Loving Kate (Acceptance #3)

by D. Kelly

  “I don’t…I’m not sure. You what?” That definitely threw her off course.

  “Move in with me. We’ll buy a house wherever you want to settle down. We can stay close to school and our friends but somewhere other than this house.” Her eyes are shooting daggers at me. “There’s nothing wrong with your house, Misty, but it’s small and eventually we’ll need more space for Hailey’s brothers and sisters. It’s not in the best of neighborhoods, even though it’s cute, and you’ve spent the last year taking care of your grandma here. That has to have tainted some of the good memories. Keep the house and rent it out, but I want to make new memories somewhere else. Can you agree to that?”

  “You’re forgiving me?” she asks incredulously “After everything and all the time you’ve lost, you’re really forgiving me?”

  “Do you remember the first night we met for coffee?” She smiles and nods. “I asked you if the door was closed and you shocked the hell out of me when you said it never had been, you were just waiting for me to walk back through it. I told you I was the king of fuckups but I realized last night one of the biggest mistakes I ever made was not walking back through that door and finding my family sooner.”

  She pulls me in for a kiss but I have one more confession to make. “Wait, Misty, I need you to forgive me for one more thing. Last night, I was drinking a lot and I haven’t had that much to drink in a really long time. There were strippers and…”

  She pulls away from me angrily. “Do not tell me you fucked a stripper!”

  “No I did not have sex with a stripper but I did suck on one’s tits, in front of Kate, who was completely mortified, by the way.”

  Then she does the unexpected and giggles. “Kate saw you sucking on a stripper’s titties? How did Daniel take that?”

  “Oh, he was there, too.” And now she’s rolling in laughter.

  “I think I can forgive you for that.”

  She leans in again to kiss me and I decide to use the moment to my advantage. “Wait, there’s one more thing and it’s non-negotiable.”

  She sighs loudly but doesn’t pull away this time. “What now?”

  “You have to quit the diner, immediately. Let me take care of you, Misty. Hailey can stay in school, you can go to school, and at night we can be a family.”

  “You want to be a family with us?” she asks tearfully.

  “There’s nothing I want more in this world, except maybe to fuck you senseless because I’ve really missed you.”

  “And there’s the Mike I know and love.”

  That’s all she gets to say before I lower my lips to hers.

  The following week, Misty and I found a house and put in an offer. It’s right down the street from Connor’s house which is a much better neighborhood and it’s a much bigger house. We also took Hailey Mae to meet my mom and Joseph. Since I had to talk to Joseph about something important, we were able to get both things done at the same time.

  My meeting with Joseph went much smoother than I ever thought it could and we came to an easy agreement. I’m still not sure I like the guy, but my mom seems really happy with him. My mom cried and cried when she met Hailey and then she hugged her and Misty so much that Joseph took them outside to give us some time to talk. It’s still a little bit strange with us but I think it will get better with time. Hopefully, she’ll stop thinking I will end up with Kate, too. Our conversation was a little strange.

  “I’m sorry, Michael. I get a little over emotional when it comes to you. Whenever I see you, I see your dad, and I miss him every single day. Just like Joseph misses Lila, and perhaps like you miss Kate.”

  “Mom, no, please don’t start this. Kate and I are over.”

  And then she smiles this knowing smile at me and says, “You and Kate will never be over. Your journey started long ago as friends and you are still friends, thankfully. The love you two shared, even if it’s over now, was the purest kind of love two people can have. And with that love you created an angel that now watches over us all. You can’t tell me, Michael, that you don’t miss that love because it makes up a lot of who you are and who you always will be.”

  I understand what she’s saying but she doesn’t really know me anymore and she doesn’t know what I just talked to Joseph about, either. It’s time I make her understand.

  “Mom, I don’t miss the love I had with Kate because it’s with me every single day. She’s with me every single day. You’re right, we had a pure love and the thought that it created something celestial makes me smile. Kate and I are stronger now than we ever were before because of that love. We’re with the people we are now because they make us happy and they make us whole. Even with all that we had together, as happy as we were, we were never two halves of the same heart. Our hearts are bonded in eternal friendship, but Misty and Daniel are our forevers.”

