Falling

by Kris Bryant

  “I need you,” she whispered.

  I stood and watched her face as I slid two fingers as deep as I could go. Her mouth opened slightly and closed when I pulled completely out. She loved to be fucked this way. At this angle, I could control my movements better. I did it again and again, slowly, until she closed her eyes and dropped her head back. Her hips lifted with every stroke and settled back on the desk when I pulled out. “Look at me, Piper.”

  She looked at me through narrow slits. She gritted her teeth when I entered her and hissed when I pulled out. “Again.”

  I loved it when she did that, when she took control and told me exactly what to do.

  “More. I need more of you.”

  I licked a third finger and slipped inside. She was so tight, but she didn’t complain at all. It took a few strokes before I could pull all the way out and slam into her again, but when her body adjusted, she begged me to go fast.

  “Don’t move.” The last thing I wanted was to slip out and hurt her.

  She nodded.

  I started slow, but picked up the pace a few strokes in. She didn’t move at all even though I knew she was dying to. She bit my shoulder, my neck, and even my bottom lip. When I felt her tighten, I stayed inside her, all three fingers, and fluttered them as fast as I could. There was so much wetness inside, outside, on my desk, but I didn’t care. This was a whole new level for us and I was going to fuck her to the fullest. When she finally came a minute later, her entire body shook so hard that I was genuinely worried that I hurt her.

  “Are you okay?”

  She held me tight against her. “Why does it keep getting better with you?”

  “Because we love one another and you trust me.” I leaned up so I could look at her face. “You’re so beautiful, Piper.” We kissed until my phone beeped. I looked at my watch. “And we really need to get going.”

  She looked down at the desk, at the floor, and covered her eyes. “That has never happened before.” I held up my finger to indicate she should wait and ran into the little half bath. I brought two clean hand towels out and helped her stand. She was wobbly, so I held her with one arm and handed her one of the towels. “I’m so embarrassed.”

  “Are you kidding me? Never be embarrassed by sex or what we do or what happens when we make love.”

  She kissed me softly on the cheek. “I need to get dressed.” She found her panties and grabbed her clothes before closing the bathroom door. I cleaned up the best I could with the other towel. When she came out fully dressed, everything looked the same.

  “Give me one second and we can go.” I washed up in less than a minute. I kissed Piper soundly. “Thank you for helping me break in my office the best way possible.”

  “I love you.”

  “Always. I love you always.”

  * * *

  We were only a few minutes late. We had to load up my car with the gifts still in Piper’s loft. The roads were clear, so I was able to drive the speed limit. When we pulled up, the entire family greeted us.

  “What’s going on?” I climbed out of the car, slightly alarmed at the attention.

  “Munchkin was too excited to wait inside. She wants to show you the gift Santa bought her,” Jason said.

  “And me, too,” Marisa said.

  I immediately looked at her hand and was disappointed I didn’t see an engagement ring.

  “We’re here. Show us,” I said. Piper and I slipped into our coats and followed the family to the barn. I held Piper’s hand as she leaned into me.

  “Hurry.” Alison’s impatience was infectious.

  Marisa chimed in. “Yes, hurry.”

  I whispered in Piper’s ear, “If there isn’t a ring in that barn, I’m not impressed.”

  “Christmas is too obvious for that. I’m sure Jason’s got it all figured out.”

  “I just so want to be a part of it.” I’d always pictured Marisa’s true love asking me for advice. I would plan out the perfect place and write down everything he should say to her.

  “I’m sure you will be. Let’s pick up the pace before we get scolded again.” I kissed Piper’s temple and started jogging to the barn. Piper laughed and kept the pace. We passed Marisa and Jason who, in spirit, started running, too. Within moments, we were all making a mad dash to the barn, much to Alison’s delight.

  “Look! Look what Santa brought me!” She led us to a stall where a medium-sized horse was stabled.

  “She’s beautiful. What’s her name?”

  “Cinnamon. She’s an appleloosa,” Alison said proudly.

