Beautiful Ever After

by Georgia Cates

  Exploding.

  Flowing.

  Spilling inside her.

  I push her legs back and apart, thrusting deeply one last time, and holding steady. This is how I’ll do it when we actually try.

  I lower my upper body and hover above her, my elbows pressing into the mattress on each side of her head. I pepper kisses across her forehead, nose, cheeks, and finally her mouth. Her mouth which is now grinning. “What is it?”

  “I’m amazed by the changes in you. You’ve done a complete one-eighty.”

  “That’s what happens when you meet the right woman.”

  Mina wasn’t the woman for me. It may sound crazy but I almost feel as though my failed marriage has played a hand in preparing me to be the best husband I can be for Lou.

  “I’m no fool. I know a good thing when I see it. And from the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew there would be something special between us.” I remember telling Brady I wanted to feel a connection when I saw the right inamorata. And I did.

  She smiles. “I didn’t know what it was, but I felt something too.”

  “I never imagined myself loving a woman the way I love you. And I damn sure never imagined myself wanting to have children.”

  She strokes the sides of my face. “I hope they have your eyes.”

  “Two can have my eyes and two can have yours. But I want all of them to have these adorable little freckles scattered across their noses.”

  “I want them to be tall like you. Being short sucks.”

  “Short happens to look very cute on you.”

  “I can assure you it’s only cute to those who aren’t short.”

  I kiss her and pull out slowly. “If we were trying to get pregnant tonight, would you want me to pull out or leave my cock in for a while like a stopper to prevent my sperm from leaking out?”

  She laughs. “I haven’t given it that much thought, but I see you have.”

  “Aye, I’ve been thinking about it for a while.”

  “You haven’t said much about it.”

  “There was really no point in talking about it until our lives were on a steady course.” I’ve allowed the Lochridges to dictate so much in my life. But those days are over. “I’m giving notice in the morning.”

  “That makes me so happy.”

  “I don’t know what I’ll do for a job yet but I’ll figure out something.” Maybe start my own firm. I’ve always wanted that.

  “Nothing is holding us to Edinburgh.”

  “Are you thinking we should make the move to Glasgow?”

  “I am. One hundred percent. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for Ava Rose and our other children to grow up near your family?”

  “They’re our family. You’re a Hutcheson now. And yes. I would love for our children to grow up near our family.”

  “I’ve never had a real family and I want that in my life on a daily basis. I don’t want to be closer to them just for our children. I want it for me too.”

  If Lou wants to be near the family then I want to give her that. “I think that’s what we should do. And I think we should begin working on that very soon.”

  “We can’t move before the semester ends. I’m so close to being finished.”

  “We’ll stay long enough for you to graduate. That’ll give me time to finish tying up loose ends with my clients. And it’ll give us time to find a new house.”

  “Do you think any of your clients will want to leave Lochridge and come with you?”

  A lot of them don’t care for Thomas. “Possibly although I would never encourage that. It would be entirely up to them.”

  “I’m not worried. There’ll be plenty of clients in Glasgow. And if there aren’t, it’s okay. I don’t need wealth to be happy. All I need is you and our family.”

  “You never have to worry about money, Lou. I have enough funds invested and put away to sustain us comfortably for the duration of our lives and our children’s lives.”

  “I figured as much.”

  “I know how strong and independent you are, but with me your fight is over. I’ve got you, mo maise. I want to take care of you. And I want you to take care of me and our family.”

  “We do take care of each other, don’t we?”

  “We absolutely do.”

  Lou is my partner in life. My love. My everything.

  I walked into that Inamorata gala seeking a sexy female companion for the summer. Instead, I got a beautiful wife for a lifetime. A loving mother for my daughter. A woman who opened my heart to the child that I didn’t know I could ever want and love.

  She is my beautiful ever after.

  30

  Caitriona Hutcheson

  It’s official. I’m a graduate of the University of Edinburgh. I have earned my degree in English language and literature.

  Gus and Clarissa. Sara, Adam, and the boys. Ian, Shannon, and Pearl. Rachel and Claud. And my heart—my Hutch and Ava Rose. Everyone I love is surrounding me at this restaurant tonight to celebrate my accomplishment. And it feels amazing. I thought I might never have people like these in my life.

  While it’s incredibly satisfying to know that I have finally accomplished what I set out to do, I find that it is my life with Hutch and Ava Rose that brings me the most joy and satisfaction.

  Everyone has a calling in life. I can’t say what mine will be five or ten years from now but today, my number-one calling is to be a wife and mother. That’s where my heart is. It’s where my loyalty lies.

  The writing will come when it comes.

  Hutch reaches for my hand, bringing it to his lips. “My wife, the graduate. You did it, mo maise. I’m so proud of you.”

  “I think I’m most proud because being finished means that we can finally move to the new house in Glasgow.” School has been delaying the start of the rest of our lives for too long.

  Hutch and I bought a house on thirty acres near his parents’ home on the golf course. He insisted that we have plenty of acreage to build a barn and bring the horses. Sol, Prissy, and Nevan are our family too.

  “I’m excited about our new lives in Glasgow.”

  “I am too.”

