Unaware of my thoughts, he smirks sexily. “I’ll have you know, I can be very demanding, Nurse Stone,” he sniggers.
I drop my right hand by the bed, concealing my precious new ring. “I do hope so, Mr. Stone,” I state, feeling something maternal stirring inside me. “I plan on being around for a very long time; for ever in fact.”
27
Ayden appears from the lift and comes bounding across our rooftop terrace like a man returning home from battle. The make-believe metal encasing his Sir Lancelot costume is rattling as he walks, adding to his comedic performance; my husband has been reborn with a joie de vivre that even I could never have imagined. He’s making me giggle, and so powerful is his presence I am bowled over by it. The light-hearted ambiance is set against the incongruent backdrop of a Latin beat. Pink Martini plays Let's Never Stop Falling in Love, proclaiming our joy for all to hear.
Ayden takes my hands and I am swirling; a Star Wars princess all dressed in white, wrapped up in the arms of the only man she has ever loved. That’s me.
The music dies. Exhausted I fall backwards onto the sofa bed, my view of the sky obscured by my knight in shining armour, no less noble for his impending state of undress.
“I thought they’d never leave. I can’t wait to get this stuff off.” Ayden’s fiddling with buckles and creating an untidy pile of bits and pieces; letting them fall noisily by his feet.
“Do you need any help?” I ask, amusement glistening I my eyes.
“No. You just lie back, birthday girl and sip your water. Give me a minute… I’ll be right with you.” He gives me a playful wink and continues to disrobe punctuating, his mediaeval striptease with profanities.
I use the time to unclip my hair; the Princess Leia buns I fashioned for my birthday party seem superfluous now, but better a white robe than a leather bodice and Bat Girl boots … hardly suitable attire for a mother to be.
He flops down next to me, dressed in what amounts to an undergarment made of chainmail. It clings to his muscular frame and I can’t help but leer; his chest is heaving and his biceps are flexing.
He catches me looking. “I know I look ridiculous but I’d rather be here looking like this than another minute away from you getting changed. I’ve had to share you with everyone tonight.” He slides his arm across my shoulders.
I fold into him, avoiding the herringbone pattern of the material that stretches all the way up to his chin. “Thanks for the birthday party. This house has never been so full of people and music.“ I brush back a curl from his forehead and stroke the small scar on his right cheek … that perfect imperfection I love so much. “I know you’re not one for dressing up.”
He sniggers. “At least I looked half decent. What was Jake thinking coming as Superman?”
My head rocks on his chest as he chuckles, forcing me to place my hand upon it to steady myself. Wanting to see him in this gloriously happy state, I arch my body away from his and rest my chin on my palm. “It was a little obscene, wasn’t it? There aren’t many men who can pull off a look like that.”
“Well, I think we’ve established that Jake isn’t one of them.” He laughs loudly and pulls the material from his throat after almost choking.
Our happiness rings out into the night and I fall backwards laughing, recalling Jake dancing with Charlie. What good friends they have become.
Still harbouring a gleeful expression he turns to face me; I sense his eyes on me and feel his forefinger following the line of my nose, my lips, my chin. Turning to meet his adoring gaze I ask, “After all this time, are you still assessing me, Mr. Stone?”
He’s shaking his head and holding me spellbound with a shimmering stare. “No. Always enjoying, Mrs. Stone, especially now you’re beginning to blossom.” He kisses my cheek and places his right hand on my stomach. “All that we’ve been through has brought us to this point, Beth. I can’t recall a time when I was ever this happy.”
“Me either. We’re the luckiest people in the world, Ayden.” Enjoying the intimacy, I weave my fingers through his hair. “Once we meet your mother tomorrow and are introduced to your extended family we’ll have everything we’ve ever wanted.”
Softly he kisses my nose. “What a wonder you are, Beth. You never did tell me how you found her.”
“I told you; through a good friend.” I turn from him, ending the conversation, and look skyward at the brightest star directly above my head. “We need never wish for anything more.”
His grip tightens on my shoulder. “This is true.”
From out of the midnight sky appears a streak of light. “Look, Ayden. A shooting star! Maybe you get to make a wish, after all.”
His mouth closes to a slant. “No need. I have everything I want, darling.”
Special thanks you go to my awesome TouchStone family for helping to make this dream become a reality. They have been my best friends, Beta readers and a constant source of encouragement and support. Love you guys, Paula, Jenn, Julie and Steph.
Songs featured in the soundtrack to TouchStone for play,
TouchStone for giving and TouchStone for ever will be
available as a CD. They are the perfect accompaniment to
The Story of Us ….
Twitter: @SydneyJamesson,
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TouchStone for ever (The Story of Us Trilogy) Page 36