Crazy Thing Called Life

by R. P. Fischer

  Natalie wanted to come with me, and I wanted her to get out of the house to spend some time together. She has spent days redoing her new place, and I can tell she's still not fully comfortable living on her own. To distract her, I've helped her christen several spots of the new place.

  I want her to move in with me, but she refuses until I meet her family. She said no one's schedule matches up for a few more months, but I plan on surprising her for her graduation. I've been coordinating with Mimi and Richard since they know Natalie's dad can't keep a secret like this. Natalie has warned me enough times that she hates surprises, especially after the Leena and Tara fiasco, but I know this is one she will enjoy.

  Sometimes, surprises can be the coolest part of life.

  I've made sure Natalie's been close by during the entire photo shoot, giving her my signature smirk at random points to watch the blush spread across her cheeks. I have a feeling some skinny dipping is in our near future because I know both of our bodies will be overheated despite the cool spring weather.

  Dressed in a U. of Houston Veterinary Medicine hoodie and skinny jeans, my woman still looks like a fucking goddess.

  After several hours inside a studio nearby the field, I'm ready to go act like a kid and run on the field. The Men of the Houston Rams calendar was worse than this, but I can only be inside for so long before I get antsy. Natalie doesn't look bored at all, more like amused, and I think it's mainly because I'm stuck doing my bad boy poses.

  She's sitting on a blanket on the sidelines of the field as some of the guys and I toss around the ball. It’s time for a break while the crew gets more equipment ready for another round of pictures and videos. She looks peaceful in the sunlight as if for once in a few days, she has no problems in the world.

  Other than the family surprise, I want her to feel happy in her new place. I glance around for the photographer and run over to him.

  I ask him, "Do you think you have a few minutes to take pictures of my girlfriend and me? I'd pay you separately of course."

  He nods over to Natalie's perch on the field. "Call her over and consider this a gift, Mr. Shaw. Who knows, maybe you'll hire me to do your engagement pictures."

  I smile and slap him on the shoulder. "Here's to hoping, man."

  Jogging over to Natalie, I squat down in front of her and hold out my hand. "I'd like for you to come with me please, Miss Lyons."

  She looks at me questioningly before getting off the blanket. "Colin Keith Shaw, I don't like the look you have on your face right now. It's too sneaky. What did you do?"

  I drag her with me over to the photographer and when I turn around I notice her eyes are glued to my ass.

  I stick my tongue out at her and catch her attention. "Like what you see, babe?"

  She wraps her arms around my waist and tilts her head back to look up at me. "I love what I see. Think I could persuade you for a little tongue action later?"

  Leaning closer to her ear, I lightly lick the shell of it, and whisper, "You never have to persuade me. This tongue lives to make you come," I tap her cheek, "and come loudly."

  The photographer clears his throat and nudges to his camera.

  Grabbing Natalie's hand, I explain to her my plan. "You and I are going to take some pictures for your new place. Some you can send to Mimi and some I'll keep at my house."

  "Colin, are you nuts? I'm not dressed for a photo session and neither are you! This is insane."

  She starts to walk away, but I grab her and pull her back to me. "Natalie, I want us to look like this. This is who we are every day, and you're beautiful no matter what you wear."

  Her death glare would normally make me cave in, but not today. I want this for us.

  I look at the photographer for instructions with Natalie by my side. "We'll go over to the stands and do a few shots against the wall and with you two sitting. We can also do some playful shots here first."

  Immediately, I grab Natalie, throw her over my shoulder, and take off on a run around the field. She's laughing her ass off and smacking my back to let her down. When I shove her off my shoulder, she holds onto my shoulders tight enough that we stumble to the grass and roll around for a minute until I have the upper hand.

  We can hear the photographer shouting down the field, "I'm getting some great shots you two, but we need to move on!"

  I help her up and we walk back hand in hand, smiling at each other. It does feel like an engagement shoot and rather than be the thing that used to scare me, it's the direction I want for us. I know Natalie is the one for me, and I've known for a while.

  We can get through summer training camp and a regular season schedule, I just know it. It'll suck having to leave her for away games, but I'm hoping to convince her to come to a few.

  The clicks of the camera get closer to us, and I crouch down to let Natalie piggyback onto me for the walk to the stands. I walk up the steps, and she drops her feet to the ground before settling in my lap in the uncomfortable plastic chairs.

  I whisper in her ear, "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're actually enjoying this."

  She kisses my cheek and settles her head on my shoulder. "I had a thought earlier that I was missing home, but then when you said you wanted me to have these in my new place, I knew you were my home no matter where I'm living."

  I palm her cheek and kiss her deeply. I have to stop myself from going any further because we're surrounded by a lot of people. When I pull back, her cheeks are coated in a gorgeous pink blush.

  "I love you, Natalie."

  "I love you, Colin."

  I tug one of her hoodie strings to bring her forehead to mine. We just sit there, smiling and breathing each other's air for a few moments, before the photographer interrupts.

  "Honestly, guys, I don't think we need any more shots than these. You guys are so in love, I'd rather put these on the promos to show the city of Houston what true love really looks like."

