The sliding doors open, Adam walked in. I noticed the little look he gave Ness. I think there may be a romance brewing up and I was going to keep a close eye on those two whilst Ness was here with us staying. I smiled, saying nothing.
“Food’s done. You girls ready?” Adam asked, snapping a set of tongs together.
Both of us nodded and said, “Yes.”
I really wasn’t in the mood to eat. I felt sick staring at the amount of meat they had cooked plus the salads we made; the headache I had didn’t help. I rarely got those.
“Chris, are you going to be working still?” Ness asked. “Or, will you be working cases from home?”
Chris looked up, closing his mouth from the piece of steak he was about to place into his mouth. “I’m going to work from home. I can do all my cases here, and if I’m needed in court then I can still make it there. Work won’t be an issue.”
“Will your clients be coming to the house?” I asked him. I wasn’t sure how I felt about any of this.
Chris looked at me; I could tell he didn’t appreciate my tone. “No, this is our home.”
Adam smiled, looking up and breaking the gaze between Chris and me. “So, Mum and Dad are getting into town around 11 a.m. tomorrow. Do you want me to go pick them up?” Adam asked, looking over at me and smirking.
Shit, I had forgotten about them coming here. They called last night to let us know they were visiting their only granddaughter. I just hoped they behaved. I looked at Chris who was looking at me still, obviously waiting for me to answer. “No, I’ll take Lucy and pick them up.”
“I will come with you,” Chris said quietly. I just nodded.
Dinner was so weird. It was just an uneasy tension, and with so much happening these past weeks, I was beginning to feel exhausted and over it. The steak was good; that was a plus.
Ness hesitated, then spoke again, directing her attention to my brother. “So, any women keeping you busy?”
My brother almost choked on his drink. “Ah, no. I don’t think I have time for romance now.”
I smirked, looking at him and then Ness. I wiggled my brows at her, and she glared at me.
Barely touching my food, I jumped at the chance to go inside and clean the dishes and tend to my daughter. She was face down, rolling about with a blanket over her head. I couldn’t help but laugh. Her bright eyes looked at me as she smiled. She was utterly beautiful.
“I can’t wait until she’s running around,” Chris’s voice came in behind me.
I smiled, keeping my eyes on Lucy bouncing her legs up and down. “Me either. She’s going to be so full on, but it’ll be fun.”
“You’re mad at me,” he said quietly, taking a seat in the rocker chair while I lay on the floor with Lucy. She lay on her belly, trying to grasp the toys in front of her. The rattle was mere inches from her fingertips. Finally, she wrapped her little fingers around it and started to suck on it.
I looked up at Chris, shaking my head. “I’m not mad. I’m just worried.”
“Please don’t worry. I don’t want you to worry about any of this, baby.” He sighed, slipping out of the chair and laying on his side in front of us. Chris reached over and rubbed his fingertips over mine. “I know this surgery has big risks. I have a lot to talk to you about, and we’ll make this decision together, if you don’t feel right about something, then I will hear your concerns.”
That made me feel slightly better about everything. “You promise?” I asked, looking up at him, our gazes locked on each other.
“I promise, Charlotte. You’re my wife, the mother of my daughter. I wouldn’t go through with something without talking about it with you first.” He smiled at me, but it disappeared quickly; a sad look came across his face. “Do you still love me?”
I just stared at him as I sat up and leaned over. “Do you think I love you?” I asked sadly.
He shook his head. “I think you’re trying to love me, but I hurt you too badly. You’re trying, but I can see you slipping away from me, Char. It’s okay. If this is all too much for you, tell me, and I won’t fight you on it.”
Was I really coming across like that? “How can you think I don’t love you?” I asked through tears.
“Sometimes, I wonder that.”
I looked up when his hands ran up and down my back, his thumbs brushing my tears away. “I am madly in love with you, Chris. That won’t ever change.”
