Do Over

by Mari Carr

  Troy claimed the chair by the bed, his legs sprawled out in front of him. “Tired?”

  Faith shook her head, and then reconsidered. “I’m not physically tired, no.”

  “Emotionally drained.” Troy spoke the words, his assessment a statement, rather than a question.

  “I guess that’s one way to describe it. When you suggested that we come to Carlysle this weekend, I jumped at the chance because I thought it would help me snap out of my depression. Give me a chance to figure out what I’m supposed to do with the rest of my life.”

  “And have you? Figured it out, I mean?”

  She pushed her upper body up, rested her weight on her elbows, so she could look at him as she spoke. “Actually, I think by coming here and spending this weekend with you, I realized there was never anything to figure out. Jackson and Jenna leaving didn’t mark the end our lives together. It’s freed us. Given us more time to explore all the options that got put on the back burner while we were raising them. You were the answer to the question twenty-five years ago and you’re still the answer. You’re my future. I’m not sure how I could have missed that.”

  “I like the sound of that. Like being your past, present and future.” He rose and stretched. “I think I’m going to hit the shower.”

  Faith sat up. “Alone?”

  He looked at her and grinned. “You got a better offer?”

  “I sort of like the idea of scrubbing your back.”

  Troy grasped her hand and pulled her up. “Yep. That’s a better offer. Come on.”

  They took turns undressing each other, the process made longer by the fact they kept stopping for long, wet, incredibly thorough kisses. Troy turned the hot water on high, the small room quickly filling with steam. Faith groaned out loud as the strong jets hit her sore muscles, and Troy chuckled.

  “Been getting quite a workout this weekend.”

  “I’m discovering muscles I never knew I had.” She bent down, reaching for the soap as Troy gave her a wicked grin, and then turned, offering her an up-close view of his tanned, muscular back.

  “Damn,” he said as she rubbed the lather into his skin. “When’s the last time we took a shower together?”

  Faith tried to remember, but couldn’t think of a single instance since the kids were little. “Years.”

  “You know, I’m thinking in an effort to support the Go Green movement, we should consider teaming up on our showers more often. Save water.”

  “Something tells me one hot shower together would last longer and waste more water than both of us going solo. Even so…” She pushed him until he turned, wrapping her arms around him to rinse the soap off his back. Dragging her tongue along his chest, she stopped when she hit the tight brown pucker of his nipple. “I do like the idea of showering together.”

  “Screw the environment, eh?”

  She chuckled. “Yeah, something like that.”

  Troy held her head in place against his chest for a moment as she covered his slick skin with kisses. Finally, he gently tugged her hair, pulling her head back. “Swap places with me,” he said, turning to push her under the jets. “I want to wash your hair.”

  Faith closed her eyes as the soothing motions of Troy’s hands working the shampoo into her hair turned her body to pure jelly. “That feels so good. So relaxing.”

  He rinsed her hair, and then repeated the process with the conditioner. Trading sides once more, he stood beneath the jets and Faith picked the soap back up. “Time for the front.” She ran her soapy hands down along his chest and arms until she reached his cock. Semi-erect when she started, after two quick swipes from root to head, she had it standing at full attention.

  Troy covered her hand with his, increasing the pressure and speed of her strokes. “Have to admit I’m glad to know the old boy is still capable of this kind of workout.”

  She giggled. “Worried about that, were you?”

  “Well, I am pushing middle age. Sort of nice to know my cock can go for more than one good kick a day.”

  He turned slightly so Faith could rinse off the suds before facing her once again, and she tightened her grip around his erection. “I’d say he’s kicking pretty good.”

  Before he could reply, she dropped to her knees and took him into her mouth.

  “Jesus,” Troy muttered as she engulfed his flesh, moving forward until the head of his cock brushed the back of her throat. She rubbed his cock, using her hand and her mouth to drive him to the brink, but he surprised her by taking her face in his grip and pulling her away.

  “Not this time. Stand up.”