  “An apple—like the fruit—loosa?” I teased.

  “Appaloosa,” Alison said it slower.

  I reached over and stroked the soft muzzle on the docile horse. “She’s so sweet and she’s going to make you so happy. You must have been a good girl this year for Santa to bring you a horsie.”

  Alison nodded and proceeded to tell me how Santa left a treasure map this morning and how Grandma made her put on boots and a coat first. I rolled my eyes as if that was a ridiculous request by Virginia and was rewarded with a giggle.

  “My turn,” Marisa said from the other side of the barn. Piper and I headed over to her, and I gasped when she walked a beautiful Arabian from a stall. “Meet Honey.”

  “You got a horse, too?” I said, reaching out to stroke Honey’s neck.

  Marisa smiled. “I’m turning into a cowgirl, what can I say?”

  “I guess you’re going to need a horse living up here.”

  “Let me show you something else.” Marisa put Honey back into her stall and crooked her finger at me to follow her down to the other end of the barn.

  I waved my hands at her. “Oh, no. Please tell me you didn’t get me a horse, too.”

  “No, shut up. Come here. I want to show you something.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me into the triple stall at the end of the barn. “Look, Tinney had her baby yesterday.”

  I melted when I saw the tiny colt standing on wobbly legs, nursing on his mother. “Tinney, he’s gorgeous. You did such an amazing job.” She neighed at me. Aside from Betsy, Tinney was the only other horse that didn’t want to kill me. Since she was pregnant, nobody rode her, but I helped exercise her in one of the corrals.

  Piper took several photos on her phone of the unnamed baby. “He really is so perfect and proud already.” He was coal black with a white star on his forehead and white boots.

  “How did the delivery go?” I asked.

  “Jason, Bill, and Gary spent most of yesterday with the doc getting him out of her. I couldn’t watch.”

  “You’re going to have to toughen up if you plan on being a rancher’s wife and giving birth to eight baby future ranchers,” I said.

  “I’m in it for two. That’s it. Twins would be better so I can knock them out at once.”

  I looked at Marisa and thought about how grown up she seemed. Gone was the party girl in search of the next good time. I put my arm across her shoulders when we walked back to the house. “I love you. I’m so happy for you and I promise to always be your best friend forever.”

  She put her arm around my waist. “Are you good?”

  I nodded. “I couldn’t be happier. My life is perfect. I have my own company, I have the girl of my dreams, and my best friend is dating my hero.” I looked back at Jason and Piper, who were five steps behind us and laughing about something Virginia said. I put my head on Marisa’s shoulder and reached back until I felt Piper’s finger lock with mine. I pulled her up to walk with us. Piper’s eyes were filled with love. I kissed her softly before I finished answering Marisa. “Falling was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  Epilogue

  Three years later

  “We’re here! We’re here!” Piper and I busted into the waiting room that was packed wall to wall with ranchers and every Doogan I knew.

  “This way.” Virginia motioned me toward the front of the group.

  “Good luck.” Piper squeezed my hands with joy.
>
  “You need to sit down and rest.” A seat became available as three cowboys jumped up and offered Piper theirs. “I love you.” I planted a solid kiss on my wife’s lips after I knew she was settled and comfortable.

  “I love you, too. Now go,” she scolded me playfully.

  I squealed and followed Virginia through the doors and down the hall.

  “Tell her we’re all thinking of her.” Virginia kissed my cheek.

  I walked into the room, tentatively at first, then bolder when I saw Marisa in the bed, curled up in pain.

  “Oh, my God. Where have you been?” She turned white and reached for my hand. I grabbed it and held it tightly. I leaned over her to quickly hug Jason, who was several shades whiter than Marisa.

  “If you would have called when the contractions first started, then I would have been here a lot sooner. We got here as quickly as we could.”

  Dr. Kane slipped into the room, jovial and happy, to check on Marisa’s progress. “The good news is that it’s epidural time. You’re sitting pretty at a three. I’ll send Matt in if you still want it.”

