by Juliet Woods
“Court is adjourned for the day,” he says quietly. The woman whispers something more to him, frowning.
He speaks again, loud and clear. “This case is dismissed. The custody of the child remains with the father,” he proclaims with a strike of his gavel. I hear a gasp from Vivian, and she and Paul exchange worried looks with each other. The judge then disappears into his chambers, visibly shaken up. The woman follows him.
“It’s all over!” Lily says excitedly as I lean over the railing separating us to embrace her.
“Yes, my love, it’s all over. And you and me are just beginning.”
I stroke her soft cheek and look down at her beautiful blue eyes. I kiss her, pressing my mouth against her soft lips. I pull back to look at her again, and she smiles up at me.
I have a family again.
I turn to look at Harry, who is happily packing his files away into his briefcase.
“Ethan, congratulations. It turns out good prevailed in the end.”
I shake his hand, then pull him in for a hug.
“Harry, my friend, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Then I sneak a glance at Paul and Vivian, who are carefully avoiding looking in my direction. I imagine they’re going crazy from panic right now. And with good reason. Paul will probably be disbarred, Judge Roberts will be removed from the bench, and Vivian will have to live with her own conscience – if she still has one. But if her mother finally did the right thing, I have hope that Vivian, too, has something good in her heart, buried deep down in there.
But that’s not my concern right now. I just want to get out of this courthouse and be with my family. My perfect little daughter, and my beautiful, loving wife.
Chapter 32
Lily
“Where are you taking me?” I ask coyly from the passenger’s seat as Ethan drives. He said he had a surprise for me, but I’m unable to hold back my curiosity. We just got out of court, and the mood is deliriously happy.
“Patience, my dear,” Ethan says, sliding his hand along my inner thigh. It sends butterflies through my stomach – in a good way. “We’ll get there soon enough.”
Ethan and I are like two school kids in the car, laughing and giggling. We can’t keep our hands off each other. The custody battle is over and there’s nothing more to worry about. Masie will remain with us.
I have a family again.
I smile as the thought fully sinks in. I’m no longer alone in the world. I have a sexy, amazing husband, and a beautiful stepdaughter who feels more like my own daughter every day.
Ethan parks at the New York City Yacht Club and opens my door.
“Surprise!” he exclaims. “Hope you like to sail.”
“I didn’t even know you had a yacht!” I exclaim. “And I’ve never been sailing before.”
“Let’s just hope you don’t get seasick.”
I raise an eyebrow at him.
“Come on, you’ll love it!”
He leads me onto the boat and gets everything ready. I watch as he tugs on tarps and ropes, a flurry of activity. Soon, he navigates the vessel out of the harbor and expertly mans the sails while I pour us both glasses of the champagne he picked up on the drive over.
I pass him a glass.
“To us,” he says, and raises his glass to mine.
“And to Masie,” I say and clink my glass against his.
He kisses me, then turns back to the sails. We sail out onto the water a bit further, then he throws down the anchor. The water slaps against the boat as it rocks in the gentle waves.
We drink another sip of the sparkling, sweet champagne, then he sets his glass down on the table. I do the same.
“Lily, I want you to know how much I love you. The past few weeks with you have been amazing. You’ve taught me how to love once more. I never thought it would be possible, but you helped me open up my heart again.”
I look into his eyes and know his love is real. Our love is real. I’ve never known anything more true than this in my life.
He goes down on one knee, and I feel my heart skip a beat. He takes a small, velvet box from his pocket and presents me with a stunning diamond ring.
“Lily, my sweetheart, will you marry me – again?”
Tears spring to my eyes. I can hardly believe this is happening.
“Yes,” I say, watching as he slips the ring on my finger.
He stands up and envelopes me in his arms.
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you. This time, it’s not for a court case. It’s because I love you.”
I wipe away a tear. “I love you so much, Ethan. You make me so happy. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you, too.”
His hands move up my shoulders to the back of my head, tilting my face up. His eyes peer into mine intensely, sending a wave of excitement through my body. He catches my upper lip between his for a second, then moves his mouth down to mine, kissing me passionately.
Just like he instructed me on our first date, I surrender my body to him. His hand moves down to my breasts, rubbing them gently. The he slips his arms around me, lifting me up into his arms. I feel myself getting wetter by the second.
He carries me inside the cabin, where he lays me down gently on a bed.
“You’re all mine,” he whispers, unbuttoning my shirt and kissing me between my breasts.
“I’m all yours,” I agree, reaching up to unbutton his shirt. He takes it off and I trail my fingertips over the taut muscles, running them up over the bulges in his shoulders, and down through the ridges in his abs.
He pushes my skirt up to my belly and pulls my panties down over my feet. Suddenly I feel him kissing my upper thighs and caressing my stomach.
“I need it,” I moan.
“You need this?” he asks as he teases me with a finger slowly tickling the outside of my folds.
“More,” I plead. “You’re teasing me.”
“This?” he asks as he plunges a finger inside me.
I cry out in pleasure. “Yes.”