  Troy gave her a determined, sexy look she immediately responded to. But before she could ask him his plans, he turned, pushing her under the showerhead, facing the wall. The powerful, hot jets of water sluiced down her back as Troy guided her into the position he wanted—pushing her shoulders lower, pulling her ass toward him.

  “What do you say to a quickie?”

  She looked over her shoulder and grinned. “Go for it.”

  Troy pushed into her oh-so ready and willing pussy, slamming to the hilt in one thrust. With a firm grip on her hips, he pulled her toward him as he shoved forward. She used her hands on the wall to brace herself against his intense, but incredible assault. After less than a dozen strokes, she felt her climax begin. Troy joined her, both of them crying out their release as he filled her with his come.

  They remained motionless under the water for a few moments, both of them struggling to regain enough strength to move. Finally, Troy pulled out and used a washcloth to wipe away his seed from between her legs.

  “Amazing,” she whispered and he grinned.

  “Always.”

  Turning off the water, they retreated from the shower, taking turns drying each other and then Faith followed Troy, both of them wrapped in the soft white towels provided by the hotel.

  “Nap time?” she asked, glancing at the very welcoming bed.

  He shook his head. “Wish we could, sweetheart. No time.”

  She thought she should feel exhausted after their heated interlude, but he’d spoiled her with surprises and she couldn’t wait to see what he had planned next.

  Walking to the closet, Troy pulled out two garment bags she hadn’t noticed hanging there the previous night.

  “What are those?”

  “Our clothes for the evening.”

  She smiled when he laid them across the bed. Unzipping the first one, he grabbed the hanger and lifted out a tuxedo.

  “Oh my,” she said, dying to see her casual, never-out-of-jeans husband in the fancy suit.

  “Hello, James Bond.”

  He acknowledged her joke with a grin, and then laid the tuxedo aside, opening the second bag. “And for you.” He revealed a beautiful white dress and for a moment, Faith thought her eyes were playing tricks on her.

  “My wedding dress, but it, I mean—?”

  “I smuggled it out from under our bed about a month ago.”

  Faith was touched by her husband’s thoughtfulness, but in this instance, his plan had a serious flaw. “Troy. I hate to say this, but there’s no way that dress is going to fit me anymore. I mean that was two kids and at least four dress sizes ago.” While she liked to think she wasn’t exactly fat, she also wasn’t the size eight her husband had married all those years ago either.

  “Your mother altered it.”

  His answer caught her unaware. “She did?”

  He grinned like the cat that ate the canary and she could tell he was very pleased with this particular surprise. “Yep. I also stole that pretty blue dress you wore to the company Christmas party last December and she used that to help her size it correctly.”

  “I’m a little concerned with this new thievery tendency of yours.” Her joke was a weak attempt at stalling as her gaze drifted to the gown again and she chewed on her lower lip.

  “It’ll fit just fine, Faith.”

  She twisted her lips in a rueful grin. “I’m sure it will. I’m j
ust sort of sorry my mom had to resize it. Guess it brings home the fact I’ve let myself go over the years.”

  Troy narrowed his eyes. “You are not allowed to launch into any bullshit about gaining weight. You’re gorgeous. Prettier now than you were when I married you and a hell of a lot sexier. Now drop that towel and put on the dress. I can’t wait to see you in it again.”

  She laughed, loving his laying-down-the-law voice. He thought she was gorgeous…and sexy. She certainly wasn’t going to argue with that. Taking the towel off, she reached for the dress, her pulse racing at the thought of trying it on. There was a small part of her that was dying to put it on again after all these years, just to see how it looked.

  She’d lovingly had it preserved and then stored it under their bed, waiting for the day Jenna decided to marry. Who knew if her daughter would want to wear it? Given the old-fashioned style, she doubted it, but regardless of that, she looked forward to the day Jenna would say yes to some young man and she would let her daughter try it on to decide.