  Gus stands and clinks his wine glass with his knife. “A toast to my bonnie daughter-in-law.” Everyone around the table quietens and Gus continues, “We’re so proud of your accomplishment today but even more proud of the wife you are to Max and the mother you are to Ava Rose. We love you dearly.”

  “What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.”

  Murmurs of love and congratulations come from around the table, the words overlapping at once, and tears pool in my lower lids. Because these people love me.

  They’re happy for me. Proud of me. Want the best for me.

  And I’ve never had that in my life.

  It’s an amazing feeling. Everyone should feel this way at some point of their life.

  Dinner is exceptional as it always is at this restaurant. It never disappoints.

  I sit back, placing my hand over my lower stomach. “I ate too much.”

  Hutch leans close and lowers his voice. “No worries. I have some vigorous baby-making exercise planned for you when we get home.”

  “You do, huh?”

  “Indeed, I do, Mrs. Hutcheson. I’ve been reading up on the best positions. They look like a lot of fun.”

  “You’ve been doing research, huh?”

  “A wee bit.”

  “I’m excited to see what you’ve come up with.”

  “Are you ready to go so I can show you?”

  “I’m ready if you are.”

  Clarissa and I make a visit to the loo on the way out and I’m sitting on the toilet when someone tries to open the door from the outside. “Sorry. Occupied.”

  I rush to finish my business but go still when I hear the women on the other side of the stall talking.

  “I just saw Maxwell Hutcheson out there. Is that his new wife?”

  “You saw Max?”

  Shit. I think that’s Blair’s voice
.

  I might wonder what the odds were of running into her here, but it wouldn’t be unusual for her to frequent a restaurant like this. It’s damn fancy.

  “He’s sitting with ten, maybe twelve people out there. The woman beside him has long brown hair. Short. Petite. Very pretty.”

  “That sounds like his nasty bitch wife who won’t let us see Ava Rose anymore.”

  It’s true. She doesn’t see Ava Rose anymore but not because I’ve had anything to do with it. Blair is the reason that Blair no longer sees her niece. She lost all interest in Ava Rose once she found out that Hutch wasn’t going to marry her.

  I’m pretty sure the rest of the family is on their way to losing interest in her as well. They rarely call to check on her and never ask for visits anymore. It’s been at least a month since we’ve heard from them.

  With the Lochridges, she was like a new toy who has now lost her shine. Hutch says that’s how all of them are with everything in their lives except money and power. Nothing holds their attention for long before they’re on to the next most exciting thing. And that’s more than okay with us. That little girl has all the love she needs in us. She’ll never know their toxicity. They’re doing her a favor by choosing to not be in her life.

  “I don’t know where Max went slumming to find such an uncouth American. She’s certainly not Lochridge calibre. But I guess it’s fitting, considering the kind of family he comes from. He has a more similar background with this wife than he ever did with Mina.”

  “I can’t believe she won’t let you see Mina’s daughter. She’s your own flesh and blood. That’s wrong. You should do something about that.”

  “One hundred percent. You should take legal action, Blair. You know you’d win. Who wouldn’t rule in your favor?”

  The trio of women go silent and all smiles fade when I open the stall door. “Pardon me. The nasty bitch wife needs to wash her hands.”

  I will not stoop to her level.

  I will not stoop to her level.

  I will not stoop to her level.

  Clarissa opens the other stall door, and I realize that in my anger I’d forgotten she was in here. And then another realization hits me when I see the expression on her face: she heard Blair insult the Hutchesons.

  I can take being insulted. I’m accustomed to it, but no one gets to insult Clarissa and her family. “You can say what you like about me but not Clarissa and her family. Apologize.”

  Blair looks at me and smiles. “I don’t apologize for speaking the truth.”

  “Apologize. Now.”

  “No.”

  I count to three in my mind. Slowly. “I care what my mother-in-law thinks of me and that’s the only reason I’m not going to knock the hell out of you right now.”

  “Go ahead. Knock the hell out of her. I’ll think even more of you if you do.” Clarissa steps between the two friends and me. “I can take care of these two if they try to be heroes.”

  I may be small, but I’m fast. And my fist collides with Blair’s nose before she has time to think about retreating. The stream of blood immediately trickling down her upper lip is satisfying.

  “Holy shite. There goes that rhinoplasty,” one of the girls says.

  “You may be wee, but you are mighty,” Clarissa says.

  Blair reaches up and touches her face. “You broke my nose?”

  “I certainly hope so. Maybe then you’ll think twice before looking down it at other people.”

  Clarissa and I leave the loo, and I bring my hand up to inspect my wedding ring.

  “Good job, lass. That was a mighty fine left hook. Where did you learn to do that?”

  “My friend Bleu taught me.” I open and close my fist. And it hurts like a mutha. “I may have just broken my hand. I hit her harder than I intended.”

  “Well, you didn’t hit her harder than I intended. She deserved that plus so much more.” Clarissa reaches for my hand and inspects it. “You should take off your wedding rings before your fingers swell.”

  My entire hand is throbbing and already feeling tight. “That’s a good idea. I’d hate to have to cut them off.”

