Authors: Janet A. Mota
Chapter 30
Invitation
Amber
I was released from the hospital a week ago with a clean bill of health. Every time I think about the baby, I cry. I really wish I knew I was pregnant but then I then I think about how much harder this would be. I take advantage being home from work and get all of my schoolwork done and I got future reading assignments and papers done. I am now three weeks ahead of the game. Dylan didn’t take me back to my house but brought me to his house. He set up the other side of the office for me and got me a really comfortable office chair. I’ve enjoyed staying here and having an awesome space to do my work.
As I am reading a chapter in my Intro to Architecture book, I hear the garage door open. I look at the time and smile. I mark my page and go to find my sexy man. I see him walk into the kitchen as I walk into the family room. He sees me and smiles wide.
“Hey, gorgeous!” He says.
“Hi!” I say and walk up to him. I give him a kiss. “How was your day?”
“It was okay. Nothing excited. I’m glad to be home though.” He says and slaps my ass playfully.
“I’m glad you’re home too. I’ve missed you.”
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m good. I feel back to normal.”
“Good.” He says and I walk to the fridge. I open it and look inside. “What are you looking for?”
“I am trying to figure out what to make for dinner.”
“Nope. You have cooked every night this week. I let you because I knew that you needed to feel normal. Tonight, we are going out to dinner.”
I turn around and smile at him. “Are you sure? I really don’t mind cooking.”
Dylan pushes me back against the counter. He puts his arms on both sides of my waist to pin me in. He kisses me softy yet extremely passionately. I’ve missed these kisses so much. The doctor said no sex for three weeks. It has only been a week and it’s been torture. We break apart and he rests his forehead to mine.
“I miss you so much and there is a reason why we haven’t kissed like that.” He says breathlessly.
“We used to kiss like that with no problem before we started sleeping together.” I say. He grunts.
“Oh, I had problems and I find myself with the same ones again. I would have to take care of myself in the shower.” I try not to giggle but it doesn’t work.
“I’m sorry but, if it makes you feel better, I would do the same thing.” He stands up straight now and looks at me.
“Shit baby. Don’t tell me that. It only makes my ‘situation’ worse.”
“That thought turns you on.” I say and he nods. “I guess we have something to try once we get the okay to make love again. I’m going to get ready to go.” I start to walk away.
“Fuck.” I hear him say and I laugh to myself. I really shouldn’t do that to him because I am just as affected by it. It’s going to be hell the next two weeks. I hear him as he follows me into the bedroom.
When we get into the bedroom, I go straight into my closet to change my clothes. I pick out a pair of jeans and a black top. I take off my sweatpants as Dylan walks in. He leans against the door and watches me change. I finish changing and smile at him.
“I want to ask you something.” He says.
“You can ask me anything. You know that.” I put on black flats and walk over to him.
“Will you move in?” I stare at him, wide-eyed. My heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest.
“Are you sure?” I ask. My palms are sweaty and my hands trembling awaiting his response.
“I love you and I want you with me. I’m tired of the back and forth between houses. Please move in with me.”
A wide grin spreads across my face and I jump into his arms. “Yes, of course I will!”
He hugs me tight and spins me around. “Thank you.” He kisses me. He sets me down and I finish getting ready. On the way to the restaurant, we discuss what to do with my house. I decide to put it up for sell but will call Evan and Mia in the morning to discuss it. I’m excited about the next chapter in our lives.
Chapter 31
Moving Day
Dylan
After speaking with Mia and Evan, Amber put the house up for sale. It only took two weeks to sell, which I found amazing. Amber is only taking personal items and she sold everything with the home. She got her asking price and is excited that things moved so quickly. The new buyers are a hard working family that can finally afford a house. They wanted a yard for the kids to play in and this house has a pretty decent one. I am excited for this family. Amber and I went out and bought a bedroom set for the couple. It’s complete with a king sized bed. We wanted to give them something for their new home. It has been delivered and looks great.
The realtor and new homeowners are meeting us here at the house in a few minutes. We put the last of Amber’s personal effects into my car when they pull up. We shake hands and go into the house. Amber hands them her keys and the paperwork for the bedroom set. The couple stares at us.
