The clock on my bedside table read 2:37 A.M. when I woke up. Jack was quietly sleeping next to me still.

For the past week, I haven't been sleeping. It was either homework or just jitters. Sometimes it'd be from thinking about home and missing it too much. But Jack is home to me too.

I slowly climbed out of bed and walked in the kitchen. The small light above the stove was all I needed to collect the teakettle and fill it with water. As quietly as possible, I sat it on the stove to boil. I braced myself against the counter beside the stove and took in a deep, calming breath. As I exhaled slowly, I let my eyes close.

When the kettle whistled, I quickly took it off the heat so I didn't make too much noise. I stood on my toes and opened the cabinet above the stove and reached for the box of tea. My fingers just grazed the box and I huffed in frustration.

"Here," Jack's smooth voice made me jump. He reached above me and grabbed the box, sitting it down on the counter next to my cup.

I murmured a thank you and made my cup of tea.

Jack wrapped his arms around my shoulders and held me against his chest. I lifted the cup to my lips and took the smallest sip because it was too hot. "Still can't sleep?"

"Not really." I said softly.

Jack leaned forward and buried his face in the side of my neck. "I wish there was something I could do for you."

As he kissed my skin, I leaned my head back against his shoulder. "You're doing perfect right now."

He moved his head slightly to rest his chin on my shoulder.

I took another sip of my tea, enjoying the feeling of the warmness of Jack's arms tight around me. It was easy to melt into him without thinking. His cheek pressed against mine, my back flush against his chest, and the feather light touch of his breath.

We stood in the kitchen, silence overtaking us until I finished my tea. Jack slipped his fingers through mine and led me back to bed. He leaned back against his pillows and pulled me into his lap so that my back was pressed against his chest. Jack's arms swallowed me again and I leaned back.

He bent his neck forward to leave a kiss on the small space between my brows and I felt my face relax. I sank further against him and let out a long breath.

"Would it help if I read to you?"

I tilted my head back, but it was too dark to see his eyes. "You'd do that for me?"

"There's nothing I wouldn't do for you."

My heart tugged and my lips curved into a small smile.

Jack kept an arm around my shoulders and freed a hand to turn on the lamp sitting on his bedside table. "What are we reading?"

"It's a surprise."

He opened up his drawer and pulled out what looked like a manuscript.

"I got it today and I was going to wait to tell you about it."

"You finished your book?"

"I did. I sent it to my mom for her to read and she sent back a manuscript."

I smiled up at him. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you." He smiled back, "I'm glad I can finally share it with you. And I'm not going to tell you what it's about, so you're going in completely blind."

A small laugh tumbled from my lips. "I'm up for that."

"I hope you like it." He leaned down and kissed my forehead.

Jack opened to the first page and started reading. There was something about his voice that could calm me quicker than anything. It's a huge reason why I love it when Jack reads to me.

But two chapters into the book and I started falling asleep. I could tell Jack was struggling a bit too.

"I'm sorry I kept you up." I muttered as he closed the book and sat it on his bedside table.

He rocked me side to side, his lips dangerously close to my ear. "It's okay. If you can't sleep, I can't sleep. Don't be afraid to wake me up."

"You need your sleep, Jack."

"So do you."

I lifted myself up a little until my lips met Jack's. He kissed me back, but pulled away too quickly. "My breath probably sucks."

I laughed a little too loudly. "Mine is probably no better."

Jack swiped his tongue over his lower lip. "You taste like mint tea."

My laugh turned into a sleepy giggle. "I love you."

"And I love you." He kissed me again before turning out the light.

We curled back under the blanket and huddled together.

I finally fell back to sleep in minutes.

* * *

Of course Jack was already up when I woke up.

I searched the apartment for him, but he wasn't here. There wasn't a note anywhere to be found. Sometimes he would leave notes, other times he wouldn't because he expected to be back before I woke.

It was almost noon. Since living with Jack, I've got a taste of sleeping in on the weekends. And it was glorious. But I didn't like waking up without Jack.

Instead of waiting around I took a shower, got dressed for the day, and made some coffee. After fixing a cup, I sat down at our little table sitting in front of the window. I felt relaxed and a bit more rested today. Our apartment was warm, even on a cold winter day. It just felt like a day to stay in and cuddle in bed.

The front door opened and I was pulled from my thoughts. I looked over the living room and Jack was stepping through the door. "I thought you'd still be sleeping." He smiled and slipped off his jacket and boots.

"I feel good today." My smile was small.

He walked up to me and bent to kiss my forehead. "That's good."

"Do you want to do something today?"

"Yes and I already have something planned." The corner of his mouth turned into a smirk.

