by Amber Nation
“What did I tell you about doing that?" he said in a joking manner as he pressed his forehead up against mine. “Why do you think I put us like this? I wouldn’t ever put you in a position to where someone else could see. No one else can see your goods, only me."
He continued pumping into me and I felt myself move closer and closer to the edge almost ready to tip into the pool of ecstasy but I wanted to hold off until he was ready.
“You’ll have to hurry, baby. I’m so close, but I want to wait for you," my breathing was beginning to get more labored so it came out in a breathless whisper.
“I’m almost there." Our eyes locked once again and I could see all of his emotions and feels in the depths of those hazel irises. “I love you so much, Sheridan."
“I love you too, Mike." And we both catapulted over the edge into extreme bliss.
Before Mike, I didn’t ever think that I would get the chance to live a life full of happiness. Now there were so many possibilities and I know that he would support me every step of the way. And I knew it would take time, but now Benjamin would have a mother and a father that he could look up to and never have to be afraid.
I prayed to God wanting something more and he sent me to Brown County where I met my love. Mike ultimately saved my life in more ways than one and for that I will forever be grateful.
Mike
Three Months Later
It’s amazing how quickly things could change within three months…
Sheridan and Ben now lived with me which was an adjustment at first, but things seemed to be going well. It’s only been for about a month since the lease was up on Maggie’s apartment and since Sheridan was subletting she didn’t have to renew it if she didn’t want to.
It took some convincing on my part to get them to move in, but I think it has been the best decision.
The guest room has now been converted into a bedroom for Benjamin and true to little boy fashion he chose the Cars theme.
Meeting Ben officially for the first time had been an experience in and of itself. I thought it would be nice if we all took a trip to the Atlanta Zoo, to where we could be on more neutral territory. He didn’t hesitate to kick me in the shin for being mean to his mommy at the hospital but by the time we were leaving he was asking me to bend down to his level so he could give me a kiss.
It caught me off guard and I’ll admit stung a little when he went to give me an Eskimo kiss. That was Hannah and mine’s special kiss and it just didn’t seem right for me to do it to anyone else. That type of kiss wasn’t very common so it surprised me that was the only way he gave kisses.
I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but he ended up alright with just a high five.
Not long after we started bonding my heart opened up for him. He was such a sweet and funny little guy that it was hard not to love him.
The way he would want to wrestle and then have to stop to readjust his little glasses. He was the complete opposite of my princess so it made it a little easier to move forward.
Getting off of shift, I couldn’t wait to get home. I hadn’t spent much time at the shop these days because my life was fulfilled just being at home with my family. And although Sheridan and I weren’t married yet, someday it would happen but for now we were all content adjusting to everyday life.
I pulled into the driveway and parked right beside Sheridan’s Monte Carlo. She absolutely loved that car and it warmed my heart that I was a part of making it safe for her.
Walking up the front porch I immediately heard music coming from inside the house. A smile automatically appeared on my face as I entered in through the front door.
Sadie didn’t even greet me at the door like she used to, she was always otherwise occupied with Ben. They had become the best of friends and I was glad that Sadie Belle had someone younger to keep her on her toes a little more.
I leaned against the doorframe and crossed my arms in front of my chest in between the entryway and the living room and just watched the scene unfold before me.
Sheridan had quit The Diner after much apprehension on her part. She didn’t want any ill feelings between her and Wanda and Archie, but she needn’t have worried about that. Archie said that he was fine with her decision as long as we came for breakfast every Sunday and we had kept up on that promise.
Now Sheridan taught piano out of our home. She uses Ethan’s Great Aunt Edna’s upright piano and she has several students under her teaching now. She knew with her hands that she would never be able to complete Juilliard and fulfill her dream of performing so this was the next best thing for her.
Currently, she was in the middle of Grady and Emmalynne’s son Tucker’s lesson and apparently he was performing his rendition of “Mary Had A Little Lamb," or something that came close to that.
Sheridan and Ben were up dancing around to the sounds being made from the piano and from the looks of Sheridan’s quirky and awkward movements she had been taking dancing tips from Tessa again.
I couldn’t help the laugh that erupted from deep within my belly at the sight of them having a blast.
Finally, Sheridan had taken her spot back next to Tucker on the piano bench and began teaching him some other notes.
Ben resumed his playing on the middle of the floor with his matchbox cars and they still weren’t even aware that I was home. It gave me a moment to look all around me.
Pictures of Ben and the three of us together were hanging on the wall. Even several pictures of Hannah had made their way to be showcased against the tan paint in my living room. Her pictures fit right in, like they belonged there. Sheridan surprised me with them one day and said they were where they supposed to be. I teared up, but it was because Sheridan was right, Hannah was right where she was supposed to be, next to her brother Ben.
I never thought that, after Erin, I would let another woman into my heart, but I have come completely full circle in life. I’ve learned that I could love a child again and it wasn’t hindering my love for my little girl in any way.
Sometimes the best way to honor the life of someone you lost was to save another. I’ll continue to save lives every day, but the biggest life that I’ve saved was not only Sheridan’s but mine as well. I wasn’t alone in that part, Sheridan was very much an active participant. But I ultimately made the decision to take a chance on a new love and a new family and I will never ever look back.
I pushed myself off of the doorframe and walked over to stand directly behind Sheridan and bent down to where I could wrap my arms around her and gave her a kiss on her neck.
She immediately placed her hands on my forearms and then turned around to look up at me smiling.
“Hey babe, I didn’t hear you come in. Is everything alright?"
I couldn’t contain my grin as both sides of my mouth tipped up, because everything was finally alright. “Yeah, everything is just perfect."
I currently reside in Southern Indiana with my husband and two daughters. I spent most of my life trying to get out of Indiana, then spent four years trying to get back in, once my husband enlisted in the US Army and we were stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
I am a stay at home mom and wouldn’t have it any other way. Even though most of my time is spent transporting my girls to their various sports activities or running them back and forth to school, it is a blessing just to be with them each and every day.
I am a concert and road trip junkie! I love the thrill of seeing my favorite bands live, and just having fun on the open road.
My kindle has become like an extra appendage, as it is never far from my side. I became obsessed with books a little more than a year and a half ago and wished I had gotten into them much sooner!! My love of reading is what sparked my passion for writing, and now it’s one of my favorite things that I do for myself.
Contact Me
Ambernationauthor.com
@nation_amber
Facebook
Pinterest
[email protected]
Amber Nation, How To Save A Life (Brown County)