Chapter Seventeen
Livie
I shouldn’t have been so mean to Ocean, but he knew I hated flying. Now that I’m pregnant, my fear of flying is on overdrive.
“It’s okay prima, I hate flying too. Let’s go to the ladies room and freshen up first. I really want to tell you que paso-what happened-at my appointment with Dr. Fitzgerald.”
I immediately stopped my internal pity party and focused one hundred and ten percent on Dulce. She was like my sister I never had and I needed to be here for her too.
We found our way to the public restrooms inside the airport. Dulce dragged me into the larger restroom reserved for families with children. Fitting, I thought with a smile. The restroom was closed off from the rest so we had our privacy. Thank God it was clean too and smelled like vanilla air freshener because my anxiety had me nauseous.
Dulce spun around with a brilliant smile on her face that thrived in her beautiful eyes. “Prima, it’s going to work! I can feel it. I knew that after what they did to me certain things were going to be difficult, but with everything the doctor explained—it’s more than possible!” She jumped up and down, pulling me into a hug and the laughter poured out of me as tears ran down my cheeks.
“Oh my God! I knew you’d get good news! So what do you have to do? Any special testing or treatments? I hope not because those can be freakin’ scary.”
She shook her head violently at me and my laughter continued to spill out of me. My nervousness about flying had my reactions in high gear, everything was more and heightened. “No, nothing like that. I have some scar tissue from the trauma I went through. Doc said it would make it difficult but not impossible.” As she said that last line, her smile faded a little.
I interrupted her immediately, “But what? I hear a-but-something coming and I don’t understand. That’s great news.”
“Turn around. I have to pee.”
I complied, turning around to face the opposite wall while she did her thing.
“I know it’s good news. I really do, but now he knows everything…else. He knows that what I went through was extremely real and it’s left its mark on me. He knows how much pain I’m constantly in now. I’ve learned to manage it and how to work through it, but now he’s going to feel the need to fix that too. I don’t want to give him anymore burdens than he already has.”
When I heard the toilet flush, I turned around as Dulce started to wash her hands. “I know how you feel. Ocean treats me like I’m special needs on just about everything I try and do on my own. That is who they are prima. They love us to death and I mean that in a literal sense. Once Law sees that you’re doing okay and that you’re not hiding that pain from him anymore, he’ll loosen up. They are protectors. That’s not something we can change about them and we shouldn’t try to.”
She finished primping herself, smiling at my reflection in the mirror in front of her. “Your turn. Go pee before we have to board the plane because there is no way I’m going with you to the bathroom on an airplane!”
I laughed a little as we traded places and when she had her back turned to me, I pulled up my dress to do as she said.
“You’re right Sunshine. I know once I stop trying to hide the pain from him, he will trust me more but it’s not easy. Everything has happened so fast and I’m still not used to him loving me the way he does. He’s so good to me, it scares me sometimes. Like one day I’m going to be waking up from the most beautiful dream I’ve ever dreamt.”
I cleaned myself as the toilet auto flushed, making my way to the sink to wash my hands first and then my face with cold water. As I splashed water on my face I said. “I can vouch that this is real prima because I am very pregnant. The only thing you’ll be waking up to is a sexy Chris Evan double, cocked and loaded ready to fuck you good morning…every morning.”
Dulce laughed so hard she had tears running down her face as she snorted hard with each breath she attempted to take.
Sure enough, when we stepped out of the family restroom, leaned up on the side of the wall were our National Guard soldiers. The excitement of this trip had their faces and eyes glowing with excitement. They were both rocking a honeymoon glow and it was freaking adorable on them.
I extended my hand out to Ocean and he removed himself from the wall so fast, I laughed at him.
He winked at me, bringing me into his body and dropping his arm around me. He reached into his back pocket, pulling out a jumbo pack of strawberry-flavored Twizzlers and waving it in front of me.
“Sucker.” I said, snatching the bag from his hand.
