9 Ways to Fall in Love

by Caroline Clemmons

  “Alex, I just want you to be happy. When you find the right house, consider it my gift to you and Grayson. Gretchen and I drove out to the Rockwall house yesterday. We fell in love with it and the setting on the lake. How would you feel if we bought a home here? Perhaps that house. We would be in the area for when you do give us a grandbaby?” His face was also wet with tears, since we hadn’t been this close in so long. I don’t think either of us were completely comfortable yet with the new tenderness we shared.

  “Nothing would make me happier, Daddy. I know Grayson would be ecstatic as well. The house at the lake would be perfect for you and Gretchen, since you already have the boat. What about the Chicago house?”

  “We discussed selling it, unless you object. I could get a penthouse there for business trips. Speaking of the business, I was saving this for after the wedding, but I have a substantial offer from a great group to buy the business. It’s your legacy, Alexandra. If you want it, it’s yours, but if you don’t, I’ll sell it and put the funds in a trust for you. I’ve already set up Gretchen and of course Bethany and Kane in their chosen businesses, but the house and the publishing business were yours in our pre-nup agreement. I have until the end of the year to make a decision on their offer to buy, but I’m sure that you need to discuss it with Grayson.”

  “Sell the house and buy the Rockwall house if you both love it. I’ll talk to Grayson about the business. If you think that it is something I could do from here and maintain a family life with Grayson, I’m open for discussion as long as you agree to stay on with me. We could do it together!” With the comfort of my father’s arms around me, discussing our future had promise. I couldn’t hold back my sentiment.

  Gretchen came into the kitchen and presented me with a small box. It contained an ivory handkerchief with two small gold hearts embroidered on it. “Your dad and I wanted you to have this for your wedding. It was your mother’s. We have a few more things in the car.”

  “Thank you so much. I remember this was her favorite quote, ‘The heartbeat has two sides.’” I had to go sit down, completely speechless. My dad went to retrieve the box from the car. The three of us went through the box that contained my mother’s Bible and her pearls. There had been a special thought to the timing of his gift. I missed my mom terribly, but the idea of having her heirlooms at my wedding were special. I became so emotional that I didn’t feel like going out to dinner.

  “I’m grateful you kept her things for me. It’ll be special to have them with me at the wedding. I love you both for the gift.”

  “Would you both be okay dining here this evening? I could cook or we could order in?”

  I tried to wipe the rest of my makeup off with tissue as I clung to my mom’s handkerchief.

  Gretchen and Dad both agreed and decided to have dinner delivered. I continued to go through the box of my mother’s personal items and began to realize that Gretchen had preserved Mom’s things for me, each delicately wrapped in silk and satin bags. I remembered Mom wearing her pearls for our last family Christmas photo.

  There was still a small bag that I had yet to open. It contained a small black velvet box. When I opened it, I gasped. I’d forgotten about her charm bracelet full of various small gold hearts. “Mom’s favorite bracelet. I hadn’t thought about this bracelet in so long. Thank you for saving this for me!” I hugged them both. “You have no idea what this means to me.” I looked at my mother’s things displayed on the table. I had flashbacks of special times with her. I remembered her pushing me in the swing and could picture the charm bracelet on her wrist as she held on to the chains of the swing. My heart ached as I remembered sitting beside her bed in her final days as she stared out the window to the huge rose garden at our Chicago home overtaken by the memories of my mother.

  Grayson walked in from work and realized that I had been crying. He rushed to my side. . “What’s wrong?” I saw the concern in his eyes as he stroked my cheeks with his thumbs, wiping at my tears.

  “It’s okay, we were just going through my mom’s special things.” I showed him her pearls, bracelet, and handkerchief. “I will make these a part of our wedding. My way of remembering her on my special day.” I was finally able to smile, but I wasn’t certain whether it was to convince myself or reassure Grayson that I was okay with the surprise gifts. I loved the caring heart that he displayed, but I wanted to show him and the world that I could be strong.

