Coastal Tides

by Sue Bee

  Chapter 1

  Emily Matthews wasn’t sure if she wanted to attend the big famous O’Leary family BBQ as she just had experienced a bad breakup. She decided to accompany her best friend Renata. The yard was packed with the residents of the small Maine town of St. John’s. Renata left her alone to mingle, so Emily decided to go down by the lake where she was joined by a very handsome dark haired man.

  He greeted: “Hi, thanks for coming. I’m Ethan O’Leary, the host’s son. And who would you be?” She turned to him and said: “I’m Emily Matthews, nice crowd.”

  He replied: “Yeah, people seem to look forward to the O’Leary BBQ.” She stated: “This is my first time. I wasn’t sure if I should come but I’m glad I did. It seems to be just what I needed.” Ethan suggested they take a walk, as they walked they held hands.

  They spent the rest of the barbecue together talking and flirting. When it was time for the highlight of the party, the firework show, Ethan stood behind Emily with his hands around her waist. After one spectacular firework burst Emily remarked: “Wasn’t that the most beautiful thing you ever saw?” She turned to find him looking at her as he said: “It was, but not as beautiful as you.” He bent his head down and kissed her deeply. It was the most amazing kiss she ever experienced.

  Before she headed home they kissed some more by her car and made plans to get together the next night. All night they relived their afternoon together and she realized she had forgotten all about her ex. She was glad she went to that Barbecue.

  Chapter 2

  The night after they met at his family’s BBQ, Emily Matthews and Ethan O’Leary went on their first date.

  When he picked her up at her house he greeted her with a kiss.

  At the Lakeside Restaurant Blue Lobster, he held her chair out, no one had ever done this for her before. After they ordered the restaurants famous Lobster Roll and Fries dinner he took her one hand and made a toast with the white wine he had ordered: “To the first of many romantic dates for us Em.”

  They clicked glasses as she said “I’ll drink to that.”

  He asked: “Why were you so unsure about coming to the barbecue yesterday? I’m glad you did.” She answered: “I’m glad I did too. It’s a long story that I’ll share with you soon but not on our first date. The gist of it is I had just escaped from my abusive boyfriend Cal Knox.” Ethan took her hand into hi and said: “Thank God you escaped. What kind of monster puts his hands on a woman?”

  Emily squeezed his hand and answered “I’m lucky to be alive. I thought he was going to kill me after that last beating. I knew if I didn’t leave the next time he hit me he wouldn’t stop and I’d be dead. He saw his father beat his mother regularly and thought that’s how you treated a woman. But I don’t want to talk about him now. I want to concentrate on us and our first date. I promise I’ll tell you soon everything.”

  Over dinner they talked and locked eyes neither wanting the evening to end since they felt a strong connection with the other person. After he drove her home they lingered in his car in front of her house making out. Finally she pulled away and said “We better stop. I know when the time is right we’ll make love and the wait will be worth it.” He smiled and said: “I want our first time to be special and not in a car like teenagers.”

  They held hands as he walked her to the door and then they kissed for as long as possible under the starlit sky.

  When she reluctantly went in, she leaned against the closed door and smiled, realizing she felt happy which is something she never thought she’d feel again after Cal.

  Chapter 3

  As Emily Matthews cuddled on her couch with her new guy Ethan O’Leary she felt safe and protected. She decided to tell him about her abusive ex Cal. Ethan listened as she talked.

  “When Cal and I first met, he was sweet and charming. One night we were heavily making out and he began to stick his tongue down my throat. I told him to stop but he kept doing it. I pulled away and suggested he leave, that was when he hit me the first time, a hard slap across the face. He called me ‘a tease’ and said I ‘wanted this as much as he did.’ He threw me hard down on the couch and sexually assaulted me. When it was over he got up as if nothing had happened and left me crying on the couch. I accepted his apology because I felt it was my fault for leading him on. The abuse soon became a daily thing and there was nothing that he didn’t do to me, except killing me. He threw me down stairs, against the wall, tried to drown me in the tub and the pool, tied me to the bed so he could abuse me anytime he wanted, kicked me with shoes on while I was on the floor, tried to run me over with a car, and even pushed me out of a moving car. I felt I couldn’t leave because he threatened to kill me if I dared to try. The last time he beat me I thought he was finally going to kill me and I kept hoping he would, it was the worst beating I ever got. I knew I had to leave or else I would be dead soon. When he left the house I packed and went to Renatas.”

