Suddenly Single

by Millie Criswell

  "I'm pleased you liked everything. I got so much experience from your sister's weddings, I'm thinking I should go into business for myself."

  Lisa smiled to herself. "So you're doing okay? You're not sad or anything?"

  "Maybe a little sad. You're my youngest daughter, Lisa. It's always hard to lose your youngest, even if you were already married. I know that sometimes you find it hard to believe, but your father and I love you very much."

  Lisa needed to hear that, and her mom's words brought tears to her eyes. "Thanks, Ma. I love you guys, too."

  "When you're a mother, you'll see it's not easy raising a child. There are a lot of decisions to be made about a great many things, and we don't always get everything right. But we try our best."

  "Your brother, Jack, has your father to set him straight, so I don't worry about him nearly as much as I worry about you and your sister. I hope you understand."

  "Well, Grandma, now that Francie is having a baby, you can practice some more. Soon you'll have a new grandchild to spoil rotten."

  "True. And I'm looking forward to it." Her mother paused a moment, then added, "Listen, Lisa, you go and have a wonderful time with your husband. Alex is a good man. Treat him right and you'll always be happy. The secret to a good marriage is in the sex. Don't forget that."

  "Mom!" Lisa's voice reflected her shock. "I can't believe you just said that." She wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry, but she could hardly wait to tell Alex about her mother's advice.

  "I never had the talk with you and your sister about the birds and the bees like I should have. I was too embarrassed. But now that you're grown, I figure we can talk of these things and it's okay, no?"

  Lisa did not want to ask if her mother and father were still having sex at their age, because that would be more information than she could handle.

  Ick! Ick! Ick!

  "Sure, Mom. Well, I've got to go and get myself ready for my wedding night."

  "Be happy. I love you."

  "I love you, too, Ma. Guess I've finally grown up, huh?"

  "Who knew it would take so long?"

  Josephine always liked having the last word.

  "God, Lisa, you drive me wild. If you don't quit moving your hips like that, this is all going to be over with before we get started."

  "Can I help it if you give me urges in all the right places?"

  Alex kissed her. "I love you so much it hurts."

  She reached down and caressed the long length of him, hearing him moan in response. "I love you, too. All of you." She urged him to enter, and when he did, she wrapped her legs about his waist and took him fully within her.

  "This is where you will always belong—with me, Alex. I'll never let you go again."

  They kissed until Lisa could barely breathe, then Alex lifted his head to gaze into her eyes. "You're mine. I love you. And nothing will ever come between us again."

  "Well, maybe something," she said. "And I think it might be coming between us right now."

  Alex couldn't help but smile, even as he brought them both to climax. "Woman," he said once they'd returned to earth, "you talk too much."

  "Yes, but it's part of my charm."

  He held her close and stroked her back. "I guess it is, and just one of many, I might add," he said, kissing her again.

  "Alex, I was thinking…"

  "Uh-oh, that never bodes well."

  She knocked him playfully on the arm. "Perhaps we should reconsider our stand on having a baby. I've been thinking that maybe we shouldn't wait, maybe we should just toss the condoms in the garbage and go for it."

  Though her comment took him by surprise, Alex seemed delighted by the suggestion. "Are you sure? I don't want you doing this because you think it's what our parents want."

  "I'm not. Besides, waiting is for amateurs. We're seasoned married people now. And I think I can manage my job at the bakery and a baby, too. Sol wouldn't mind if I brought our son or daughter into work. In fact, he'd love it. And I can always get Mom to baby-sit, if need be. What do you think?"

  "Well, Mrs. Mackenzie, I think we should get started on this new idea of yours right away. I'd like nothing more than to have you as the mother of my son."

  "Or daughter."

  "That would be fine, too."

  She caressed his cheek, letting her hand trail downward to his chest. "This new project could take a lot of time and effort. Are you up for it?"

  He grinned, rolling on top of her. "Love, I've been up for it since the day I saw you shaking your butt on the dance floor at Club Zero."

  "Then prove it."

  And he did.