  “Our timing was off, we should’ve waited to give them to her, but we were discussing the Rockwall house, our Chicago home, and the business. I thought we might as well go through her mom’s things together.” Dad patted Grayson’s back and leaned down to kiss my cheek.

  “It’s okay, really. I’m just emotional, so we decided to order in. Dinner’s on the way. We just opened a bottle of wine. Care to join us for a relaxing drink?”

  “I’m grabbing a beer and going to my place for a shower. I just want to make sure that Harrison is making his way okay and then I’ll be back for dinner. Can I get you anything while I’m out?”

  “Harrison’s out with Monica. He texted me earlier asking about a restaurant choice. He wanted to surprise her with making plans instead of her being their tour guide. Why don’t you grab a shower here? I need to wash off my messy makeup anyway.” I handed the bottle of wine to Daddy, “Help yourself to the wine and we’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “Are you really okay with the gift of your mom’s things? I know the timing had to be rough?”

  “I’m okay. It was sweet that he kept them accessible, especially her bracelet. I want to carry her bible at the wedding and wear her pearls. Do you realize that when they leave on Friday, we won’t see them again until we leave for Bora Bora?”

  “Do YOU realize how fast the weeks are going to fly? Wedding details are going to fill up that beautiful brain of yours.”

  “Other than finding the perfect dress, there isn’t that much to do with a destination wedding, which is perfect for us. Do you know how much I love you for the idea?”

  “How about I let you show me when we’re eating dessert tonight?”

  I barely took a step out of the bathroom when I felt his hand gently grab mine. When I turned back to him, I saw through the look in his eyes. I saw how much he desperately wanted me. I saw raw need. I saw love. I saw where I belonged forever, with him.

  I wanted him, too.

  The caterer arrived with dinner and Gretchen dove in to help while Daddy poured the wine. “Do you have any ideas about colors that you would like for the ceremony, dear?” Gretchen was really trying to be helpful.

  “They have a gallery of photos on the hotel’s website. The pale yellow and silver just resonates with me.”

  She handed me a Bride’s Magazine. “I thought you might enjoy looking through it. There’s also a Martha Stewart Weddings on the bar. It’s practically tradition to wear out a magazine or two making your choices, but look on the cover, they mention yellow as a hot trend.” She winked at me. We hugged, and her embrace felt so warm. I hadn’t experienced a motherly hug in so long, I missed that.

  “White roses, calla lilies, and lots of wispy ferns for the flowers, what do you think?” When I turned to look at her, she had a misty look in her eyes. She wiped at her eyes and nodded her head yes.

  Grayson came out of the shower and sported a sexy grin. Hmm, he had dessert on his mind. I shook my finger at him as a reminder to behave, otherwise he would be prematurely run my parents off.

  He joined my dad in the living room and I could hear their conversation about the Rockwall house. I detected a bit of sadness in Grayson’s voice about the house. It bothered me to hear him sad about the house, but it wasn’t the right house for us. At the table, there was a sense of comfort that I’d never experienced with my parents. It was heartwarming and I wanted them to know.

  “I’m enjoying having you both around, I think I could get used to this.”

  “Agreed.” Grayson toasted to our new family.

  We c
elebrated the upcoming changes to our lives. Our discussion was fun and lively as I contemplated working with my dad at his business remotely and decided that it might be doable. Dad convinced Grayson that I would be available to travel with him for conferences as well as be able to have a family and be at home when the time came. We agreed that working with my Dad at the Morrison Corporation was fitting to my degree and he even proposed my title as VP of Marketing. What was not to like?

  Yet my heart was in total pieces. Parson Medical Corporation had given me a fantastic opportunity, hiring me without any previous experience in medical device sales. Drew had been the best boss anyone could have. Sure, he was a number-pusher, but what national sales manager isn’t? It’s their top job description.

