Saving Our Hearts

by Velvet Reed

  “We wouldn’t have missed it. We’re both so glad to see how happy you are,” Regina says sincerely. She looks over at Gracie then back at me. “She’s lovely, Cole. It’s obvious how much you love each other and that beautiful little boy is just the most precious thing.”

  I nod in agreement. “I’ve never been happier in my life. Gracie and Cooper are the most important people in the world to me.”

  Richard places a hand on my shoulder, and I give him my attention. “That’s the way it should be, Cole. There was a time I had high hopes of calling you my son in-law. You’re a good man and you deserve nothing but the best. Unfortunately for Regina and I, that wasn’t our daughter. Nevertheless, you have our congratulations, son; we're proud of you.”

  I don’t need them to be proud of me, but the sentiment is nice, so I simply say, “Thank you.”

  “We’re not blind to Miranda’s ways, Cole. God knows she wasn’t raised to act the way she does, but she’s an adult and has to face the consequences of her actions. We also know that she has given you and Grace a few troubles, and we’re sorry for that,” Regina tells me.

  “Please don’t apologize. It worked out fine; it really has.” At that moment, Gracie calls my name from across the garden, and I use the opportunity to make my escape. “If you’ll excuse me, my fiancée needs me.”

  “Yes, of course. Congratulations again,” Richard says, and I hurry away.

  When I make my way over to Gracie, I sweep her into my arms and kiss her fiercely. I move my lips to her ear and whisper, “You’re a life saver. You just saved me from Miranda’s parents.”

  Gracie’s body tenses in my embrace. “Relax, Sweet Cheeks, she’s not here. They were just telling me how proud they were of me and how happy we seemed, but honestly, it felt weird coming from them.”

  “Oh,” she breathes and the tension drains from her frame. “As long as the bitch isn’t here, I’m good.” She moves out of my hold and stands close beside me, our arms winding their way around each other’s waists. I hold her tightly as we immerse ourselves into the conversation going on around us.

  Since the atmosphere wasn’t formal, we don’t do the normal barrage of speeches. It is quick and simple with Gracie and me thanking everyone for coming and welcoming Cooper home, and my dad and Bryan making a toast to our engagement and welcoming us into the respective family.

  As the afternoon creeps in to evening, guests slowly trickle away. We’ve managed to prevent Cooper being passed from person to person, but everyone exclaimed how perfect and beautiful he is. Being the completely biased daddy I am, I agreed wholeheartedly. When it dwindles to just family and closest friends, we open the presents. The women ooh and ahh about every single thing Cooper receives, while the men sit around drinking and talking about all the great things Cooper will get as he grows older, like remote control cars. It is comfortable and the perfect indication of what our family gatherings will be like in the future.

  When it comes to the engagement presents for Gracie and I, the fun starts. Since everyone knew we already owned what a newly engaged couple would usually receive, they got creative. We receive gifts like a personalized silver photo frame, crystal stemware, a wine club membership, a couple’s spa certificate, a certificate for an engagement photo shoot and a night away at a premier bed and breakfast. All the gifts are amazing and appreciated, but when Gracie opens the last one, my blood begins to heat, and my imagination takes over. Skimpy black lace lingerie is pulled out of a box, followed by scented massage oils and candles. A pot of chocolate body paint has Gracie blushing and receives a few catcalls from our friends, but it’s not until she pulls out black fur handcuffs that I almost lose it. Who the hell gave us that gift?

  “Well, thank goodness that’s the last one,” Mom announces. “Who wants another drink?”

  Chuckles and snickers float through the air, and speculations are made about who purchased such a gift. Even though Gracie seems slightly embarrassed, I can’t help being quietly excited about the possibilities those items will bring.

  We leave soon after the presents were opened, wanting to go home and spend the rest of the night together since I am leaving for Seattle tomorrow afternoon for the conference. I unpack the car and put all the gifts in the study while Gracie bathes and feeds Cooper. She is just putting him down in his crib when I enter the nursery.

  “He’s settled already?” I ask, shocked it hasn’t taken as long as it normally does to go through the routine.