  Putting the silky material over her head, she turned so that Troy could fasten up the row of buttons along the back. She smiled to herself recalling him unfastening these same buttons the night of their honeymoon. His fingers, so deft now, had trembled slightly the first night they’d spent together as a married couple.

  She turned as he finished, blushing at his wholly male, fully appreciative stare. “Faith,” he said, his voice husky and filled with emotion. Her stomach flip-flopped when she realized he was speechless…just looking at her. She’d expected to feel fatter, older as she put on the dress, but instead, his gaze made her feel like the most beautiful woman on earth.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He looked up at her face and shook his head. “Why don’t you take the bathroom to finish getting ready? I’ll throw on this suit out here. If we don’t get a little distance between us right now, we’re never going to make it to tonight’s grand feature surprise. I want you, Faith. So much.”

  His face proved the validity of his words and she could see he was working hard to restrain himself.

  “I won’t be a minute,” she said, giving him the space to pull himself together. She’d messed up his schedule last night in regards to the church social, and while she didn’t regret that, she also didn’t want to ruin any more of his lovely plans.

  “How are we doing on time?” she asked as she headed to the bathroom.

  “We have enough. Do what you need to do.”

  Taking him at his word, she took her time fixing her hair and applying makeup. She suddenly wanted to be worthy of his appreciative glances.

  Walking back into the bedroom, she sucked in an amazed breath when she caught sight of Troy in his tuxedo.

  “Wow,” she said on a sigh.

  He raised his eyebrows and flexed his muscles. “Still know how to fill out the old monkey suit.”

  She laughed. “You look totally hot. Like I want to rip-off-that-suit-and-ride-you-all-night-long hot.”

  Troy groaned, his eyes darkening with desire. “Damn, baby. I just managed to pull myself together after seeing you in that dress. Hold that thought because I’m going to take you up on it later.”

  The image of him in his tuxedo sent her straight to Stupidville and all she could think about was stripping the sexy suit off him, one piece at a time. “Why later?”

  He glanced at his watch. “Because we’re late.”

  His words quickly reminded her he had plans. “For what?” She hoped he’d slip up and answer.

  He grinned, not fooled by her attempt to ferret out the secret. Placing his hand on her back, he steered her toward the door. “For your next surprise and your next letter.”

  Faith,

  My memories of our wedding day are sort of spotty after all this time. I find that rather than recalling every moment, the day comes back to me in scenes. When I think of that day, there are three things in particular, that stand out in my mind.

  First, I remember how I felt before the ceremony. I was a nervous wreck. My mouth was completely bone dry. I ended up getting to the church, fully dressed in my tuxedo way too early. The damn suit didn’t have any pockets in it and I didn’t have my wallet. I had to borrow a dollar from my mother so I could walk across the street in my monkey suit to buy a soda. I remember thinking here I am getting married and my mother’s rifling through her purse like she did whenever I needed lunch money for school. I felt very much like a little boy playing dress-up and for a minute I wondered what the hell I was doing there.

  That feeling of fear and uncertainty disappeared the moment you appeared at the end of the aisle in the pretty white dress your mother made for you. You were standing on your father’s arm and you looked so peaceful, so serene. All my nerves left me and I was overcome by a feeling of rightness. I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.

  Finally, I remember our first dance. We’d selected Billy Joel’s “You’re My Home” as our song and I think the lyrics describe our life together perfectly. I’ve always been a shitty dancer— I’m sure prom proved that to you—and of all the things I worried about in regards to that day, dancing in front of all our friends and family was the thing I dreaded the most. I felt self-conscious and ridiculous walking out in front of everyone. When the deejay started playing our song, you walked toward me and smiled. You knew I was uncomfortable. You stood on tiptoe and kissed me. Just a quick, soft kiss and you whispered, “Just you and me.”

  And with those few words, you made the rest of the world disappear. Since that moment, it’s always been just you and me. And, Faith, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Love you,

  Troy

  Chapter Seven

  Troy pulled into the parking lot of the fire hall where they’d celebrated their wedding reception and turned off the truck.