  PMC also stood by me when I fell at a business dinner and fractured my skull. I’ve received nothing but incredible leadership from them. Their continued support while I was off in physical therapy and my temporary move to Chicago had been immeasurable. Although I continued to set records as an employee even while working part time, they supported me every step of the way, going so far as to hire a clinical specialist to help support procedures with the physicians.

  They made a commitment to me and I made one to them, one I wasn’t certain I could break. I needed time to weigh my options carefully. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. “I love the idea of working with you, Dad, but this is a big decision that I can’t take lightly. PMC has been great to me. I owe them everything. I wouldn’t have met Grayson had it not been for Drew pushing me to go to his office just one more time.”

  “I understand, and wouldn’t want it any other way. We have until Christmas to give the buyers an answer. I love you, kiddo.” They finally left for the hotel.

  I thought I heard Grayson utter the word “dessert” under his breath. His hungry gaze caught my eye when I looked up to him. A look that stirred a deep longing in me. It was time for the second dessert of the evening and I couldn’t wait.

  He brought a gift sack into the kitchen and placed it on the island.

  “Strip out of your clothes,” he ordered.

  “Right here? Why?”

  “Yes. Because I asked you to.”

  I removed my clothes and tossed them to the hallway, praying the whole time that Cooper didn’t walk in on us.

  Grayson removed his with lightning speed.

  “What’s my present?”

  “Who said it was yours?” he laughed.

  “Uhm, okay, so you’re buying your own gifts these days?”

  “Smart ass, it’s our present, one I think both of us will like in different ways.”

  He helped me sit on the counter and teased me with the gift sack. I peeked inside and found chocolate body paint! Yes, there is a chocolate heaven somewhere!

  “Lie back, I want to paint you.”

  “Right here?” I giggled in surprise.

  “Yep. I’m serious.”

  “What if someone walks in?”

  “Then I’ll get us a couple of towels.”

  He heated the chocolate and started painting the warm creamy delicacy around my nipples and down my throat. He drew a heart around my naval, which left me covered in goose bumps. As he licked the chocolate from my body, teasing all my sensitive spots, I moaned in pleasure. With his hand cupping my sex, I bucked against him in delight, finding that special little place of paradise to land.

  “Baby, you can paint me anytime!"

  “I wish I had a mirror in here so that you could see how red your lips are and the beautiful blush in you cheeks. It’s hot! It turns me on, Red.”

  “Your turn,” I teased. I took the paintbrush and painted hearts and flower shapes on his body. I tormented him with the idea of taking his picture, but he threatened retaliation, so I changed my mind.

  He was my chocolate fantasy in every way.

  When we were done with playing with chocolate, we grabbed a quick shower and started watching a movie in bed. However, I was not done with playing around. I needed more of him.

  “Forget what the doctor said, make love to me.”

  “You have no patience, do you?”

  “And you do?”

  He eased me back on the mattress and slid his had up my gown. Before I knew it, my panties were tossed on the floor. I waited for him to take me over the edge, but he held out, teasing and tantalizing me. I decided to end the torture and reached up to stimulate my nipples when I caught him looking at me.

  “Oh, no you don’t,” he said as he took my hands and held them above my head. I was hovering on the edge of ecstasy and a torment of desire at the same time. “You have to be patient and take what I give you. Enjoy the wait!” He laughed a sexy, coarse laugh.

  Shuddering and full of tension, I demanded, “Stop teasing me, I can’t stand it!” I paused before begging, “Please.”

  He released my hands while he trailed kisses down my belly. When he reached my sex, I shuddered, knowing what was to come. Anticipation caused my body to tingle. I moaned, “Yes.”

  I had both hands plowing through his dark hair, keeping him in close contact with my body. It felt so good, I didn’t want him to stop. When he made one quick touch to my sensitive flesh, powerful surges rocked through my body. My climax was so strong, I screamed out his name. Waves of sensation crashed through me from the pleasure that only he could give.

  “Amazing!” I panted, my breath a distant thought. I melted into him as he held me, forehead to forehead. All my tension of the prior days escaped as he pleasured my body. If only I could feel him pulsing inside me.