  I didn’t tell Misty because she would just think my mom hates her, but when I told Kate about it she laughed and congratulated me for not giving in and telling her what she wanted to hear. It made me realize how much I really caved in to her as a teenager. It also made me realize that as I hit my teenage years, she and I didn’t have as close of a relationship as I thought we did. She spent most of her time with Kate and I spent mine with Dad. I’m hoping we can fix that one day.

  It’s strange the things you think of as you’re passing the time. All this buildup to Jake and April’s wedding and the day is finally here. We hired a friend of Misty’s to watch Lucas and Hailey in the hotel room for the weekend so we could celebrate the wedding with minimal distractions.

  “Are you nervous?” Connor asks Jake for about the hundredth time but Jake might just be the calmest I’ve ever seen him. He doesn’t even talk shit back to Connor.

  “Nope, not at all. I’ve been waiting for this day for years.”

  “You’ll be back in two weeks, right?” Daniel asks casually, just trying to pass the time. The waves crash against the shore down below. It’s a beautiful day for a wedding.

  “Yes, in time for the graduation party. Mom scheduled it perfectly so we would all be there.”

  All the chairs have been filled in by friends and family who are anxiously awaiting the bride. April wasn’t kidding when she asked Kate to sing at the wedding. In fact, they decided to forgo the traditional song you walk down the aisle to and are having Kate sing Marry Me by Train instead. I think Kate is more nervous than April.

  Suddenly, people start bustling around and Kate takes her place by the piano. Daniel smiles at her and her face lights up. God, those two are almost too perfect for each other. The pianist begins playing and Kate starts singing softly but beautifully. April’s sisters make their way down the aisle and as the last one takes her place opposite of me, April appears. She’s breathtaking and when I look at Jake he’s crying. We didn’t even place bets like we usually do; we all knew he would cry. Jake wears his heart on his sleeve and he loves April with his entire being.

  Like I love Misty, and like Daniel loves Kate. The verdict is still out on Jess and Connor but we’ll have to wait and see on that one. Kate finishes singing exactly when April makes it to the altar. Her performance was flawless. Kate takes her seat next to Jess, Misty, and Ben and Callie and after April’s dad gives her away, the ceremony begins.

  Less than twenty minutes later, it’s all over. They are now Mr. and Mrs. Houston. It’s time to celebrate and I’m so glad it’s an open bar. After walking April’s sister up the aisle, we’re met by the photographer. This is the worst part of weddings, all the damn pictures. It’s another hour before I can finally get a drink and see my girl. But I don’t complain because I’ve never seen my friends happier than they are right now. Even though the kids were staying up in the room, Linda had the babysitter bring them down for all the family photos. I didn’t know anything about it but the girls must have because Lucas and Hailey are dressed to the nines.

  The photographer takes shot after shot and then does individual families. When Kate whispers in his ear and asks him
for something, he gives her the thumbs up. A few minutes later Kate, Daniel, and Lucas are in a family picture with Me, Misty, and Hailey. The moment is surreal. My family and Kate’s family aren’t the same family like we always imagined. And yet, we’re still family and the reality is so much better than I could have ever pictured it.

  The rest of the wedding is a typical wedding—photos, drinks, appetizers, drinks, flirting, drinks, dinner, and then the best man speech. I have been waiting for this all day long. Connor hates public speaking even though he’s really good at it. He taps his glass to get everyone’s attention and then clears his throat before speaking.

