Love Never Fails

by L. D. Harmison

  “I guess it’s good that you still find me irresistible.”

  “You have no idea.”

  They eat dinner with her parents, and John and Jake discuss work. Ella sits in her chair painting her food all over her face. Jake wipes Ella, and gives her a bath while Monica and Lauren clean the table.

  Once Ella is dried, Jake helps her into her pajamas. Sitting by her on the bed, he reads her a bedtime story. She falls asleep mid-way through the book. After tucking her in, he heads to the bathroom. He undresses and joins Monica in the shower.

  “Do you want some company?”

  “You don’t ever have to ask me that. I always want you.”

  Jake leans against the wall, pulls Monica towards him, kissing her neck, and digs his fingers into her thigh, as he gets hard. She connects with his lips, and he massages her tongue with his. Monica grabs him, and slips him inside her with her hands. Turning around, he presses her against the wall. He wraps both of her legs around his waist, squeezing her ass tight and tugs her firmly. She unwraps her legs, removes him from inside, turns her back to him, and yanks him back inside her, demanding him to do her rough. He jerks deep in her, and convulses while pulling her hair with one hand and choking her with the other.

  “Oh my god, babe. That’s fucking awesome.”

  “Did I hurt you?”

  “Yes, but it was a good hurt.”

  He pulls out, turns her to face him, entangles her legs together around him, and kisses her violently. He gets aroused again, so she coaxed him in her slit, and he bangs her area softly and deeply till she explodes on him. He stands there with her legs in the air still folded around him, and they exchange saliva while brushing their tongues. Jake starts to dance inside her with little strokes at first, then bleak, brutal pumps; they rupture their muscles against each other.

  “Baby I can’t get enough of you. Lets’ go to bed.”

  She washes her hair first, and then washes his for him. She rubs her finger tips on his head, massaging his temples. She then quickly washes her body, and carefully but thoroughly washes his. They get out of the shower, he grabs a towel, and dries her and him off really fast, and trails her to the bed. They cater each other needs one more time before they finally fall asleep.

  23

  They arrive at Chuck E Cheese, and the party host greets them at the door. She leads Jake and Monica to their reserved tables. John carries Ella while Lauren hands the party host Ella’s birthday cake.

  “Let me go put this in the fridge, and I’ll be right back.” The host reassures.

  Family and friends start arriving, and wishes Ella happy birthday. She doesn’t understand what’s going on and why everybody is there celebrating her birthday, but she whines wanting to play in the ball pen. John spoils her, and brings her to play in the pen. The host returns with game tokens, and gives them to Jake, so he can pass them out. Kids scram the moment the cup of tokens hit their hands. After thirty minutes of the kids gambling their tokens away, they come back to Jake asking for more. Monica promises if they eat pizza, she will give them more tokens, so they all abide. Lauren feeds Ella, while Jake and Monica entertain other parents that mustered up enough courage and energy to come to a place like this. A place where kids dominate their parents.

  Monica executes her promise, and passes out more tokens to the kids once they finished stuffing their faces with pizza. The kids spread out and frolics their coins away. Jake’s parents arrive late to the party, like celebrating their first grandchild’s birthday isn’t that important. When Monica sees them, she glances at Jake, inhales and hold her breath for a second before releasing. He pulls her head by her neck, and pecks her forehead and whispers I love you. Kelly walks towards Monica, and stands by her making sure she’s there if Erin pulls a stunt. Monica holds Kelly by the arm, and squeezes diligently. Kelly massages her hand reassuring her she’s by her side.

  “Where is the birthday girl? Grandma wants to give her a birthday kiss.” Erin searches for Ella in the cluster of kids like she’s playing a game of Where’s Waldo.

  She spots John and Lauren totting Ella around, letting her do what she pleases. She waves Lauren to approach her, and Lauren stares at Monica, and she too holds her breath, and forces a smile. Lauren elbows John on his side, letting him know the witch has arrived. John lifts Ella and they schlepp to where Erin and Aaron are. Erin holds her arms out asking Ella for a hug, and Ella snubs her and cries when Erin touches her arm.

