Like There's No Tomorrow
Page 26
“Oh, Jesus, Zach, I love you so much.” Em’s proclamation was the last thing to tip me over the edge.
I removed my hand and made a couple final thrusts, grinding my pelvis against her sensitive nub as my orgasm wound its way from my chest, down to my pelvis, through my tight balls and burst its way out. As my release began, I felt Emma’s own orgasm. We held each other tight as wave after wave of pleasure rocked us.
I’d never had such a mind-blowing orgasm. Even when I thought we had reached the pinnacle that weekend so long ago. I was wrong. My body was all sensation, pulsation, feeling her inner walls pulling and milking everything from me. It was pure bliss and I knew it was because we had both finally admitted it wasn’t just sex, it was the love for each other that we’d held back before.
I knew, without a doubt, it would always be this way with Emma, for the rest of our lives. Nothing would hold us back. We had finally found each other, past our immaturity, through our fear and grief. We had our kids and each other and I knew we’d never be separated again.
We spent a long night making love. Sometimes hard and fast, other times slow and deep. We were playful, we teased and explored. We tasted and touched. I lost count of how many times we consumed each other. Emma was still asleep when I got up. My body was programmed to be up at the ass crack of dawn, so when I heard the twins beginning to stir, I snuck in and plucked them out of their room along with a change of clothes and clean diapers. I was happy to begin my new life with Emma and my kids.
Two years later
Mom, Dad, Charlie, Sarah, the twins, and I sit in a crowd full of proud family members as we listen to the speakers and try patiently to wait for Emma’s name to be called. To watch her walk across the stage to receive her degree. We couldn’t be prouder of her.
Finally, it was her turn and the person standing at the microphone read her name off their list. Emily Ann Peters, Bachelor of Science in Accounting, minor in Business, Magna Cum Laude. We watch as Emma crosses the stage, taking her degree in one hand, smiling, and posing for the photographer while shaking the University President’s hand with her other. She then stepped away so her fellow graduates could receive their degrees. As she gets to the steps leading off the makeshift stage, she looks up at where we are sitting, holding up her degree, a triumphant smile gracing her beautiful features, her other hand on the very small baby bump which doesn’t even show under the graduation gown.
Emma continued her education and with my help, was able to take on extra classes so she could get her minor. She already has a job lined up with the college’s Accounting Department. She did an internship with them last summer and they were more than eager for her to get her CPA’s license. She’s happy with the decision to continue working for the college.
Two years ago, I came back to Emma, living with her and the kids. The babies were only thirteen-months-old at the time and now are three. They are full of themselves and mischief. As we’d suspected, Sarah had chosen not to return, instead, she worked odd jobs in her hometown and was still living with her parents. She’s doing better than when I showed up a couple of years ago, but she still has a lot of healing to do.
Emma and I had a great summer with the kids the year between her second and third year of college. We spent every minute we could together and it was only six weeks after I moved in when I offered her the engagement ring I’d bought during my trip back to Maryland. I had stopped to buy the kids presents, pull out money from my savings account to give Emma for back child support, and to buy a ring. I had hoped eventually Emma would agree to be my wife.
We had a small, family only ceremony in a local park before the school year started. We never took a proper honeymoon and she has no clue Mom and Dad are planning on taking the twins home with them and I have a trip to Hawaii planned for her as her graduation present. I figure we’d better do it before she starts showing too much and doesn’t want to travel.
I still have the occasional panic attack and I still go to AA meetings about once a month. Some things aren’t worth risking falling off the wagon for. Emma and our children are my motivation, that and honoring my promise to Eddie to take care of Emma.
We have a good life, a happy life. We bought a house and I’m a full-time stay at home dad while Emma has been either in school or working. She doesn’t have to work but I know she loves accounting and has plans to someday open a business of her own. For now, this works well for all of us.
At my urging, we had gone down to the courthouse to legally change the kids’ last name from Jenkins to Peters within the first two weeks of me moving in and now we have another Peters’ baby on the way. The miracle of this still amazes me.
We’ve been through so much with Eddie’s death and all the shit I pulled afterwards. I feel like the luckiest man alive because Emma didn’t turn me away. I know in all of life’s storms, we’ll weather them together because each day is precious. Every day is a gift to be lived like there’s no tomorrow.
First, and foremost I would like to thank my husband, the love of my life. Without his support and encouragement, I would not have had the fortitude to write this book. I am forever grateful for you, my love!
Next, I would like to thank the MANY authors that have given me advice, support, encouragement, laughs and their friendship. One author in particular gave me the courage to take on what seemed like an overwhelming task in the face of my losses, encouraged me to tap into the rawness I felt and write from my gut. A few minutes of chatting to a fan and “writer to be” for you, will forever be remembered as a turning point for me.
To my Alpha reader, Rackle and my Beta readers, Bubbalicious, Tessie Bear, and Candyjar…you are all the best! Thank you for all you’ve done for me during this long journey. We did it!
Thank you to my all my family and friends, both in my personal life and on social media. Knowing I have so many people rooting for me has kept me going. I would have another novel if I tried to list everyone who has been there for me, so just know I value each and every one of you.
To you, the readers, those who know me and those who are taking a chance on a new author, wow! I’m humbled and hope you enjoy this book and it touches you in some way. Just as writing it has touched me. Please consider leaving a review on Amazon.com and/or Goodreads.com. Indie writers need your support and reviews are one of the best things you can give.
Until my next book…happy reading!
(in no particular order)
Photograph – Ed Sheeran
Like I’m Gonna Lose You – Jasmine Thompson
Let It Go – James Bay
Say you Won’t Let Go – James Arthur
Perfect – Ed Sheeran
Mercy (Acoustic version) – Shawn Mendes
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
Bleeding Love – Leona Lewis
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Crazy Love – Van Morrison
I am a happily married wife of 36 years and mother of two grown children. My dream to be a published author began about 30 years ago when my kids were small. It was only two years ago that I began to pursue this dream.
An avid reader of Romance and Suspense/Thrillers as well as the Classics, I decided to venture into the world of writing and self publishing.
I’m happiest at home with my wonderful husband and my 2 dogs or spending time with my kids/grandkids. Home is located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Feel free to stalk me at any or all of the following places.
Website:
https://authorlinneavalle.wixsite.com/mysite
Email: author.linneavalle@gmail.com
Facebook personal page:
https://www.facebook.com/100011497598604
Facebook Author group, Valle’s Book Bistro:
https://m.facebook.com/groups/1447749628686079
Watch for me on Goodreads in the near future.
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