  “He kept dozing off while he was feeding so I stopped trying. He’ll probably wake up early for his next feed. I guess today wore him out too,” she says, turning to me. I can tell by the weariness in her eyes that the party has made her tired. She pushed herself further today and rarely used her crutches, so I imagine her legs are aching.

  “How about I go run a bath and you can soak for a while?” I suggest.

  Gracie gives me small smile “Only if you join me,” she counters, and that’s an offer I can’t resist.

  “I’d loved to,” I admit before sweeping her into my arms and carry her bridal style to our bathroom. Setting her on the sink bench, I place a kiss on her nose and go about running the water and adding lavender oil to the bath. The notion of smelling like a girl doesn’t bother me because I know how much the scent relaxes Gracie, and right now, that’s my aim.

  I take the few steps back over and lift her off so she’s standing in front of me. Then with reverent care, I slowly undo the tie on her dress and glide it over her shoulders. The light touch of my fingers on her skin creates goose bumps on her arms. When the blue material lies in a puddle at her feet, I trace the lacy line of her bra where her breasts swell at the top. Her skin is satiny smooth, and although I didn’t intend for this bath to be a sexual experience, I can’t stop the pulsing waves of arousal that are produced just by looking at her.

  With the flick of my wrist, I undo the front clasp of her bra and palm both her heavy breasts as they spill out of their confines. Gracie’s chest arches forward at the contact, and a low moan escapes her when I brush my thumbs across the sensitive peaks. I have to hold myself together because I want her relaxed, and my lust-filled mind and arousal are not helping the situation one little bit.

  Slowly moving my hands down her body, I slip my fingers beneath the sides of her panties taking them on the journey down her legs and helping her step out of them. She’s completely naked before me now, and I take in the glorious sight. “God, you’re breathtaking,” I praise her.

  Bashfully, she looks down at herself and back up to me so our gazes meet and hold. “I have stretch marks and a scar.”

  I’ve never known Gracie to be self-conscious about her body, and I’m not going to let her be that way now. “They make you even more beautiful because they’re a reminder of the precious gift you gave us. You got them from giving us Cooper, Gracie, and knowing that makes me thankful for each and every one.”

  Her cheeks take on a light pink hue, and the corner of her mouth turns up. “You really say the most perfect things sometimes. You know that?”

  “I’m only saying the truth, baby. Come on. Time to relax that gorgeous body of yours,” I praise again just to reinforce how beautiful I think she is.

  Reaching over, I turn off the taps noticing that the water level is quite high, and once I join her, it will probably spill over the sides. Taking her hand, I help Gracie step in and watch as she slides in to the water.

  Removing my own clothes takes way less time, and then I’m positioning myself behind her and settling her back against my chest. “Mmmm, this is nice,” she murmurs appreciatively, and I will my cock to remain calm as it rests against her lush backside.

  We sit quietly, soaking in the lavender perfume and savoring our uninterrupted time together.

  After a few minutes, I reach for the loofa and body wash, and wash my fiancée tenderly. “Dad said he would drive me to the airport tomorrow so Mom’s going to come over while he does,” I inform her.

  “
She doesn’t have to, you know. Ashley’s coming over in the afternoon, and I’m sure your mom has the cleaning up to handle.”

  “I guarantee their place will be spotless well before noon, baby. She always gets a cleaning crew in after parties like that,” I tell her.

  “Any excuse to see Cooper, right?” Gracie giggles and I chuckle myself because I know her words speak the truth.

  When I’m done lathering up her body, I get her to move forward and quickly wash my own, rinsing us off. I climb out of the bath first and wrap a white towel around my waist before holding one open for Gracie. While taking the time to dry her off, she sways a little to the side, and I can see how heavy her eyelids are. “Let’s get you in to bed, Sweet Cheeks,” I say before leading her into our bedroom. Pulling back the comforter, so she’s ready to just climb in, I help her sit on the side of the bed so I can get her something to sleep in.

  Returning from the drawers, I slip the night shirt over her head and help her lay down. She’s exhausted. “I love you, Cole,” she mumbles as she burrows her head into the pillow.

