by Anna Lewis
“This has been the strangest and most emotional day of my life,” Erika said. “I’m just glad we made it through together.”
“As am I,” Leonard replied. “Let’s get back and get some food. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
Smiling wide, Erika took his hand and led him back to the safe base where a small banquet was set up on the table. Her chip beeped, alerting her of a news announcement which she tuned into immediately.
...officially taken down around 7:32 PM by the Green Province Army. We have General Guye Hardenbrooke on the line to explain what exactly transpired to cause the species to invade earth. General, I understand they came to take over, but why would this species do such a thing?
For some reason, the Terramites had been in hiding for a number of centuries. Their outer skin made it so that our sensors couldn’t pick up their existence, making it easy for them to sleep through hundreds of years without being detected. When they came out of hiding and found out about our diverse and wonderful earth, they wanted to take a piece of it, so we said no! Our wonderful compadres fought valiantly…
“That’s quite a story,” Constance commented. “I think I’ll write the whole thing down. It would make a sensational series.”
“I agree,” Erika said.
“A story? About this?” Leonard asked.
“Of course! We need to document what happened, and who better to tell our story than from the perspective of you two love birds?” Constance asked rhetorically.
“Such a romance belongs in books,” Ulita agreed. “Could you pass me that protein bar?”
Erika picked up a protein bar and passed it to Ulita who thanked her.
“I’m not sure,” she said. “Being immortalized in a book is so...so...”
“Permanent,” Leonard finished.
Erika nodded.
“Exactly,” she said.
“It’s perfect for the two of you,” Constance said.
The couple looked at each other and smiled, Erika taking Leonard’s hand and kissing his knuckles.
“I suppose,” she said. “Just don’t use my name.”
“Done!” Constance said. “Now I can start writing.”
As Constance zoned out into her head, Ulita munched on a protein bar and Erika reached for a sandwich, her stomach growling loudly.
“I didn’t realize how much energy I used,” she said. “It’s like I’ve been completely depleted.”
“I feel the same way. Even with the extended serum, I get extremely tired when my energy is low. The serum only gives me a small boost when I’m on my last 5%,” Leonard explained.
“I can’t imagine how that feels,” she said.
“It’s like getting an adrenaline shot and then you sprint for twenty minutes,” he said.
“That sounds like a rush,” she said.
“It really is. And it’s definitely worth it until you run out,” Leonard explained.
“I’m just glad we both made it safely here. What do you think will happen now?” she asked.
“Well, we’ll have to rebuild,” he replied. “And we might also have to repopulate the earth.”
“Oh yeah?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he replied, shimmying close to her.
Erika giggled.
“Do you suppose we could start now?” she asked.
“I’m sure we could manage to do that,” he replied.
“Captain, do you have any spare rooms here?” Erika asked.
The captain turned around from the computers and nodded, pointing to the door near the back corner that led to a corridor of rooms.
“Just find an empty one,” he instructed.
Erika pulled Leonard towards the door and they located an empty room, shutting the door behind them and locking it. In an instant, he had her pinned against the door, fumbling with the buttons of her jeans in order to yank them off. They were still filthy from the battle, but she didn’t care. The feeling of him pulsing against her petals was incredibly satisfying and she moaned softly in the dark room.
The barrier of their clothes was quickly removed and Leonard eased himself into her soft portal, causing her to bay and cover her mouth. She giggled and then wrapped her arms around his shoulders, his tongue darting between her lips for her to suck on. He kept a firm grip on her hips as he dove deep into her fields, groaning as she rolled her hips forward to the rhythm he set.
It wasn’t long before she was shivering with delight and gripping the skin of his back, leaving little marks where her nails were digging in. Leonard grunted and she bayed – they were close. His hips rocked into her faster, the brutal strength of his passion taking her breath away. Reeling back, she braced herself against the door and squeaked, moans escaping her lips with each gasp. He buckled and tensed up, hot honey filling her to the brim with utter pleasure.
Panting, Leonard lifted her off the door and carried her over to the cot where they wrapped themselves up in the sheets to calm down from their intense sex session. Erika turned to face him, their noses touching.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you, too.”
Chapter Thirteen
Glasses clinked together and the room was a wash of color, a digital chandelier displaying an array of warm colors. In the midst of people stood Leonard and Erika who were awkwardly holding on to each other. Leonard gripped her hand. She turned and smiled.
“It’s alright,” she whispered. “You’re fine.”
Leonard wasn’t used to polite company. His bulky muscles felt like they might burst from his suit at any moment, but Erika’s hand in his made him feel more confident. He watched as Captain Nyugen raised his glass of bubbly and tap it twice, signaling the room to go silent.
“I’d like to take this time to recognize a number of people in the room who have displayed bravery and strength in the face of adversity,” he stated. “Not only were they not required to act, they did so not expecting anything in return. I call them the Infallible Four because of their dedication to helping save the earth.”
Leonard turned to look at Ulita and Constance who were standing proudly next to Erika, the three of them dressed in the most elegant of gowns.
“Would my wonderful, brave friends please step forward?” he asked.
