A Million Wishes

  Noah headed to the flower shop and bought a dozen Gerber daisies, Miki’s favorite flower and asked the florist if she knew where a bakery was. Directions in hand he headed there next. He opened the door and the smell of fresh baked brownies hit him and made his stomach growl. He had been so excited this morning when he left he hadn’t eaten a thing.

  “Well hello there handsome!” A rotund gray haired lady with a big smile greeted him as she came up to the front counter.

  “Please tell me that’s brownies I smell and that I can buy one warm from the oven.” He said, looking at her like a man half starved.

  “Honey there is nothing I love more than feeding a hungry man my goodies. My names Annie by the way, I own this place.” She went into the back and wrapped him a brownie in a napkin, bringing it to him with a smile. “That one’s on the house darlin.”

  First thing he did was lift the brownie to his nose and sniffed it, groaning and biting into it, groaning again but louder this time. He chewed, swallowed and walked up to her and swept her in a hug and kissed her cheek.

  “Ms. Annie, if I wasn’t about to propose to my girl today I’d marry you right now.”

  She giggled like a school girl and patted his chest. “You keep sweet talking me I might give you another one for the road young man.” He winked at her and finished the brownie while he looked at the items in the case. He chose a vanilla cake with Bavarian crème filling, butter cream frosting with chocolate dipped strawberries and chocolate curls on top. It had been a hard decision too since Annie had offered him a taste of Italian crème cake with cream cheese frosting. He had nearly melted on the spot, but something about the delicate white cake and the chocolate strawberries on top had pulled at him. He had been envisioning feeding them to Miki, naked, and chose that cake instead.

  “So you’re proposing to your girl today huh? Lucky little thing.”

  Noah grinned and nodded “Yes ma’am I am. She’s stuck around while I served in the military all these years and loved me anyways so I’m gonna make her make an honest man out of me.”

  Annie threw her head back and laughed. “Well I tell you what soldier, you marry that girl and I’ll make your cake for half price if I get a wedding invitation.”

  Noah laughed and paid for his cake and a few other random sweets and fresh garlic bread sticks he hadn’t been able to resist. He leaned over the counter and kissed her cheek. “That’s a deal Ms. Annie.”

  “You have a good day darlin. You let me know the date!”

  “Will do sweetheart, will do.”

  He was smiling as he left and loaded his purchases in the trunk. Thankfully it was still freezing cold so he didn’t have to worry about the delicacies while he ran in the grocery store. He picked up steaks, marinade, a couple of potatoes and the stuff for a Caesar salad. It wasn’t fancy but it was something he was good at fixing. He had one more stop to go and it was just next door. He stowed the groceries in the back seat and went in the liquor store, finding a good red wine and buying a few bottles. He made the quick trip home and unloaded the car. It took him a few trips but he quickly put the steaks on to marinate and diced up the salad and put it in the fridge. He set the table and put a candle Miki had in the cabinet on the table and lit it so the sweet strawberry fragrance would fill the room. He put the cake in the fridge to stay cool and tossed the potatoes in the oven to bake. Next he trimmed the stems of the flowers and arranged those best he could in a small vase and placed it on the table. The ring he sat on her plate. The silver wrapped box shimmered in the candle light. He looked at his watch and paced. She hadn’t said exactly when she’d be home. His leg was hurting. That raw ache, tensed up feeling. It was way past time to change his sock and bandage. He’d been on it for quite a few hours so it was understandable that it would be hurting but it still frustrated him. He hated it.

  He grabbed the things he needed and quickly changed the wrap and massaged the tight muscle until it eased some. He decided then to change into something nicer. He’d been wearing sweats since he got out of the hospital. Noah slipped on a pair of black jeans and a black button up shirt, dabbing on cologne and brushing his teeth again. He decided to put the steaks on since it was nearly 4 already. She probably hadn’t eaten anything and would be starving. By the time he heard the car pull up his nerves were taut. He flipped the stereo on to some R & B love music. His mom always joked and called it baby making music. He was grinning when Miki opened the door and came in talking to her friend. Apparently she had decided to bring Gina home with her. Noah had met her a couple a times years ago. Miki stopped dead in her tracks and looked him up and down and looked towards the kitchen table.

  “I hope you don’t mind, I made you dinner babydoll.” He nervously rubbed his palms on his jeans and held his hand out to Gina. “Hi Gina, how are you doll? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”

  Gina grinned from ear to ear and Miki still was silent. “Hiya Noah, you are still a handsome devil. Come here and give me a hug, it’s good to have you home honey.” She hugged him tight and kissed his cheek.

  “I’m going to head home and steady for tomorrow Miki. I’ll pick you up in the morning.” With that she dashed off grinning and Miki finally found her voice. “You made me dinner?”

  “Yes I did. Steak and, oh crap, the steaks…”

  He took off for the kitchen and flipped the steaks. They weren’t burnt but they’d be well done anyways. “Sorry, I kind of forgot about them when you walked in looking so beautiful.”

