The Awakening of Love Ch. 10-11

:: Chapter Ten: A New Edition ::

Jake knocked on the door to Ashira's room and shuffled nervously. Mark opened the door. "Hey Jake," Mark said quietly. "I was just heading out, Ashira's exhausted," he murmured.

"I wasn't going to stay long, I just needed to ..." Jake couldn't say anything.

"Make sure she's okay, I know, I needed to as well. Ashira and I have talked and worked out an arrangement. You need to talk to her, just don't talk long. Take care of Ashira Jake," Mark added, walking away. Jake walked into Ashira's room and she lit up when she saw him standing in the doorway.

"Hey!" Ashira said softly.

"Are you okay?" Jake asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"We're fine," Ashira told him. Jake tucked a strand of hair out of Ashira's face and behind her ear. "Jake, I'd like you to meet Serenity Faith Barnes," Ashira murmured. Jake stared at Ashira. "I thought about what you said, and I talked to Mark. If you're still willing to be her dad, then I'd love to take you up on the offer," Ashira told him.

"I don't know what to say," Jake said. "Are you sure? Is Mark sure?" Jake asked. Ashira nodded. "He said he'll sign any paper he needs to sign to terminate his rights as long as he can see her." Ashira trailed off as Mark strolled back in the room.

"Sorry, I forgot my jacket," he said.

Jake turned to Mark. "Are you sure about this?" Jake asked.

Mark nodded. "I love Ashira, but it's not the kind of love I thought it was and I would be honored to be this little girl's father, but I'm just not ready and I know I can't provide the way she needs to be provided for. I know you can, and I know you'll love the baby and Ashira the way they need to be loved," Mark said.

Jake shook his head in disbelief. "I just want to be able to see the baby once in a while," Mark added.

"Any time, just call first," Ashira promised. Mark kissed Ashira on the cheek and the top of the baby's head. "See you around Serenity," he murmured before walking back out the door.

-8 weeks later-

"She's beautiful, and what a pretty name," Lindsey said, rocking Serenity in the rocking chair.

Ashira laughed. "I thought so too," she murmured.

"How is she sleeping?" Lindsey wanted to know. Ashira shrugged.

"The first few weeks were pretty rough, but I think we're settling into a routine," Ashira answered. Lindsey smiled and both women looked up when Jake entered the room. He had fallen head over heels with the tiny baby in his boss's arm, and was quickly falling in love with the baby's mother. Ashira smiled as Jake knelt down besides Lindsey and gave the baby a gentle kiss on the top of the head.

Lindsey had flown out to San Diego from Chicago to fill in for Ashira as she recovered from her surgery. Ashira had recovered faster than anyone expected and Lindsey would be leaving in just a few days, and Ashira's first day back would be Monday morning at 8 a.m.

"Ready to get back to work?" Lindsey asked. Ashira shrugged but nodded. "I am, but I don't know how I'll handle being away from Serenity," Ashira admitted.

Jake took the now fussy baby from Lindsey's arms and cradled her gently. Lindsey stood up and gave her employees both a big smile. "I need to go if I'm going to make my flight. I'll give you a call Sunday night," Lindsey said. Ashira gave Lindsey a hug.

"Thank you for everything," Ashira whispered. Lindsey smiled and left the house.

:: Chapter Eleven ::

Ashira could hardly believe how her life had changed. Since Ashira mostly did office work and hardly interacted with clients, Lindsey told her to take the baby to work with her and Jake surprised Ashira by buying a very nice pack and play for Serenity to play and sleep in when she was in the salon. Ashira sighed as she stepped into the shower late Saturday morning. Things were moving so fast that she could hardly keep up and she found herself wondering what it was about her that made Mark not love her anymore. When Ashira stepped out of the shower, she heard Jake talking to Serenity, calming her down and getting her to sleep. Ashira smiled to herself. Jake was a natural and Serenity took to Jake like ducks take to water.

While Ashira was drying her hair with her towel, she didn't see Jake come into the bathroom. He stood against the wall, his eyes fixated on Ashira. She had lost all of the pregnancy weight, thanks to a sensible diet and a work out regime that rivaled his own. Ashira's abdomen was flat and toned, her long legs muscular without an ounce of additional fat. Jake's eyes were glued to Ashira's ass then to her crotch as Ashira turned around. She finished drying her hair and lowered the towel in her arms as she opened her eyes. Ashira gasped when she saw Jake and frantically tried to wrap the towel around her lean body.