The four walked towards the center of the dance floor and joined Captain Nyugen who pinned a digital medal to each of them and then shook their hands. When he was finished, he raised his arms and started clapping, signaling the room to do the same. Their applause sounded like a roar and Leonard smiled while joining along. He turned to Erika who was clapping as well, her smile glittering in the dim light of the ballroom.
He took a deep breath, knelt down, and held out his hand to her. Shock filled her face and a slew of gasps rippled through the room as everyone stopped clapping and waited to see what was about to happen. Ulita began to cry.
“My darling,” he said. “I have no ring to give you. I haven’t much to give you other than my strength, my protection, and my love. You have proven to me that you value me for more than that. Your love and your affection have proved to me each day that it is genuine, so I want to return that to you by promising you my body and mind forever.”
Erika was crying, tears streaming down her face as Leonard rubbed her hands and continued to speak.
“I never thought I would find a love like this in this lifetime, but now I have thanks to you. I want to make you happy forever, for us to make change in the world while raising our own children. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” he asked.
Covering her face, she nodded and Leonard stood to give her a kiss. The room roared again, the happy couple twirling about as the band began to play in the background. Ulita and Constance joined in their hug, tears of joy streaming down their faces.
“Such a lovely ending!” Constance blubbered while holding Erika. “I’m so happy for you!”
Ulita hugged Erika next, Constance walking over to Leonard to squeeze his hands which
caused him to smile. Constance hugged him.
“You sly fox,” she whispered.
Leonard winked and walked over to his fiancée who was already beginning to make wedding plans with Ulita. The two looked adorable with their faces lit up, passionately chattering back and forth about flowers, dresses, and other items she would want for the wedding. It made Leonard smile. After a few moment, a waltz began to play and Leonard took up Erika in his arms as she waved at Ulita.
Captain Nyugen and his wife joined the couple on the dance floor, spinning and swaying across the shining tile. It was the perfect ending for the day, the couple beyond elated to have each other. Leonard wondered how their children might look, whether they would have their father’s brawn or their mother’s intellect. He hoped it would be a fair combination of the two. He knew they needed more strength in this world as well as more intelligence to push forward. They had come a long way in developing the human race, and they could be the first couple to have a more complete earthling.
While they danced, Leonard brushed a lock of loose hair behind Erika’s ear and she smiled shyly while looking down. The beautiful brown eyes fluttered and then locked back on his, glittering with joy from the events that had unfolded. She looked tired and happy all the same. The slender jaw and full lips invited him to plant a kiss, so he led her off the dance floor towards the hall where there was no one around.
Without another word, the two pressed their lips together and kissed for what seemed like an eternity. He pulled away and cupped her face in his hands, rubbing his thumbs along her cheeks. She was still crying. A small smile formed and he returned it.
“Are you happy?” he asked.
“Of course I am,” she replied. “Why would you ask? Do I not look happy?”
“You do. I think you are. I was just making sure,” he said. “I just want you to tell me if there is ever a point where I stop making you happy.”
“Why would you say that?” she asked.
“Because I want to make sure I’m doing my job,” he replied with a grin.
She smiled.
“You’re doing a fantastic job, Leonard,” she said. “I’ve never been happier in my life. I swear.”
“Nor have I,” he replied. “And I think it’s going to be a great lifetime together.”
THE END
Safe Haven
Book1: Finding Him
Maddy had just moved to New York City with her son, Gio, escaping from their life in Chicago to start over. She was okay with starting small if it meant she and Gio could live their lives free of his father. Then one day while at the park Maddy finds herself running into, literally, an old childhood friend. Josh had definitely grown up, what’s more he still seemed like the same ten-year-old boy she used to know and love. Believing it was fate that brought them back together, Josh spends almost every spare moment with Maddy and Gio, who he was quickly seeing as his own son. Neither Josh nor Maddy could have imagined they’d fall in love so quickly, but even after so many years it’s like they hadn’t missed a step. Until Maddy’s past comes back to haunt her. She wanted to get away from her ex, but could she really?
Chapter 1
As we stood in the living room of our new place I couldn’t help but sigh, then smirk as Gio mirrored my action. The space was very square, with an almost discernable line down the middle separating the kitchen and living area, in between, towards the back, was a short hallway that led to the two bedrooms and only bathroom.
“It’s small mommy,” he said as a matter of fact and gripped my hand tighter. My smile grew as I glanced down at him.
“Don’t worry, we won’t be here forever,” I assured him and kissed the top of his silky blonde head. “How about you go start unpacking your room?”
“I can do it all by myself?” he asked me, excitement leeching into his voice as his big green eyes stared up at me.
“Of course, all I ask is that you keep it neat,” I told him and he grinned proudly.
“I’ll keep it clean mommy!” he said and skipped down the short hallway to his bedroom. Getting an affordable two-bedroom apartment in New York City was hard. But I’d had to make some serious concessions when moving Gio and I out of Chicago. We just couldn’t stay there any longer, subject to Gio’s crazy father, Giovanni Senior, and his antics. I’d had enough, Gio had had enough. Anyhow the Bronx wasn’t all that bad, we were able to blend in with the millions of people in the city and that meant being safe from Giovanni.
