Anchored To Love

by S. M. Stryker

  “God, Zain, I love you so much.”

  I lean into her, cradling her face. I look into her eyes as I lick her bottom lip before pulling her to me tight, our tongues are making love with each other. We’re panting, licking and sucking each other’s tongues in a primal way. My hands start to roam her body, but end on her face again. Her hands are on my back her nails digging in. Fuck, it hurts so good. I don’t want to stop, but I know if I don’t, we’ll never go back down and there is so much more that is going to be happening today, so I reluctantly pull away.

  “Fuck, Char, at this rate we’ll never get out of bed again.” She giggles. “God, what a sound, I love your giggles.” I’m so glad, after last week, that she can still do it.

  I take her hand again as we walk downstairs and outside to our guests.

  Char and I take a seat on the rattan loveseat.

  “Who’s getting hungry? Does anyone need more to drink?” Raven asks. “Beer, soda, water? Anybody?”

  “I’ll help you,” Char says and they both walk inside.

  As the girls walk out with the drinks, I pull envelopes out of my pocket and start to hand them out. “Mitchell, this is for you. Beckett. Please don’t open these until I tell you to. Richard, Davis, LeDoux.”

  Char and Raven sit back down. “What is this, Christmas?”

  “Nicole, Raven, and Katie.”

  I stand up and walk over to the barbeque, lighting it so it will be ready when I am done.

  “First, I again want to thank all of you for helping get my Char back. As some of you know, I had to be slapped back to my senses. I would have given my life for any one of yours, and you are all just starting your lives with your loves. I know you can say that I am too, and that is true, I am. Char and I met six years ago though. We were together, and we threw it away over stupid things. Anyway, we had had our chance. I knew it would be hard for Char, but I also knew she was young, beautiful, and smart, and she would be able to fall in love again.” I look down at her; tears are running down her face as she shakes her head.

  “Well, first, when Mitchell found out how I was thinking, the shit hit the fan and he said I couldn’t go and help. Beckett was probably going to have to stop our fight. Then little Ms. Spitfire heard us yelling and came to find out what was going on. I think I would have rather fought Mitchell. She slapped me so hard across my face, it still feels bruised.” I unconsciously reach up and touch my cheek. “Needless to say, my frame of mind switched real quick.

  “I haven’t ever been as proud as I was that Friday night when we all worked as one unit, friends, and my family. Trent and Shannon, I know you are just walking into our family and I’m glad you can be a part of what this family has done for Char and me. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

  “I said all of that to get back to my thinking on Thursday, the day that I needed to make peace with God and trying to ready myself in case I didn’t come back. First and foremost, I had wanted to make sure that Char and Jaxon were cared for, for the rest of their lives. Obviously, you’ve seen part of what I’ve done. I also wanted to show my family what they mean to me as well. LeDoux go ahead and open your envelope.”

  “Carson, I didn’t come here …”

  I cut him off. “LeDoux, I asked you to come here today. If, for some reason, I didn’t make it back this wouldn’t have changed. So just open the damn envelope.”

  He pulls a letter from inside, opens the letter, and reads it to himself. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  “Nope.” I shake my head.

  “Oh my God, Carson, I don’t know what to say.”

  “Don’t say anything yet.”

  LeDoux just nods his head.

  “Davis, you’re next.”

  Davis looks like a little kid at Christmas. His eyes light up with all the possibilities. He pulls the letter out; unfolding it, he starts to read. “Seriously?”

  “Seriously.”

  “I want to know what it is,” Raven whines.

  “Mitchell.”

  “There are two here.”

  “Open the top one. You can read yours out loud,” I say.

  Taking the folded letter out, he starts to read.

  “To Toby Mitchell, I have found and purchased a building for you, Pete LeDoux, and Keeland Davis, which will house Mitchell securities and MLK Tactical Training and Martial Art Center. Partnership documentation has been set up for MLK by Mr. Jeffrey Howard, Attorney at Law.