  “Dear this is what happens when you don’t bring our grandchild around. She doesn’t know who we are. That’s not fair to your dad and I that she only knows John and Lauren.”

  Lauren surprised by her outburst, bites her button lip, forcing herself from really expressing how she feels about Jake’s parents. Jake doesn’t want Ella growing up like he did. He doesn’t want her around people who are always negative, and who will probably have a bad influence in her life. He was lucky when Monica saved him from that kind of environment, and he doesn’t want his daughter to have to experience that misfortune. Lauren walks on the opposite side of Kelly, and Monica stands between them taking sluggish breathes. Lauren and Kelly always balance Monica out when Erin or Reese rub her the wrong way.

  Everyone ignores his ignorant mother, and they carry on enjoying the birthday party. The host arrives with the birthday cake, candle, ice cream and lighter. She places the cake on the edge of the table, while she heads back to the kitchen to grab the plates, spoons, and knife. Family and friends gather around Ella, and she starts to cry afraid of what’s going on. Jake lifts her off her chair, sits, and comforts her in his lap. She buries her head into her dad’s arms, and she stops crying. Jake lifts her chin, kisses her cheeks, and tells she’ll be alright because he’s there. She glances up at her mom and dad, and John and Lauren and starts grinning when everybody starts signing her happy birthday. She tries to blow out the candle, but with her faint blow, the fire doesn’t go out, so Jake counts to three and tells her to help daddy blow out the candle. Ella shyly smiles when everybody claps once the fire went out.

  The party host, cuts up the first slice, scoops out some ice cream, and hands Ella the first dibs. She dives in, smearing her birthday cake and ice cream all over her face, while Kelly takes pictures.

  Monica takes a bite of the delicious cake, and the great taste leaves bitterness in her mouth when Erin starts blabbing away about Reese. Why does Reese’s name always pour out of this woman’s mouth every time she sees her? What are her intentions?

  “Your cousin Reese came by the house yesterday. She picked up some paperwork for her father. She is so smart and intelligent. I don’t see why you don’t like her, because I really think she’s so likeable.”

  Monica knows Erin is trying to get the best of her. Erin presses her luck, in hopes that everyone especially her son, can see the evil side of Monica, but she isn’t going to let her win. She isn’t going to give her what she wants. Erin blames Monica for Jake not being around as much, but if she only knew, she’s the one that drove Jake away. With her never satisfied attitude and condescending remarks to Jake and to people he cares about. Monica ignores Erin, while Jake wraps his arm around her shoulders, and Monica smirks at Erin. Trying to irritate Monica will only make Jake hate her even more. Lauren and Monica take Ella to the restroom, to remove the stickiness off her hands, face, and hair over the sink. Erin enters as if she’s trying to help, but all she’s doing is making matters worse. Ella starts to cry when Erin tries to help wash her hands, and Monica shoves Erin off her daughter. Lauren soothes Ella in her arms dancing her back and forth. Monica aims her attention to Erin.

  “Please don’t touch her. You’re not helping and you’re just making it worst. She won’t stop crying, so please leave.”

  “The only reason she’s crying is because she doesn’t know who we are. You’re the reason Jake stopped coming by to see us. I know girls like you. I bet you gave him an ultimatum. I know you did. It was us or you, and he’s so naive, he chooses you. You made his
choice for him. That’s the reason why he’s been ignoring us.”

  “Erin I am not you. I love Jake unconditionally. And he’s finally happy with his life with you not in it. I never told him not to come around. He made that choice. You don’t think he told me all the bullshit you use to do with random men in front of him? You ruined him with your selfish condescending ways and I showed him there are people that really do care for him. People that really do love him. So don’t blame me for your unhappiness. You did that all by yourself.”

  Erin storms out of the restroom, grabs her purse, and mumbles to Aaron, informing him of what Monica told her. Aaron pissed off, charges towards Monica. She quickly rambles to Jake what his mom had said.

  “You listen here missy.” Aaron pointing his finger in Monica’s face like a sword trying to pierce through her.

  “Dad don’t point your finger at her.”

  “So you’re going to take some girl’s side over your parents?”

  “She’s not some girl. She’s my future wife. So I’m going to ask again nicely. Take your finger out her face.”

  “Or what son? What are you going to do to your own father?”

  “Dad please don’t make me do something I’m not going to regret.”

  “You mean something you will regret?”

  “No exactly what I said. I’m not going to regret.”

  Erin tugs Aaron’s arms, pulling him back and declaring they leave. His parents leave, Jake holds Monica in his arms comforting her. Apologizing for his parents’ poor behavior and she starts bawling. She didn’t want this to happen. She wants this day to be a happy day. She wants Ella to have a great birthday party. She didn’t want to see Jake’s parents’ negativity have an effect on this day. Lauren forks over Ella in between Jake and Monica. Ella wipes Monica’s tears while she smiles the sweetest smile. That single gesture moves Monica’s spirits back to a happy state.

  24

  Monica lies in bed with a hangover, thinking of how incredible Jake felt last night before they parted ways for their bachelor and bachelorette party. Last night was the last time they had sex as fiancés, for today she will officially be Mrs. Harris. She wanted to please him, before he heads to the strip club with the guys. And instead of her catering to his needs, he gave her a memorable evening. He made love to her like she’s never experienced before. She came over and over again, losing count after four. Kelly, Monica, and Kelly’s step-sister Sarah partied it up. Bar hopping. Guys flirted with Monica, but she ignored them. She didn’t want to waste her time, because she knew soon she will be marring the man of her dreams.

  The make-up artist starts with her make-up while the hair stylist fixes her hair. Lauren puts Ella in Monica’s lap, and she gives her mommy hugs and kisses.

  “Oh I love my baby girl.”

  “Wuv you mom-e.”

  “No, I love you more.”

  “No mom-e. I wuv you moh.”

  “No I love you more.”

  Ella will be the prettiest flower girl anyone has ever seen. With her big sky blue eyes, her full natural red lips, and natural curly q’s, she can be a model for a kid’s magazine. Sarah babysits Ella while they finish Monica’s hair and make-up. Kelly sits next to Monica, holding her hand, because she’s so nervous.

  Kelly winks at her best friend. “Everything will be alright.”

  The two people that get under Monica’s skin will be attending the wedding. Reese’s mom begged Monica to invite her to the wedding, and Monica begged Jake to invite his parents. Even though the last time she saw Erin was at Ella’s birthday party, she figured it was only right that Jake’s parent be at his wedding. As for Reese, she hasn’t pulled any stunts lately to piss Monica off. There was a knock on the door. Kelly peeps to see who it is, and she whispers in Monica’s ear.

  “Hey Jake is outside and he says he needs to talk to you. He said it’s important.”

  “What? Ask him what is it?”

  Kelly sticks her head out of the half opened door asking Jake what he wanted.

  “He said he can’t tell me. He said he needs to talk to you.”

  Monica gets more nervous. Is he getting cold feet? Did he change his mind about marrying her? Good thing Monica hasn’t put her dress on yet, because it would be back luck for Jake to see her in her wedding dress. She walks out of the room, and Jake takes her to another room for privacy.

  “What is babe? What’s wrong? Are you getting cold feet? Did you change your mind about marrying me?”

  “No baby. I will never change my mind. But I have something to tell you that might make you change your mind?”

  Monica’s lost. What could he have done to make her change her mind? “Baby what is it? What’s wrong?”

  Jake’s eye starts watering, worrying he might lose Monica again. He has worked so hard to make sure she stays in love with him, and now it might be all over.

  “After the guys and I left the strip club, your cousin’s hotel room was on the same floor as my room.”

  Monica’s stomach starts doing cartwheels. She feels sick, and everything is starting to get blurry, she’s fixing to faint. Jake catches her, and she yanks herself off from his grip.

  “What did you do? Did you fuck her?”

  Jake stays quiet, and doesn’t respond to her question. Without thinking Monica searches for Reese walking around half naked.

  Erin intervenes and makes matters worst. “Monica he didn’t have sex with her. She’s not like that.”

  “How do you know how she’s like Erin?” Monica yells, and black tears rolls down her cheeks from the mascara.

  “She told me this morning. She just kissed him. That’s all. You’re taking this out of proportion. She’s not as bad as you claim she is.”

  Monica ignores Erin, and still searches for Reese, opening all the doors, trying to find her. Jake and Kelly tries to calm her down, but her frustration floods her face. When Monica finally finds Reese, Erin witnesses Reese’s true colors. Reese is on her knees, bent over Aaron with his pants down sitting on the chaise. Erin snatches Reese by her hair, pulling her away from her husband, while he pulls his pants back on. Lauren begs Reese to leave the room, and she does.

  “Aaron what the fuck are you doing?” Erin laments.

  Aaron is speechless. What can he say? It was obvious what he was doing. He was getting sucked by Reese. But it didn’t take long for Erin to blame Monica for this.

  ‘If it wasn’t for you begging Jake for us to come to this damn wedding, this wouldn’t have happened. We didn’t want to come to this sorry ass wedding. This is all your fault. I hate you. I fucking hate you.” Erin cries violently.

  How is this Monica’s fault? She didn’t tell Aaron to pull his pants down so he can get his dick sucked by Reese. Monica can’t hold back any longer, she pushes Erin, calling her a bitch, and when Erin tries to throw a punch, Kelly steps in, knocking Erin to the ground. Aaron mad at what Kelly did, push both Kelly and Monica. And when Jake sees his father push Monica, he slams his knuckles to Aaron’s chin. Aaron and Jake wrestle, and Josh and John try to pull them apart.

  “You think you’ll be happy with this damn family, then go ahead and fool yourself into believing that. Marrying her will be the biggest mistake of your life.” Aaron squawks before picking Erin off the ground, and they leave together.

  Monica runs to the elevator before Jake can catch up with her, and she locks herself in her room. She sits against the door, sobbing, wishing she can just go to sleep. Jake knocks on her door, but she doesn’t respond.

  “Monica, baby, please open this door. Let me explain. Please open up.”

  She continues to deplore while she lay down on the floor. Hours go by, and she falls asleep tired from all the crying. She wakes with another knock on the door, before it slowly opens. She looks up as Jake bends over lifting her off the ground. She lethargically allows him to carry her to the bed. He lays her on the bed with her head on his arms, and he lies next to her. She stares into his eyes, and moisture fills her
eyes again.

  “Baby I love you so much. Yes we kissed, but that’s it. I promise. When she saw me coming out of the elevator, she rushed up to me, and kissed me. I pushed her off right when she did it, and went straight to my room. You can ask Josh, because he saw everything. I wanted to tell you before she twisted it into something worst. I mean yes it’s bad, but she might make it into something much worst. Baby I love you. Please don’t give up on me. Don’t give up on us.”

  Monica believes Jake, but she didn’t want to let him know that right away. She wants him to really understand the consequences if it was to happen again. Plus she was too tired to discuss anything with him. She falls back to sleep, but this time, in his arms. When she finally wakes, Jake is watching her.

  She cups her hand over his face. “Jake can I ask you something?”

  “Anything?”

  “Why do you want to marry me?”

  “Because you’ve made me a better person, but now I want to be a better man. Without you, I would have ended up unhappy just like my parents.” His eyes start to sparkle. “You brought the life out of me. You brought out the good person that was scared of the real world. You taught me that there are good loving people that see the best in me. I want you to be my wife, because if you can do that to me during the couple of years we’ve been together; I could just imagine what you can do for me when we live our lives together. I need you. And if you leave me, my whole being will die.”

  Tears roll onto the pillow, and Jake kisses them away. Monica stops crying; Jake grabs her face, and plants his tongue inside her mouth. He confesses his undying love for her, and she welcomes his love. He envelops her passionate willingness to forgive him, and brews his affection. Their kiss is so pure, they were unaware they were lying in bed naked. He looks down at her, his chest hurting, worried he almost lost her again. She draws him kissing the rim of his mouth, and he bears his tongue deep inside, allowing her to taste his love for her. She glides herself against him, and with her slippery wetness, he easily enters inside her. Her body throbs with ache; yearning, needing, and wanting him. All of him. He professes his loving satisfaction, thankful she was placed in his life. Their intertwining love crashes together to a climax like no other.