“My babies!” Helena screeched from the outside patio as she saw her children and the tall stranger being escorted through the large sitting room by one of the servants. “I missed you! And you must be Reed! Welcome to our home!” She hugged him tightly, kissing both his cheeks. Brett gave her a quick hug and was pushed aside by Brittany, who held her mother tightly.
“Thank you, Mrs. Wallace. This is Harry. He is Brittany’s guard bird. Be careful, he…”
“Purrs like a kitten! How lovely you are, Harry,” Helena cooed, stroking the animal and receiving the same reaction from him as he gave Brittany. Reed decided that Helena Wallace was someone he would like to know. And she was still beautiful in her early sixties.
“Feed me!” Harry demanding before he began to meow.
“Where is Dad?” Brett asked cautiously.
“He had to run to the office for something,” Helena sighed. “You know how he is.”
“Always about work and avoidance. Yeah, I know. Will he be back?” Brett questioned with annoyance.
“Absolutely. He was informed by yours truly that if he didn’t return by 11:30, he would be sleeping on the guest sofa for the rest of the year.”
“He hates that sofa, Mom… Oh…”
“Some men can be a little slow, darling,” Helena said to her daughter, kissing both her smooth cheeks, “but it does not mean they are not worth the effort. How are you? You look radiant.”
“I’m doing well, Mama. Thanks to Brett and Reed. This change has been good for me in so many ways.”
“I’ve been so worried. Brett asked me not to call you until you were ready to talk to us. I know we hurt you, but…”
“It was the best and the most loving thing you could have done for me. Thank you. I met Reed because of Daddy’s actions, and I will never regret that.”
“You must be one special young man,” Helena looked at Reed with knowing eyes. “I can imagine a rocky beginning with you two, given the circumstances.”
“Well worth it, Mrs. Wallace. I…”
“Where is she?” Carmen Wallace’s voice vibrated through the house.
“Guess who is back,” Helena sighed. “We are outside, darling!”
Reed stood with Brittany as Carmen’s large body barged through the French doors. One look at her father’s face sent Brittany rushing into his arms, sobbing her apologies and thanking him for being so unbending when it came to forcing her to leave. The older man held the tiny girl against his massive chest, kissed the top of her head, and tried his hardest not to add his own tears to the mix. Reed looked down as Helena squeezed his hand.
“She’s going to be fine. Carmen is all bark.”
“Britt is one special lady, Mrs. Wallace. I hope he will learn to see that.”
“Sometimes it take losing something before you can really appreciate its value,” Helena smiled, watching her husband and daughter embrace as they talked privately. “He has never really experienced this type of pain before, and I think he needed to in order to realize how good he has it. Even when she had her accident, he thought he could buy his way out of repercussions by having the best doctors available. He has been talking about that terrible time these last couple of months, beating himself up for not paying more attention to her and appreciating her being with us. He has started to blame himself for all of this, and to be honest, I think that is a good direction for him.”
“He is not responsible for her choices, only his own. But I am glad that they both are viewing life differently. Thank you for inviting me here. I needed to see that forgiveness and reconciliation still exist in this world,” Reed said sadly. After a little probing by the persistent older woman, he shared the pain of his recent loss with her.
“My darling boy,” Helena kissed his cheek. “You will always have a home and a family here. Let us love you, okay?”
Reed just smiled and nodded, watching Carmen spin Brittany around in the air like she was five-years-old again. The sound of her joyous laughter warmed his heart like nothing ever had before.
* * *
Stephen arrived shortly afterwards, apologizing for Rina’s absence and stating she was in bed with a ‘sick headache’. Brittany bit her lip, looking at the ground.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Steph. I wanted to have a chance to apologize to her for how I have acted. Maybe some other time, when she feels better,” she said graciously.
