Sweet Things

by JA Armstrong

  “Deb?”

  “Yeah?”

  CJ hesitated.

  “What did you want to ask me, monkey?”

  “I can have you too?”

  “You do have me, CJ.”

  “As a Ma.”

  “CJ,” Devon began. “You can call anyone anything that feels right to you. You can call me Dev or Auntie Dev just like you can call Auntie Carrie, Mom. You can call me Ma or you can call me a hash slinger for all I care. I will still love you the same.”

  CJ smiled. “Daddy says I have lots of people who love me.”

  “You do. We all love you. This is your family—all of us.”

  CJ climbed into Devon’s lap and hugged her tightly.

  Devon closed her eyes and reveled in CJ’s affection. “I love you, CJ.” She sensed a presence in the doorway. Her eyes opened and met Carrie’s. “You’re not supposed to be here,” she said.

  “Because we’re so traditional,” Carrie replied as she stepped into the room. She held out both her hands. “We started this together,” she said. “I think we should continue that way.”

  Devon smiled. Carrie looked amazing. She wore a long red velvet dress that left her shoulders bare, highlighting the locket that fell just above her cleavage. Her chestnut hair was swept up in loose curls. Devon shook her head. She could make out the slightest bump in Carrie’s middle, likely unnoticeable to anyone else. “You are stunning,” she said.

  “Good thing we’re doing this now,” Carrie replied. “I might’ve needed a tent if we waited too long.” She winked at Devon. “And, you are gorgeous.”

  Devon blushed under Carrie’s gaze. Carrie found it endearing. Devon had chosen a gold gown. Perfect. It fit her like a glove. Her long, blonde hair spilled over her shoulders. Carrie often mused that she had it the jackpot. Devon was kind, compassionate, and loving. She made Carrie laugh. She had become the center of Carrie’s life. Devon was also charming and stunning. She possessed an effortless beauty. Carrie had always marveled at that. Devon turned heads without trying.

  Devon and CJ each accepted one of Carrie’s hands.

  “Ready to get married?” Carrie asked.

  CJ looked up at the two women on either side of her. They had become her world—her haven. They loved her. She loved them. Amid all the excitement of a wedding and Christmas, Carrie and Devon had taken CJ shopping for her birthday party. In two weeks, CJ would turn five. It was a milestone. Next year, she would go to kindergarten in the same school as Dakota. Five deserved an extra-special party; that’s what her Mom said. Devon promised to order CJ’s favorite pizza. She’d chosen Star Wars napkins and Angry Birds plates. Best of all, she would get to invite her friends to her house for her party. She’d never had a party before. Carrie and Devon never forgot about her, not even for a minute. At four, CJ understood that more clearly than anyone gave her credit for. This was their day. She didn’t need to be an adult to know that. She smiled at them, feeling a sense of pride in the family she had. Maybe Amber was right; maybe most kids only got one mom and one dad. Maybe that was okay for them. CJ wouldn’t want only one mom. She let Carrie and Devon lead her from the room, knowing that they would always be there for her no matter what name she called them, no matter who came or who left, the two women who held her hands would always be with her.

  Carrie looked down at CJ and smiled.

  CJ beamed. She looked at Devon and received a wink.

  Carrie took a deep breath. “Here we go.”

  ***

  Tom held out his hand for CJ. Carrie and Devon both squatted to CJ’s height.

  “We love you,” Carrie told CJ.

  “Yes, we do,” Devon promised. They each kissed either side of CJ’s cheeks.

  Carrie winked at her daughter. “No one could ask for anything better than being your mom,” she said honestly. She let Devon help her to stand straight and walked hand in hand with her to stand in front of the Justice of the Peace.

  Ford and Bruce stepped up to stand beside Carrie and Devon.

  Devon listened as the Justice of the Peace began the short ceremony. Her eyes remained locked with Carrie’s. She lost herself in Carrie’s gaze.

  Bruce bumped her with his hip. “Your vows,” he whispered.

  Devon took a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking about what to say. Last night, I was sitting looking at our Christmas tree and I realized that I didn’t need to think about it at all. Do you know what I remember about the day we met? I remember that you walked into the restaurant and I didn’t want you to leave. I’m not sure I will ever be able to explain it. You brought the best negotiator you knew to haggle with me.”