  Ava Rose holds out her arms for me, but my hand is throbbing so badly. “Let Da hold you, baby.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’ll tell you on the way home.”

  Calvin has barely pulled away from the curb when Hutch revisits the conversation about what is going on.

  “Blair and her friends came into the loo. They didn’t know we were in there, and Blair said nasty things about me and your family.”

  “Did she upset my mum?”

  “I wouldn’t say upset. Pissed off would be a better way to describe what your mom was.”

  “My mum can get aff her heid if someone talks shite about the family. She’s not okay with that.”

  “I told Blair that I cared about what Clarissa thought of me and that she was the only reason I wasn’t going to knock the hell out of her. Your mom told me to go for it. So I did.”

  “Wait… what?”

  “Your mom wanted me to punch Blair so I did. I think I broke her nose.” I hold up my fist. “And maybe my hand.”

  “You brawled in the loo at the restaurant?”

  “Yes, and it was great. I’ve been wanting to do that for a while.”

  “Wow. My wife is a brawler. I had no idea.” He reaches over Ava Rose’s car seat and caresses the back of my neck. “That’s hot.”

  “You’re not embarrassed that I acted so unrefined?”

  “You defended our family. I couldn’t be prouder of you, Lou.” Hutch lowers his voice. “And I also couldn’t be more turned on.”

  “That’s good because I believe we have some baby-making to do,” I whisper.

  “Aye, we do.”

  I stopped my birth control three months ago in preparation for what we’re calling the next chapter of our lives. Tonight is our first try, and while it’s the same act we’ve engaged in I don’t know how many times before, everything about this time is different.

  Hutch leans forward to look at Ava Rose in her seat. “I hope she doesn’t wake and try to stay up when we move her from the seat to her crib.”

  She does that sometimes. Well, a lot of times. “I hope she doesn’t cry to stay in our bed.”

  “Fuck, I didn’t even think about that.”

  We spoiled Ava Rose by letting her sleep with us for so long. Convincing her to sleep in her crib in her new nursery has been trying at times.

  “It’s been a long day for her.”

  “It’s been a long day for all of us.” And a stressful one. I’m glad graduation is behind me.

  “Are you too tired to try tonight?”

  “No. I want to. But I may fall asleep right after though.”

  “After won’t hurt my pride, but I don’t think I could take your going to sleep in the middle.”

  I giggle. “Then you should do your best to make sure I stay awake.”

  “Oh, you’re on.”

  After we’re home, I go to our bedroom and prepare myself for our first baby-making session while Hutch gets Ava Rose down in her crib for the night. I know things must have gone well when I come out of the bathroom and see him sitting on the side of the bed wearing only a pair of boxer briefs.

  I stop in the doorway and lean against the frame. Shifting my weight to one leg, and putting my hand on my hip.

  Black baby doll top split up the middle barely covering my breasts. Exposed belly. Tiny black triangle between my legs. Fuck-me-now facial expression.

  It’s the ultimate prelude to baby-making.

  “What does Da think?”

  “Da loves.”

  Walking toward him, I realize that every step brings us closer to making this actually happen. And I’m overcome by the love I feel for this man when I think about what we’re doing tonight.

  He stands when I reach him and I dip my fingers into the waistband of his underwear, pushing them down his thighs. He kicks out of
the fabric and I feel his full, thick cock against my stomach when he pulls me close.

  We clumsily turn, our mouths not separating until I sit on the bed and glide to the middle. Using my index finger, I use it to coax him closer. “Get up here and put a baby inside me.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  He crawls up my body, taking his time as he leaves a path of kisses, beginning at my belly. When we’re face-to-face, I grasp the back of his neck. “Kiss me.”

  I pull him down so our mouths meet and his makes love to mine. Slowly. Deeply. Lovingly.

  When we stop kissing, he pulls away and looks at my face. “Tonight could change everything.”

  He stares into my eyes as he hovers above and I run my fingertips down the bridge of his nose. “I hope so.”

  He kisses the side of my face and moves his mouth down the length of my neck before unfastening the ribbon that holds my top together. But before he does, he places a kiss between my breasts. And a thought strikes me. If we conceive tonight, it’ll only be a matter of months before I put a newborn to these breasts for nursing. I look forward to that.

  Hutch unfastens my top and pulls the straps down, leaving me topless. Next, he hooks his fingers into my waistband and drags my panties down my legs.

  Face-to-face.

  Bare skin to bare skin.

  Heart to heart.

  Open invitation.

  He nestles his body between my parted legs until his hard cock presses against me. Like always, a slick opening greets him. When I lift my hips, the crown pushes just inside me, and then glides all the way in with ease.

  “I love how you’re always wet for me.”

  It’s true. All Hutch has to do is look at me and my body reacts. I’m sensitive to him. I get dripping wet for the man because he has conquered me. Broke through my walls. He’s the only man who’s ever been strong enough to do so and I adore him for it.

  He is my world. My everything.

  He thrusts himself inside me until the base of his cock hits my entrance. Buried to the hilt. He closes his eyes and holds that position for a brief moment before rocking in and out of me slowly.

  His pace gradually quickens but not to a point of aggression. Not even close. This is making love. And hopefully making a baby.