  Miki was standing at the table looking at the box. Noah turned the stove on low and walked towards her taking her hand in his.

  “Wanna take your coat off babydoll? I’ve got a fire going.”

  She let him help her with her coat and finally looked up at him, her eyes shiny and bright.

  “Noah…”

  He dropped awkwardly to his good knee and picked up the box, holding it out to her. Her hand covered her mouth and she choked out a cry.

  “Mikayla Ann Johnson. I want to make this official that you’ll be my girl forever. Will you do me the honor of marrying me babydoll?”

  She tugged the string on the bow and lifted the lid, gasping when she saw the ring. “Oh Noah, you shouldn’t have. This must have cost a fortune!”

  “You are worth all that and more Miki girl. Please say yes, officially ya know, since I have a ring this time.” He had such a cute, cocky grin on his face she just melted.

  Chapter 17

  “Of course! Yes Noah, oh my god yes!”

  She was crying, cupping his cheeks and kissing him. He stood and picked her up drawing her deeper into the kiss and nipping along her jaw, nuzzling against her neck and squeezing her to him.

  “You just made me the happiest man in the world Miki.”

  She was sniffling and crying, taking the ring out of the box and handing it to him. “Put it on me Noah, please.”

  He took the ring, and kissed her mouth softly, before taking her hand and sliding it slowly down her slender finger. It fit perfect. It truly had been made for her, for his Miki girl. He held her for a while, softly kissing her, stroking his fingers through her hair and massaging his fingers down her back, whispering to her how much he loved her, how much she meant to him.

  “How I got as lucky as to have you in my life I’ll never know Noah, but I am so thankful that even though I went through hell when I lived in Sugar Creek the one thing that was worth it was finding you. I love you with all of my heart baby.”

  “I love you too Miki girl. More than you can even imagine.”

  He slowly swayed with her to the music, singing softly to her as they danced around her little living room. By the time the song was over Miki had tear stains on her cheeks and kissed him long and hard.

  “Oh crap!” Noah let her go and took off to the kitchen cursing.

  He laughed and pulled the steaks out of the pan and dropped them on their plates. They might still be chewable, if they were lucky.

  “Well, do I get
points for trying to make you dinner?” Noah was grinning that endearing lopsided grin and she tip toed to kiss him and nodded. “Big points, lots and lots of points.” They laughed and sat down to feast on the burnt steaks, baked potatoes, Caesar salad and bread sticks. It was quite possibly the best meal she had ever had. They cleared their plates and she started a pot of coffee while they sliced the cake. She made sure to ooh and aww over it making him feel so good. They took the cake and steaming mugs of coffee to the living room and curled up on the couch together, feeding each other bits of cake and nibbles of chocolate dipped strawberries.

  Noah bit into a strawberry and juice dribbled down his chin. Miki grabbed his hand to keep him from wiping it and instead she cleaned if off with her tongue. Licking up his chin and over his lips, slipping her tongue between his and licking the berry still there, purring as she pulled back grinning. Noah finished chewing it but took her plate from her and picked her up, tossing her over his shoulder before grabbing a plate of the sweet confection and taking her and it to her bedroom. He didn’t care if his gait was slow or that he hobbled some while he did it, he was bound and determined to take his woman to bed on his terms. Over his shoulder with the curve of her delectable bottom pressed against his cheek. Once he reached the bedroom he dropped her on her back in the middle of the bed and unfastened his jeans.

  “Clothes. Off. Now.”

  Heat seared through her like molten lava. She watched for a moment before she began tugging off her sweater and unzipping her jeans, shimmying out of them just as he did his. Miki was kneeling on the bed, crawling towards him as he unbuttoned his shirt and let it drop from his shoulders. Her teeth were gripping the waist of his boxers, tugging them down. As soon as his erection popped free her tongue was dragging over it, sliding him into the hot confines of her mouth and swirling her tongue around him. Noah growled and pulled her red mass of hair back from her face so he could watch her. He watched his beautiful woman, so eagerly pleasing him until he was growling and pulling her back before he lost his mind. “God Mikayla you almost made me lose it already, wicked girl.”

  His fist was still in her hair and he pulled her back, making her lay on her back for him. His tongue was lathing her nipple, first one, and then the next while he settled between her thighs, letting the weight of his sex rest against her slick slit. Noah dipped his finger in the frosting and smeared it on her lips, taking his time licking it off. Next it smeared it over her pert nipples. Lathing them, one after the other until she was breathless and writhing beneath him.

  “Who do you belong to Miki?” His voice was primal, gruff, and so very needy.

  “You Noah. I belong to you and you belong to me.” Her voice was a whimper but it was sure and true.

  “Good girl. That’s my girl.” He growled.

  Now he was smearing the creamy confection on her tummy, around her navel and a line that went straight to her soaking wet slit.

  His tongue was hot and firm as is slipped down her tummy, teasing over her mound. “Tell me again. God I need to hear it again Mikayla.”

  “You Noah, I belong to you baby, you and only you, always and forever.”

  Her hands caressed his scalp lovingly. He pressed a kiss to her mound and she purred, arching. “Sweet kitten, do you have any idea what you do to me?” He whispered to her.

  She felt his tongue slip between her nether lips and swirl her clit again. She bucked and whimpered. He slid his thumbs up the sides of her sex, parting her flower so he could sip her nectar. She was sweeter than honey. More addictive than any drug could ever be, his lovely Miki girl.

  Miki was panting, gasping his name. Noah sucked her pearl between his lips and thrust his fingers inside of her, curling his fingers up and rubbing her innermost nub of desire. Her nails raked his shoulders. Her hips were bucking. She couldn’t help it. She was lost, flying over the edge.

  “Noah!”

  “Mhmm…” was his only reply.

  “Oh baby please…”

  His lips pulled off her and he was flicking his tongue on her hard and fast until she screamed, gushing on his fingers and into his mouth with her sweet honey.

  He was growling, lapping her up, his fingers pumping her still. Her fingers were tangled in the bed sheets now.

  “Noah please…”

  “Please what kitten? Are you going to purr for me some more kitty cat? Are you going to beg for what you need most?”

  She gasped when he thrust harder and faster with his fingers. Her back bowed up and he growled against her tender nub again sucking, flicking, licking, sucking again until another orgasm ripped through her and left her sobbing incoherently under him. His touch gentled and lapped her tenderly, kissing his way up her body and taking her mouth with his. Her thighs wrapped his waist and she pulled him against her, lifting her hips to his. Noah slid inside of her and crushed her mouth with his again, thrusting slow and deep. “God I love you Mikayla.”

  She had tears running down her cheeks, holding his face, kissing him. “I love you more than anything Noah.”

  Their bodies moved in a slow, sultry flow, tender touches, and deep sensuous kisses until they both were lifting and grinding more passionately. Her nails were scoring his flesh and his teeth were marking her beautiful pale skin. Her body quivered beneath his when her orgasm hit, he thrust hard, deep, loosing himself inside of her, his teeth on her neck.

  “Mine.”

  “Yes. Yours. And you, you are mine.”

  “Mhmm, yes. Yours.”

  She laughed and slid her hands up and down his back. “I never realized what a caveman you are Noah.”

  He laughed and fisted her hair, tugging. “Mhmm, me caveman, you my woman.”

  Miki giggled and kissed his throat.

  The next few days passed blissfully. Miki attended her classes, took her finals and got her few things packed so they’d be ready to go. They spent their night time alone, loving each other, learning each other, and just enjoying their blossoming love. They took walks in the park, had a chilly picnic at the lake and fed the ducks together. Every day she exercised with him, helping him rebuild his strength and endurance. Sometimes he would wake up at night yelling, other times crying, but he would never tell her why, other than it things that haunted him from war. She figured when and if he was ever ready, he would choose to let her know. So each time it happened she would gently wake him, cradle him against her and run her fingers through his hair while he apologized for waking her. Always she told him there was nothing to be sorry about. She was there for him and loved him no matter what. Sometimes he’d want to make love to her then, other times he’d get up and make coffee, unable to stand being in the dark anymore. They would sit by the fire and talk, mostly about her writing and what she wanted to do with her career. They discussed family and where they wanted to live. Each of them detailed their own dreams and desires for their life together. A big one they both were wanting was a family.

  While Miki was at school Noah started researching adoption and foster care, astounded by how many kids were stuck in the system, being bounced from one foster family to another, aging out of the system and never finding a family to call their own. He called their local Department of Human Services to find out information on the process and learned that most people that adopt through foster care only want a specific “type” of child. Babies were in demand as were healthy children, primarily Caucasian. If you were a kid in the system and you had a disability, were of a different race, had multiple siblings, were older - especially teenagers, or if you had a history of anger or trouble making you rarely found an adoptive family.

  There were so many young adults now that aged out of the system and didn’t have anyone that they belonged to. The thought of that broke his heart, it made him even more thankful for the life he had with his family. He couldn’t imagine having grown up never feeling like you had a real home or family. After Miki got home that day and he told her of all he’d found out and showed her the website he had looked at that ha
d all these kids listed that were looking for a family. She was just as moved as he had been; in fact they’d ended up crying together while reading the stories of the children listed there. Miki had the love of her siblings and of her father, but she had experienced hell with her mother and stepfather, suffering the abuse and addiction a lot of these kids did. That was when they decided they would get into foster care classes and pursue their life together by building a family.

  It no longer bothered Miki to know she couldn’t give birth. There were so many kids out there that needed parents just as badly as they wanted kids. By the time they were making their drive back to Sugar Creek they were both different. Miki was more confident, wildly in love and secure in their relationship. Noah felt he could have purpose in life again by being a husband to Miki, and helping change the lives of children that needed structure, support and love.