He looked relieved when I had told him I still loved him. I did. I was crazy in love with the man. How could I not be after he gave me a beautiful daughter? “I know we have things to work through. I promise we will get through them.” He pressed his lips to my nose, kissing me softly.
“Make love to me, Chris. Just make me forget this week.” I breathed out over him, kissing down his neck, my fingertips running through his hair as his lips were pressed against my own. I moaned as his tongue slid over mine. Reminding me just how much I had missed kissing him like this.
“Get to bed. I’ll put Lucy down.” He groaned, kissing down my neck.
I tilted my head back, breathing heavily as his hands gripped my hips. “Chris, I need you now,” I looked at him, letting him know I needed him to not be so gentle with me.
We’d had such a strain on our sex life since Ness had been here. Adam down the hall complaining didn’t help either, and with all these doctor’s appointments and Chris’s late nights, we barely even touched. Tonight, I needed to be touched.
I needed to forget. I wanted to fuck. Just pure fucking. There was nothing tender about it—just raw and primal.
I was on edge, and when the bedroom door opened. Soon, I grinned at Chris who smirked back at me, closing the door and flicking the lock. My eyes were stuck to his body as he pulled his shirt off over his head, his stomach flexing as he unbuttoned his jeans, the trail of hair going to down to his grey boxer shorts.
“You like?” Chris grinned.
I nodded, smiling and biting down against my lower lip, holding in the deep moan. “Oh, I like, a lot.”
Chris slid under the covers and grabbed me by the waist. “Get on your hands and knees, baby,” he demanded, his fingers skimming over my naked stomach and between my thighs.
I sucked in a quick breath, doing as he said while he knelt up, moving behind me and then lowering his head. Using his tongue, he gave my core a long wet lick. I bucked forwards, moaning as his hands grabbed my ass, squeezing and gripping me. I was fisting the sheets as he licked, sucked and fucked my core.
“Oh, god. Chris, I’m close,” I breathed out hard, as I rocked myself into him.
His mouth moved, and I felt his cock against me. “You want it hard, baby?” he whispered as he kissed down my back, a hand reaching up and groping my breast as he started thrusting in and out slowly.
“Yes.” I giggled a little as he playfully slapped my ass.
His hand pushed my body forward, holding me down as he slid in and out. One hand was on my back while the other was groping my ass, thrusting deeper, harder, and rougher as I pushed up into him, silently begging him with my loud moans to let me come. He listened, and with one hard thrust, I came undone around him. I was gripping the pillow, sliding it down in front of me and screaming into it as I started to come again.
My body being flipped over, legs in the air as Chris laid on top of me, slamming into me hard while he drew out my orgasm. His eyes glued to mine as he let my legs go; they fell to the bed, and I slid them up his thighs, locking him in.
“I love you,” I whispered, cupping his face as I panted hard.
A smile came over his face. “I love you more, beautiful.” He leant down, kissing me passionately as he came hard and deep inside me.
His thrusts slowed to a stop as we both caught outr breaths. I smiled up at him while he placed a kiss on my forehead. “Hard enough?” he asked through his own hard breaths.
I turned, looking at the alarm clock beside us on Chris’s side,. “It’s still early.” I smiled.
He chuckled. “W
ell then, you know what to do if you want it again, baby.” He pulled out and rolled off me. I grinned, moving on top of him and kissing my way down his chest and following the hair trail down as I got him hard again.
An hour later, we both lay curled up together, Chris stroking my hair as I ran my fingertips up and down his chest, both of us blissfully happy after the extreme passionate lovemaking. I was more so too sore to move, and cuddling naked seemed a rare, but perfect idea. Neither of us had spoken much; we were just content the way we were right now.
I propped myself up on my elbow and looked at him. “Have the surgery. If you think there is a good chance, then I want you to have it.”
Saying that, I could see the relief in his eyes. I knew this was his only option for a chance of survival. I knew there were greater risks of something wrong happening, but this also took away a lot of waiting with false hope if the other options didn’t work.