“Thank you so much for your generosity.” They both say and the wife starts to cry. She hugs Amber and the husband shakes my hand.
“You’re very welcome. Enjoy the house. Make happy memories here.” Amber tells them and we head out. We get into my car and Amber pulls the check out of her purse. She looks at it for a long time. I let her have her moment and don’t say anything.
After a few minutes, she speaks. “I wanted to split the money up between Mia, Evan and I. They refused to let me do it because I am the one who paid for it. I want to help you with the household bills.”
“That’s not necessary. I make more than enough. Save your money. You’re paying for school and I don’t want you to worry about any of that.”
“I want to contribute. I didn’t say I would be able to contribute a lot but I do. Please let me.”
I nod and glance at her. “Okay, but only under one condition.”
She laughs. “What’s that?”
“You take some of that money and buy yourself a new car. I would feel better if you were driving around in a safer car.”
“I was already planning on doing that so we have a deal.” She puts her hand out for me to shake. I come to a stop at a red light. I go to shake her hand but instead I pull her to me and kiss her.
“How do you feel about everything that has happened in the last nine months?” I ask her as the light turns green.
“I never thought I would be here, that’s for sure. I’m happy and content with my life which is new for me. I was always stressed and overworked. You have opened up so many doors for me and I have no idea how to thank you for it. You showed me that there is so much more to life than work and bills. You showed me how to have fun. You opened up my heart to love. You gave me the time and space I needed to trust again. I also think about our baby every single day and it still hurts.”
“You don’t need to thank me ever. I also think that all of this would be happening even if I wasn’t around. I am just fortunate enough to witness it and to be with you. I think about our baby everyday too. You opened up my heart too. I was jumping from date to date and never expecting to settle down even though I wanted to. I just never expected to find you. I owe Miranda a big one for insisting that you come over for Christmas Eve.”
“We both agree on owing Miranda big.” She says and we both laugh. “Why don’t we have a thank you dinner for her and your family next weekend? It will be our first dinner party.”
“That sounds perfect.” I say. “Miranda has wanted this state of the art camera for her photography hobby. She hasn’t bought it because it’s pricey and she hasn’t been able to afford it. Why don’t we get it for her?”
“That sounds great.” She claps her hands and bounces in her seat. “I’m so excited.”
I laugh.
****
A few minutes later and we are pulling into our driveway. I pull the car into the garage and we quickly unload everything. Amber organizes all of her personal effects in her closet and at her vanity in the bathroom. It takes her about an hour to get completely situated. When she’s done, she comes into the family room. I’m watching a football game, with my bare feet up and eating some popcorn. She sits next to me and takes some popcorn. We watch the rest of the game together and I love my life.
A few minutes before the game ends, she gets up and retreats to the bedroom. I am about to go see what she’s up to when she appears in front of me naked. I have lost all ability to put a coherent thought together. My body immediately responds and I’m on my feet in three seconds flat. I pick her up and throw her on the couch. I jump on top of her and she starts laughing. It has been three long weeks and I’m dying to feel her again.
We kiss and my hands are roaming every part of skin I can get my hands on. She tugs on my t-shirt and I quickly pull it over my head. I feel her hand at the button of my jeans and I know she’s just as frantic as I am. I stand up and remove my jeans. I kneel next to the couch and take a breast into my mouth. I kiss and suck each nipple. I move down to her stomach and finally I am in between her legs. My mouth finds her core and I taste her. I have missed her so much. I have missed hearing her breath hitch when I do this. I’ve missed hearing her noises and moans while I am pleasuring her. Most of all, I’ve missed her screaming my name when she reaches orgasm.
I continue pleasuring her with my mouth and tongue until she cries out. I smile and watch as she comes down from the high. She stands up and pushes me onto the couch. I sit and watch her as she kneels between my legs.
“Baby, you don’t need to do this.” I say.
“I want to.” She says and I stop protesting.
She takes me into her mouth and now all I can do is feel the sensations rushing through my body. Her mouth is amazing and I can feel it all so deeply.