  “I love you, too, Gracie,” I reply and kiss her forehead.

  Naked, I climb in to bed beside her, draping an arm over her waist and pulling her closer. As I drift in to slumber myself, my last thought is how am I going to get any sleep over the next four nights without having Gracie in my arms?

  Breathing in deeply and then expelling the air in a rush, I push my head back in to the soft pillow allowing the waves of pleasure ripple through me. Moments ago, I was in a deep sleep and now lust and desire are spreading their way through every inch of my body. My left hand’s clutching the sheet while my right is entwined in Gracie’s Auburn locks, moving up and down with each bob of her head.

  I have no doubt it would be every man's fantasy to get a wakeup call from the woman they love, like Gracie has woken me this morning.

  Groaning as her tongue passes over the tip of my cock, I grasp her hair tighter. Her languid strokes continue and she takes me to the back of her throat causing my hips to thrust up in response. “Gracie,” I breathe, a slight quiver in my voice. I lift my head to watch the erotic scene. Her tongue swirls around the engorged head of my cock again before licking down the length and back up. Taking my balls in her soft hand, she kneads them gently and my breath catches. When she applies pressure to the point just behind my balls, I almost come undone. I don’t want to come like this. I want to be inside her, feeling her, savoring her because this encounter is going to have to get me through the next four days without her.

  When she breaks contact with my cock, I make my move fast. In seconds, she’s flat on her back with my body’s covering hers, my mouth melded to her lips. Rolling my hips into her heated core, I can feel how turned on she is. Her arousal leaves my cock slick with her essence. Realizing she’s already removed the T-shirt I put on her the night before, my hand quickly makes its way to her breast, cupping, fondling, and teasing.

  I kiss my way to her jaw, down her neck and chest. I take one pert pink nipple into my mouth, sucking and nipping at it before soothing it with a sweep of my tongue. “Oh, God,” Gracie cries, her fingers digging in to my shoulders pulling me closer. Changing breasts, I treat the other one to the same exquisite torture as the first, while Gracie moves restlessly beneath me.

  My balls are pulled up so tight in arousal, and my cock grows impossibly harder with each slide it makes through her wet folds. I can’t wait any longer so I plunge in to her silken depths with a grunt of pure satisfaction.

  Gracie wraps her legs around me, opening her further, and allowing me deeper access to her quivering core. Our breaths quicken as she meets my thrusts in rhythmic synchronization, our two bodies moving perfectly as one. Our gazes meet and hold the connection—emotional, mental, and physical all at once. Reaching behind me, her hands travel down to my ass, gripping it and pulling me closer, spurring me on as she clenches around my cock from deep within.

  “I love you, Gracie,” I hoarsely exclaim and reclaim her mouth with fierce hunger. Increasing my thrusts, she breaks away gasping for air before crying out in ecstasy as her pussy clamps down on my cock, in turn setting off my journey into orgasmic bliss.

  The tremors that continue in her core after her release, milk my cock of every last drop. Burying my sweaty face against her neck, I breathe in her scent, so sweet and so uniquely Gracie; it’s addictive.

  As our breathing regulates, I pull back and look down into the warm chocolate hues of her eyes. “Good morning, Sweet Cheeks,” my voice huskily greets her. “That was one hell of a way to wake up."

  Her cheeks tinge pink ever so slightly before she gives me a sleepy, little grin. “You were fast asleep, so after I fed Cooper, and he fell back asleep, I saw the perfect opportunity to get some of you before you go away,” she confesses.

  Placing tiny kisses over her face, I pull out and roll to the side, taking her with me. “I think after that effort, I could do with going back to sleep myself,” I chuckle.

  Gracie’s eyes grow somber, and her sated mood shifts. “As much as I’d love to curl back up in your arms, we don’t have time. We still need to pack your bag and get you ready before your dad comes to pick you up for the airport.”

  As much as she hasn’t shown it, I know she hates the thought of me going away. Four days might not seem a long time to some people, but for Gracie and I, it’s going to be hell. Thank God, I don’t have a job that requires a lot of travel.