  Carrie chuckled.

  “I assumed you were CJ’s mom. It wasn’t because you walked in with her. It was the way you looked at each other. I learned that you were a Jedi and I became a hash slinger.” Devon smiled. “I fell in love with you that day. I know that now. I fell in love with you and CJ.”

  Tears welled in Carrie’s eyes.

  “I will still never understand how the most intelligent woman I know could not download the Uber app without assistance.”

  Carrie laughed.

  “But, I guess that makes us even since I can’t use a fax machine to save my life. We balance each other. We always have. I know you would rather eat just about anything besides pizza, and you’d probably rather have a root canal than build castles for hours in Minecraft. You do it. You smile doing it. You struggle through headaches to read stories with CJ, and get up early after a sleepless night to make sure there is coffee for me in the morning. You stand over the stove and heat up soup when CJ is sick even though your stomach is rebelling against the smell of food. You are the most selfless and caring person I know.”

  Carrie squeezed Devon’s hands. Do you see yourself?

  Devon took a deep breath. “Carrie,” she paused and received another reassuring squeeze. “When we heard our baby’s heartbeat for the first time, I swear to you; I thought that I would explode. I’ve never felt so much emotion in my life.”

  Carrie smiled. She understood completely.

  “But then, the day that CJ came home with that picture of all of us? I felt the same way all over again. I don’t know what I did to deserve you. Nothing. I can promise you I will do my best to let you know every day of our lives how grateful I am for you, for this baby, for CJ—for our family. There isn’t anything in the world I wouldn’t give you. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you, Carrie—more than I did the day we met. I know I will love you more tomorrow. And, I promise; I’ll be the best partner and parent I can. Thank you for loving me, for being my family.”

  “Carrie?”

  Carrie let out a long breath. She smiled at Devon. “I would eat pizza every day for the rest of my life if it meant I could be with you. I would dig in mines and throw things at Angry Birds all day long if you and CJ asked me to. You think that’s a sacrifice. It’s not. It’s not even a compromise. I love it because you love it. I love watching your eyes light up when CJ crawls into your lap to play a game. I would appreciate less pepperoni on the pizza.”

  Devon laughed.

  “I remember the day we met too. I remember being amazed that anyone could make a dirty apron sexy. You take my breath away, Devon—the moment you walk into a room, I lose my breath for a minute. It’s never changed, not once. I never knew that it was possible to love someone the way I love you. You give me everything. You listen to me, you let me cry, you make me laugh, you never let me give up.”

  Carrie took a deep breath.

  “There were moments this year when I didn’t think I would be able to take another breath. You held me. You rocked me. You reminded me that love never dies. You gave me permission to grieve and a reason to go on.” Carrie glanced over at CJ. “Not long ago, I wasn’t sure that I would ever get to be someone’s mom. You took away that fear and that sadness in an instant. We already had a family. It wouldn’t have mattered to me how we built on that foundation, how w
e added to that family. Some days, I wake up and I need to close my eyes to process my life. I feel you beside me. I hear CJ running down the hall, I think about this baby, and I wonder how anyone can be so blessed. You said you don’t know what you did to deserve me.” Carrie shook her head. “Devon, you are my life. You have become my best friend. If there is such a thing as soulmates, you are mine. As much as CJ likes to think so, I’m no Jedi.” Carrie winked. “I’m just a woman who’s been trying to find her way. I found it with you. I love you, Dev. I can’t promise perfection. I can promise you that I will always love you. I can promise you that I will spend my life loving our family. I hope one day we are standing behind our children watching them exchange vows with the person they love. You gave CJ a compass last night. You’re my compass—always.”

  The JP directed Devon to give Carrie her ring. Carrie steadied Devon’s trembling hand as Devon slipped the ring onto her finger. She accepted Devon’s ring from Ford and slipped it onto Devon’s finger. Her eyes held Devon’s as the JP pronounced them legally wed. She sighed when Devon’s lips met hers. The kiss lingered, searching softly. Carrie pulled back, wiped a smudge of lipstick from the corner of Devon’s mouth and smiled. “Now, you are really stuck with me,” she teased.