He slides the finger out, then moves to kiss me between my legs. He parts my soft inner folds and licks my throbbing bud. I look down to see his glistening body, the tight muscles in his shoulders and arms flexing as he lifts my legs over his shoulders.
I raise my hips against his mouth and bury my hands in his hair. His tongue moves faster over my clit now, and he pushes his finger back inside me. Little sparks of electricity explode in my pelvis, then merge to form one big, quivering vibration.
My muscles start to lock up and my walls clench around his finger. I thrash around on the bed, moaning and panting.
“Yeah, that’s it, come for me.” He brings his tongue back down to my clit and licks it while I grind against him.
With my vision blurring, I ride the peak of the wave. Heat travels through my belly and explodes deep in my core. The rocking feeling in my body is intensified by the rocking of the boat in the waves. I try to hold on, but I lose myself in the sensation.
Finally, I open my eyes to see Ethan grinning over me.
“You look so fucking hot when you come.”
I smile and watch him remove the rest of our clothes. Pin pricks of heat erupt on my skin when I see his enormous cock spring free of his boxers. He’s all ready for me, as I am for him: hot, slippery and open.
He picks me up as if I weigh nothing and stands up with me, my legs wrapped tight around him. He backs me up against a wall, gasping in my ear as he covers my neck in hot kisses. His bare, smooth body feels delicious against mine.
Holding me in place with our bodies tight against each other, he lowers me onto his hard cock, and pushes it inside me, piercing me with his massive rod. Taking hold of my ass, he drives himself into my body, supporting me with his arms. I’m trapped, locked into place with his cock inside me. I yield to his demands, his need to possess me and fill me up. My hands roam over his tight back muscles, then move down to his ass and feel his muscles flex as he thrusts himself into me.
I nuzzle my head against his, giving in to the intense sensation of being filled up by his raging erection. I look into his eyes – they look wild and hungry. I see everything in those deep brown eyes – all the armor has come down; his soul is laid bare. He drives himself into me, not holding anything back. He feels out of control, and I love it. I want him to lose control inside me.
Now he’s deeper inside me than he’s ever been before, and it’s pushing me over the edge. I feel the waves of pleasure building up inside my core, and I surrender to this climax, too, digging my fingernails into his back. I feel my muscles clamp down on his cock, and the waves of intense sensation pulse through my body once more.
He goes faster and faster, pushing himself inside me all the way. He thrusts one last time and groans in my ear as his cock twitches and throbs, pumping his hot release deep inside me. He holds me like that for a moment more, slowly thrusting himself inside a few more times.
As we catch our breath, I realize we forgot about the condom. Instead of feeling freaked out, though, I feel excited.
“Ethan – we didn’t use a condom.”
“I know,” he whispers, and kisses me. “You feel amazing without one. Are you worried about getting pregnant?”
I smile. “I’m not worried. I’d love to have your baby.”
He grins and carries me back over to the bed, his cock still deep inside me.
“Maybe we better try again, then.”
I look down as he pulls his cock out, still hard and ready to go for another round.
I smile up at him and clasp my hands around his neck.
“Maybe we better.”
Chapter 33
Ethan
I cradle Lily in my arms, her naked, warm body pressed against mine. We catch our breath after our second round of love-making. Without a doubt, sex with her makes me forget my past. The feelings are so intense, the connection so deep. I know I’ll never go back to my old ways.
I stroke her hair, breathing in her scent – a sweet aroma that brings to mind exotic flowers that bloom in the night.
My wife – and my fiancée. And this time, we’re getting married out of love, and not necessity.
I look back on the events of the last few weeks and smile. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions – from despair and rage over losing my daughter to the overwhelming flood of love I’m experiencing right now.
I’m no longer a man who builds walls around his heart. I’ve learned how to let all that go. I’ve learned I don’t have to blot out the pain through destructive behavior. That never really worked anyway.
Before, it was hard to imagine the future, outside of any plans and dreams I’ve had for my daughter. I could never see anything good for myself on the horizon. Now, I see a future full of possibility. I’m going to give Lily the beautiful wedding she deserves. She’ll make me proud with the good work she does, and I’ll support her any way I can. She’ll be the mother to my little girl that Masie desperately needs. And our family is only beginning.
I smile, burying my face in Lily’s thick, silky hair. I can’t get enough of her.
She runs her fingers along my shoulders, tracing invisible patterns over my skin.
“My love,” she says sleepily, and we both give in to the temptation of a short nap in each other’s arms.
Later that afternoon, we wait hand in hand, leaning against the Aston Martin.
Lily and I are all smiles, having just become engaged – for real this time.
I’m glad I took Lily’s advice and opted not to tell Masie how close we came to losing custody of her. She shouldn’t have to worry about being uprooted from her home.
So I’m pleased to see her come running out of the school building as usual and into my arms, knowing that I have good news to tell her.
“Masie, the court case is all over,” I tell her, picking her up in my arms.
“And I don’t have to go live with Aunt Vivian?”
“No, baby, you’re going to stay with me and Lily.”
She cheers and laughs as I spin her around.