  “Oh my God, Carson, this is unbelievable. I’m speechless, but thank you. After going to the place in Hillsboro, I thought it would be so cool to have a place like that.”

  “I know, that was the first thing I thought of when you took us there. You care so much for your men, and their training. This way you can make sure they are trained the way you want them to be. Richard, you are up.”

  “I have two too, so I guess this means that I open the top one.” Richard opens his envelope, pulling out the paper inside and slowly opening it. As he reads it to himself, I see the tears start to rim his eyes. “Oh my God, Carson, you can’t do that.”

  “Oh, but I can and have.”

  “Beckett, it’s your turn.”

  Beckett takes the top envelope and opens it. “Oh Fuck!” is all he could say. He looks at Richard, then to me. He’s speechless, so Harlow takes the letter and starts to read.

  “Sorry … I can’t wait.” Harlow says. “Beckett, you and Richard took a chance on me, no education to my name, just a love for computers and making things that I’ve found useful. Therefore, I found a building that I thought was useful that could house your growing company. I have purchased it for you and Richard, but you might have to hire more people to run it. You won’t have to move very far because I bought the building you are currently renting. As you can see by the picture enclosed, the name on the building has changed to the Stone Dalton Tower. The property management papers for all the offices in your new tower are in the office of Mr. Jeffrey Howard Attorney at Law.

  “Oh, my gosh, Carson!” Harlow says.

  “Harlow, you’re up.”

  She takes the top envelope and with shaky fingers opens and reads it. Her hand flies to her mouth as she covers it and tears start to pool in her eyes. Now she can’t speak and Beckett takes the letter.

  “To Harlow Bennett, I have secured a large space that will house Harlow’s Bakery and Deli in the Stone Dalton Towers; you will be on the first floor street level. Filled with all new equipment.”

  “Katie, you’re somewhat quiet over there. Open your envelope.”

  “Carson …”

  “Katie,” I cut her off. “Read your letter, please.”

  “To Katie Brown, for being the perfect nanny to Jaxon and stepping up without hesitation. Your student loans have been paid in full as is the rest of your education and your rent has been paid in full for the next two years.

  “Carson, I don’t know what to say. I have stressed about paying off my education. I didn’t know how I was going to do it and pay rent at the same time. This is amazing, thank you!”

  “No thank you, for always putting Jaxon and Char first. I know you had to miss several classes last week taking care of him. I have talked to your instructors and told them the situation and they are setting up times to go over what was missed.

  “So let me say that the next envelopes are something that I can’t control—either you do or you don’t, it is your choice. For this, you need to follow me.”

  We all walk outside to the street. As they are standing in the cul-de-sac, I say, “I look at each and every one of you as family. In saying that families should be close to one another, you have always been there for Char and me. Open your envelopes.”

  “Beckett would you read your letter please.”

  “Please stand and face Carson and do as he asks.”

  Everyone looks at me with confused looks on their faces. I then pull out five boxes. Each one has a number on the top.

  “Raven, what is your number?”

&nb
sp; “One.”

  “That’s my number too.” Mitchell says.

  “That’s a good thing,” I say. I hand them the box with the number one on top.

  “Nicole, what is your number?”

  “Two.”

  “Mine too,” Richard says.

  I hand her the box that says two on it.

  “Harlow?”

  “Three.”

  Beckett nods in agreement, as I hand her the box.

  “Davis?”

  “Four.”

  “LeDoux.”

  “Five.”

  I finish handing out the boxes. “Everyone, open your boxes.” Char is gripping my arm tightly with anticipation. “Now, turn around.” As everyone turns, I have to laugh at their reactions.

  “What the fuck?” Richard says.

  “Holy shit!” Davis says.

  “Fuck me,” Mitchell says.

  “Sweet Jesus,” LaDoux says.

  “How the hell?” Beckett says under his breath.