  Ethan asked: “Why didn’t you ever had him arrested?” She answered: “I don’t know. I guess I just wanted to forget him.” Ethan held her closer and kissed her head saying: “I won’t let him hurt you again. I promise.” She answered turning her face to face him: “I know. I feel so safe and protected by you. You’re more of a man than he could ever hope to be.”

  Chapter 4

  After a romantic date Emily Matthews and Ethan O’Leary knew the time was right to become lovers. She led him to her room where they kissed against the bedroom door. He asked: “Are you sure?” “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. I’ve wanted you since the night we met.”

  He picked her up and carried her to the bed. He left to light the candles she had in her room.

  They slowly undressed each other and then fell onto the bed.

  He slowly began exploring her body leading up to a spectacular conclusion. As she laid with her head on his sweaty chest she said: “Wow, that was the most amazing sex I ever had. It feels so right lying in your arms, like we’re meant to be.” Ethan responded: “I never felt so satisfied in my life. I feel too that we are meant to be. I never felt for anyone what I feel for you Em.”

  Emily kissed his strong chest and replied: “I never gave any other lover all of me, I always held back but not with you.” They deeply kissed before he said: “You were right after our first date baby, the wait to make love for the first time was worth it.”

  She went atop him and explored his sexy body as slowly as he did hers. When it was over they cuddled and talked. All night they alternated making love and cuddling.

  Chapter 5

  Ethan O’Leary and Emily Matthews were walking in the Mall so she could find a gift for his parents to bring to dinner that night, when they encountered her abusive ex Cal Knox.

  They tried to sidestep him but he blocked their way. She said: “Get out of our way Cal, I have nothing to say to you.” Cal eyed Ethan and said: “This is your latest lover, bitch? You really can’t be without a man.”

  Ethan proclaimed: “Watch how you talk to the lady.” Cal laughed: “What Lady? I don’t see a lady, just a pathetic excuse for a woman.”

  Ethan raised his fist to Cal but Emily stopped him saying: “No Ethan, he’s not worth it. He’s worth nothing to me anymore.”

  Cal remarked: “Smart move.“ Ethan grabbed Cal by the collar and raised him up stating: “Stay away from Emily or you’ll have to deal with me and I promise you that’s trouble you don’t want.”

  Cal laughed and baited: “You must be desperate to sleep with this no good bitch. Good luck.”

  Ethan whispered: “If you go near Emily again, you’re the one who going to need luck.”

  Cal turned to Emily and said: “Go to hell bitch, you are so weak you need a man to defend your honour.” She replied: “I was already in hell with
you but I got out and am now in heaven with Ethan.”

  Ethan placed Cal back on the ground and Emily and him walked away. He asked “Are you okay?” to which she replied: “Yeah, I am with you by my side. He can’t hurt me anymore.”

  They deeply kissed before going on their way.

  Chapter 6

  Emily Matthews was nervous about meeting her lover Ethan O’Leary’s parents. She had met them the day of the BBQ where she met Ethan but this would be her first sit down with them.

  Ethan assured her: “They are going to love you.” She whispered back: “I hope so.”

  Kate and Sean O’Leary hugged her and made her feel at home. Emily insisted on helping Kate with dinner. Kate told her: “I’ve never seen my son so happy. You are good for him I can tell.” From the living room Ethan shouted: “ I’ve never been happier Mom.”

  Emily smiled: “Your son has made me happier than I ever thought I could be.” During their dinner of Parmesan crusted Chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans Ethan and Emily held hands under the table.