  “It’s about time. Jesus, I’m dying. I think I’m dying.” She groaned and tried turning in the bed to get comfortable.

  “This is exactly what’s expected. I’ll send Matt in right away.” She patted Marisa’s leg.

  “I really don’t like her,” Marisa said as soon as the door closed.

  I tried to mask my smile but failed. “Come on. Don’t be that person. You’re tough. You’re strong.”

  “I’m weak.” She turned to Jason. “Sweetheart, I don’t know if I can do this.”

  He stroked her forehead and kissed her hand. “Yes, you can. I know you can. Once Matt finally gets here with the epidural, things will go a lot smoother.”

  “Let me tell you what Piper and I saw on the way up here.” I drew Marisa’s attention to me. Jason was about ten seconds away from passing out. “So, you know that little abandoned gas station just off the highway? Piper and I saw a family of wolves, like five of them, hanging in the doorway.” It wasn’t that long ago when wolves were on the endangered species list, so to see five in a pack was a rarity. I tried to keep Marisa’s mind off her pain, but every time she felt a contraction, she hissed loudly and squeezed our hands. I died a little every time I saw the pain etched on her face.

  As if on command, Matt buzzed into the room with everything he needed to make Marisa comfortable. I moved out of the way so he could administer the drug. It felt so good to sit down. I didn’t realize how tense I was until I got off my feet. The epidural relaxed Marisa after about thirty minutes.

  “Why did this take so long? This is so much better, but I’m so tired.”

  Matt informed us that if she felt like it, she could take a nap. She had time before she was fully dilated. I remained seated. Jason gave a long, audible sigh.

  “I’m sorry it took so long for us to get here. The roads were a little bit treacherous and I didn’t want to get in a wreck.” Jason and Marisa got pregnant the second they decided to. Their doctor said it could take a few months, but much to their surprise, it only took one month.

  “I’m just so thankful you’re here.” Jason took my hand.

  I squeezed his hand. “Look, Daddy, you’re doing great. Let’s welcome this tiny bundle of joy with as much love as we can.”

  Ashlynn Shay Doogan arrived at 7:14 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. I started crying the minute her head crowned. An hour later, watching Jason and Marisa fawn all over her, I was still crying. The three of them were so beautiful. I cried again when Piper held her and sang a lullaby. Marisa asked that I take photos, and after about one hundred snaps and eight different family members squeezed into the tiny private room, we were all kicked out. I told them that Auntie Shaylie and Auntie Piper would be back in the morning and I expected them to get rest. I didn’t want to leave, but I needed to get Piper home. Virginia invited us to stay at the ranch, but I had a few loose ends I needed to tie up. I would put my office manager in charge for the rest of the week, but I had two closings in the morning that I couldn’t turn over and Piper had to make arrangements for Bodhi.

  “I love her already,” Piper said as we walked hand in hand to the SUV.

  “All that blond hair. She’s gorgeous like her mom and dad,” I said. We had a busy week ahead of us, and I was excited to get my hands on Ashlynn and start spoiling her.

  I helped Piper into the car and kissed her before shutting the door. Our life was perfect. We were completely honest with one another and communicated openly. Our arguments were about what to eat for dinner or if Clifford was allowed into the bedroom at night.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, babe. We have about an hour left of Valentine’s Day. It’s my new favorite holiday,” she said.

  “Then let’s go home.”

  * * *

  “I’m here! I’m here!” I raced into the hospital. Everything was fine this morning. Piper didn’t feel bad. She was uncomfortable but wasn’t experiencing any contractions.

  “Shaylie, over here.” Lani waved me to the nurse at the maternity desk.

  “Is she okay? What happened?” I clutched Lani, desperate for her answer.

  “She just asked very calmly if I would drive her here. I called you right away.”

  “Thank you. Where is she?”

  The nurse escorted me back to Piper’s room. I quietly, but quickly walked into the room. “Babe, are you okay?”

  She reached for me. “I’m fine. I feel perfect and wonderful and excited to meet our daughter.”