  “Okay everyone, go find your homes.” Each of the homes has a big bow on the garage door. Char and I are standing in the road by ourselves as everyone goes to find their homes.

  “How did you do this? You couldn’t have arranged this in one day. How can you afford everything you did?”

  “I’ve been investing my money for years. I haven’t lived off my trust fund, and when I turned twenty-one, I started to invest my monthly draw. I’ve lived at my parents’ place and I don’t spend a lot on myself, so it adds up fast. My concern is that everyone has their own place except for Harlow, Nicole, Raven, Shannon and Trent, but Harlow will marry Beckett soon and Raven will marry Mitchell. It will be a matter of if they want to move out of their homes that they already own to here.”

  “You’re presuming a lot with Richard and Nicole.”

  “Yes I am, but I think eventually Davis and Shannon will get together and did you see LeDoux with Katie?”

  “I did, they even snuck off together earlier.”

  “Well, we will see what they say when they get back here. I hear Beckett’s place is really nice. He’s done a lot of work on it. But I was just thinking how nice it would be to have everyone here and be together as long as we want.”

  “You are a wonderful man, Zain. I can’t believe how generous you are.”

  “I would give up everything I own go get you back to me. What they did was priceless, Char. You have made me alive again instead of the shell of a man I used to be. Now when are we getting married? Big or small wedding?”

  “How about we talk about it later when we’re by ourselves.”

  “Okay, if I have to wait.”

  Raven comes screaming to Char. She’s jumping up and down and I can’t understand a word she is saying. Char places her hands on Raven’s shoulders and says, “Deep breath,” and I can see Raven taking a breath. “Now speak slowly, so I can understand you.”

  “Toby said we can move here. His place is nice, but this place is … this place is amazing.”

  Before I know it, Raven is running over to me and has jumped up in the air towards me. I barely catch her as she starts to kiss all over my face. I am expressionless. I see Mitchell striding for me and I think I’m going to die. He’s standing in front of me as Char is busting up laughing. I just shrug my shoulders. Mitchell grabs her under the armpits and she unlatches from me, latches onto Mitchell, and continues to kiss his face without interruption. That’s when I bust out laughing. She’s like a little monkey, and just about as small.

  Everyone starts walking out of the homes and back over to us. I take Char’s hand and start to walk into our new home. We walk into the entryway and I stop and turn to her. Looking into her beautiful eyes, I know I am finally home. “Are you happy?”

  “Zain, you have made me the happiest woman in the world. Thank you for loving me.”

  “Thank you for loving me and letting me be a part of you and your family.” I lean down, pressing my lips to hers, and I know that at that moment, things could never be better.

  Epilogue

  Zain

  IT’S BEEN SIX YEARS since my wake. A lot has happened in those years. One thing I can say is our life has never been boring.

  Char and I decided that we had waited long enough to get married, so before she started medical school, we did a destination wedding in Punta Cana. We were married just before sunset on the white sandy beach. I can remember as if it was yesterday.

  Toby was my best man and Raven was Char’s bridesmaid. We wanted a simple wedding. Toby and I were in khakis that were rolled up to the ankle and we were all barefoot. I wore a dark taupe jacket, white shirt, and no tie, top couple buttons open. Toby wore a vest instead of the jacket, with no tie.

  I got Char a vintage platinum wedding wrap band with filigree. I knew she didn’t want anything with a lot of flash, but I also knew she loved the vintage filigree look. Her engagement ring fits down into it perfectly.

  We flew all of our friends and Char’s family out for the wedding.

  Char was breathtaking. She wore a white sweetheart neck wedding dress with a lace appliqué see through bodice. It had spaghetti straps and a very low back. You could almost see the dimples on her lower back. She wanted to be able to see her wing tattoo. It had a short lace skirt covered with layers of chiffon over the top. The Chiffon had two slits to the waist in front of both legs so when she walked the outer chiffon skirt flowed back showing the short skirt as the piece at the front flowed between her legs. She was barefoot, but had her feet decorated with crocheted barefoot sandals with iridescent glass beads and shells. Her hair was pulled back into a loose low ponytail with big ringlet curls and she wore a simple baby’s breath wreath in her hair. I think I could have had an orgasm just watching her walk to me. Fuck me hard, she was stunning. When she stepped from the cabana she had been in, she took my breath away. My dream was finally coming true. I had waited so long for this moment. Our eyes were on each other as she walked down the beach smiling at me. Her eyes were gleaming with unshed tears as my eyes were burning with mine. My heart was racing, and I thought I was going to pass out. I think Mitchell knew and took a step toward me, whispering to me to breathe. I hadn’t even realized I was holding my breath. She held a small bouquet of baby pink roses and gardenias. After she made her way to me, she handed her bouquet to Raven and turned to hold my hands. I leaned into her, kissing her cheek, and whispered in her ear. “You are ravishing.”

  The minister started to speak. We had decided to write our own vows.

  “Char, it’s been almost six years to the day that we first met. And I knew that I loved you and we would one day be together, but we had to wait our turn. Although I would have gladly married you all those years ago, I wouldn’t change what those years did to change me and grow me into the man I am today. Life has a way of telling us when our time is right and I know neither of us were ready for what life had in store for us back then. Now is our time. You not only brought the color back into my life, you saved me, not just from a colorless, loveless world, but also from the evils of the world. I’ve heard people say that their significant other completes them. Well, that’s not what I was looking for. I was looking for someone who accepts me completely, and I found that person in you, for you have accepted me for whom and what I am. For these reasons, I make you this promise, that I will always be open to your needs and wants. I will respect you and lay my life down for you and Jaxon. I will love Jaxon as if he were my own son and I will make sure he knows what a great father he had in Braydon. I will make dreams with you and strive to make them come true, and I won’t forget to cherish you and tell you that you are loved every day. I will love you to eternity. I love you, Char, and I will let you play doctor with me anytime.”

  Everyone started to laugh.

  “Zain, from the moment I met you, I knew there was something different about you. And although I let my error in judgment get between us, I agree with you, we weren’t ready back then. And like you said, I wouldn’t g
o back and change anything either. And as much as I loved Braydon and wish he hadn’t died, he knew you were coming. He had told me that he was here to help me through my loss of you. He was there to prepare me for my soul mate, that I would know as soon as I saw him—you. Of course, there’s Jaxon. He gave me Jaxon to give me the strength to go on living. And leave it to Raven to fix us up. You are my knight in shining armor. You not only saved me, but also people that I proudly call my family now. I know the next several years are going to be hard, but with you by my side, I now know we can make it through anything. I promise to you this day to love you, respect you, I will never doubt you, or take you for granted. I will strive to make your dreams come true and tell you every day that I love you. I will love you to eternity, and I will play doctor with you whenever you want.”

  “Carson, place the ring on Charlize’s finger, and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

  I looked into Char’s eyes, my eyes were burning with unshed tears, as I slipped her ring on her finger and kissed it, as I said the words that I have longed to say to Char. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

  Char looked at her ring and gasped.

  “Charlize, place the ring on Carson’s finger, and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

  Char’s eyes were brimming with tears as she slipped the ring on my finger, then kissed it. “With this ring, I thee wed.” Tears fell down her face, and I brushed them away.

  Char got me one of the most unique rings I have ever seen; it’s a black titanium ring with black and blue carbon fibers in it. It’s awesome.

  “With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

  I wrapped my hands around the back of her head; my thumbs were in front of her ears as I pulled her to me, taking her lips with mine, showing how much I love her. I smiled as I pulled my lips from hers and whispered, “You’re my wife. God, I love you.”

  Raven handed Char her bouquet as the minister introduced us. “Mr. and Mrs. Carson Zain Smith.”

  Everyone was clapping and hollering as I wrapped my arms around Char again and kissed her, but this time, I dipped her too.