"What is it?"

"A surprise."

"Should I be worried?"

"Absolutely not." He leaned towards me again and pecked my lips, "You're going to love it, I promise." He kissed me once more.

I rose from the table and stood in front of him. "You're the best you know?"

Jack nodded, his smile broadening. "Yes I do."

I laughed lightly and stood on my toes to kiss him once more. "Want to read until we have to leave?"

"You read my mind."

"Punny."

"Do you expect less?"

I laughed again. "Never."

Jack went to retrieve his book while I waited on the couch. Once Jack sat down, he brought my legs into his lap and I leaned back against the arm of the couch.

As Jack read, he brought dramatics into the dialogue that made me laugh a little. Jack dove further into the story and it was drawing me in quickly. I still haven't figured out exactly what it's about, but I have an idea. So far we've met the main character, Simon, who works in the homicide department. His wife and daughter were murdered two years ago. Then a murder happened that was similar to theirs and Simon's the leader on the case.

"Is it someone close to him?"

Jack peered over the pages and raised a brow. "Do you think I'd tell you that?"

"No," I breathed a laugh, "But it was worth a shot."

He continued reading and I tried to keep a visual in my head. It wasn't hard with each descriptive detail, down to the color of the blood and to the shape of the wounds on the victim's body.

Chills wracked my body and I closed my eyes. "You've been watching too much Dexter." I mumbled.

He chuckled and continued reading.

Two chapters later, another murder happened that was identical to the other. "I have a feeling the killer is going to come after Simon next. Oh, and his best friend is sketchy as hell. Who claims they were out getting milk for three hours? Hello, murderer."

Jack laughed again and slipped the bookmark between the pages before setting it down on the coffee table. "Or maybe his best friend is having an affair."

I narrowed my eyes and glared. "You'd tell me that, but not if the killer is someone close to him?"

"I didn't say it was true."

I stuck my tongue out at him like a child. "You suck."

"I know." He grinned, "You'll be surprised when you find out."

"Then let's read some more, I need to know. My head is going to explode from all the theories."

But he stood up and offered me his hand. "I'll read more tonight. But right now we have somewhere to be."

I put my hand into his and he lifted me from the couch. "Fine, but you owe me lunch." I pecked his cheek and I bundled up before we left.

When we got to Jack's car, he brought out a bandana from his back pocket. "Um, what's that for?"

He leaned over the center console. "For your eyes. I told you, it's a surprise." He placed it over my eyes and I held it into place while he tied it.

"Blindfold me more often." I teased.

"I like it when you talk dirty." He quipped.

Jack's warmth was gone and the car started moving. I was a little nervous about this. Jack's never actually blindfolded me to show me a surprise. Maybe it was a little silly to be nervous. I'm more excited than nervous I think. Jack's surprises were always worth it.

It wasn't long before Jack parked the car and turned it off. It was a pretty short drive, give or take ten minutes. He told me to wait until he came to my side to help me out. He opened my door and helped me step out. Then he looped our arms together to guide me.

He came to a stop and opened a door, letting me inside first. Next, he removed the blindfold. I blinked a few times, letting my eyes adjust to the light and focus on my surroundings. "An animal shelter?" I tilted my head to look up at Jack.

Instead of answering me, he laced our fingers and tugged me in a new direction. We went down a hallway and through a set of double doors before emerging into a dog play area. I squeezed his hand, feeling a little overwhelmed by all the cuteness.

"Come this way." Jack pulled me around a wide pen full of puppies and I almost melted.

We walked to the other side of the room to another smaller pen with three puppies. Jack leaned over the pen, gently wrapping his hands around a Siberian husky and lifted him up. "Jack, I don't think you can do that." I whispered.

Jack scratched under the puppy's chin and smiled down at him. "This is Gizmo."

My heart fluttered and I reached forward to scratch behind his ears. He barked and licked my hand. A giggle fell from my lips. "He's so cute." I breathed.

"He's yours."

I retracted my hand and looked up at Jack. "Mine?"

"Yes, yours." Jack laughed.

"That's what you were doing this morning?"

He nodded. "He's ready to take home."

Home. "Are you serious?"

He placed Gizmo in my arms and his icy blue eyes were bright and alert. He licked my chin and I ruffled his fur. "Let's take him home."

Jack placed an arm around my shoulders and led me back out into the lobby. I waited while he had to sign a few papers. Gizmo was really happy, licking my hand, my cheek, barking and wagging his little tail.

I can't believe Jack did this. Part of me wanted to cry because the gesture was so sweet.

Before we walked out, I unzipped my Jacket and folded it over Gizmo. Then we walked outside and I followed Jack to the car. He opened my door for me and I slid in without any problems. When Jack got in, he started the car and turned on a little bit of heat.

"Do we have to stop anywhere to get anything for him?" I asked.

"I bought everything this morning except for a collar. I'd rather you pick it out in case I got the wrong color."

"We'll go tomorrow." I smiled.

"Sounds good to me."

When we got home, I carried Gizmo up while Jack collected things from the trunk. And when we got up to our apartment, I set Gizmo down and he was just as hyper. After Jack sat the bags down, I walked up to him and threw my arms around his neck. "Thank you soooo much. This is the best surprise ever."

He smiled down at me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Are you saying this is even better than when I proposed to you?" He teased.

I snorted. "Totally." I slowly smiled and stood on my toes to kiss his lips, "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Jack McKinnon."

He caressed my face in his hands and descended his lips on mine. "Sometimes I wonder what my life was like before I met you."

Full of cheese. "It was probably very boring."

Gizmo barked and nudged my leg. "It just got a lot better." He kissed me again and stepped away. "You did say you wanted a dog a few months ago."

"I remember."

He bent over and swooped Gizmo up. "And I know you've been missing home lately and haven't been able to sleep. I thought maybe he'd be good for you."

My eyes stung. "He's perfect."

"He is, isn't he?"

I nodded in agreement. "And I don't want you to think this is your fault or that I'm not happy here. You have no idea how happy I am here with you."

"I know, Juliet." His lips curved, "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me too ya know?"

"I know." I gratefully returned his smile.

* * *

"I like the red one." I murmured, holding up the red collar to Gizmo, "But..."

Jack held up the other collar next to his other side. It was a sky blue one that brought out the color of Gizmo's eyes. "Get both if you can't decide."

I pursed my lips, looking back and forth between the collars. "Are you sure?"

"It'll be helpful knowing you have other options."

"That's true." I grabbed the one from Jack's hand and held them up to Gizmo, "Which one do you like, buddy?"

All he did was bark in no particular direction. "You're no help."

Jack laughed and stood up straight. I did too and held both collars in my hand. "I guess I'll get both then."

Jack wrapped the leash tight around his hand. "You can get one of each, it wouldn't matter to me, my love."

I backed towards the section of collars with a grin. "Well, if you insist." But of course, I didn't pick on of each that would just be too much. But I did pick two more colors because of how indecisive I am. "I don't think Gizmo even cares."

"Maybe he's really into fashion."

"By his reaction, I think not."

After we bought the collars, we walked back to our apartment. Jack handed me the leash and Gizmo tugged. Jack laughed. "Make sure you walk him and he doesn't walk you."

"He's smaller than me."

"That doesn't stop him from trying." He reached for my free hand and slipped his fingers through mine, "Did you finish your paper last night?"

"I did. It was an easier one and while you slept, Gizmo kept me company."

"Did I get you a replacement?" He gave my fingers a squeeze.

"Why? Are you jealous?" I joked.

"Maybe." He kissed the top of my hand, "How'd you sleep last night?"

Gizmo continued to trot a few feet ahead, but now he wasn't too eager to jerk the leash in my hand. "Pretty well. I only woke up once, but fell right back to sleep when I wrapped my arms around you."

Jack's cheeks coated in a light pink blush. And it's not from the cold. "Who's being cheesy now?"

"Hey, we're going to be married in four months. I can be as cheesy as I want, thank you very much."

"Dork." He kissed the side of my head as we reached our apartment.

When got inside, Jack took Gizmo and unhooked his leash. He took off the black collar that was provided by the shelter and I handed him the red one. It took three seconds to snap on. "I quite like the red one."

"It's because I have good taste." I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist.

He smiled down at me. "Of course you do. Look who you're getting married to."

I couldn't help my laugh. "You're the dork."

"Yes, but I'm yours. So that's all that matters." He grinned, "The wedding can't come soon enough."

"I can't wait." I lifted my hands to grip his jacket and pull him down to my lips, "We should finish your book tonight. I need to know what happens."

I felt his smile against my lips. "I'll order in then."

"Already thinking ahead. I like it."

We shared another kiss and then Gizmo squeezed and nudged his way between our legs.

---------------------------

This is like a little bonus for the One of a Kind set of one shots, haha. And to make up for not posting the next part yet, but this should hold you guys over for a bit. :) I enjoyed writing this so much tbh.

Please vote and comment with your thoughts! :)

ALSOOOOOO, I have a new book called Charming and Awkward! It's a companion book to this one, and it's James's story! It's set in the same time as these one-shots. So please check it out and let me know what you think? :)