To Mend a Broken Heart

by K. A. Hobbs

  I rush over to the wardrobe, throwing on the first things my hands touch before going into the bathroom and pulling my hair back. I run downstairs and pick up my car keys and phone and leave the house. The drive over is agonising, I regret how I acted, causing the heartbreaking look on Daniel's face. I will make this right again. When I arrive outside his house there are lights on, so I know he’s awake, I know he can't sleep either. I step out into the cold night and walk to his front door. He has one of those big brass knockers on his front door, the kind that in the dead of night you can hear miles away. I don’t want to wake anyone so I pull out my phone and send him a text.

  Me: I’m outside. X

  It's so quiet I can hear the beep of his phone from outside, he must be in the lounge. Ten seconds later I see him through the frosted part of the glass. When he opens the door, I don't wait to be asked in, I throw myself into his arms, pull his face down to mine and kiss him. I kiss him to try and explain what happened and I kiss him to show him that I love him as much as he loves me and that I'm sorry. When we eventually pull apart, his face is wet and his eyes are red and dark.

  “I am so sorry, Daniel.”

  “You don't have to be sorry. You were right, I don't understand how you feel. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose you. But I feel like I came pretty close to it tonight, at least in my mind I did. Did I Katie? Did I almost lose you tonight?” he whispers.

  “No, no. You never lost me. I promise you. I've spent the whole night reliving tonight, remembering. And it was all good. Everything I remember.”

  He pulls me to him again and picks me up. Walking us into the lounge and sitting on the sofa. I sit there, wrapped up in Daniel. I can feel his heart beating through his clothes and then I see them.

  “Oh, Daniel.”

  Sitting around the floor are Poppy’s things. The things he kept, a white dress covered in deep red poppies that he told me she wore on her sixth birthday, right before she got poorly. Her favourite teddy, a brown old fashioned looking bear with a red bow around its neck. Her first little pair of booties and a baby grow. Both so tiny I can't believe anyone was ever so small as to fit inside them.

  “I needed to be close to one of you. And neither of you were here.”

  “I should have been.”

  “You should always be here, Katie. But only if that’s what you want,” he sighs and pulls me tighter, “I want you with me all the time, but I won't make you stay. If life has taught me anything it's that it doesn't matter how much we want something, how much we want someone to stay, it's out of our control. You can only do so much, our fate does not lie in our hands, we can merely make choices and decisions but ultimately we don't get to choose. I know this because neither of us would have chosen this path for each other. If we had a choice, my little girl would be here and so would Richard.”

  “But they aren't. And my choice is you, Daniel. My choice is you.” I sit up and look at him.

  “And my choice is you and will always be you.”

  “I just got.. Overwhelmed, with every thing tonight. I've only ever been with two men my whole life Daniel and one of them is you. You know who the other is. So when we were together like that, I didn’t know how to deal with it. I’ve known for a long time I have feelings for you, more than feelings, that I love you. But tonight, tonight I realised I couldn’t be with you and remain where I am now.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I have to move on, Daniel. I have accept that my life isn’t Richard anymore. That Richard isn’t here and he is not coming back. That you are my now, you are my future.”

  He closes his eyes and takes a shuddery breath, like my words are effecting him deeply, as deeply as his words effect me. He sits very still for a long time, his eyes closed. I just watch him, his face so calm and beautiful. So strong and brave. He is everything I will ever need or want. With Daniel by my side, I know I can face anything. I know I can be strong and have the courage to keep on living.

  “Tonight has been both, one of the best nights of my life and one of my worst,” he opens his eyes and looks at me, “I got a taste of what life could be like with you tonight, Katie. And then I had it taken away. I came back here and the house was empty, lonely, like it was before I met you. I came home and sat on the sofa and looked at Poppy’s handprints,”

  We both look over to the fireplace then, we both focus our attention on the most beautiful wall art either of us have ever seen.

  “I knew then, if you didn’t want to be with me, I would spend the rest of my life alone. There has only ever been one other person in my life I have loved as fiercely and completely as I love Poppy,” he brings his hands up to my face and holds me, he brings our eyes level and opens his mouth to speak, “That is you.”

  I don’t know what to say. There are no words that can come close to what Daniel has just told me. None at all. So I lean forward and press our lips together. I cling to him like he clings to me. When he stands and carries me to his bedroom, a room I’ve been in so many times but never like this, my heart begins to race. He lays me down on the bed and switches on the bedside light.

  “Katie, I just want to sleep. I want to go to sleep with you in my bed and wake up with you there too.”

  “It sounds like heaven to me.” I smile.

  “I’m so glad you agree.” he smiles back.