  “My brother told me, when he was fifteen years old, he had met the girl he was going to marry. I’ve kept that secret ever since because I know my brother and I knew when he said those words he meant them. This wedding has been a long time in the making and over the years, April has become a sister to me. She’s the only one who is ever willing to go hunting rabbits when we’re drinking.” He smiles at her and she blushes through her tears. “We’ve made amazing friends together and unfortunately, this past year we lost one too soon. Weddings are a time for reflection, a time to appreciate your friends and the people around you that you love. Jake and April, your love pours over onto all of us. We’ve watched it grow over time to be this beautiful thing that we all hope to someday have. Thank you for showing all of us late bloomers what real love should be. Everyone, raise your glasses. Oh wait, one last thing. April, give this man some babies! To Jake and April!”

  “Beautiful speech with a classic Connor touch. He’s right, though, she needs to give him some babies.” Daniel nods his head in agreement “I vote for lots more babies around here, sooner rather than later.”

  “What’s with you guys and babies? There’s plenty of time for that after we’re done having fun,” Jess replies happily, but I don’t miss the sad look clouding Connor’s face when she says it. I’m beginning to think he’s ready to settle down and I don’t think it’s going to go in his favor.

  After dinner, there are all the first dances and then the cake cutting which was surprisingly boring.

  “If we ever have a big wedding, I’m smashing that cake in your face,” I whisper to Misty.

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she murmurs back to me.

  After a few dances, Misty wants to go check in on the kids so I take the opportunity to steal Daniel’s dance partner.

  “One dance and then I want her back, Matthews.”

  “Yeah, yeah. You know where to find her if I forget to return her.”

  We’re dancing to a slow song. I’m not even sure what it is but it’s nice. “So when’s the next wedding?” I ask her.

  “Well, I don’t know. When are you asking Misty to marry you?” I practically choke. “Oh, come on. You can’t tell me it hasn’t crossed your mind.”

  “It has but not for a long time. We’ve got a lot of things to still get to know about each other. I’m not trying to mess this relationship up like I did my last.”

  She throws her head back in laughter. “Well, it’s a good thing I happen to have an in with your ex and she thinks things ended up the way they were meant to.”

  That’s my Katie Grace—always making everything okay.

  “Anyway, you and Daniel will be the next wedding unless you think Jess and Connor will beat you there.”

  “We’ll have to see about me and Daniel…maybe someday. As for those two, I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that whatever it is between them lately will resolve.”

  I lean Kate back into a dip and Daniel appears at my side with Misty. “You stole my move, Matthews, I was supposed to sweep her off her feet and into the sunset with that move.”

  “Well,” I say, releasing Kate into his arms and pulling Misty close to me, “it’s a good thing I stole your move then because nobody is sweeping my best friend off into the sunset without me there, too.”

  “You know, sometimes it really sucks that you picked him to be your best friend,” Daniel says seriously. “I’m never going to be able to do anything fun without one of you telling the other on me.”

  “That’s true, but you’ll just have to get over it. Maybe I can take your mind off of it right now,” Kate says as she leans in and whispers something undoubtedly naughty in his ear. That’s enough for me; there’s only so much of their sexual banter I can handle.

  “You ready to get out of here? It seems the bride and groom are gone so I’ve fulfilled my groomsman duties for the day.”

  “Yes, please. I’m so ready to get out of these shoes, they’re killing my feet.”

  We sneak out the side of the tent so we don’t have to linger around any longer than necessary and head back to our room. Misty looks gorgeous in her short red dress that hugs every curve she has. As soon as we’re inside of our room, I pick her up and carry her to the bed.

  “Mike, what are you doing?”

  After carefully setting her down, I remove one shoe at a time and start massaging her feet. “I’m making you more comfortable”

  “Is that so?”

  “Um hmm,” I mumble as I begin kissing my way up her body. My hands are finally high enough to unzip her dress and I peel it off of her. Shit. I didn’t see her getting ready today because I was with the guys, but holy hell.

  “Baby, you’re killing me here.” Red lace bra, red lace thong, and red lace garters with silk thigh highs.

  “That was my plan.”

  “You wanted to bring me to my knees? Because you absolutely succeeded. All I can think about is spanking your ass until it matches the color of your thong.”

  “Then do it,” she replies breathlessly, as she slips off her thong. I swear, I could not be more in love with this girl.