“This is bullshit, boy. You know damn well there is nothing wrong with that woman except she is a money hungry snob! I warned you about her the day you brought her home that getting one of those trophy wives would bring you nothing but heartache. No one listens to me,” Carmen growled, pulling his daughter protectively to his chest. “You tell her to get her lazy ass out of bed and come over here this instant. Like it or not, she is part of this family, and I will not have her treating your sister like this.”
“Dad…”
“Do it!” Carmen ordered, watching his eldest son flinch.
“Daddy, if Rina isn’t ready for me, you can’t make her take that step,” Brittany said softly, “It’s okay. She has good reason to not like or trust me. I do know how she feels, too. If it weren't for Reed, I would have been trying to be the same way she is, for the same reasons. She just needs to see that there is more to life than her appearance and prestige. Right?” she directed the question at Reed. His eyes sparkled with approval.
“That is what happens when you marry for looks…” Carmen grumbled.
Brittany interrupted, seeing her elder brother's discomfort. “Daddy, don't pick on Stephen. Can't you see he is already hurting?” She turned again to her brother. “How are the kids? Maybe you can bring them by sometime? I know Rina thinks I am a bad example, but I promise I would never do anything to hurt them.”
“She doesn’t think… okay, yeah, she does,” Stephen sighed, taking a long drink from his wine glass. He frowned, tasting fruit punch. His mother winked. “Honestly, she has become nothing but impossible to be around. If it weren’t for the kids, I would have asked for a divorce. She doesn't even let me hang with them. She seems to think I will influence them against her, even though I have never said anything negative to them about her.”
“I suspect she is aware of her, uh, issues, son,” Helena said softly. “She is an unhappy woman and will push people away to keep them from telling her what she already knows about herself.”
“Why would she do that? It doesn't make sense.”
“Because, dude,” Brett punched his brother's arm, “it would then require her to do something about it. Just like our telling you about what we see in your marriage now makes you responsible to either step up or shut up.”
“Daddy? Reed? Do you two mind if I take Steph on a little walk? I want to talk with him about something personal.”
“Go for it, angel. Reed, get your ass over here and show me if you have the balls to beat me at a game of pool.”
“I have the balls, Mr. Wallace. I just hope you don’t mind losing. I would hate to see a grown man like you cry,” Reed commented with a boyish grin, earning a playful swat upside the head.
Helena watched the two depart in one direction, while the other two headed down into the gardens. She turned to Brett.
“I like Reed. Does he have any idea how deeply in love with your sister he is?”
“I think he is figuring that out. He’s good people, Mom. And Dad seems to like him as well. Thanks for letting us come by. This is the first gathering I remember where no one has begun a boxing match.”
“It is about time! Listen to your father laugh. I almost forgot what that sounded like. I think he is going to be making some changes in his life now that he is getting his priorities straight. Why are you Wallace men so stubborn?” Helena asked mischievously,
“Maybe because you Wallace women push us in that direction? I swear, Mom, Britt is becoming more and more like you now, and she doesn't even know it.”
“Good! That means she will make a wonderful wife for tha
t lovely young man,” Helena stated proudly. Brett just laughed, knowing she was already counting the number of grandchildren she would eventually have.
* * *
It was well into the late afternoon when the three finally departed. Harry had been the center of Carmen’s attention during the majority of the visit, and Reed was surprised by how the animal took to the big, gruff man. Reed decided that he also liked Carmen, who reminded him of the original Harry. He was no nonsense and blunt and had a sharp wit about him with a rather dry sense of humor. The two had gotten along well, even when Reed caught Carmen trying to cheat as they played pool. Their playful bickering had led to being scolded by both Wallace women, while the two brothers laughed happily at their father's chagrin.
The bird tucked his head under his wing as he nested lovingly in Brittany’s lap, making tiny little cooing sounds as he slept. She released a tired sigh, absently petting the soft feathers as she mused about the visit.
“How are you doing, baby?” Reed asked her as they drove.
“I’m tired, but happy. It was a wonderful day, and I think Daddy and I are in a good place. Please don't be upset, Brett, but they told me I could move back in.”