He dropped a kiss on my forehead, pulling me into the traffic of bodies moving about the airport.
“So where are we going? I’m sure you can tell me now. You already have me in the airport getting ready to board a freaking plane for the second time since meeting you.”
Ocean chuckled as we kept walking. There was an announcement that a gate was boarding an hour early and he picked up our pace. Law and Dulce were right behind us walking just as fast.
I took a Twizzler out of the package and slapped Ocean playfully on the nose with it. “Hey, I’m talking to you. Where are you taking me?”
His smile widened as his eyes twinkled with the beginnings of a smart-ass comment forming on his tongue. “How about my wife shut up and walk faster? Then she’ll finally find out.”
I slapped him again with the Twizzler, this time on the lips; he bit the tip of it, pulling off a big piece.
“Smart ass.” I hissed through my teeth.
“I love you too baby.”
҉҉҉҉
As Ocean ushered me into the boarding gate, I saw the sign Now Boarding Clearwater, Florida and I was shocked. Such a random place to pick; I have never been to Florida before. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him or Law talk about Florida. I’m pretty sure though they must have visited during their MMA tournament days.
Walking into the tunnel that connected the hanger to the plane we were boarding, I immediately thought about the beautiful Florida beaches under the warm and tropical weather. I was feeling okay about the flight until I saw the first stewardess/flight attendant or whatever the hell they preferred to be called nowadays. She was helping an elderly man take his seat while reassuring him that flying was still a perfectly safe means of travel.
My eyes locked with the old man and I immediately felt his anguish. He was not buying the women’s safety spiel and neither was I.
Ocean pulled on my hand as he continued to guide us through the plane. He turned his head looking back over his shoulder at me and with each glance, I tried to smile but I’m pretty sure the expressions on my face were anything but reassuring. He would smile at me anyway, probably feeling sorry for my crazy ass.
We stopped towards the back of the plane. Ocean turned around, dragging me to our seats.
WINDOW SEATS!
“I’m not getting in first Ocean. You sit next to the window.”
He did not say a word. Ocean slide into his seat, extending his hand out to me. I looked at his face while his hand was in the air, waiting for mine to accept and the people filtering into the plane. Everyone else around me looked calm other than the old man in the front; which I could still hear him questioning the same flight attendant.
“Baby, please sit.”
Law and Dulce stood behind me patiently and I guess I was blocking their way to their seats; which were probably the ones behind Ocean’s and mine.
I took a deep breath, accepting Oceans hand. He gently pulled me forward, removing the armrest that separated our seats. Feeling his skin on mine increased my need to be comforted. I closed the distance between us, plastering my body into his side as his arm came around me to hold me tight.
His lips found my ear and with a kiss he said. “Thank you baby.”
I shook my head against his face, closing my eyes to fight for a calm moment. I knew I was over reacting. I didn’t hate flying that much, but it still made my body reach as if it were approaching d
anger.
“Prima I’m right behind you in case you want to sit next to me.”
“Kay.” The only word I could say to respond.
I sat for what felt like hours with my eyes closed as I gripped the material of Ocean’s jeans in my right hand. His breathing was calm along with the strong beating of his heart as he rubbed my arm while kissing the side of my face every few minutes.
“What do you need baby? Tell me.” His whisper in my ear raised goose bumps down my neck all the way to my arms.
I thought about it for a minute before answering. “I need headphones, your phone, and a blanket.”
My seat shifted back as Law leaned over me. “I got it Sunshine.”
I watched Law walk to the flight attendant looking at him as if he was a slice of German chocolate cake or something. She smiled and nodded in understanding as she made her way towards the front of the plane. I bet if he asked for her left lung, she would give it up willingly too.
“Fucking flirt!” Dulce hissed behind us and both Ocean and I laughed.
Minutes later, Law returned to his seat and handed me two blankets with a new pack of pink ear buds. Ocean grabbed the blankets as he handed me his phone.
