you that I love you.”
She nodded, trying to focus on his words, but
his proximity was making her lightheaded.
“I told myself that if I survived, then I’d
stop being such a coward and admit how I felt.
But once we got back everything was so busy with debriefing and trying
to help Teal’c...”
Was his pause meant as an opportunity for her
to reply? Her thoughts weren’t exactly
in the realm of coherency at the moment and she was relieved when Daniel spoke
again.
“When I overheard you tell Sam you would
resign if Teal’c died, something inside me – I think it was panic, because I
realized I was doing the same thing all over again. I was making excuses rather than just telling you how I felt. And as selfish as it sounds, for that
fleeting moment all I could think was if you resigned then I’d not see you
around the base.” His other hand came up
to cradle her cheek. “We’d never be able
to discuss missions or my work. It would
be losing part of something we had shared – something that would make it that
much more difficult for us to be together.”
There was a kind of logic to that and in
light of his candor Janet’s emotional barricades crumbled further. Yet despite her attempt to keep her tone
even, her next question came out as an accusation nonetheless.
“So your confession just slipped out?”
His mouth tightened in the beginnings of a
frown. “I suppose that is one way to
look at it.” He leaned in and she caught
the scent of coffee and aftershave, something that carried the savor of honeyed
spice. His voice seemed different
somehow, richer and more intimate as he murmured, “But that doesn’t mean my
confession wasn’t sincere. I am in love with you, Janet. And I don’t want to deny that any longer.”
Her heart pounded in her chest. But Janet didn’t flinch from his piercing
gaze. Taking a deep breath, she
whispered an unequivocal reply.
“Neither do I.”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than
strong hands curved around her waist, pulling her to him. Her arms became pinned against Daniel’s
chest, but she was too busy succumbing to his tantalizing kiss to mind. His hands shifted to roam across her back,
leaving a welcome path of fire in their wake.
He took a step, gently pressing with his entire body, moving them
together, slowly and steadily backward until she made contact with something
solid. Her breath came quicker now as
his mouth trailed across her jaw, then paused to place kisses at the sensitive
spot just below her ear. Reflexively she
grabbed fistfuls of his shirt, grateful for whatever piece of furniture was
behind helping to hold her up.
It was delightfully easy to melt against him,
to bask in his strength and desire, but Janet longed to be closer. With a little effort she managed to free her
hands and began working the buttons of his shirt. Pushing the fabric aside, her eyes fluttered closed
as she focused attention via her fingers, surveying every angle of smooth skin
and muscle available to her touch. She
found the edge of his appendix scar and lightly traced her nails along its
length. The barely perceptible sound
that rumbled deep in his throat was felt more than heard and Janet went weak in
the knees all over again.
That exquisite mouth was moving again, and
she met his lips with an ardor she had denied herself far too long. She craved every part of him – tenderness as
well as raw, masculine passion – and as she stretched to lock her arms around
his neck Janet found herself wishing she weren’t so damnably short. As if reading her mind, Daniel grasped her at
the waist and effortlessly lifted her up then eased her down again. Her backside made contact with something
pliable, and the room echoed with a loud and very dissonant chord from the
upper register of a keyboard.
She might have found the moment provocative –
or at the very least, amusing – had it not been so uncomfortable.
“Whoa,” she gasped and planted her palms
firmly against his chest. “Hold on a
second.”
Daniel, equally breathless, blinked at her
over the rims of his spectacles. After a
few seconds he pushed them more evenly up his nose and blinked at her
again. She wasn’t prepared for how
fervently that sapphire heat bore into her, even from behind his glasses, and a
fresh shiver ran up her spine.
“Right,” he muttered before gently putting
her on her feet again. He took a
half-step back, the small distance leaving her bereft of his warmth. In the instant before he glanced aside, Janet
saw a shadow pass across his face. He
took another step back, suddenly awkward as he began to re-fasten his shirt
buttons. “Sorry.” His tone was sheepish. “I, um, didn’t mean to get so carried away.”
She reached to still his hands with her own,
ducking her head to catch his eye.
“Daniel?”
He froze and looked down at her. One eyebrow lifted and his tone was cautious
when he said, “I thought… I thought you
meant…?”
“Stop?”
Her mouth curved in a coy smile.
“Actually, no. Slow down is more what I had in mind.”
It took him a second, but oh, how she loved
it when his expression did that adorable transformation from bewilderment to
full comprehension.
She eased a little farther into his personal
space. “And now I’m hoping the man I love
might get carried away again.” Her smile
angled into a mischievous smirk. “Only
somewhere a bit more comfortable than the piano this time.”
He caressed her cheek with the back of his
hand before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. A spark was rekindling in those eyes, but it
was the avid devotion Janet recognized there that made her heart skip a beat.
“I think that can be arranged.” And in one fluid motion Daniel lifted her
into his arms.
^
* ^ *
^ * ^
* ^ *
^ * ^ *
^ *
Cracking open one eye and then the other,
Janet was greeted by a peculiar sight – curtains that were the wrong color and
unfamiliar books stacked in shelves along the wall beneath the window. Then her vision settled on a small figurine
that was decidedly Egyptian in origin and she smiled.
Her eyes closed again as she focused her
awareness on the presence beside her.
She’d forgotten this feeling, this wonderful drowsy warmth of waking
next to someone. The weight of an arm
slung across her abdomen was a pleasant reminder that drifting off to sleep in
Daniel’s embrace had been a very enjoyable experience.