  I stand and walk over to him, stopping when I’m right in front of him. I reach a hand out bringing it to rest in the very centre of his chest. I lean forward and onto my tiptoes and press a kiss to his jaw. I love his jaw, so strong and covered in a little stubble from the day. My mind races with thoughts of how it feels on my neck and breasts then hovers over a thought of what it would feel like between my thighs.

  “You’re shaking.” he whispers, putting his hand over mine.

  “I suddenly feel nervous.”

  “There is no need to be scared. Tonight, it's just sleep. Nothing to be scared of.” his slow smile spreads across his face and I remember the words. The very words I said to him the night after what was our first date.

  “Undress me, Daniel.”

  “Are you sure?” he asks as he takes a tentative step forward.

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything. I want to be with you. Tonight our life together begins. We aren’t just friends anymore, Daniel. We are lovers too, tonight we are just Daniel and Katie.”

  His hands slide down the length of my spine and pull up the t-shirt I threw on before I left. Pulling it up and over my head so I’m standing topless in front of him. I reach for the hem of his t-shirt and pull it up too. Stopping when my arms can’t stretch any more.

  “You’re going to have to help me, you Blonde Giant!” I laugh.

  “Shall I go down on my knees?” he chuckles, pulling it the rest of the way over his head.

  “No. Just stand there while I remove these.” I reach for his jeans and pull him to me.

  I pop open the top button and look up at him. His eyes are a little darker and hooded now, his breath coming out a little harsher than it was a few seconds before. He nods his head and I continue with the rest of the buttons. Each one revealing more of him to my hungry eyes. When I’m finished, I push them off his hips and he steps out of them. Standing before me naked except for a pair of dark grey boxer briefs, he really is the most exquisite man alive. The planes of his stomach are defined and gorgeous. He has a little hair and it only makes him more perfect to me. I cannot believe this man loves me. How can someone so incredibly gorgeous want to be with me?

  “You’re staring, Katie.” his voice snaps me out of my blatant ogling.

  “I’m sorry, I just… I can’t believe you’re mine.”

  He steps forward then and takes me in his arms, pressing his warm, soft skin against mine. Firm to soft. Man to woman. Is there anything better than the feel of naked, warm, skin on skin? His big hands rest on my bare skin, his thumbs making circles on my lower back.

  “I think you have that all wrong, b
eautiful.” he breathes, “I can’t believe you’re mine.”

  “I’m still wearing my jeans.”

  “That you are.”

  “Well, would you like to remove them, or shall I?”

  “Allow me.”

  He drops to his knees in front of me and pulls me closer, pressing a gentle kiss to my stomach just above the waistband. When his fingers push them off my hips and leave me standing naked in front of him, a noise, somewhere between a growl and a groan escapes his lips and his head snaps up to mine.

  “You’re naked.”

  “That’s the point isn’t it?” I frown at him.

  “No… I mean, you’re not wearing any underwear.”

  “I didn’t have time for that, you’re lucky I even put on clothes to come here. I needed to see you so badly Daniel, I could barely breathe.”

  “I said I wanted to sleep…”

  “Make love to me. I want you to make love to me and I want it to end how it should have earlier.”

  I take a step back and climb onto the abnormally high sleigh bed that graces the centre of the room. I pull back the covers and slip underneath them, holding my hand out for Daniel. He removes the last piece of clothing he still has on then crawls onto the bed with me. He pulls me to him and when our naked bodies touch once again, a shiver runs down my spine and I feel hot all over. He holds himself over me and shifts so he rests between my legs, his erection lined up against the length of my core. It feels incredible and I feel a wave of arousal wash over me.

  “Katie, can I taste you?”

  His words make me shiver. I meet his eyes and smile, nodding yes. He keeps his eyes on me as he crawls down my body, kissing his way to my core. When he dips his head and I feel his tongue touch my oversensitive flesh for the first time, I call out and grip the sheets in my hands. The groan of approval from Daniel turns me on and has me groaning too. I feel myself getting closer, that delicious tension coiling in my lower stomach. As much as I want this, I want to feel Daniel inside me more. I open my eyes to try and think clearly for a second.

  “Daniel?”

  “Katie? Am I not? It’s been a long time, show me?” he looks up at me, his unsure eyes meeting mine. I smile, reaching out to touch his face.

  “No, it feels incredible, but I want to feel you inside of me, I need to feel you inside of me.”

  “Oh.” he smiles shyly and comes to hold himself over me once again.

  “I’m ready…” I whisper, pulling him to me. He positions himself at my core and slides in, so slowly we both groan. He feels so perfect.

  “You’re so hot,” he groans, closing his eyes, “And see how we fit? Like we were made for each other. Joined together like this, this is how I want to be.”

  He begins to move, slowly at first then a little faster, a little deeper. My inner walls clench around him, not able to get enough of him. I move slightly and he gets the idea. He flips us over so I’m on top of him, so I can control the depth and pace. I rise off him then sink back down slowly, relishing the feeling of him. His hand comes up and traces my nipple with his thumb.