“You need to stop, gorgeous. I don’t want to come in your mouth.” She stands and I push her back on the couch. I settle myself in between her legs and enter her. She moans and wraps her legs around my hips. She has since gone on the pill per her doctor’s instructions. It is more for body regulation than anything else.
“You feel so good.” She whispers in my ear.
My mouth finds hers. I continue thrusting into her and soon she is writhing underneath me. “Come with me.” She says and soon we both cry out together.
Her body wraps around mine is the best feeling in the world. Every time with her is better. Meaningless sex is just that, sex. When love is involved, every sensation is felt so much more deeply. Love is shown in every look and in every touch.
“I love you.” I tell her and kiss her.
“I love you.” She says.
“Welcome home.”
Chapter 32
Thankful
Amber
It’s Thanksgiving and Dylan and I are hosting. I cook Thanksgiving dinner every year but I never went all out. I would cook a small turkey breast, make some mashed potatoes and a veggie. I would make a pumpkin pie and that was our dinner. Today, I am going all out. Mia and Evan are here. It is so great to have them here. I kicked everyone out of the kitchen so I can enjoy myself. Mia set the table for me and now the three of them are watching the football game. I look over at them and smile. I will not be seeing Mia or Evan for Christmas. Evan is being sent to Europe and will be stationed there for the next two years. Mia is going to spend Christmas with a friend and her family. They go skiing in the mountains every year and they invited Mia to go this year. Both of them are so excited about their new adventures and I am happy for them.
I check the turkey in the oven. I start boiling the potatoes for the mashed potatoes and start my sweet potato casserole. I add the ingredients to the bowl and mix it together. I pour it into the casserole dish and add the marshmallows. I cover the dish with foil and it’s ready for the oven. I place it on the counter next to the oven. I prepare the green beans next and place them into a pot of cold water. Once I’m done prepping them, I place the pot on the stove and turn it on. I get out a big bowl and add cold water and some ice to it. I add the beans to it when they are done cooking so the cooking stops and they don’t lose the green color. I place the beans in a serving dish and add olive oil and garlic. I give them a toss and they are ready to go. I cover the dish and move on. My brown sugar carrots are almost ready and so is the turkey. I finish up with the mashed potatoes and get the cranberry sauce ready.
I made an apple pie and a pumpkin pie for dessert. Both are sitting in their pie plates. I take the turkey out of the oven and place the sweet potato casserole into the oven. I transfer the turkey to a tray and make the gravy with the drippings. As I am adding the finishing touches to the gravy, the doorbell rings. I serve up the gravy and take the casserole out of the oven as Miranda, Claire and Andrew walk into the kitchen. Hugs and kisses are spread around. Claire and Miranda help me garnish everything and set it on the table.
“Okay everyone. Dinner is served.” I say and everyone heads to the dining room table.
Everyone finds a seat and I remain standing. Dylan makes sure everyone has a drink and sits down. I look around and smile. Dylan squeezes my hand and I start.
“Thank you for being here tonight. Everyone I love is right here in front of me. I am thankful for each and everyone one of you. A year ago, life was very difficult for me, Mia and Evan. I was struggling to put a meal on the table every night and trying to make ends meet. I worked all the time to make sure that Mia and Evan could have happy memories. I didn’t see happiness for me for a long time. I am grateful that I could be there for Mia and Evan and I would do it again in a heartbeat. A month later, I run into an old friend from high school and she insists that I spend Christmas Eve with her and her family. My life changed forever. I met the most amazing man and fell in love. I am happy with how everything turned out. I am so thankful that Mia and Evan are doing so well and I pray that it continues to be that way. I love you both very much and I can’t imagine my life without you. I am so thankful for you, Miranda. You shined that light into my dark tunnel. I am so thankful to you, Claire and Andrew. You are amazing parents and have embraced me, Mia and Evan as part of your family. I am honored to be a part of your family. I am especially thankful to you, Dylan. I love you and I can’t wait to make more memories with you. You have made all of my dreams come true.” He kisses my hand. “I love all of you and wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. Now, dig in.”