Of
course,
she reflected, her smile broadening, waking
up here is pretty fabulous as well.
Turning her head and moving carefully, Janet
was able to shift enough that she could see his face. He looked peaceful and for a long while she
merely lay there, watching him sleep.
With her eyes she traced the contours of his face, the set of his jaw,
and the curve of his mouth. It was the
latter which did her in. Yielding to
temptation, she leaned closer. She felt
the hint of smile on his lips before he became fully awake and returned the
kiss in earnest.
“Hey,” she said when he eventually released
her.
“Hey.”
His voice was husky with sleep and, as he smiled openly at her, Janet
realized she’d never seen him look so happy.
Then
again, I’ve probably got a similar goofy grin plastered on my face.
“I’d say ‘good morning’, but I have a feeling
it’s already past noon.”
“Call it whatever time you like,” he drew a
delicate line along the side of her face with his fingertips, “but it’s
definitely good.”
“So…”
It seemed there never was an appropriate script for these moments, but
she was content to ad-lib for a while.
Especially since Daniel had decided to let his fingers wander toward her
shoulder.
“So… you never made it to the grocery store,
did you?”
“No.”
Her sigh was anything but regretful.
“I guess I didn’t.”
“Is that all you had planned for today?”
Her smile was teasing. “Except for some exciting laundry waiting on
me at home.”
He propped up on one elbow, his gaze
following the patterns he sketched across her skin. “I see.
And how long might that keep you occupied?”
She watched him for a moment, trying to determine
where he was headed with this. “Are you
fishing for an invite?”
He shrugged without interrupting his
attention to her arm. “I was just
thinking that it would be nice to spend the rest of the day together.”
Jerking a thumb in the direction of the other
room she asked, “What about all that work spread across your table?”
Another shrug. “It’s not anything that can’t wait. Besides,” he paused as his eyes, dark with
emotion, raised to lock with hers, “I’d rather be with you.”
She snuggled a little closer to disguise the
delicious shiver that raced up her back.
“I could come over after you finished
shopping,” he gave her a playful wink, “be your own personal bagboy and I
promise not to be too much of a distraction from that exciting laundry you mentioned.” His touch drifted across her shoulder and
down her back as he went on, “We could spend the rest of the afternoon
relaxing. Then I could take you out
somewhere nice tonight.”
She tensed and his hand froze. She said, “Oh no, I can’t.”
“Then you do have other plans?” There was no accusation, only mild curiosity.
“Well, I sort of promised Cassie we would
have a girls’ night in.”
“Ah.”
His fingers took up their dance across her skin again. “Not a problem. We can rain check on the dinner.”
“Right,” she answered distractedly. The mention of her evening plans had brought
the morning’s musings to the front of her mind.
“Have I said something to upset you?”
“What?”
She blinked up at him. “No, I’m
fine.”
Daniel rapped lightly against her temple with
his knuckles. “Then want to tell me
what’s going on in here?”
“I was just remembering something Cassie said
at breakfast.”
“Something bad?”
“No.”
She rolled over onto her back.
“At least, I don’t think so.”
Turning her head to look at Daniel again she found him gazing steadily
back at her, eyes full of unspoken questions.
But she sensed he wouldn’t demand more than she wanted to share. “Cassie has always been fine with you and me
being together, but I think she has concerns now because of the fallout that
happened between us.”
Regret flashed in his expression but he said
nothing.
“I know it sounds cliché, but I guess she
doesn’t want to see me get hurt.”
“Janet, she loves you, of course she doesn’t
want to see you hurt.”
She nodded, unexpectedly grateful to find he
hadn’t made some quip about things between them obviously being fine now. Gathering her courage, she gave voice to her
thoughts by acknowledging, “Even the best relationships still take effort and
commitment if they’re going to survive.”
Daniel looked down at her, the wealth of his
love clearly evident in his eyes. “I
agree. And I want you to know you have
nothing to worry about in that regard. I
may have been a fool once, but I don’t ever want to make that mistake again.”
Janet blinked back tears. She hadn’t known how much she needed to hear
that assurance, even now. Shifting to
lay on her side again, she cupped his face with her hand and smiled. “I love you.”
The words felt so natural, she couldn’t believe she’d not said them
sooner.
“And I love you.” He pulled her close.
She nestled into the warmth of Daniel’s
arms. It’s time I was straight with Cassie about what’s going on, she
thought. She doesn’t have to know every detail, but she deserves better than
trying to figure things out on her own.
Daniel drew back slightly and graced a light
kiss on her forehead. Thoughts of
necessary discussions with her daughter faded from Janet’s mind as his gaze,
bewitching and pensive, fixed on her.
“You’re a fantastic mother, you know that?”
“Thanks,” she murmured, the breath catching
in her throat as his hand slipped beneath the sheet and drew her nearer.
“It’s one of the things I adore about you.”
She was never going to get used to how
disarmingly handsome he was when he looked at her like that. She smiled, eyebrows raised in mock challenge
as she contended, “One of the things
you adore about me?”
“One,” he verified with a single nod. His voice was laden with flirtatious teasing
but his eyes smoldered with something more serious. “If you’re interested, I can expound on some
of the others. But I warn you,” he
paused, lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, “it’s a very long list.”
~ THE END ~