  “And you are stuck with pizza.”

  Carrie laughed. She opened her arms to CJ.

  “Deb!” CJ tugged on Devon’s dress. “Daddy says there’s pizza!”

  “See?” Devon whispered in Carrie’s ear.

  “Holding me to my vows already, huh?”

  Devon wiggled her eyebrows.

  I am in so much trouble. “Come on.” Carrie took Devon’s hand and CJ’s hand. “Let’s feed you two.”

  “Grandma Jill says there’s something special for you, Mom. You don’t have to eat pizza on your day.”

  Carrie smiled. “Thank goodness for Grandma.”

  ***

  Devon closed the bedroom door and pulled Carrie into her arms.

  “Hi,” Carrie whispered.

  “Hi.”

  “You do take my breath away,” Carrie said.

  Devon cupped Carrie’s face in her palms. “You have no idea.”

  Carrie closed her eyes. Devon’s lips pressed to hers gently at first, tempting Carrie to invite her in. Champagne—Carrie tasted the sweetness of earlier celebrations on Devon’s tongue. She lost herself in their kiss. Devon’s tongue danced with hers gracefully—a slow waltz, languid and fluid. Her hands wound themselves in Devon’s hair. Devon’s hands dropped to Carrie’s hips to steady her.

  Carrie reluctantly pulled back. “Devon…”

  “What?”

  “I love you so much.”

  “Good thing since the State of Connecticut says you’re stuck with me now.”

  Carrie smiled. “Thank you for today.”

  “Thank me? Carrie, I think you are missing something. Everyone knows I got the better side of this deal.”

  Carrie smirked. “Is that so?”

  “Well, I wouldn’t object to getting luckier.”

  Carrie laughed. “Kiss me, and we’ll see what your odds are.”

  Devon complied happily. Her hand reached for the zipper that ran down the back of Carrie’s dress. Carrie had made love to her many nights. It had been longer than Devon cared to count since she had made love to her wife. Carrie’s pregnancy had left them both hopeful but vulnerable. This would be the first time since they had learned of Carrie’s pregnancy that Devon would make love to her wife. Her wife—Carrie was her wife. Devon had to break their kiss to catch her breath.

  “What is it?” Carrie asked.

  Devon’s eyes shone with wonderment. “You’re my wife.”

  “I am.”

  “Carrie…”

  “Make love to me, Dev.”

  Devon’s heart stopped for a second and then raced wildly. It reminded her of the first time she had kissed a girl. Her fingers fumbled uncharacteristically with the zipper of Carrie’s dress.

  Carrie smiled compassionately. She took Devon’s face in her hands and brought their lips together. She whispered against Devon’s mouth. “It’s only me.”

  Devon trembled. She wondered if she had ever understood love before now. Something had shifted between them. Devon wasn’t sure if it was the ring she felt on her finger or the life she knew existed between them. It was everything—all of it, and Devon thought the force of it all might drown her. Like an unexpected tidal wave, it would toss her about and pull her under. She fought to breathe, to find the surface.

  Carrie kissed Devon’s lips tenderly.

  Devon began to surface, Carrie filling her lungs with air. Love was a constant contradiction. Love walked the fine line between pain and pleasure. It filled a person and left them breathless in an instant, dangling one moment and grounded the next. She managed to lower the zipper between her fingers. Her hands traversed the softness of Carrie’s back to her shoulders, and she pushed the dress gently down. Devon’s lips left Carrie’s, descending like raindrops over Carrie’s throat to the swell of her breasts. Her lips fluttered across Carrie’s skin until she reached a straining nipple. Her tongue swirled around it softly. The deep moan her exploration elicited from Carrie’s throat swiftly registered between Devon’s legs. She guided Carrie to the bed.

  Carrie pushed Devon back a pace. She kissed Devon lovingly, letting her hand drop to Devon’s golden-clad breasts. She circled Devon, a single fingertip tracing a line from Devon’s breasts around to her back. Carrie lifted Devon’s hair and nipped lightly at the nape of Devon’s neck.

  “Dear God,” Devon choked.

  “I haven’t even begun,” Carrie whispered heavily in Devon’s ear.

  Sweet Jesus.