  I couldn’t help but cry. I leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her mouth. “She’s early.”

  “Don’t worry. The doc says she’s doing fine.”

  “But we weren’t expecting her for two more weeks.”

  “Shay, everything’s fine. The doctor said if she’s ready to come out, she’s coming out. Did you call everyone?” she asked.

  How Piper could be so calm during this was beyond me. I was stressed beyond anything I’d experienced before, and she was the epitome of peace. When we decided to start a family, we went back and forth on who would carry the baby. I never thought I wanted to give birth, but the love I had for Piper was so strong that it seemed natural. Since Piper was in excellent shape and four years younger, we finally decided she would carry my egg. When Piper announced we were pregnant, my life changed again. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, it did. We were going to be moms in a matter of hours.

  “I called Mar and Jason and Virginia. Oh, and I called your mom, too. She’ll be here soon. The nurse knows to let her in.”

  “Can you believe we’re going to have a tiny baby?” She stroked my cheek softly, lovingly. I leaned into her touch and kissed the palm of her hand.

  “You’re so brave for doing this. Thank you.” I didn’t know what else to say. When the doctor came in and checked her progress, she sent for the epidural. I didn’t even know Piper was having contractions. It made sense because she never once complained during the pregnancy. I catered to her every whim, but she never took advantage. Sometimes she upset me when she tried to do too much.

  Marisa peeked in for a few minutes to check on us. I sobbed on her shoulder because I couldn’t control my emotions.

  “Hey, shh. It’s okay. Everything is wonderful. Piper’s doing great, Jason and Ashlynn are out in the waiting room. We’re here for both of you. Let me know if you need me. I’m literally just outside those doors.” She kissed me, kissed Piper, and left.

  Twenty minutes later, Piper’s mom, Caroline, waltzed into the room and sat on the other side of Piper. We both held her hand and her knees and after a short duration, much shorter than Marisa’s, Piper gave birth to Maribelle Ann Beck at 2:42 in the afternoon. She was perfect and beautiful with dark hair and a set of lungs that could be heard out in the waiting room. I was so overwhelmed with love, life, and happiness that I sat down and cried. My wife, who had just given birth, stroked my back an
d comforted me. The nurse who cleaned up Maribelle and recorded her statistics handed me our swaddled bundle of joy. I stood to take her, and the second I held her, I fell harder in love with Piper for giving me such perfection.

  “Thank you,” I whispered to Piper. I placed Maribelle in her arms and watched them get used to one another. I kissed both of them and stroked Maribelle’s soft cheek. “She’s so soft and perfect.” I spent the next twenty minutes with my wife and daughter. I took photos of them. Caroline took photos of us.

  “You should probably go tell everybody. We’re all fine here,” Piper said.

  I pushed through the doors and walked into a waiting room full of family and friends. I wanted to cry again as they all stood, anxiously awaiting any news.

  “Maribelle Ann is here!”

  Cheers erupted in the waiting room. Marisa grabbed me and cried. “Our wishes came true, sister. Congratulations.”

  “I’m so happy for everything. You, Jason, Ashlynn, Piper, Maribelle, life, my company. It can’t possibly get any better.” I finally stopped crying and dried my eyes with a tissue Virginia handed me.

  “Come on. I want to meet my niece.” Marisa grabbed my hand and washed up quickly before slipping into the room. Piper handed Maribelle to her and I saw the instant love there.

  “How is it possible that she already looks just like you?” Marisa turned to me. “She has the same button nose and lips. She’s going to be beautiful like her mamas.”

  I sat next to Piper and held her hand. “Are you doing okay? Do you need anything?”

  “I’m great. I feel fine. I couldn’t be any happier or healthier at this moment. I love you, Shaylie.”

  I kissed Piper again and reflected for just a moment. My life was perfect. I’d gotten a few scars along the way, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Piper always told me my scars were survival badges, but they were just the result of a journey I had to go on before I found the reason I lived. I survived for the ultimate beauty in this world. I survived for love.