  Natalie laughs softly at the idea, and I definitely don't hate the idea. I tell the photographer, "I think the GM would have a problem with that, but I'd plaster these all over my house in life-sized portraits."

  The photographer looks back to the field where the rest of the crew is done setting up.

  "Looks like we need to get back, Colin. Natalie, it was a pleasure to meet you, and I will have some edits for you guys sometime next week okay?"

  Natalie thanks the photographer before he walks down to the field to get my teammates ready. I grab her hand and we start walking down the field. I watch her sit back down on her sideline blanket and glance over at my teammates. Rodriguez is running back and forth acting like a goof with the ball. He whistles from across the field.

  "Shaw! Go long!"

  I take off on a bolt down the field after Rodriguez cannons out the ball. I catch it and spike it into the ground. Just for show off kicks, I do a backflip in the end zone. Hearing Natalie's laughter from across the field does nothing to hide the smile on my face.

  I'm sure the publicists are stoked that I finally smile in pictures, and I can thank Natalie for that.

  When we leave at the end of the day, we're both hot and sweaty from sitting in the heat all day. Arriving at my house, she makes us a quick early dinner then we head upstairs to take the grime off from the field.

  I slowly strip her from her hoodie and jeans, tossing her t-shirt to the ever-growing pile, and help her into the shower. I take my time taking off my team shirt and shorts as I watch the hot water glide down Natalie's lithe body. She faces me and leans her head back to let the water coat her hair. It’s un-fucking-real how sexy this woman is and she doesn't even know it half the time.

  My woman is one of the strongest I have ever known. She tries to believe the good in everybody, but when she makes her decisions, that's her final say. She's a lot like me in that sense that when I'm ready to let something go, it’s done and gone. After everything she's been through the last ten years, hell the last few months, I'm more determined than ever to fight fo
r her happiness.

  A smile reaches across her face as she feels the spot I kissed earlier at the field. Just by watching her, my dick bobs out into free air and slaps against my stomach. I want to stroke my dick to the sight in front of me, but the need to be inside of her is even stronger.

  "Hey, football star, you gonna join me or do I need to put on a show?"

  I catch her hands before they make their way to her tits. I hold her wrists in one hand and back her up toward the tile wall.

  "Now honey, you know those juicy tits are touched by me and only me. If you need a release, it's my rightful duty to make it happen as many times as possible before you pass out from orgasm overload."

  I release her wrists as I work my hands across her slick breasts. Her wet hands slide down my torso, tracing every tattoo and every ab. I'd do a million fucking crunches a day if she kept touching me like this. I continue my exploration of her wet skin down to her hot and ready opening. Being inside her is better than any touchdown I get or any award I've won because she's all that matters.

  I bend my knees to lift her gorgeously plump ass against the wall as I get myself lined up to have her wrap around my dick. She wraps those strong legs of hers down my hips. God knows she loves that V I've been sculpting with my workouts. Her tongue loves to trace it, and I love to tap the head of my dick against her cheek for having an addiction.

  Lowering her slowly onto me, I lick a path from her collarbone to her earlobe and give it a slight tug with my teeth. The water combined with the chill of my piercing has her crying out against the beats of the water.

  I pull out slightly and slowly move back in for a few minutes before she grabs my ass. "Colin, don't hold back. You know I'm not fragile."

  Her words are all I need to drive back inside of her at a pace that has us both shouting and groaning across the glass doors.

  That sneaky, sexy, romantic, over-the-top boyfriend of mine!

  I had my vet school graduation ceremony yesterday and once he explained our plans for the next day, I was screaming in joy. Excited does not even begin to cover how I feel for my graduation present to go home to California.

  It's been so long since I've gone to the summer Napa Valley festivals. What a perfect time to go!

  Summer time can be hit or miss with the vineyard. Mimi handles a lot of weddings and daily tours, but the classes and seminars tend to slow down.

  Colin and I stopped a bit in San Francisco to see the sights before heading up to the vineyard. It's been beautiful, but we only have two weeks before he has the kids camp, and I don't want him to miss that.

  I love that we get to play tourist for a few days. He still got some workouts in at the hotel, and I gave him a few of our own in the room, especially teasing with a full on naked massage. I love touching his body and helping him stay in the greatest shape. He's still killing me with these runs sometimes, but when we went horseback riding again, I schooled him.

  He's been my best friend, my confidant, my lover, and my biggest fan. Jamie is easily becoming the sister I never had. She can be a mother hen sometimes, but I love it. She and a few of the Rams’ wives are my Houston female go-to for everything. There is no way in hell I'd get mani-pedis with Colin. I love talking food and puppies with all of them since we know Colin can't be trusted with animals when left to his own devices. Hence why I babysit him every time we go riding at the Barrett's.

  I've even begged Jamie to let me babysit little Melissa. She's super adorable and is the spitting image of her mother. My insides turn to mush every time I see Colin playing with her. Each day that we play with his niece and nephew only intensifies my fantasies of having our own children.

  The craziest part is that we haven't even been together a year. Who would have ever thought that my never in a million years Houston Rams crush would be the actual love of my life?