  Carrie unzipped Devon’s gown and slowly pushed it down Devon’s body. She trailed a path of faint kisses across Devon’s back before moving to face her again.

  Devon lowered Carrie to the bed. Not tonight.

  Carrie often turned the tables of seduction on Devon without warning. Tonight, Devon had one mission—to make love to her wife. She was confident feeling Carrie pressed against her would send her over the edge of sanity. She straddled Carrie’s hips and tasted her lips again. Carrie’s tongue plunged into Devon’s mouth, signaling mounting desperation. Devon gentled their kiss and swiftly deepened it again. Her hands wandered over Carrie’s body to her breasts. Devon dropped her mouth to Carrie’s nipple. She lifted Carrie’s breast, feeling it’s weight in her palm. The sensation aroused her. Carrie’s back arched to greet her, urging Devon to continue.

  “Oh… Oh… Dev…Oh, my God.”

  Carrie’s movements were driving Devon wild. Her mouth descended over Carrie’s other nipple, her tongue swirling with abandon.

  Carrie’s head spun. She looked down at Devon. Her hands holding Devon’s head, begging her to stay. Tiny sparks that reminded her of firecrackers popping wildly erupted in her core. Devon was moaning constantly. Carrie positioned her leg between Devon’s knees and sighed when she felt the warmth of Devon’s arousal on her skin. Her head fell back onto the pillow. If she died here, she would die happy. She was drawing closer to a powerful release by the second, and Devon had yet to touch her. Her legs quivered and the muscles of her core tightened as if they sought to grip an unseen force.

  “Devon! Please, don’t stop.”

  Devon had no intention of stopping. Her hands brought Carrie’s breasts together, her tongue skating across Carrie’s nipples. Feeling Carrie’s body begin to shake, Devon surrounded a nipple with her mouth and sucked, teasing the tip with the flick of her tongue.

  Carrie cried out as her orgasm shook her violently. “Devon!”

  Devon continued tasting Carrie’s breasts with abandon. Carrie made no move to stop her.

  Carrie had never experienced anything so erotic. Devon was driving her wild and she never wanted it to end. She wanted it to go on forever. Exquisite torture, that’s what it was. Carrie felt another wave building deep within her.

  Devon nee
ded more. She was about to lower herself against Carrie when Carrie pulled her up.

  Carrie’s eyes blazed with lust. Her hands grasped Devon’s hips and directed her upward.

  Devon’s breath quickened. She positioned herself above Carrie and enjoyed the immediate heat of Carrie’s tongue as it explored the warmth of her arousal. She rotated her hips over Carrie’s mouth, enjoying the tingles that traveled over her skin and the pulse in her core. She took a deep breath and moved to taste Carrie.

  Carrie moaned against Devon. “Yes,” she hissed.

  Devon’s tongue bathed Carrie in long, soft, slow strokes over and over, mirroring everything Carrie did to her. She held onto Carrie’s thighs, struggling to keep from letting go, wanting to feel Carrie rise and fall with her. Carrie’s lips sucked her clit softly and Devon lost all hope of holding back. Her tongue plunged into Carrie and then circled Carrie’s clit over and over until they both erupted violently.

  Muffled screams gave way to soft sighs. Devon caught her breath and moved to face Carrie. “You say I take your breath away?”

  Carrie grinned. “You do.”

  “I love you,” Devon said. “I love making love with you.”

  “I love you, Dev. You have no idea how good you make me feel. I don’t just mean like this.”

  Devon kissed Carrie lovingly. “I could make love to you forever.”

  “Good thing. You’re stuck with me that long.”

  Devon let her head fall onto Carrie’s chest. Her hand drifted to Carrie’s midsection.

  Carrie felt warm tears on her breast. “Dev? Are you crying?”

  “I can’t believe it.”

  “What?”

  “All of it. You, me, CJ.” Her hand tenderly caressed Carrie’s belly. “Harry or Harrietta.”

  Carrie laughed. “Harrietta? That’s awful.”

  Devon chuckled. “I don’t care what you name her.”

  “Or him.”

  “Um.”

  “Either way we could name the baby Devon,” Carrie said.

  “No way. No juniors.”

  “Why not? CJ’s name is Carrie.”

  “That’s different.”