I took it, plugged in my new ear buds and immediately started my search for the perfect song that would sooth me calm. I usually went straight to Pandora, but this time I wanted to see what Ocean really listens too.
Scrolling through his songs, I was surprised to see the wide range of music on his phone. I thought he was mostly alternative because when he worked out, that was his music of choice.
While I searched his songs, he spread my blankets over me evenly and making sure I was comfortable. When he was finished, he pulled my body back into his as he leaned sideways against the small window.
I was so undecided on what I wanted to listen to; I just pressed play on whatever song was highlighted to play. Parachutes, All That I Am started playing and I placed the phone on my lap.
I looked over to Ocean, giving him a reassuring wink and his warm smile slowly erased my worries. We sat quietly as the announcements came over the speakers overhead. I eyed the exits as the flight attendants pointed to them and once they were done, the low humming of plane engines filled the inside of the plane.
My seat belt was buckled, but I still had some wiggling room to get as close to Ocean as possible until it was safe to take it off. In the middle of my efforts to practically climb on top of him as the plane started to make its way to the long stretch of pavement for takeoff, I felt Oceans hand underneath the blanket. I looked up at his calm face and this time he winked at me.
He slowly bunched up the material of my long dress until he could slip his hand under the material. He slowly ran his hand up my thigh, using his fingers to pry my legs open so he could get to his destination.
When I opened for him, he nestled his hand between my legs palming me hard and I let of whoosh of air escape my dry mouth. How a gesture so sexual and possessive could suck all the tension out of me was one of those unexplainable things between us.
My shoulders relaxed from his possessive hold on me, causing my head to fall sideways onto his shoulder as the plane took off. Nothing else mattered to me at this moment. Ocean had me and that was all that I needed to feel; to know that everything would be okay…for now.
Chapter Eighteen
Lawrence
It didn’t take long for Sunshine to fall asleep once the plane was in flight. Ocean was watching a movie on the pull down TV on the back of the seat in front of him as she slept in his arms. I think he was watching Ted; which I was watching too until Blue starting fidgeting next to me.
I had my arm draped around her as she rested her upper body onto my chest. My hand was comfortably resting on her flat belly under her t-shirt with my seat reclined as far as it would go. There were no passengers behind us, so we were good. I also let Ocean do the same to his seat to let Sunshine get as comfortable as she could.
I peered down at Blue who was twirling her wedding ring and band around her ring finger. I gave her body a squeeze. “What’s on your mind, Blue?”
She stayed quiet for a while before she lifted her head, resting it on my shoulder. Her face was calm and her eyes were burning with something unfamiliar to me. There was still so much I did not know about Blue, it didn’t bother me though. It only intrigued me to be the one and only man to explore every facet that created my perfect and more than beautiful wife.
She poked out her lips at me and I swooped down for a peck. She exhaled loudly. “It’s nothing really. I just feel like I’m dreaming. I can’t believe I’m here on this plane, here with you going on a freaking honeymoon as your wife, and with this perfect family I have now. I mean we all have issues, but we’re true and honest people that love and care for each other. To me, this is my perfect family.”
“Despite my cockiness and heart stopping personality, I feel the same way sometimes.”
She rolled her eyes playfully.
“I’m serious Blue. I don’t think you’ll ever truly understand how much I need you in my life and as my wife. From the moment I heard your voice, I felt something shift inside of me. You ripped out my heart, shredded it to pieces, and put it together perfectly with your soul weaved in-between the fibers of my heart.”
Her eyes watered, but she held her tears back. “See…that’s what I mean. You say things to me that I feel for you, but something keeps fighting my feelings. Telling me that somehow, I’m not really here and that I don’t deserve your love.”
My hand left hers that was interlocked with her fingers to stroke her face. She leaned into my touch and she looked like an angel in my arms. “You feel that Dulce?”
She searched my eyes. “I feel your warmth, your gentleness, and your love papi. I feel you.”