  The O’Leary’s loved the Coastal painting she bought them at the Mall and the Key Lime Tart she made for dessert. They made her feel welcome and part of the family. His older brothers Ryan and Patrick were also there, she liked them and how they playfully teased each other.

  After dinner they went for a hand held walk and he said: “I knew my family would love you.” She replied: “I love them too.” They stopped and face one another locking hands. Ethan confessed: “I love you so much Emily. I never loved anyone like this. I feel you are my soulmate.” They kissed and she whispered: “I love you too Ethan. I’m happier and more in love than I ever imagined I would be. I thought this kind of happiness and love were just for other people, until I met you.”

  They stood kissing. They are eager to see what the future would hold for them and know they will get through anything life throws at them together.

  Chapter 7

  One night while sleeping in her boyfriend Ethans arms, Emily tossed and turned with a nightmare. She dreamed of her abusive ex boyfriend Cal and how he was punching her over and over again. Then he put his hands tightly around her throat and began squeezing. He kept squeezing until she stopped breathing. She jumped up and held her throat.

  Ethan woke up and put his arms around her cooing: “It’s okay baby. You’re safe. What happened?”

  She began to cry as she said: “I just had a very realistic nightmare about Cal.” He held her closer and said: “Want to talk about it?” She nodded and began to speak: “He was beating me pretty badly before strangling me to death. It felt so real. I’m glad I left when I did or the dream would’ve come true. I have no doubt about that, he’s surely capable of it. I’ve never had such a realistic dream. It felt so real, I could feel every punch and his hands around my throat.”

  She turned and hugged Ethan, felt safe and protected in his strong muscular arms. He better her dark hair and said: “It’s okay baby. He can’t hurt you anymore. I promise you that.” She pulled back and looked into his brown eyes and said: “I know but when he gets angry there’s no stopping him.” Ethan kissed her full lips hard and said: “Then I’ll call on my brothers for back up. You are an honorary member of the O’Leary family and our motto is: ‘mess with one O’Leary, deal with them all.’” Emily replied: “That’s good to know. I appreciate that. Can you hold me?”

  Ethan held her as close as he could making her feel safe. Eventually she fell asleep and as he watched her sleep he swore to himself that if Cal Knox ever bothered Emily again Ethan will teach him a lesson he won’t forget. By the time he is done with him, Cal will never go near Emily again. He finds men who abuse women to be cowards. He stroked her long dark hair as he pushed his own brown hair away from his brown eyes. There is nothing he won’t do for the woman he loves.

  Chapter 8

  Emily Matthews was expecting her boyfriend Ethan O’Leary, so when the knock came on the door, she opened it with a smile but it wasn’t Ethan. It was her ex Cal Knox!

  She tried to close the door on him but he blocked it and barged in. She said: “I have nothing to say to you.” He turned around so she had to look into his dark eyes and said: “Well then just listen, you good for nothing bitch. How long did it take for you to spread your legs for your new lover? I suspect not long since you’re a tramp. Knowing you were probably screwing him while we were together.”

  Emily yelled: “I wasn’t! But even if I was, what do you care? And you should know about tramps since you’re sleeping with one now.” His dark eyes filled with a rage she never saw before, as he violently threw her against the wall. He said: “Any tramp I sleep with is more of a woman than you could ever hope to be.”

  She countered: “Of course she is, since they service pathetic excuses for a man like you.“ Just as he was about to hit her, Ethan barged in and got Cal off her. Ethan had thrown him by his dark hair down to the floor. Emily went running to Ethan as he held her.

  She called 911 as Ethan kept Cal on the ground, kicking him hard every so often. As they arrested Cal, Emily gave her statement and glared into his blank dark eyes.

  Ethan said after everyone left: “It’s finally over. He’ll never hurt you again.” She kissed his full lips and said: “Thank God you got here when you did.” He replied:

  “I heard the yelling when I got to the door so I busted in.”

  Emily kissed him: “My hero.”

