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The morning sunlight peeks through the blinds, casting its glow across the room's contents. Its warmth brushes against Angela's cheek as she slowly blinks awake.
She rolls over and buries her head in the pillow with a groan. Jack kept her up late last night and she is not ready to face the demands of the day yet. With Wesley away on a business trip, she is left to balance her shifts and taking care of an eight-month-old, leaving her exhausted and worn down.
She misses having an extra pair of hands around the house almost as much as she misses her husband's comforting and supportive presence. She misses waking up to his warm body next to her and stealing kisses while tangled together beneath the sheets before the official start of their day.
As much as she prides herself on her independence, Angela feels as though her body physically aches from being apart from him for so long and she is not ashamed to admit it. With him, even the longing feels good. It is a reminder she has someone in her life she cares about enough to miss, a feeling she hasn't experienced in a while.
She is counting the hours until Wesley returns home which, assuming she woke up just slightly before her alarm, would only be five hours from now. The thought gives her enough energy to sit up with a tired sigh.
Her fatigued mind almost glosses over the presence of someone else in bed next to her. She startles, her heart rate speeding up as her eyes focus on the body laying in the spot that should be empty like it had been for the last four mornings.
Her heartbeat starts to slow as she processes the sight of her husband lying there, sprawled out with his eyes closed. She can't bring herself to think too hard about what he is doing here hours before his flight is scheduled to land, not when the sight of him provokes such a feeling of comfort and warmth within her that only he had ever been able to bring about. She decides to snuggle first and ask questions later.
She maneuvers her way back into a lying position and snuggles up close to him. Her arm makes its way around his torso, her hand resting on his back. She revels in his warmth as a soft smile blooms on her face. She feels like she is home again. Simply his presence makes her feel better, even when he is asleep.
As she trails kisses along his stubble-covered jawline, his eyes flutter open. He focuses on her face and gives her a sleepy smile. "Morning, baby," he rasps, stretching his arms above his head with a yawn. She protests at the way his body separates from hers and pulls him back towards her, making him giggle.
Angela kisses his lips softly once he's back in reach. When she eventually pulls away, she rests her forehead against his and closes her eyes. She lets out a content sigh. "You're back," she whispers into the minuscule space between them.
His arms wrap around her and he strokes her back lovingly. He leans in to steal another kiss before replying, "I got an earlier flight. Wanted to surprise you and be in for dinner last night, but the flight was delayed. I only got back at 2 a.m. and I didn't want to wake you."
She pulls away just enough to lightly slap his arm. "I can't believe you didn't tell me!" she says in mock annoyance. "I would've waited up for you."
"I wanted to surprise you!" he defends himself. "It was supposed to be romantic, I was planning to bring home flowers and dinner. The airline had other plans."
She giggles quietly and gives him a quick peck on the cheek. "You still surprised me. I don't care that you weren't home for dinner, as long as you're here. I missed you so much."
He smiles softly and she admires the way his eyes crinkle at the corners. "I missed you too, Ange. I love you."
"I love you too.” She shakes her head in amusement. “I still can't believe you’re here. I thought I’d have to wait another five hours to see you.”
“I couldn’t wait to get back home,” he whispers, letting some vulnerability peak through. He had missed Jack and Angela so much while away. It had only been four days, but it was the longest he had been away from his family since Angela was kidnapped.
“I couldn’t wait for you to come back home either.” She looks at him with eyes full of love. They hold intense eye contact for a moment before her expression turns teasing. “You took a risk, sleeping next to a cop unannounced. What if I woke up during the night to a strange figure next to me in the dark and tackled you or something?”
He laughs. “Well, that was a risk I was willing to take if it meant I could sleep next to my gorgeous wife after four days apart.” He trails a hand down her side, his touch light yet charged with passion.
“You’re such a flirt.” She moves to kiss him again but before their lips can connect, they are interrupted by the sound of their son wailing in the next room.
“It's your turn,” Angela tells her husband, still smiling softly. “I think the little guy missed his dad. He’s been so restless.”
Wesley slips out of bed. “I’m sorry, babe,” he says sympathetically, knowing that meant Angela likely hadn't gotten much sleep.
“It's ok. Just know that you're on baby duty for the next few nights. I need to catch up on my beauty sleep.” She says it with a teasing grin on her face, but Wesley knows she's dead serious.
“Of course,” he agrees immediately. Jack lets out another impatient wail and he leaves the room to tend to his son, but not before giving his stunning wife one last glance, drinking in the sight of her after days apart.
Once in Jack’s room, he strides over to his crib and scoops up the unhappy baby. He chuckles at the sight of his adorably scrunched-up face and rocks him soothingly.
“Hey, buddy. Did you miss me? I came to see you last night but you were asleep," Wesley says quietly. Upon hearing his father’s voice, Jack’s cries begin to gradually quiet down. Wesley coos lovingly at him until his little tantrum culminates with quiet hiccups.
Bouncing his son gently, he pads into the kitchen. “Let’s make you something to eat, hm? Want some yummy formula? Let’s make you some so Mama can have a little break,” he hums absentmindedly as he walks, narrating to his son who looks at him with wide, attentive eyes despite not understanding much of what he is saying. He’s unsure if he is imagining it, but he thinks Jack’s eyes light up when he says the word “mama.”
While mixing the white poweder into Jack’s sippy cup, he feels familiar arms wrap around him from behind. He puts down the Power Rangers-themed cup to caress Angela’s hand, which is resting on his chest. Her other hand goes to cradle Jack’s head. “I was just going to feed him and then come back to bed.”
“My alarm rang,” she grumbles. “I have to leave for work soon.”
“I’ll drive Jack in to daycare today. That should give you an extra fifteen minutes.” He picks the sippy cup back up and continues to stir in. Once the mixture is homogeneous, he turns around in Angela’s arms. “How about you get ready while I feed him and then we can relax until you need to leave for work?”
Angela nods in agreement and, after stalling for a few more seconds to soak in the comfort of cuddling with her family, kisses Jack on his chubby cheek and separates herself from them to prepare herself for her shift.
Fifteen minutes later, Jack is laying contentedly in his pack-and-play with a full belly while Angela sits next to Wesley on the couch, cuddled into his side and sipping the coffee Wesley had prepared for her languidly. In a couple of minutes, she will have to leave for work and deal with paperwork, rookies, criminals, and whatever else her chaotic job throws at her, but for now, she’s safe and content with her family.