  She likes it a little rough and I love having a girl I can play with sometimes and make love to the rest. Misty turns toward me and slowly removes my tie and then she carefully unbuttons my shirt, kissing me all the way down, button by button, and finally removes my cufflinks. When she unbuckles my belt and my pants, I’m hard and ready for her. She frees me from my boxers and licks a circle around the tip of my dick.

  “Fuck, baby, if you do that it will be over before it starts.” She giggles, and as I take my underwear off, she gets on all fours on the bed and sticks her ass right at me.

  I pull her close and tease her with my fingers, circling her clit. With one hand, I rub soft, sensuous circles on her ass and with her first moan I spank her and she cries out in pleasure. I’m not close enough to do this the way that I want so I climb up on the bed behind her and slide my dick up and down her wet pussy. This time when I spank her, I enter her at the same time and she cries out in pure pleasure.

  “Yes, Mike, yes!”

  She’s close already and she’s pushing back into me, clenching around my dick. And since I’m not wearing condoms with her anymore, sometimes it’s harder to hold off than others. I spank her one more time and then pull her back and slam into her. Her pussy pulsates as she comes with me.

  “Mike, I love you so much,” she cries out.

  “I love you, too, Misty,” I tell her as we both fall into a heap on the bed.

  “That was fun. It’s nice to not have to worry about waking Hailey up with my screams.”

  I kiss her tenderly before responding. “That’s true and I really love making you scream. When we move into the new house we shouldn’t have to worry about that too much.”

  “I seriously can’t believe you’re buying us a house that big.” She knows exactly why I bought a big house.

  “Three,” is all I say.

  “Two,” she counters.

  “Two more equals three.”

  I’ve always wanted a big family; I’m hoping to eventually get her to agree to five.

  Kate

  Jake and April’s wedding was perfect and I swear Daniel has finally perfected his baby making skills and they were pretty stellar before we went away. A couple of days ago, I got the box of photos f
rom Chad’s parents and I had some of them blown up and framed for Lucas’s room. He came by last week and packed up what he wanted from Vanessa’s stuff. I think he’s doing better and I’m really happy he’s been by every day for the past two weeks to see Lucas. His entire demeanor brightens when he sees Lucas and I finally got him to agree to come to the graduation party. Even if it is black tie. Seriously, who throws a black tie graduation?

  The Houstons

  I’m waiting for the girls to get here so we can have a spa day before heading out to the party tonight. The boys are bringing the kids up with them after we leave. Jake and April got back yesterday from their tropical island paradise but hopefully they won’t be too jetlagged to have a good time tonight.

  “Are you excited about tonight?” Daniel asks as he pulls me into a hug.

  “Yes, but it still seems weird to have such a big party.”

  “Not really, considering you, Connor, Jess, and Marc all graduated at the same time. Not that the party is for Marc, but I guess in a way it kind of is.”

  He pushes me up against my favorite kitchen wall. When we moved, I made him christen this wall just like we did the one next door. And when he raises my arms above my head, my heart beats so hard I’m sure he can feel it, too. But when he trails kisses across my collarbone, licking and sucking his way up my neck, I’m completely under his spell.

  “You’re mine, Kate,” he growls at me and I know it’s just fighting instinct because Marc is going to be there tonight.

  “I’m yours, Daniel, only yours.”

  When his lips meet mine, he lets go of my arms and I immediately wrap them around his neck and run my fingers through his hair. Possession is a two way street. Daniel needs to hear me say I’m his just as much I need to hear him say he’s mine. Partly because it’s a turn on and partly because I know he’ll never lie to me, so as long as he continues to say it I know it’s true.

  Someone is pounding on the door but I don’t want to stop this kiss. “Just tell them to come back later,” I whisper.

  He yells, “Come back later!” which not only defeated the purpose, but it woke up a sound asleep Lucas. “Oops. I was so distracted I forgot to be quiet,” he says as he walks to the door.