“Really?” Brett sounded unhappy. “Well, if that is what you want…”
“I hope you don't mind, but I said no.”
“You did? Seriously?” Brett looked as surprised as Reed.
“Unless you want me to move out. I mean, until you get a girlfriend who can clean for you, you wouldn’t know what to do without me. Plus the school is just fifteen minutes away…”
“No, I mean, that’s great! I’m glad you are staying. I’m just surprised.”
“Daddy also said I could have my car.”
“A Porsche in this area might invite theft, Britt,” Reed cautioned. “I know a lot of movie stars and celebrities live in these hills, but we go to town and…”
“I asked him if he could trade it in for something less conspicuous. He’s going to get me a silver Camry. I also told Momma to get rid of my party clothes and shoes and just keep the practical stuff. She understands that I want a new life. I also had a good long talk with Stephan. He is going to try counseling before he asks Rina for a divorce. I wanted him to try to save their marriage and stop running away from things that are uncomfortable for him. I also told him that it was as much his fault as hers.”
“That was ballsy of you, sweetheart. How did he take that?” Reed asked, thinking of the quiet, unobtrusive man.
“Very well. He looked surprised, though, when I told him to spank the daylights out of her next time she lies to him,” Brittany giggled.
“I am impressed. And you behaved yourself perfectly today, Miss Wallace. I do believe a reward is in order, as promised,” Reed grinned, pulling into the driveway of Brett’s house. “This is where I drop you off, Sergeant. I have some sponsoring to do tonight.”
“Gotcha, boss! See you two tomorrow! Have fun,” Brett laughed, waving his farewell.
* * *
“Let me put Harry in his cage while you make us some coffee,” Reed said as they entered his house. Brittany nodded nervously, handing him the sleeping bird. She paused to watch as the man gently peeled off the costume and urged the parrot onto his perch inside the large cage. Harry gave a tiny meow before fluffing his feathers and tucking his beak under his wing.
“He’s so sweet when he’s sleeping, isn’t he?” Reed chuckled. Brittany nodded in agreement, wondering if he was as nervous as she. She hurried to the kitchen that had become a second home to her and paused to gather her senses. She could not believe how anxious she was! Several minutes passed before she reappeared, carrying two cups of the steaming brew. Reed accepted his gratefully and motioned for her to follow him outside to the pool area.
“Did you honestly have any fun today? It must have been harder for you than for me,” she asked tentatively, looking for conversation amidst the uncomfortable silence.
“I actually did. Once your father peeled off his big bad ogre face and got on the ground to play with that dumb-ass bird, I couldn't help but enjoy myself. I’m sorry, but I have never witnessed anything so funny in my life. I am so glad we brought him.”
“Me, too. I thought Mom was going to pee her pants, she was laughing so hard. They both really liked you. A lot.”
“More importantly, darling, is that they liked you. You should be proud of yourself. You handled a very difficult situation with dignity and grace today. Even when the issue of Rina came up, you managed to sort it out logically instead of being accusatory. That showed a lot of maturity on your behalf. It made me very, very proud of you,”
“Thanks,” Brittany blushed, shrugging. “They made it easier for me. I can’t ever remember seeing my dad cry before. I felt like he really cared about me. Reed?”
“Yeah, Britt?”
“Thank you. For everything. I could not have faced today without you.”
“I wish I could take all the credit, but we both know that Harry was the one who ran the show. Cold?” he asked as she curled her legs underneath her body.
“No. Comfortable and relaxed. And a little apprehensive and nervous about this special reward that I earned.”
“Let’s go walk off some of that nervous energy, okay?” Reed stood, holding out his hand for her to take. The half-moon was bright, lighting the running path through the dense pines that surrounded Reed’s home. Little was spoken as the two held hands, silently enjoying one another’s presence. Brittany sighed loudly, realizing that all the money, body guards, and tall walls of her childhood home had never left her with the sense of safety that the human being by her side offered her now.