  Stroking her cheek and moving a stray strand of hair from her face, I try to reassure her,. “Four days will fly by, baby. We’ll talk every day. It will be okay, I promise.”

  Nodding slowly, she tries to hide her emotions but the glistening in her eyes betrays her. “Between Ashley staying here and my mom stopping by, you probably won’t even have two seconds to miss me,” I joke, trying to lighten the solemn mood that has descended.

  “I miss you when you’re at work, Cole. It won’t matter who is around trying to distract me. The fact that you’ll be in another state kills me,” she murmurs in a soft voice.

  “I know, baby. It will kill me too, but I’ll be home and have you in my arms again before you know it,” I try to convince her and myself at the same time.

  We remain staring at each other for a few more minutes, before reality kicks in and has us climbing out of bed to get on with the day. I take a shower and get dressed, and then follow the mouthwatering fragrances of fresh coffee and bacon and eggs where I find Gracie placing our breakfast on the table. Pulling her chair out, she sits down, and I place a kiss on her head before I take my seat.

  “This looks delicious, baby. Thank you,” I tell her, gaining a pleased smile in response.

  Throughout the meal, we go over my schedule for the trip, where I’ll be staying and flight times. When that’s sorted, we recap the previous day and the party, with both of us admitting we were surprised by my mom’s response to where we want to have the wedding.

  “So I’m assuming you’ll want Ash as your maid of honor,” I enquire.

  “Of course, and I’m going to ask April to be a bridesmaid as well,” Gracie replies. “I think Ruby will make the perfect flower girl too.”

  I nod in agreement. “That works well because I want Sam as my best man and figured I’d ask Charlie to be a groomsman. I think Rubes will be really excited about getting a special dress and being part of the wedding. She did so well with the proposal.”

  “She really did and as long as they all say yes, that’s sorted then. I’ll talk to Mom and Ash this afternoon, and we’ll start making inquiries first thing tomorrow morning since it’s Monday,” she tells me.

  Standing, I clear away the dishes. “Well, as soon as you know anything, let me know; I don’t want to be like some other guys and not be involved. I’ll be sharing my opinion on everything from decorations to food and everything in between.”

  Gracie comes up behind me as I stand at the sink rinsing the plates off; she wraps her arms around my waist and presses
her face into my back. “I’m glad to hear that Doctor Tierney. This is our day after all and what we both want matters.”

  I turn in her arms and wrap mine securely around her body. “Yes, it is our day, and it’s going to be absolutely perfect,” I promise.

  As I lean in ready to kiss the pert lips waiting for me, Cooper chooses that moment to let out a wailing cry. “Perfect timing,” Gracie says with an eye roll and then giggles.

  “You go. I’ll finish up here.” I kiss her on the nose and watch as she walks away, noticing for the first time that she hasn’t used her crutches at all this morning. I smile at the fact that my beautiful woman is almost completely physically healed.

  A few hours later, after Gracie quietly helped me pack my bag for the trip to Seattle, I’m sitting in the living room with Cooper lying across my legs, his little arms moving haphazardly, which is something he’s been doing more and more of lately. Watching my son, I can’t get over how much he has changed in almost three months. The difference between now and when he was born is miraculous. Putting my finger against his palm, he immediately wraps his fingers around it, I do this often because I love it so much.

  As Gracie enters the room and takes a seat beside me on the couch, I marvel at the fact that the three of us make our own little family. Gracie and Cooper are my life.

  The feel of soft fingers caressing the hair at the nape of my neck soothes me. I turn to Gracie and see her watching Cooper as I was only a moment ago. “Are you sure you have everything?” she asks without looking at me.

  “Yeah, I’m all set. My bags are by the front door ready to go,” I respond, and we slip back in to our own silent thoughts.

  The sound of the doorbell startles Gracie before she gets up despondently and goes to answer it. My parents’ cheerful voices have me picking up Cooper and standing to greet them.

  “Ah, there're two of my favorite boys,” Mom beams as she crosses the room and kissing us both in turn. My dad isn’t too far behind patting me on the back and kissing Cooper as well.