  When we make it up to the vineyard, the dogs smell Colin and immediately run in the other direction. The man is like animal repellant, and I'm scared for any future pets I might want to bring home. How is it a horse can handle him but dogs run at the sight of him?

  Mimi constantly feeds us and has Colin taste wine after wine. She's trying to get him fat and drunk. I'm scared to learn why she is doing it. Even if he loses his abs from all the food and alcohol, I plan to make him work it off with some horseback riding and running through the vineyard.

  And definitely some naked time.

  Colin protested staying in my childhood room with me at first because he wanted to respect my dad, being under the same roof and all, but Mimi quickly shut up his fighting. He was already family the minute I brought him into my life according to them.

  Everything else since then was just icing on the cake for initiating him into the Lyons clan.

  Of course, the minute he talks football with Dad and Richard, Mimi and I head into town for some girl time. I like football and have loved watching him play with his teammates for fun and teaching Danny the ropes, but I get lost on the statistics each and every time.

  Since we're all gathered here on the Memorial Weekend, Mimi decided to throw a grand barbecue, and do a fun event for the guests who are here this weekend.

  The day after the barbecue, Colin and I leave the house of the passed out, snoring adults. You'd think after this many years, we would be the ones still asleep and not them. Although, starting in on the liquor after the wine, probably didn't help. We cut ourselves off after the fourth bottle and started in on the garlic bread so we soaked up all the hangover before it began so we could have the morning quiet and clear.

  I get Starlight saddled up and get one of the inn's horses ready for Colin. Luckily, he doesn't run away from Colin like the dogs do every time he comes near them.

  The weather is perfectly windy and cool for our ride. The sunlight is rising higher and higher, leaving a glow over our heads as I lead him up the hill.

  We ride up to Mom's grave. Walking hand in hand to her stone, tears form in my eyes. She always dreamt of the day I'd meet the love of my life, and I've finally gotten a chance to bring him.

  "Celia Lyons. Loving friend, daughter, sister, wife, and mother. August 17, 1965 to March 20, 2009."

  Colin places some rocks on top of the stone, and I switch out the flowers with the ones I've brought.

  He pulls me into his arms while I silently remember her. I tilt my head up to him and smile before I look back at her engraved name.

  "Hi, Mom. I know this is a little sooner than my Christmas visit, but a crazy man I happen to be in love with arranged for a visit home as my graduation gift. I finished vet school and soon I take my license exam. But first, I wanted you to meet the man who caught my heart. Colin Shaw. You would love him as much as I do, Mom. He's caring, generous, funny, and constantly has this I know something you don't know look that keeps me on my toes in the best way possible. He runs across a field for a living, but he definitely needs your help decorating his house."

  He tightens his hold on me as I continue showering him with my love. "He's dedicated, confident, and charming. He's devilishly sexy that Mimi has no problem pointing out. Daddy loves him as his own son, and Richard is attempting to teach him how to cook."

  I step out of his embrace and turn around to hold onto his biceps so I can reach up on my toes for a kiss.

  Turning back to the stone, I continue, "Plus, he has a tongue piercing that Daddy would love to rip out, but takes care of me in many ways."

  Colin pokes me in the side. "Babe, you can't tell your mother about that kind of stuff."

  I smack his bicep. "Oh please, she and Mimi would both be all up in your hotness trying to get you to show it off. You wouldn't be allowed to wear a shirt in their presence. I'm surprised Mimi hasn't already turned the air higher so you'd be forced to walk around shirtless."

  Instead of retaliating, he sits us down on the grass, facing the stone. While using him as a chair, he introduces himself. "Hi, Mrs. Lyons. I'm glad I finally got the chance to meet you. I've been chasing your daughte
r for months now, and I know you are the most important person in her life. I wanted to tell you that I promise to take care of her. I love her with all of my heart, and I'm glad she gave me a chance to show her that my determination on the field matches the determination to make her happy every day."

  My heart warms as he talks to my mom as if she were standing right in from of him. He's more than I could have ever possibly imagined, and I thank my mom above that he's in my life. Little drops of tears fall from my eyes as I think about how happy I am.

  We stay a little longer to talk about my work at the clinic and Colin's football camp with kids coming up. When we ride back to the house, Colin goes to help Richard with some stuff in the field while I go visit with Dad in his office.

  He's studying intently at the work in front of him that he doesn't notice me right away. I knock on the door, and my dad's warm smile takes over the whole room.

  "Hey, honey, how's Mom?"

  I sit down in the big chair and prop my feet up on the desk.

  "She's good. Lightning didn't strike Colin, so I think she liked him."

  He laughs and leans his elbows on the desk. I get my annual fatherly look. "Are you happy, honey?"

  My smile is big as I reply, "I've never been happier, Dad."

  "So that means whenever he plays in San Francisco, you're going to come with him, and I get to watch a game with you?"

  I can't contain my laughter. "Dad, I'm sure Colin has us on will call for any game we want to go to in any state, but I will be sure to come up for that one. We can probably get a box for Mimi and Richard to come as well."

  "So now that he's met the family, are you gonna finally move in with him?"

  I look at him shocked. "You're okay with me living with him without being married?"