“As long as that is what you feel when I touch you, all those other bullshit doubts don’t matter. I’m going to love you so hard Blue, you’ll soon forget every other feeling other than love. But you have to let me in. You have to let me love you the way you deserve to be loved. No more hiding. No more masking your pain. I want to feel it all baby.”
Her smile burned through me as her eyes memorized my face. “Yo te amo con todo mi Corazon, papi-I love you with all of my heart-.”
I shoot her a sly smile. “You should Blue because I don’t just let any woman get multiple orgasms off of me before me getting mine.”
She sucked her teeth hard as her hand shot up twisting my nipple hard as hell.
“Okay!”
She pinched harder before releasing my tortured man-nip.
“I’ll make sure to remember that when you’re on your back and I’m busting open that tight pussy of yours tonight.”
She forcefully grabbed my ear and smashing my lips to hers, laying it on me thick!
҉҉҉҉
Sunshine woke up about twenty minutes shy of the plane landing and I wish she would have stayed asleep. The woman woke up pissed and hungry. For the pregnant Sunshine, that was a deadly combo!
Ocean was trying his hardest not to laugh, but he was failing miserably right along with me and Blue.
“Go ahead. Laugh it up. We’ll see how funny this shit is when I pass out from hunger or start eating random objects because you’re not feeding me!”
Heads around her turned to look at the woman complaining about being hungry and eating random objects. Her head did a 360 of the plane passengers and when she was done surveying all the staring faces, she stood up and yelled.
“WHAT?!”
Ocean grabbed onto her hips, pulling her back down. “Liv come on, we land in fifteen minutes. It won’t be that much longer.”
She laughed at him mockingly. “Yeah. Okay daddy. Tell that shit to your prince and princess gnawing their way through my uterus!”
More heads turned this time to look at Ocean. His roaring laughter was filling the cabin of the plane. I would have joined him, but the intense stare Sunshine was giving him scared me straight.<
br />
I smacked him on the shoulder hard. “Bro, I think you need to stop testing the pregnant wife. She looks two seconds away from opening the closest emergency exit and throwing your ass off the plane.”
“Good save papi.” I heard Blue whisper under her hands that were muffling her own laughter.
He cleared his throat and killed the grin on his face. “I’m sorry Liv. I’ll go see what they have on the plane other than peanuts and club soda.”
She pushed him down by the shoulders. “No you don’t. That red haired bimbo is not going to ogle you while I sit here. Call her over and ask her in front of me. Do it Ocean!”
My mouth dropped at Sunshine’s attitude.
Damn the woman was wicked!
I sat back, resting against my seat in case she started throwing punches at Ocean. Blue snuggled under my arm.
“Blue please tell me that’s not how you’re going to be when we get pregnant?”
She smiled genuinely at me. “I can’t make any promises papi, but I’ll try not to.”
The honesty in her eyes told me that she was going to be worse. I hugged her tight and watched the rest of the show in disbelief.
Chapter Nineteen
Ocean
I reached over Liv’s lap to push the call button on her seat. I couldn’t believe her right now. She was behaving like she hadn’t eaten in months. I honestly couldn’t tell if she was starving like she was leading on or if it was the aggravation of still being on the plane.
The red haired bimbo she referred to earlier whose name was Kelly came right over. I immediately felt sorry for the lady because she was smiling at me a little too hard and Liv was all over that by the way she had her hands fisted in her lap.
When the flight attendants eyes shifted to Liv, they widened a little in surprise. Liv’s eyes held back no emotion and I’m sure she was seeing her slow and painful death in my wife’s beautiful eyes. This Kelly chick was smart because she no longer looked my way; instead, she kept her eyes and attention on Liv.
Thank God!
“Yes Mrs. How may I help you?” Liv was taken aback by her approach and I was glad to see her stunned; she was so angry for no reason it was silly really.
Hawthornes Calm Manuscript Page 15