  Chapter 9

  During another O’Leary BBQ, Ethan squired Emily away as she was talking to his brothers Ryan, a dark haired blue eyed handsome man, and Patrick, a hazel eyed dark hair man.

  They went off to a secluded spot, the spot where they shared their first kiss on the 4th of July. They stood facing each other, holding hands. Ethan stared into her brown eyes and said: “I love you so much Emily. From the night we met I knew you were my soul mate. I can’t imagine life without you in it. I want to see you before I go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning. I know it seems like we just met but I feel I’ve known you forever. Will you marry me?”

  Emily started to cry: “I love you too Ethan. I felt a strong connection to you as soon as I met you. I never felt what I feel for you for anyone else. You are the love of my life. I can’t imagine life without you either. Yes Ethan! I will marry you.”

  They kissed before Ethan placed the 2 Caret Gold ring on her finger.

  She said: “Oh Ethan, it’s beautiful.” Ethan replied: “It’s beauty is only outshone by the woman wearing it.” They kissed before heading to tell his family the news.

  Ethans mother Kate hugged her and Emily laid her hands on Kates red hair. Kate insisted they would get married at the O’Leary house.

  Ethan and Emily can’t wait to be married.

  Chapter 10

  When Emily arrived at the courthouse to testify against her abusive ex Cal, she was surprised to see her fiancees parents there. Sarah O’Leary stated: “You are one of us and we O’Leary’s always support one another.”

  When she was getting sworn in she noticed Cal trying to intimidate her but she wouldn’t let him. She concentrated on her lover Ethan when she was asked:

  “Tell me about this incident.” Emily began: “I was home waiting for my boyfriend to come and Cal showed up at my door and barged in. We began to argue and he began hitting me. As I always did I tried to fight back but the more I did, the more violent he got. He threw me onto the floor and began undoing my clothes when Ethan came in and got him off me. I knew Ethan saved my life for I knew that if Ethan hadn’t come I would’ve been killed.” The DA asked: “So he’s hit you before?”

  Emily breathed in deeply and responded: “Yes.” He demanded: “Tell us about that.” Her gaze went to Ethan and she began once more: “At first Cal was kind then one night during sex he put his tongue down my throat which I didn’t like so I told him to stop. He hit me and said I wanted it as much as he does and called me a tease before forcing himself on me. After that it became a daily event which I
felt I deserved. I tried to leave several times but he always caught me and severely punished me.

  There wasn’t anything he didn’t do to me, threw me against the wall and down stairs, tried to drown me in a pool or the tub. He’d tie me to the bed so he could abuse me whenever he wanted. And he even pushed me out of a moving car. After the last beating I knew I had to leave before he killed me. I was afraid he would find me and finish the job but he never did. He nearly did the last time he got his hands on me.”

  After a recess at a non Jury trial, the judge found Cal guilty and sentenced him to the maximum. In the hall way she was confronted by Cals parents. His mother cursed:

  “How dare you lie up there about what my son did. You know he never did those things to you.” Emily said: “He sure did! This is partly your fault.” His mother asked: “How is this my fault?” to which Emily replied: “He saw your husband beat you every day and you never bothered to tell him a man should never hit a woman so he thought that is how you should treat a woman.”

  Cals mother said: “How dare you to blame me.” Emily refused to engage her any further and said to Ethan: “Let’s get out of here. I’m putting this behind me and get on with my life with you.”

  Ethan and Emily walked out of the courthouse arm in arm putting her past with Cal in the rear-view mirror.

  Chapter 11

  After months of waiting Ethan O’Leary and Emily Matthews wedding day finally came. As she got ready, her future Mother in Law Sarah came in.

  She said: “You look so beautiful. I love that spaghetti strap dress on you, it’s a perfect fit. You look like a princess. Thank you for making my son so happy.”

  Emily replied: “I feel like a princess waiting to marry her prince. Your son makes me as happy as I hopefully make him.“ Sarah hugged her and said: