“Actually, I slept really well, no nightmares,” I say as I watch the coffee drip into the pot.
“That’s great. Maybe you can work up to moving into the bed,” she hugs me from behind, resting her head on my back.
I know there was another night or two that I didn’t have any nightmares, so this doesn’t mean anything, but maybe it is an improvement.
“Are you insinuating that you will be spending more nights here?” I ask playfully, looking over my shoulder.
“Maybe,” she replies flirtatiously as I hand her a coffee.
I take a sip from my mug, hoping that this is the beginning of a new chapter.
“I’m going to grab a shower,” she says. I smack her on the ass. She squeals as she hurries off to the shower, trying desperately not to spill her coffee on the way.
I get dressed quickly, and run to the store for muffins. I don’t want my lady to go hungry.
I get back just as she steps out of the shower. “You have anything planned for your day off?” I ask her, taking a bite of a blueberry muffin.
“No, why did you have something in mind?” She grabs a muffin and joins me at the kitchen table. She lifts one leg up onto the chair.
“I thought maybe we could take a trip to the beach in Jersey and make a day of it. I promise to have you back in time to get some sleep before going into work tomorrow. I haven’t been to the beach in years.”
“Neither have I. It sounds like fun.”
“Do you want to invite Ruby and her boyfriend?” I ask.
“That’s a great idea. She loves the beach, plus her vehicle is bigger so maybe we can pile into her SUV.”
“Call her up.”
While Maura calls Ruby, I start grabbing stuff together. We'll need the basic essentials, like the baked goods Maura made, a few water bottles, sunscreen and towels for the road.
“She said it sounds like a great idea,” Maura says, hanging up the phone.
“Guess it is double date day then,” I say.
Within two hours we are in Ruby’s SUV and on the road to New Jersey. The girls already have their swimsuits on under their shorts and tank tops.
Trevor and I are introduced and hit it off immediately. I overhear Maura inquiring about the seriousness of Ruby and Trevor’s relationship. It sounds like they might be together for a long time. Us guys, pretend not to listen though, instead we jump into a conversation of our own.
He asks me about the war and my current job status. I fill him in and ask the same basic questions. Before we know it, we arrive at the beach, ready for some fun in the sun. The girls immediately set up the blankets and towels, take their shorts and tanks off and lather up on the sun lotion.
As soon as she's covered in sunscreen, I yank Maura towards the water and pull her in with me. She giggles with delight. Oh how I love that giggle. She looks absolutely stunning in her purple bikini. For a split second I glance toward the beach at Ruby who is lying on a towel with Trevor. They appear to be happy and in love, and in this moment, I feel happy too. For once in my post war life, I’m happy too.
Chapter Twenty Seven
It is already dark by the time we arrive home. “I’m whipped,” I say, walking in the door of my place. Maura follows behind me.
"Me too," she admits, flinging her bag on the chair in the living room.
We settle in for the evening.
"Thanks for today," she says, with a kiss.
"You’re welcome. It was the most fun I've had in a long time. We didn't have any worries and I felt free. It was fun being there with you."
"I can't argue with that," she surveys the contents inside the fridge. Knowing that she's made herself at home here makes me proud.
"Why don't you move in? You don't have to answer right now. I can continue sleeping on the couch until I know how my nightmares go. I just love being with you every day. Besides, you know you are eventually going too anyway. I want you to be mine and mine only.”
"I'll think about it. Are you hungry? I can whip up something real quick."
"Nah, I think I will just lie down and rest. You go ahead and make yourself something if you want."
I lay the sheet neatly on the couch and try to get comfortable as I watch her putter around the kitchen. "Come here," I gently command, patting the sofa cushion with my hand. Sandwich in hand, she sits. Wrapping my arms around her middle, I hold her.
"I love you," I say reaching up to kiss her. Finishing her sandwich she kisses me and bids me goodnight as she slips through the hall and into the bedroom. How I wish I was in that bed with her, but we just can't risk it right now. I love her too much to risk it. Even though I’m exhausted, I toss and turn throughout the night.
Once I wake, I realize it is way too early to actually be up. Trying to sleep now will be of no use. Dragging my ass to the kitchen, I put the coffee on and sit at the table. I run my fingers through my hair and rub my eyes to wake myself up. If I hadn't told Maura to lock the door behind her, I would be tempted to sneak in the room.
Things are going great, but we still need to be careful and take precautions. I wonder if she thought about moving in yet. She is bound to give in. It's just a matter of time. I will have to use my irresistible charm and woo her, I think laughing to myself.
Once the coffee is finished, I fill my mug and decide to relax on the chair next to the couch. One hour and three cups of coffee later, Maura plops her rear on my lap. I lean up and kiss her shoulder, secretly admiring the boy shorts and little tank top she's wearing.
"Have you thought about moving in?"
"Pierson, give a girl a break, will ya. It's too early for this." Seeming irritated, she jumps off my lap and goes to the kitchen for coffee. "Sorry, I’m just not a morning person. I wish I could have slept longer," she says sympathetically.
"You and me both," I confess.
Sitting in awkward silence, we drink the rest of the coffee. I'm the first to speak. “I need to get ready for work.” I kiss her on her head and beeline it to the bathroom. I remember that I have a therapy session, so it will be a long day.
Just as I step out of the shower, Maura comes in and says, “Fine, I’ll do it.”
“Say that again.” I say, wrapping a towel around my lower half.
“I will move in with you,” she says, offering me her biggest smile.
I give her a huge hug, lift her off the ground and spin her around. Tilting her head back, she giggles. I knew she would eventually give in, and if I didn’t have to go to work, I would show my appreciation.
“Come over after work and we can celebrate,” I tell her.
“I absolutely will,” she says with glee.
Mondays are typically busy at the shop and this Monday isn't any different. I have plenty of work to bid my time. I can’t help but smile all day since Maura agreed to move in with me. Once the day ends I head over to my therapist’s office.
Sharing the news with my therapist about Maura moving in and telling him I think the nightmares have lessened, he recommends proceeding with caution on the move in; otherwise he is fine with the situation and knows Maura is the one for me. I tell him of my plans to stay on the couch as long as it takes and he agrees that it was a good precaution. After all, she is the reason I am home.
Chapter Twenty Eight
True to her word, Maura comes right over after my therapy session. I tell her how it went. I don’t mind sharing the details, because there is nothing I want to hide from her. She has every right to be included now that she is part of my recovery. I love her so much sometimes I feel overwhelmed with the feelings I have for her.
“How did Ruby take the news about you moving out?”
“You know Ruby. She’s overprotective but wants me to be happy. She did tell me to warn you though. According to her, if you break my heart, you’re a goner.”
“I have no intentions of breaking your heart. It’s my mission to fill it full of love, my love. You belong to me and always have. Just give me the chance to make i
t right. I wouldn’t have been able to take coming home and finding you with someone else. It would have killed me.”
“Well, we don’t have to worry about now, do we?” Her comment makes my heart swell. She reaches up to hug me and plants a kiss on my lips.
I still get butterflies every time she is near and she lights up the room when she walks in. Even the colors of everyday life seem brighter since we've been back together. We have been through so much but we always come out on the other side.
After eating dinner we discuss moving plans and decide to begin this weekend. As Maura starts to do the dishes, I have a better idea.
“What are you doing?” She squeals as I nuzzle her neck from behind.
“Taking what’s mine.” Gliding my hands inside her top, I find she is braless. At the feel of my touch, her nipples harden. Sliding my palms back down, I slip her jean shorts off. She tilts her head back, welcoming my every move, my every touch. I turn her to face me and lift her up, setting her on the counter. I lick her from breast to breast. She tilts her head as I slide my tongue and hands all over her body. Soon enough she spreads wide, inviting me to enter. I slide inside, causing her to gasp at the thickness of my length as it penetrates her warmth. I press my head down on her shoulder as I thrust myself inside. She grabs a hold of my head, pulling me back so that she can gaze into my eyes. Only then does she kiss me hard and deep.
Breaking the kiss so that I can stare into her sultry eyes, I stifle the lustful groan emanating in my chest. "Come for me," I command. She obliges my request and I thrust myself into her harder and harder until I come.
I have never been with another woman. It's always just been her. I have only wanted her and I knew that no other woman could compare. She is my equal and she completes me.
“I can’t wait to officially move in on Saturday,” she says as we finish showering.
“I know. I get to have you all to myself.”
“And who am I to deny you that?” She asks, reaching up to give me a hug.
“I have something I want you to wear.” Shuffling the clothes around in the drawer, I find what I’m looking for.
“This is a promise to you that I will always love you, no matter what. I will do everything I can to make you happy. It’s a promise for a better future together,” I say, sliding my dog tags over her head and around her neck. “If you ever need a reminder of how much I love you, all you have to do is glance at these dog tags.”
Her eyes water as she touches the tags around her neck. “Pierson, you have made me the luckiest girl in the world. I will cherish these forever.” Her fingers lightly touch the words on the tags.
“I don’t want you to ever forget how much I love you.” I kiss her soft lips.
Lying in bed, I watch her sleep for the longest time before slipping out of the room. Locking the door behind me, I make my bed on the couch. I actually lie down and try to get some sleep for once. For once, my mind is calm and I quickly fall asleep.
I wake up early the next morning. I had another nightmare last night. I get dressed quickly so I can make a grocery store run.
I bring home an assortment of muffins and pastries.
“I smell fresh baked goods,” Maura says, walking into the kitchen.
“Take your pick,” I tell her. She contemplates her choices and reaches for a blueberry muffin. I devour one myself. Life is good.
Chapter Twenty Nine
The rest of the week passes in a flash and before I know it, it’s Saturday.
“Do you know what today is?” I ask, jumping in the bed.
“You’re impossible.” Maura states as she throws her arm over her head laughing.
“I still have to go to work, but you can pick me up in your truck afterward, okay?”
“Great. I can’t wait.”
“I honestly don’t get your excitement. I’ve practically been living here anyway,” she tells me shaking her head.
“I know, but all your stuff will be here and you will be sleeping in my bed on a permanent basis,” I flash a grin.
“Don’t get any ideas. I have to get to work,” she says.
“I will pick you up later then,” I kiss the top of her head.
After she leaves, I have nothing better to do than to pace the floors until I get to go help move her stuff in. I tidy up the rooms just to keep busy, run a few errands and make a grocery store run to stock up on all our favorites. Every great kitchen needs pizza fixings, yogurts, and cereals.
Finally, it’s time to go pick her up. I eagerly hop in the truck and head over.
“Ready?” I ask.
“Yes. Let’s do this,” se hops inside.
Her place is basically a hop, skip and a jump away from her office, so we are there in no time.
“It will be just us doing the moving. Ruby is out with Trevor for the weekend,” she tells me.
We pack as much stuff as we can get into the truck. The only things left after the initial load, are the bed and a few dresser drawers that I think will end up in storage. We get back to our place in a flash. Our place, I silently muse.
“Welcome home,” I say as we go inside.
“It’s good to be home,” she says as she reaches to hug me.
After putting everything in place, we decide to make pizza for dinner. Maura rolls the dough as I get the sauce and toppings out of the fridge.
“Oh my god, you did not just flick flour in my face!” I yell playfully.
“What are you going to do about it tough guy?” She taunts.
“Paybacks are a bitch,” I tell her as I rub flour in her face. Then it turns into a flour throwing contest. We exhaust ourselves, only to realize that the kitchen took the worst of it. While the pizza is in the oven, we clean up our mess.
“The pizza turned out well,” she says as we dig into it.
“Yes, we did a good job on it. Since we are both off work tomorrow, perhaps we can bring your dressers and bed and put them in the spare room. That way they are not wasting away in storage. I know the set is sentimental to you. I don’t have anything in there anyways.”
Her bedroom set was given to her by her parents when she was sixteen and I would hate to see her part with it.
“That sounds like a great idea. Thank you.” Her words are filled with gratitude.
“I’m not doing anything else with the room. We can even put a desk in there for your work files or whatever you like,” I exclaim.
She hugs me tightly and plants a kiss on my lips.
“Well, it’s late. I better let you get some rest.” I kiss her goodnight. I think we are both exhausted from moving everything.
“Why don’t you just jump in?” Maura says whipping the sheet cover down.
“Mmm, it’s tempting, but I think I should sleep on the couch a little while longer.”
“You haven’t had any nightmares right?” She asks.
“I have them but they are not as intense as they used to be.”
“I’m sure you will be fine,” she says, seductively patting the mattress.
“Oh my gosh, if you keep asking I won’t be able to say no.”
She looks mighty delicious in the bed with her hair disheveled and a pair of black panties on. Oh my, it is so hard to resist the urge to join her and have my way, but I don't. She means more to me than that. I'm not ready to risk losing her again. I walk out of the room before I change my mind, making sure to lock it on my way out.
Chapter Thirty
The next morning I wake to the sound of Maura in the kitchen. I realize I just had a minor nightmare. I think they are slowly diminishing, or at least they don’t seem as vivid.
“Hey, sleepy head,” Maura says, glancing over from the table. I notice the muffin in her hand.
“How do you wake up looking that beautiful?” I ask.
“Oh stop. The coffee is on and I set out the leftover goodies you got yesterday,” she says.
“I guess I went overboard yesterday by buying all this, but I wanted to hav
e something to eat until we can make plans to shop together. We need to go over to your old place and get the rest of your stuff so we can set it up in the other room. We can do it however you want. This is your place too,” I tell her.
“Anywhere would feel like home as long as you are with me,” she says as she pops a mini muffin in her mouth.
“You’re so freaking adorable,” I kiss her head and grab a mug of coffee.
After we gorge ourselves on baked goodies, we get dressed and head over to her old place to grab the rest of her stuff.
A few hours later the room is complete. All we have to add is a desk and office stuff if Maura wants that. Having her here with me on a permanent basis makes me feel good. I love her and I want nothing more than to make her happy. Every time I catch a glimpse of my dog tags around her neck it makes me smile. She is mine and I am hers. She has stuck by me through my battles with PTSD, and though we have had a few hiccups here and there, we've pulled through. She is my other half and I am hers. I have no idea where I would be without her in my life, but I know it wouldn't be good.
Sometime during the night I wake, only to realize I won’t be able to go back to sleep. Either I pace the floor or go for a walk. I decide walking is good for me and it calms me. The night air is unusually cool and it helps clear my head. Two hours later I make my way back toward the house. Once inside, I feel eyes on me as I pull the door shut. Turning, I meet Maura’s inquisitive gaze.
“Where the hell have you been at this time of night?” Maura asks. She crosses her arms for effect. “You had me worried to death.”
“Sorry, I just went out for a walk to clear my head. I do that sometimes if I wake in the middle of the night. I didn’t mean to worry you,” I tell her, taking a seat on the couch across from her.
“You could have knocked on the bedroom door or asked me to come out here, I would have sat with you until you fell asleep,” she says with a stern look, and furrowed brows.
“I know, but you look so peaceful when you sleep, like an angel. I wouldn’t dream of waking you up,” I tell her. Her face relaxes as she pulls her legs up under her butt and gets comfortable in the chair.
Coming Back to You Page 9