The sound of boxes being wrestled open from Gio’s room snapped me out of my brief reverie, I stepped into the kitchen to start unpacking some things. We didn’t have much as we pretty much stole away in the middle of the night. Once I had everything lined up to leave Chicago, we just left. An aunt of mine was nice enough to give us some of her old furniture and things for this apartment. Once Gio and I got settled we’d definitely have to take the train to Queens to spend some time with her. I couldn’t be thankful enough that she came to our rescue, having the furniture and boxes moved in as Gio and I were on the train from Chicago.
I wondered briefly how long it would be until Giovanni figured out we were gone and not coming back. He had no way to contact me as I changed phones and my number. I was trying to keep all my bases covered, he didn’t know anything about my aunt who lived in Queens, so Gio and I were safe to start over here. I knew the week would be a busy one, what with my following up on job interviews and getting Gio enrolled in a new school. It was the middle of the year too, so I knew there would be some adjustment issues to come.
“Mommy!” Gio called me from his room and I hurried over to see him sitting on the little twin sized bed and pointing to his window. There was another apartment across the way and a window that looked right into the couple’s living room. They were arguing and of course we could hear every vile thing they were slinging at each other. It reminded me of Giovanni and I not too long ago. All that arguing had given Gio tons of nightmares when we still lived with his father. I couldn’t have him suffering all over again at the hands of oblivious neighbors.
“Go wait in the living room honey,” I told him softly and he hopped up and quietly left the room. With a huff I went to shove open the window and leaned out a fraction. “Hey!” I yelled and had to several more times before the couple heard and looked over. They were both confused, but the woman came to the window while the man stood angry looking behind her.
“We just moved in, this is my kid’s bedroom and your arguing is pretty vicious,” I said, instantly the woman became contrite, the guy simply sighed and rolled his eyes.
“I’m sorry, we don’t usually…we’ll keep it down,” she said, she was nicer than I expected she’d be.
“Thanks, it’s just that he’s only five and pretty sensitive so…” I said and she nodded in understanding.
“We’re sorry for being so loud, you don’t have to worry,” she assured me and I nodded slowly and glanced over her shoulder at the man who was standing there with his hands on his hips.
“Well thanks and uh…have a good night,” I said awkwardly. The woman closed her window and drew the drapes. I didn’t hear anymore arguing after that and closed Gio’s window as well. I’d have to get him some drapes really soon. New York was supposed to be our escape and I’d do everything I could to make sure Gio was happy here.
Chapter 2
“So I was thinking…since you had such a great week at school that maybe we could do something fun this weekend,” I glanced behind me to see Gio’s reaction, he was chewing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. His expression sort of pondering what I just said.
“Can we go to the park? The one by the fruit man?” he asked curiously.
“The fruit stand honey, and sure we can go. But I was thinking about spending some time out exploring the city with Aunt Aida too, how does that sound?” Gio sighed and I had to hold in my laugh.
“Aunt Aida is not that fun,” he pouted.
“You just have to give her a chance, how about we
go to the park first, get some pizza for dinner, then tomorrow we can see her?” Gio perked up at the mention of pizza and he nodded vigorously. His hair flopping in and out of his face. He’d need a haircut soon; his long waves were almost touching his shoulders now. Gio looked a lot like me with his green eyes and blond hair, though he had his father’s masculine features. I could see it in his jaw and cheekbones, no doubt Gio would grow up to be a ladies’ man, God help me.
Once we were done with our lunch we set out to walk the few blocks to the neighborhood park. It had a short jogging trail and playground as well as an open field and a couple of basketball courts. What I really liked was that it was right outside the neighborhood’s fire and police complex so was completely safe.
“Mommy can you teach me how to swing?” Gio asked as we reached the playground, there was an open swing and my heart actually squeezed a bit at the fact that he no longer found the baby swing enticing.
“Alright, first thing’s first, it’s all in the legs,” I told him as he hopped onto an open swing. Gio picked up the technique pretty quickly and soon he was making friends with a couple of the boys his age and jumping off of the swings and into the piles of fallen leaves with them. I turned around to go find a seat at one of the nearby park benches, but was nearly plowed over by some idiot with his head down and a cell phone glued to his ear.
“Hey, watch it!” I yelled, my temper flaring as I tried to catch my footing.
“Shit, I’m so sorry,” he said, catching me before I could tip over. I huffed, ready to let him have it for not looking where he was going. But as I looked directly at him I took pause, he was staring at me in shock.
“What’s the matter?” I asked and glanced back at Gio who was running with leaves in his hands and chasing the kids he found to play with. I looked at the man again and couldn’t help but notice how…well gorgeous he was. He had a face cut right out of a GQ magazine, with his angular jaw, slightly cleft chin, and intense brow. His eyes were a striking blue and framed by enviably long lashes. His brown hair was even styled perfectly, cut short and gelled into a neat coif.