  He pulled the covers around us as he hovered over me, propped up by his elbows. With his hands playfully tangled in my hair, his lips gently touched my cheeks, the pulse point on my neck, the hollow of my shoulder. He lifted his head back to see me eye-to-eye, “You weave a web of passion around my heart that is undeniable.”

  Chapter 5

  Fashion was not one of my strengths, so the search for finding the perfect bridal gown required friends. Thank goodness Monica, Cooper and Gretchen agreed to humor me for a day of wedding shopping. I valued their opinions more than my own.

  The shop owner gathered gowns that met my description of a body hugging dress with a small train. Nothing too fussy. She had them already hanging in the dressing area when we arrived at the boutique.

  “Where’s the stuff with ruffles?” Cooper teased.

  “Behave, or you’re going home. Don’t give him any ideas. No ruffles!” Everyone laughed at me.

  I didn’t want a big gown and certainly nothing with ruffles. I preferred something simple and sexy from silk or satin. After trying on a ton of gowns, I chose the Winnie Gown since it was simple and elegant, with a strapless, sweetheart neckline and covered with lots of lace, beading and crystals. More crystals circled the waist. The gown was form-fitting to my knees with a corset all the way down the back, gently flaring out to a court train.

  “That gown is very elegant, dear. Grayson will love you in it.”

  “I’m glad you’re here with me, Gretchen.” She embraced me tightly and for a moment, it felt like it used to when my mother’s arms were around me. I pulled away and wiped at my tears.

  “Hey, hair up or down?” I polled my audience.

  We all agreed that I should wear my hair up. Gretchen asked me about a veil and I didn’t think I wanted a veil, but she found the perfect one. As she placed it on me, all of a sudden, it felt like a fairy tale in the making. The veil was beautifully simple with a lace and pearl attachment for my hair, but completely plain until the very bottom where there was a tiny row of lace, ending just about a foot longer than my dress.

  “It’s beautiful, you were right. I love it, thank you!” I leaned down and kissed her cheek. She beamed and I could see her eyes were moist. “Thank you for standing in for my mom.”

  She took my hand, “Your mother would be so proud. You’re simply exquisite. Grayson may have a heart attack when he sees you for the first time. You’re stunning. Your dad is
going to be blown away as well. I’ll keep the details mum but I’m grateful you included me!” She wiped a tear away and I sensed that she felt like me--happy that we were coming together as a family.

  “Gretchen, we haven’t discussed it, but I wanted to make sure that Bethany and Kane joined us if they could. I want our whole family to be together. I’ll call them today. The hotel needs a room count by Saturday. And, I wanted Bethany to be my maid of honor.”

  “I spoke with them already and they’re coming. We don’t yet know about Bethany’s boyfriend, Zach, but other than that, I have the count for you. I’m grateful you’re pulling us together for a holiday, and a wedding. It means so much! I can’t speak for her, but I’m certain that she’ll be touched that you’re including her.” She touched my cheek and wiped my tears. I looked over at Monica and Cooper and they were crying, too.

  “Well, aren’t we just a sappy bunch?” I uttered between laughter. The others joined me through laughs and tears. I turned around on the dressing podium and faced them. Quietly, I looked at each of their faces and saw their joy. I felt the love that each one of them had for me and Grayson.

  “I love you all so much! Group hug?”

  “Don’t you dare jack up that dress! Go change and then you’ll get your group hug,” Cooper urged.

  “Cooper, do you always have to be a ball buster?” I asked while changing.

  “You know you love it, just admit it.”

  I stumbled out of the dressing room and landed right on top of Cooper, sitting on the couch.

  “I know that wasn’t intentional, but you couldn’t have planned that better. Now admit it, I’m waiting,” he teased.

  “Yes, you keep me in line. There, are you happy?”

  The group broke into laughter until we started crying again. I was still in Cooper’s lap, but I managed to get a group hug.