  “Here we are. Next stop.”

  Faith closed the photo album and bent forward, kissing him softly. “Troy.” Her voice broke as she said his name, the emotions of the weekend catching up to her as she looked into the eyes of the love of her life, tears welling on her lashes.

  “Shh.” He placed a finger against her lips. “One last surprise.”

  Her light chuckle quickly turned into a happy sob and he tipped her face up with a finger under her chin. “Faith,” he whispered, concern written on his face.

  “I’m okay. Just a blubbering mess. I must look like hell. So much for my makeup.”

  He rubbed his nose against hers. “You look beautiful. Bit soggy, but beautiful.”

  She laughed at his joke.

  “Come on,” he said. “We may as well get this over with and let the waterworks really commence.”

  She was confused by his comment, but he didn’t give her a chance to question him as he helped her out of the truck and led her into the large banquet hall.

  As they walked in, she was assaulted by loud yells of “Surprise!”

  She blinked several times, her mind struggling to process everything she was seeing all at once. Unfortunately, her thoughts never made it beyond the fact that her two kids were standing at the front of the crowd dressed in their Sunday finest and smiling broadly.

  “Jackson? Jenna?” She took two steps toward them. “Why aren’t you two at school?”

  Laughter rocked the room at her question and she heard her cousin, Rodney, yell out, “Uh oh. You kids are in trouble now.”

  “Mom.” Jenna rolled her eyes as she spoke. “We’re here to surprise you. Happy anniversary.” Her daughter rushed forward, embracing her, and Faith suddenly understood Troy’s comment about the waterworks.

  Tears streamed down her face as Jackson hugged her next. “Happy anniversary, Mom. You and Dad sure do make marriage look easy. I figure the next twenty-five should be a breeze considering you won’t have me and Jenna to deal with anymore. Jenna especially, since I was such a model child.”

  She laughed at her son’s comment. As soon as Jackson released her, she found hersel
f receiving hugs and well wishes from her mother, her father-in-law, her aunts, uncles and cousins. As more and more people offered their congratulations, she began to wonder if Troy had invited the entire town.

  Throughout it all, Faith laughed and cried and wondered if she’d ever received a more beautiful gift than this weekend. Finally, the crowd dispersed as everyone sat down at the tables surrounding the dance floor and for the first time, Faith could really see the room. It looked exactly as it had the day of her wedding reception. Her mother was standing beside her, beaming.

  “How’s your sciatica?”

  Deborah gave her a guilty grin. “Needed to find a way for you to open the front door.”

  “You had a big hand in all of this, didn’t you, Mom?”

  Deborah shrugged and shook her head. “The whole thing was Troy’s idea, but I won’t say I wasn’t pleased to be included in the execution of a few things.”

  “I couldn’t have done any of it without her,” Troy said, stepping up to them, placing a kiss on her mother’s cheek. “She’s a peach.”

  Her mom swatted Troy on the arm with a pleased look.

  “The picnic at our old house on Anders Street was wonderful and this place,” Faith gestured to the fire hall, “it looks incredible. And my dress. Thank you.”

  Turning, her mother grasped her hands. “You look lovely in that dress, dear. Have you had a good time this weekend?”

  “The best time of my life.”

  “Well, it’s not over yet.” Troy took her arm and led her to the middle of the dance floor, surprising her by dropping down on one knee. The room fell silent and Faith felt her heart race at the image of Troy’s handsome face looking up at her as if she were the only person on the planet.

  “Twenty-five years ago, I asked you to be my wife and you said yes. Faith, no man’s ever had a more wonderful life than me and well, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to do it all over. What do you say we get hitched…again?”

  Faith laughed through the tears streaming down her face. Nodding, she said, “Okay, that sounds like fun.”

  The crowd cheered at his proposal and her response. As Troy rose, he gestured toward a hallway off the back of the room that led to the fire hall’s kitchen and restrooms. From the door, Faith gasped as the minister who married them came out followed by their original wedding party.