I am going to keep making you proud of me, Reed, she promised herself as she entwined her fingers through his. He squeezed her hand, as though reading her thoughts. They returned to the house an hour later, and Reed led her straight to the hot tub.
“Let’s soak for a while,” he suggested, flipping on the switch and watching as the jets began to bring large, hot bubbles to the surface. “Stay still and let me undress you.”
His large, warm hands ran the length of her arms before returning to her face. He placed them on both sides of her cheeks and ran his thumbs down to her lips before softly kissing her. His mouth continued to gently devour her as his hands moved to the straps of the dress and slid them off her shoulders. Reaching behind her, the zipper was slowly opened, and the dress fluttered to the ground, leaving Brittany standing in a pale blue thong and her sandals. Reed kissed her throat and cupped her breasts in his hands. Her nipples crinkled tightly in response to his touch, and she groaned, placing her hands on his shoulders as his mouth engulfed a demanding peak.
“These would look beautiful in clamps,” he remarked, biting down on the hardened pinnacle, please to see her respond by drawing herself closer to him. “Do you think you might like that?”
“Mmm. Is that what you implied when you mentioned you like things rough?” Brittany moaned, arching her back as he bit down harder.
“Among some other activities… yes.” Reed’s thumbs found the lacy band of her thong and his lips followed its descent to the ground. His fingers stroked her slender ankles, and the sandals were removed, leaving her completely bare before him. He then pulled off his shirt and pressed her naked body against his. Brittany felt him grow erect through his slacks and reached to unbuckle the belt that acted as a barrier to her exploration.
“May I?” she asked as she reached inside the waist to enclose his throbbing cock in her small hand. Reed gasped with delight as his trousers fell in a puddle at his feet while Brittany discovered her ‘special reward.’ Their lips met, gently at first, then more fervently, hungering to feel and taste the other. Reed groaned as her fingers began to tease him.
He pulled away and kicked off the remainder of his clothing. Without a sound, he lifted the woman in his arms and walked into the hot tub. Her legs were wrapped around his waist as they settled under the dancing bubbles, their lips, onc
e again, pressing deeply together.
“Reed?” Brittany purred into his throat. “Will you float on your back for me?”
Reed raised an eyebrow but eagerly followed her request and rested his head on one of the side cushions. He held a handrail as he relaxed his body, letting it float to the surface of the gurgling water. Brittany smiled as she knelt on the seat within the tub, and rested his legs upon her shoulders. Slowly, she left a trail of kisses and nibbles around his inner thighs, pelvis, and scrotum, softly making her way towards the sensitive head of his rigid manhood.
She drew his cock into her mouth, relishing the sweet taste of his skin and the warmth of his member against her cheeks and palate. Reed sucked in a breath, closing his eyes as she began to lick and tease him, applying enough pressure to make him tremble and then releasing it to make him long for more. Her tongue massaged the underside of his shaft, pressing it against the roof of her mouth. He groaned audibly as her cheeks tightened around him, and she intensely began to suck him from the base of his erect organ to the engorged tip. His body trembled as her mouth brought him to the moment of release, and he clutched the sides of the tubs as his warm, sweet juice exploded into the back of her throat. Brittany held him tightly, not willing to lose even the tiniest drop as she slowed her tonguing to a gentle stroke, savoring him to the fullest. It was not until he fully relaxed and grew soft that she released his cock from its joyful imprisonment.
“You are incredible,” he panted as she climbed upon his lap. “But this was supposed to be about your special reward.”
“After dealing with my parents today, I thought you had earned your own reward as well,” Brittany cooed. “I…I love you, Reed.”
“I love you, too, Brittany. I am so grateful you came into my life. I have to warn you, though. I don’t ever want to live with a shrew, so being my partner will also mean that you will be disciplined every time you show me that little unruly nature. Can you accept that?”
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