“We don’t have to decide now. Let’s take some time,” he spoke quietly, taking my hand and kissing it gently.
I shook my head. “Time is something you don’t have, and I think this is our only choice. I know the tablets may be great for some, but your swelling is getting worse. I heard what the doctors said, Chris. I want you to have this surgery.”
He let out a sigh. “You’re sure you’re okay with this? It’s going to be an extreme and intense surgery for us both.”
I didn’t want to think about that. I lay my head back to his chest and held him tighter. “You’re going to wake up. I know it,” I whispered as tears leaked from the corner of my eyes. Chris not waking up was a chance I didn’t want to take, but for him, I’d put aside my fears and agree to this just to make him happy. I was still his wife, and I would support him no matter what.
The next morning, the sun was hitting out skin as I opened my eyes and looked over at Chris. He was awake and already looking at me. “Morning, beautiful.” He smiled, pressing his lips to my naked shoulder.
I smiled back, “Good morning, sleep well?”
His smile turned into a grin. “I slept extremely well, and last night was long overdue.”
I held in my giggle. “Promise me something,” I spoke sleepily. “Promise me that we’ll make more time for each other each day. No more fights or silent treatment.”
“I promise,” he said as he moved closer, running his hand down my back and over the curve of my ass. “When do we need to pick your parents up? They still hate me, don’t they?”
I had no idea how my parents felt about Chris at the moment. I hadn’t spoken to them much since they left without a goodbye. “I don’t know, but we’ve got dinner tonight, and I can only imagine what everyone is going to say.” I groaned at the thought of the drama that would erupt once they heard the news of Chris’s illness.
Chris looked at me and moved over, lying on top of my body. “As long as you’re by my side, then that’s all that matters. You and our daughter.”
“Right by your side,” I whispered as I lifted my head up for a kiss.
He broke away from the kiss, our naked bodies heating up from the uncontrollable desire we had for each other still. “You think we could start the morning off right before terror wakes up?”
I giggled at the name he gave Lucy. I parted my legs more for him. “I think we could do.” I smiled.
If only the rest of the day could have been as amazing as our morning . . . instead of the painful drama.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Keep your eyes closed!!” I shouted, feeling panicked.
“They are! I’m not even facing you!” Chris called out back. “Wait, let me see you. Please, I just want to see how beautiful you look right now, baby, please,” he asked. I could tell he was eager.
“Chris, I mean it. I will get so mad if they’re open!” I warned. I was so mad with him right now. I had been trying on my wedding dresses at home. A friend of Chris’ heard we were engaged, and she sent a gift over: a rack of dresses for me to look at. I was in awe of the one I had put on, but who do you think decided to come home early and surprise me? Yes, my bad timing fiancé who was now covering his eyes and facing the door.
“I promise, Charlotte. I didn’t see, but you look beautiful,” he called out.
I was hurriedly slipping out of the stunning gown and trying to get it back in the white dress bag. I zipped up the zipper and let out a sigh. “Okay, you can turn around now.”
Chris put his briefcase down, and his arm dropped. He turned around and smiled. “Is it one of those?” he asked, walking closer as I pulled my shirt over my head.
I shrugged. “You, my dear, are going to have to wait until I walk down the aisle. The grassy one, since we’re marrying at the vineyard.”
He chuckled. “Baby, come on now. You’re going to walk all over a ton of white rose petals.”
“White, cream, or light pink, I’m undecided.” I smiled walking over towards him. “I missed you today. How was work?” I asked wrapping my arms around his waist.
“I had court all day, and guess what?” His arms slid around my waist, lifting me up slightly.
I eyed him, even though his face wasn’t giving any emotions anyway. I knew what he was going to tell me. “That’s fantastic; you’re so wonderful. You make me really proud baby.” I kissed him on the mouth.
He shook his head, “One day, I will lose a court case, then you won’t be able to keep guessing like this, beautiful.”