I sit and watch as everyone digs into the meal. Everyone compliments how good everything is and I watch everyone eat. Dylan leans over to me. “You have made a wonderful meal. Everything is delicious. I love you.” He kisses my lips gently. “I’m thankful for you too. I cannot wait to see this table filled up with our children.”
I blink away tears and he winks at me. I look around the table and I can actually see that. It’s a perfect image and I suddenly want that sooner rather than later. I think about the baby we lost and wonder how different today would have been if it had survived.
****
Dylan
Dinner was delicious as usual. My mom is a great cook but Amber is better. Dessert is being served now and I step away. I go to the office and open the closet. I pull out the three boxes and examine the contents and smile. The boxes are all wrapped in gold wrapping paper and tied with a white lace bow. I place one of the boxes into my pocket and the other two I leave on the desk. I walk back to the table to enjoy dessert.
Once dinner is consumed, Mia and Evan excuse themselves and leave the table. Amber, Miranda and mom are cleaning up the table. After the dessert dishes are placed in the dishwasher, the three ladies come back to the table. Mia and Evan reappear holding the two boxes.
“Amber, can you please come have a seat on the couch. We would like to show you something.” Evan asks. Amber stands and goes over to the couch. Everyone follows and sits all around the family room. I sit in front of her, on the floor, at her feet. Evan starts the DVD player and a home movie starts. It’s a collage of photos from when we met until now. I smile up at her and she’s surprised.
“What is this?” She asks.
“It’s our life this the past year.” I say and smile.
She looks back up and starts laughing when she sees a picture of Mia celebrating success at winning the air hockey game at the arcade. For the next twenty minutes, there is laughter and some catcalls at the romantic ones. When the video ends, Evan steps toward Amber and hands her the first box.
“What’s this?” She asks him.
“I don’t know.” He says. “I’m just following instructions.”
She cocks her head to the side when he says the last statement. She frowns and her forehead wrinkles. She unties the white lace bow and slowly lifts the lid off the box. She moves the tissue paper to the side and gasps. Her hand comes up to cover her mouth. I can see her hands shaking as she reaches in to remove the contents. She pulls out a brown frame with special words written just for her. She reads it to herself first and then aloud.
You are…
You are my shining star.
You are my light in the darkness.
You are my life.
You are my heart.
You are my future.
You are my family.
You will always be my LOVE.
She looks at me. “Did you write this? It’s beautiful.”
“I did.” I say and Mia steps forward. She hands Amber the second box and Amber looks at me.
“Baby, what is all of this?”
“Open it.” I say and she removes the bow and opens the box. She looks at me and I see the tear run down her cheek. She slowly pulls out another picture frame with three pictures. The first picture is of Amber, Mia and Evan. The second picture is of my parents, Miranda and I. The last picture is a group picture of all of us taken at my parents’ house before Evan and Mia left.
“I love it.” She says and wipes the tear from her cheek.
As she turns to put the frames down, I quickly maneuver myself, remove the box from my pocket and position myself on one knee. The room is silent. She turns back toward me and freezes.
“What…what’s happening?”
“I say three simple words to you every time I can, I love you. I wish those three words would express how much I love you but they don’t. You are my everything. I want a life with you. Will you be my wife?”
Tears are streaming down her cheeks now and she’s just staring at me wide-eyed. Everyone is on pins and needles waiting on her response. Slowly, her hand touches my cheek.
“I would be honored to be your wife.” She says.
My heart soars at her words. I lean up toward her and kiss her. The clapping and cheering is so loud and brings us out of our kiss. We look around as everyone is hugging each other. We laugh and I pull the ring out of the box. I grasp her left hand and place the ring on her finger. It’s a perfect fit.
“Oh wow. It’s the most beautiful ring I have ever seen.” She says as she admires the ring. Mom, Mia and Miranda lean over the couch to look at it.
“It’s one of a kind. None of the others did you justice so I designed this one.” I say and get to my feet. Dad and Evan come around and congratulate me and Amber.
“I’m so proud of you big brother. You did good with the girl and the ring!” Miranda says and everyone laughs. The rest of the night was spent celebrating.