“And look, Masie, your dad gave me a ring,” Lily says, holding her ring finger up.
“Wow! That’s really pretty,” Masie says, studying it closely. “But that’s a ring for when you get married, right? I thought you were already married.”
“We are,” I say. “But we’re going to have another wedding. A real wedding, this time. All our family and friends will be there, and Lily will wear a white dress --”
“Will I get to be the flower girl?”
“Yes, of course!”
“Yay! I can’t wait, I can’t wait!”
She throws her arms around Lily, who bends down to give her a squeeze.
“I’m so happy! Do you know why?” Masie says to her.
“Why?” asks Lily.
“Because I feel like I have a mommy again,” Masie says, and slips her hand in Lily’s.
Lily smiles up at me. She doesn’t say a word, but I know exactly what she’s thinking, because I’m thinking the same thing.
My heart is bursting.
Epilogue
Lily — Four Months Later
“Get back over here, Lily, and close the door!” Callie hisses, pulling me back into the suite where I’ve been hiding out and getting my hair and makeup done for what seems like all day. I’m been poking my head out the door, curious to see what’s going on outside this room. “You can’t let Ethan see you before the wedding!”
“Ethan has seen me naked many times,” I retort. “I don’t think it matters if he sees me in my wedding dress.”
Callie laughs and shuts the door. “Well, at least give me a few more minutes alone with you before I lose you to Ethan – again.”
“You won’t ever lose me,” I assure her. “You’re the co-founder of New Hope Gardens, and my partner in crime.”
“That’s more like it,” she says. “But you’re so busy now with the gardens and your classes.”
She’s right – I have been busy with our non-profit and going to New York University part-time to begin my degree in community development.
“And then you’ll be off in Europe for – what? A month?”
“It’s only seven days, Callie. I think you’ll survive.”
“OK. But how much longer do we have until you pop?”
I bust out laughing. “Do you mean until the baby comes?”
She nods, pouting.
“Five more months.”
My hands go to my belly, which is just starting to show. I love feeling the changes in my body, and I smile knowing that our baby is growing inside me.
“Five more months until I lose you to the new baby,” she grumbles.
“Callie, you’re like a jealous older sibling!” I take her hand in mine. “You’re my best friend and a baby’s not going to change that. You know you’re always welcome to come over and hang out. You’ll always be in my life. I promise.”
“All right,” she huffs. “You know I’m truly excited for you, babe. I just don’t want things to change between us.”
“Are you kidding? Things are getting way better. The gardens are getting started, and we get to work together on this awesome project.”
“Yeah, and I finally have a job that pays well. It’s pretty great. Once Mark graduates and gets a good job at some fancy law firm, we’ll be able to buy a house.”
“That’s awesome, Callie! And before you know it, you’ll be popping out a baby too.”
“I’m not convinced yet. I’ll have to see how it goes for you before I sign on to anything.”
“That sounds wise.”
Her face becomes serious and she sits down in the chair before me. “Thank you for being an awesome friend, Lily. I’m so proud of you, and you deserve nothing but happiness.”
I look at her and feel my eyes getting watery. “Oh, Callie, thank you for being such an awesome friend, too.”
“Now don’t cry, dammit! I don’t want those makeup
people to swarm this room again.”
I laugh and give my friend a hug.
There’s a small knock at the door. Callie opens it to reveal Masie standing there, all dressed up in her pale pink flower girl dress, holding her basket of flower petals.
“It’s almost time! It’s almost time!” she exclaims, stepping in the room. Then, looking at me, her mouth drops open.
“Wow! Lily, you look so pretty!”
I turn around so she can see the short train of my dress and the lace detail up the back.
“Just like a princess!” Then she twirls around so we can admire her little dress.
“Absolutely stunning!”
“I think we all look pretty darn good,” Callie says, standing up and looking over her beautiful, deep lavender bridesmaid dress.
Masie and I agree. “I can’t wait for Daddy to see us all!”
Callie adjusts my veil and hands me my bridal bouquet. It’s my own creation – a mix of white roses, pink peonies, and of course, lots of fragrant, trailing jasmine.
“The music is starting!” Masie squeals as we hear the beginning notes of the bridal procession song.
“You better go, sweetie.” I scoot her along, winking at her. “See you at the other end of the aisle.”
She gives Callie a high five and walks out the door.
Callie looks at me one last time. “I love you, babe.”
“I love you, too. Now get out of here before I start to cry again.”
She smiles and walks out. I feel some butterflies in my stomach, but nothing like the panic and fear I used to be a prisoner to just a few months ago. I’m totally free of my anxiety problems now after months of hard work. I’m able to tap into a deep reserve of strength I never even knew I had.
The music changes, and I take a deep breath. I step out onto the aisle and pause, locking eyes with Ethan. He waits for me just a few steps away, and my future is there with him. I take the first step, smiling.
ETHAN
The music starts, and Masie begins her journey down the aisle, concentrating on throwing the flower petals out just right in the way we practiced. I look at her with such pride. My beautiful daughter.