“Not possible, and do you know why?” I asked him seriously.
“Why’s that baby?” he asked, placing small kisses over my face.
I cupped his cheeks, pulling back. “Because my soon-to-be husband is amazing at what he does. You’re charming, and I should know. You made me fall for you instantly.”
“No need to lie.” He smirked, playing around with me.
I laughed. “Come on, I’m taking my man out to celebrate, or did you have plans with the guys?” I asked, normally they went out after a big win and celebrated.
“Actually,” he said as he scooped me up bridal style. “I’ve made plans for us.”
“Oh, yes? What are those?” I asked, very curious.
Chris walked with me in his arms still towards the balcony, sliding the door open and walking outside, “Do you remember that place you always want to go and stay at? Not too far from here?”
I thought for a moment. I looked up at him as he sat down on the patio lounge and pulled me closer to his body, his hands playing with my hair as I ran my fingers through his. It then clicked, “Chris, you have work!”
He shook his head, “I took a few days off, and we’re leaving tonight. Go pack; I want to spoil my girl this week.”
***
I was hiding in the pantry, well, more like searching for some booze. I could only find a bottle of scotch, and I didn’t think my mum or Chris’s mother would enjoy being served that with dinner.
“Charlotte?” Adam spoke, entering the kitchen.
“In here,” I called out, about to give up.
My brother chuckled as he walked into the pantry. “What are you doing?”
“Hiding.” I sighed, slumping against the shelves.
He pulled out two bottles of Moscato and smiled. “Thought you might need these?”
“Thank you. I can’t believe I about forgot them.” I shook my head, “I don’t drink, so I didn’t think we’d need alcohol with dinner. I guess I’ve been distracted.”
“Charlotte, stop and calm down. What’s the matter?” Adam asked, entering the pantry and closing the sliding door. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head. “I feel so sick. I’m so worried, Adam. I told Chris to do the surgery. What kind of person am I?”
Adam sighed, loosening his tie that was around his neck and then opening the top two buttons. “Listen to me. Chris is going to be fine. You need to hear this though. If Chris doesn’t get that surgery, he could die; we both know the outcome. You made the right choice. It’s tough, and it’s only going to get hard
er, but I’m going to go in and give my brother whatever he needs. I want him around because even the shit that happened when Lucy was born, he’s a good guy.”
I was on the verge of tears as I listened to Adam say all those things about Chris. “You’re right; he’s going to be fine. I just need to stop thinking the worst.”
“And don’t worry about Mum and Dad. They’re being stubborn,” he said more quietly.
I shrugged, scoffing. “They refused a lift here once they found out Chris was coming with me. That’s just being plain rude.” I was really hurt when I called to confirm their arrival time. Suggesting we go get a coffee before we come home, Mum said that sounded great, until I mention Chris joining us. Then suddenly it wasn’t such a good idea; they had things to do apparently. I played it off as if it didn’t bother me, and I didn’t dare tell Chris. I couldn’t bring myself to mention it to him.
“I know, please just don’t worry about them. I’ll talk to them both when they arrive here,” Adam said, giving me a half smile.
“Okay, fine.” I gave in, it was hard not to around him.
“Good. Just remember: nothing is going to be more fun than a fucked up dinner with everyone fighting. It’s going to a battle zone once they hear what’s happening.” He grinned and handed over the wine.
I looked at him with a mischievous smile. “You need to ask Vanessa out.”
He laughed. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I have been watching you two, and through all the teasing, I can see you like each other.” It was true. They fought like crazy, but I noticed the little eye smiles they gave each other.
Adam just smiled. “She’s your best friend. Isn’t there some sort of code?”
“I’m married to your boss; the codes are broken. Just go out on a date with her ans see how it goes. Or Chris and I could get you both to watch Lucy while the two of us go out.” I winked. That idea actually sounded quite nice.
He glared and walked out, muttering something under his breath.
Forgiving You Page 19