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?" Jake asked, his voice husky. Ashira's face was bright red as Jake stepped towards her, reaching for the towel and sliding it down Ashira's body, letting it drop to the floor. Ashira stood naked in front of Jake, nervous but unafraid. Something in Jake's eyes let her know that he wouldn't hurt her. Jake pulled Ashira to him and kissed her gently as his hands explored her body. When Jake's hands reached the apex of Ashira's thighs, he slid a finger deep inside Ashira making her gasp and arch towards his hand. Jake's finger stroked Ashira gently and Ashira moaned as the sensations made her more and more wet. Ashira could make out the distinct bulge in Jake's pants and smiled shyly.

"You know, this isn't fair, you've seen me, I should ..." Ashira stopped talking and gasped as Jake started to move his finger faster. A moan escaped Ashira's lips and her knees started to shake. Jake pulled his finger out of Ashira, who whimpered for more and swept her into his arms and carried her to his room, laying her gently in the center of the bed before stretching out beside her. "You are so damn beautiful," Jake said, his voice raw with emotion, pressing kisses on Ashira's mouth, face, neck and stopping at the breasts. Ashira's breasts were full of milk and changed her cup size from a B to a C. Jake licked one of Ashira's nipples gently and grinned as she cried out. He eased a finger back inside of her, stroking gently. Jake's mouth left Ashira's breasts and continued his assault with his mouth until Jake's mouth joined his finger at her most secret place. Ashira cried out and her hips shot off the bed as Jake's tongue made contact with her clit. Ashira closed her eyes and whimpered as Jake eased a second finger inside her. "Oh God Jake!" Ashira moaned as he took her higher and higher. Ashira came with a scream and Jake quickly covered Ashira's mouth with his hand so she would awaken Serenity. Jake waited for Ashira's breathing to return to normal and watched her.

"Are you okay?" Jake asked gently. Ashira nodded and Jake pulled her in for a hug. "I couldn't resist. You looked so beautiful," Jake murmured, trailing kisses down Ashira's neck, making her moan again. Ashira slid a hand down the front of Jake's shirt before letting it come to rest very close to his groin. Ashira could feel his hardness and she smiled softly before looking Jake right in the eyes. "Make love to me Jake," she whispered. Jake laughed, painfully aware of where Ashira's hand was sitting. "I thought I just did," Jake said. Ashira smiled and unbuttoned and unzipped his blue jeans. Jake groaned as Ashira carefully pulled his jeans and boxers down his legs and let them fall into a heap on the floor. "Are you sure?" Jake asked, poised over Ashira. Ashira lifted her hips and nodded as Jake pushed his way inside. "God Shira, you're so tight," Jake groaned. Ashira tensed a little as Jake pushed farther and farther inside her. Jake felt her tenseness and cupped her face in his hand. "It's me Shira, not some creep," Jake said soothingly, stroking Ashira's hair lovingly as he swirled his tongue around an already hard nipple. Ashira gasped squirmed under Jake who smiled and began thrusting gently. Ashira met him thrust for thrust, moaning loudly. Jake covered her mouth with his and swallowed Ashira's moan as she came again. Jake thrust once more before he came deep inside of her. Jake mentally called himself an idiot, he had been planning on pulling out, hoping to avoid getting Ashira pregnant. They lay together, a tangle of arms and legs, and even though they were side by side facing each other, Jake was still buried deep inside Ashira. Ashira began to cry and Jake wiped the tears away. "Did I hurt you?" Jake asked gently. Ashira shook her head and smiled. "I haven't felt that good in months," Ashira whispered, her breathing irregular from her work out. Jake smiled and groaned as Ashira began tracing his spinal cord with her finger, before groaning again as he felt himself harden inside Ashira again. This time, he rolled them over so that Ashira was on top. "Do what you want, when you're ready," Jake said, hoarsely.

Ashira tentatively slid up and down onto Jake's swollen manhood and he groaned, gripping Ashira's hips tightly, thrusting hard up into her. They came together, moaning. Finally exhausted and spent, they fell asleep in each other's arms. When Jake awoke later that day, Ashira was gone. For a moment, Jake thought he'd dreamed everything until he saw the semen and other fluids on his shaft and on the sheets of the bed. Jake cleaned himself up, pulled on some clothes and went in search of Ashira who was sitting in her room, in her rocking chair nursing Serenity.

Jake stood in the doorway, watching Ashira with the baby, a soft smile on his lips. Ashira looked up and Jake walked into the room.