  “You’re beautiful. The most beautiful woman in the world.” his eyes are hungry and needy.

  “And you’re gorgeous and unbelievably handsome.” I smile, leaning over him and resting my hands on either side of his head as I begin to rotate my hips.

  “Kiss me, Katie.”

  I oblige, how can I not? His tongue sneaks past my lips and brushes against mine, moving almost at the same pace as our joined bodies. He moves his hands to my hips, guiding me how he needs me, as I find what I need too. Suddenly and without warning, he thrusts up harder into me, hitting a spot that sends bolts of pleasure through my body.

  We both lose ourselves to one another, both chasing our own release. When I tense above him, Daniel watches me, his blue eyes are the last thing I see before I close my eyes and yell out his name, the intensity of my orgasm taking me by surprise. As I try to prolong my release, not ready for it to be over yet, Daniel thrusts once more then the tiniest of groans escapes from his lips. I open my eyes, wanting to see him the moment he gives himself over to his climax. He is beautiful, his blue eyes shining a darker blue than usual, his teeth sinking into his perfect lower lip, his cheeks have the most beautiful pink flush to them and his chest rises and falls with each harsh breath he takes.

  “I love you.” I pant, collapsing onto his chest.

  “And I love you.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Do you have enough space?” Daniel asks as he stretches his legs out into the aisle now everyone is seated.

  “I have small legs, I have plenty.” I grin.

  “I can't believe you're coming with me,” he smiles his breathtaking smile and squeezes my hand, “This is what dreams are made of.”

  “Thank you for inviting me.”

  “There is no one I would rather have with me, Katie. Especially not after the last few weeks.”

  The last few weeks have been incredible. More than incredible actually. The more time Daniel and I spend together, the closer we become. Our relationship has moved on from friendship to lovers and beyond. I feel happier than I have in a long time, a sense of calm and happiness filling my heart. We are both adjusting to our new roles in each other's lives but it’s exciting and it feels completely and utterly right. When I went to Ginny’s for coffee and poured my heart out to her, she told me, like she has so many times before, that I deserved to be happy and Richard would say the same.

  I hold on to Daniel’s hand as the plane speeds up and takes flight, the butterflies in my stomach over more than the fact we are fast climbing thousands of feet in the air. I’m going to New York, somewhere I’ve always dreamed of going and I’m going with Daniel. It doesn’t seem possible, but the heat radiating from him and his hand in mine tells me it is. I rest my head on his shoulder and sigh, content and happy where I am right now. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to say that again and I am so thankful I am.

  “What is the first thing you want to do when we get there?” Daniel asks, resting his head on mine.

  “Have coffee and go to Central Park.” I smile, just thinking about it.

  “It’s going be freezing there you know? Probably covered in snow too?”

  “It sounds perfect to me.”

  “I thought you didn’t do ice?”

  “I don’t do ice skating, snow is completely different.”

  We settle in for the flight and I must drift off because I’m soon being woken softly by Daniel’s lips on mine, his mouth murmuring that the breakfast is here. I open my eyes sleepily just as Daniel reaches over and puts the little table on the back of the seat in front of me down. I’m asked what I’d like to eat and passed a tray. Suddenly ravenous and desperate for a coffee I lift the little foil lid on the food and sniff, it doesn’t smell bad as airplane food goes. I leave it to cool a little and eat the fruit and yoghurt first.

  “These are awful.” Daniel whispers, holding his Danish pastry up to my lips.

  “Of course they are, no one makes pastries like you do, what did you really expect?” I chuckle taking a bite then frowning, “They are awful.”

  “We need a coffee to wash the taste away.” he looks around and smiles when he sees the stewardess coming towards us with what I guess is coffee.

  “Would you like coffee?” she asks, smiling.

  “Please.” Daniel smiles back.

  I watch her, watch Daniel. Her eyes roaming over his face then down over his body as she pours the coffee into his cup. I don’t blame her, he is gorgeous, I’d be looking if I was her. When she finishes pouring Daniel a cup, he places his cup on my tray then holds mine to be filled too. Coffees poured, the stewardess moves to the passengers behind us. I put in the little squidgy milk sachet and take a sip. It isn’t so bad. Daniel takes another bite of his pastry and grimaces, then takes another mouthful of his coffee. Reaching up, I turn his face to me and press a kiss to his lips. His hand comes up and threads throu
gh my hair as he slips his tongue into my mouth. It’s still hot from the coffee and he tastes delicious.

  “I think the pastry tastes better from you,” I grin pulling back, “Or maybe it’s just you.”

  “I’d say the same, coffee tastes incredible from your lips.” his voice was a little husky, his eyes a little hooded.