"Hi," Ashira murmured. Jake pressed a kiss to the top of Ashira's head before leaning down and kissing the beautiful little girl in Ashira's arms.

"Did I hurt you?" Jake asked in concern. Ashira shook her head and smiled.

"It felt beyond wonderful," she assured him. Jake smiled and ran a finger of Serenity's nose. The baby stopped suckling, looked at Jake for a minute and returned to her task. Ashira resisted the urge to squirm in her chair; Jake had never watched her nurse before and her breasts were still sensitive from Jake's teasing. A knock at the door at Jake and Ashira looking up to find a grinning Sunshine standing in the doorway.

"What have you two been doing while I was gone?" she asked teasingly. Ashira and Jake looked at each other and Ashira blushed, knowing Sunshine could read any expression that would appear on her face. Sunshine's eyes widened as she looked back and forth between her two friends. "Did you guys sleep together?" she asked incredulously. Jake looked at Ashira and grinned.

"There wasn't much sleeping involved," Jake admitted. Ashira flushed brighter and Jake chuckled and checked his watch. "

I promised some of the guys that I'd go surfing with them, will you dashing ladies be okay without me?" Jake asked. Ashira nodded and Sunshine grinned. "Go on, get out of here so we can talk about you behind your back," Sunshine said, almost literally pushing Jake out the door.

"What was he like?" Sunshine asked, her eyes twinkling.

Ashira blushed and sighed. "Oh my God Sunny, he was unbelievable," Ashira told her friend. Sunshine grinned.

"He was so much better than Mark," Ashira added. Sunshine's eyes grew wide. "Bigger too," Ashira said, an evil grin on her face. Ashira noticed Serenity had stopped sucking and when she looked down, the baby had fallen asleep. Ashira carefully pulled her daughter away from her breast and fixed her bra and shirt. Serenity's eyes opened slightly as Ashira held her up against her shoulder and patted her lightly on the back. After Serenity had burped, Ashira stood up and placed the baby in her crib before heading towards the door.

Jake paddled his surf board out to where the waves started to come in and when a large wave came for him, he stood up, riding the wave towards the beach. His mind got to wandering back to the love he and Ashira had just shared and Jake stopped paying attention to what he was doing. He fell off of the board and was dragged under the break water, the board hitting him on the head, stunning him. Jake pulled himself up from under the water and grabbed his board with one hand as he swam the last few feet to shore. "Are you okay man?" Jake's friend Trevor asked. Jake nodded and grinned sheepishly. "What were you thinking about?" Trevor asked.

Jake grinned again. "A girl," Jake answered. Trevor laughed.

"Does that mean you finally got laid?" Trevor asked. Jake nodded and Trevor gave him a pat on the back.

Jake invited Trevor back to the house and Sunshine eyed him eagerly. "Trev, this is Sunny, she works at the tanning salon with me, and this is Ashira," Jake introduced. Trevor's eyes raked over Ashira and he gave Jake an appreciative smile.

"She's gorgeous man," Trevor said quietly to Jake when Ashira returned to the kitchen. Jake grinned and nodded.

Sunshine walked up to them and handed them each a glass of ice cold lemonade. "I made it myself," Sunshine told the guys. Jake rolled his eyes and took a sip of the lemonade.

"Where's Serenity?" Jake wanted to know as Ashira brought out a large casserole dish full of food from the kitchen and set it in the center of the table. "Sleeping," Ashira replied. Trevor looked at Jake curiously.

"Just how many women do you live with?" Trevor wanted to know. Jake laughed. "Two women; Serenity is special," Jake answered. Ashira rolled her eyes and motioned for Sunshine to follow her to the kitchen.

"Are you okay?" Sunshine asked her friend. Ashira nodded. "I'm just getting one hell of a weird vibe from Trevor," Ashira answered. She handed her friend a big bowl of salad. "Take this out to the table for me," Ashira murmured. Sunshine nodded and headed back to the kitchen as Ashira pulled the garlic bread out of the oven. Jake came into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Ashira's waist, pulling her to him. Ashira sighed and leaned against Jake, loving the feel of his arms around her.

"Do you need any help?" Jake asked. Ashira smiled and nodded. "Could you take out some salad dressing?" Ashira asked. Jake turned Ashira to face him and kissed her gently.

"Can I take you later?" Jake said, his voice low. Ashira blushed but nodded.

"If you'd like," she answered. Jake pushed his pelvis up to hers and Ashira could feel how aroused he was.

"Oh I'd like to," Jake agreed. "I'd like to take you right now," he whispered into Ashira's ear. Ashira blushed as the kitchen door opened to reveal Trevor standing in the doorway. Ashira pulled away from Jake, her face red as she turned back to the garlic bread and began putting it on a platter. "Sorry, Sunshine sent me in to say food was getting cold," Trevor said. He looked appreciatively at Ashira's ass and Jake shot him a look that clearly read, "She's mine, so keep your hands off!" Jake grabbed the pitcher of lemonade and thrust it at Trevor as he grabbed three different bottles of salad dressing. Ashira followed the guys into the dining room, carrying a platter of garlic bread and they all sat down to eat. Ashira hadn't taken more than four bites when a god awful wail blasted through the house. Ashira sighed and started to stand up. "I've got her," Jake said, standing up. Ashira smiled with relief and sat back down. Jake slipped into Ashira's room and pulled the crying baby from her crib before carrying her over to the changing table and changing the soiled diaper. Trevor looked up as Jake returned with the baby in his arms. "This is Serenity," Jake introduced, buckling the baby into her chair and pulling it up to the table. Trevor looked surprise but said nothing.

Jake glanced at Ashira and smiled. "How old is she?" Trevor asked finally. Jake looked at Ashira and thought quickly.

"Two months tomorrow," Jake answered. Ashira looked surprised that he remember the exact day of the month Serenity had been born on and Jake smiled.

"I didn't know you had a kid," Trevor said. Jake grinned and shrugged.

"I have a personal life," Jake answered. The longer Trevor stayed, the more at ease Ashira became with him. Jake took Serenity back to her room before he followed Ashira into the kitchen to help with dessert.

"What'd you make?" Jake wanted to know. Ashira smiled and handed him a baking pan full of apple crisp and pulled a carton of vanilla ice cream out of the freezer. "God woman, are you trying to kill us all?" Jake asked with a grin.

Ashira laughed and shook her head. "Not yet, but maybe later," Ashira said quietly. Jake's grin widened and he hurried to take the dessert out to the kitchen and poured everyone a glass of wine. Ashira as usual, declined the wine, but poured herself a glass of milk.

"L'Chaim!" Ashira said, raising her glass. Sunshine and Jake repeated the toast but Trevor looked confused. Jake laughed.

"It means 'to life'," Jake translated. Trevor grinned and held up his glass of wine.

"That was really good," Trevor said after he had had his second helping of apple crisp. Ashira smiled and thanked him and glanced over at Jake who was staring at her. Finally Jake stood up. "Sunny, will you clean up and put food away?" Jake asked. Sunshine nodded and Jake stood up, grabbed Ashira by the hand and pulled her towards his bedroom.

"I'm sorry, I can't wait any longer," Jake groaned, pulling his clothes off of his body before moving on to Ashira's clothing. The buttons on the blouse Ashira was wearing flew across the room and she pushed her skirt away eagerly. Jake lifted Ashira into his arms before placing her on the bed and plunging deep inside. Ashira gasped as she moved her hips with Jake. Ashira moaned loudly as Jake fondled one of her breasts with his hand before leaning down to take it in his mouth. Some breast milk squirted inside his mouth, but Jake swallowed it, even though it was not the most pleasant of flavors. Jake thrust hard and fast and Ashira came with a scream. Jake groaned as he emptied his seed deep inside Ashira's tight channel. They lay there, Jake on top of Ashira for several minutes before Jake rolled off of her. They lay together side by side and Jake reached for Ashira's hand and held on to it tightly. Ashira propped herself up on one elbow and studied Jake's face.

"What's wrong?" Ashira asked.

Jake sighed and smiled sheepishly. "Each time we've made love today, I've forgotten to wear a condom," Jake admitted. Ashira froze, and closed her eyes. "I know it was stupid, I'm so sorry," Jake murmured, reaching up and cupping her face. Ashira opened her eyes and took a deep breath. "I think I'm okay, I'm due for my period soon," Ashira said softly. Jake nuzzled Ashira's neck and pulled her down on top of him. "I love you," Jake murmured so quietly that Ashira had to strain to hear him.

Tears streamed down Ashira's face and she pulled away. "What?" Jake asked worriedly as Ashira started pulling her clothing on.

"I have to go check on Serenity," Ashira said, holding her blouse closed and escaping to her room.