It’s as if Reggie has also remembered what they were doing, her hands running down Chrissy’s sides. One hand stalls on Chrissy’s healed ribs, fingers spread over them, while her other hand ends up grasping Chrissy’s right shoulder blade, directly over her scar. They keep kissing, Reggie taking control, her tongue chasing Chrissy’s into her mouth. Arousal courses through her veins. She feels alive and alert and loved and loveable. Whether she’s worthy or not, she will never turn away from this.
They move against each other, undulating to a song their hearts sing together. Reggie sighs, her hand stroking Chrissy’s ribs, her abdomen, her curls. She leans on one arm while playing in Chrissy’s wetness, stroking gently as she takes Chrissy’s breast in her mouth.
“I love how you respond to me,” she says. “I love you.”
Her words slay Chrissy’s insecurities. As Reggie enters her with two fingers, Chrissy arches her back. “I love you. So much.” She closes her eyes, overwhelmed by the physical stimulation, by the feelings flowing through her, by the strength of her love, Reggie’s love, their love.
“Look at me,” Reggie pleads. Chrissy opens her eyes, allowing Reggie to see her soul and gasping as Reggie’s fingers pump, demanding she be entirely present as they make love.
“God.” Chrissy moans, her voice thick, her climax approaching. She pulls Reggie into her, needing the contact, needing to be as close as possible. Reggie moves her hips in time with each stroke, pushing against her hand, perspiration forming along her hairline. She’s gorgeous and fierce. Chrissy loves being the center of her attention. She moves her hand down Reggie’s side, hip, thigh, before finally finding Reggie’s warm, wet center. Chrissy groans. “You feel so good.”
They pick up the pace, staring into each other’s eyes, breathing each other’s air. Their bodies tremble and shudder and break apart, eyes squeezing tight and inner muscles pulling fingers further inside, not wanting to let go. And as they slow down, they lie in an exhausted heap with wide smiles. This is heaven. Miraculous. Perfect.
The next time Chrissy wakes up, Reggie remains tucked tightly into her side, their legs entangled. She runs her fingers through Reggie’s brunette locks, watching coffee-colored eyes flutter open. Her fuzzy gaze sharpens as she becomes aware of her surroundings, and Chrissy watches those eyes she loves darkening to a beautiful chocolate hue.
“Hi,” Chrissy says. “I think it snowed.”
Reggie’s smile is as breathtaking as the first time she gifted it to Chrissy after they’d shared their first kiss. “I’m going to make you the best breakfast you’ve ever tasted.”
Their kisses are unhurried, and Chrissy falls more in love. She fights her feelings of inadequacy, not wanting to dwell on all the reasons why Reggie could do so much better, deserves so much more. As time has passed, she’s found it easier to convince herself that this is where she belongs.
“Before Ben gets up, I want to talk to you about something,” Reggie says as she sits up, pulling the covers over her chest and interlacing their fingers together. She glances at Chrissy with a nervous smile, a trait uncommon enough that Chrissy’s chest tightens.
“Did I do something wrong?” Chrissy asks.
“I want you and Ben to move in with me.”
“Wh…what?” Chrissy asks, dazed.
“I love when you’re both here. I want to share my life with you, Christina. If I didn’t think you’d freak out, I’d be asking for more than this,” Reggie says, one hand reaching out to cup Chrissy’s cheek. “Please say yes. I love you. I made a promise I intend to keep. I want to show you how much you mean to me, how much I need you, how much I love you. I want you to feel my love every day. And it will be so much better with us all in one place.”
Overwhelmed, Chrissy pulls Reggie toward her and kisses her with all the love, all the passion, all the trust she has for this incredible woman. “You know,” Chrissy whispers. “What you were saying, the words you used, they kind of sounded like a marriage proposal.”
Reggie leans back, her eyes searching Chrissy’s for several moments, and Chrissy feels something settle within her. She does belong with Reggie−to Reggie. And even though at the beginning of their relationship, she was convinced she wasn’t worthy of Reggie’s affections, even though at times she still feels like a sham, a fraud, expendable, now she knows that’s not true. More importantly, Reggie reassures her with her words, her actions, and her love every day.
“And how do you feel about that possibility?” Reggie asks carefully.
Chrissy knows this is important. Her next words can affect their future. If she’s ever going to stop being that unwanted teen, that worthless loner, that damaged girl, then she needs to accept how, in Reggie’s eyes and mind and heart, she is worthy.
“I love you with all my heart, and I can’t live in a world without you in it,” Chrissy says, repeating words she uttered to Reggie while in the hospital two years ago. “I’m yours in any way you want. Including as your wife.” Chrissy exhales, glad she’s said the words. Made the leap. Given Reggie everything she has. Excitement bubbles through her at the possibility of being with Reggie for the rest of their lives.
Reggie jumps up from the bed and hurries to her bureau, rummaging around before rejoining Chrissy. Her eyes widen when Reggie opens a jewelry box in front of her and removes a ring. Her mouth drops open.
Reggie takes her left hand, slides the ring on her finger, and kisses it. “My savior, my hero, my love. Marry me, Christina.”
Tears flow down her cheeks, and Chrissy nods as she reaches for her fiancée. “Yes. Of course. I’d be honored to be your wife.” She pulls Reggie forward, and they kiss while laughing and crying and hugging.
“You guys awake?” Ben yells through the door. “I’m starving out here.”
They break apart and rush to put clothes on. Chrissy wraps Reggie in a tight hug and kisses her again. “The ring is beautiful. Ben’s gonna flip.”
Reggie’s eyes sparkle. “He helped me pick it out. I asked for his blessing a while ago.”
“You asked for his blessing?” Chrissy asks, stunned. How romantic is that? “God, I love you!”
Grinning, Reggie says, “Call me Reggie.” And as they move to join Ben, Reggie says, “I’m going to spend the rest of our lives loving you. Because you matter, Christina Kramer.”
And finally, finally, while gazing into eyes filled with adoration and earnestness, Chrissy realizes she believes her. Wholeheartedly. Without reservation.
It’s the best gift of all.
About Jazzy Mitchell
Jazzy Mitchell loves to tell stories, one word at a time. She has taught in some capacity for over thirty years—English, real estate law, ethics, even energy work. She knows words are powerful, and she loves to connect them in different ways.
Jazzy lives in Oregon with her wife, three children, and two dogs, capturing the essence of life's journey in all its wonderful forms.
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Bright Blessings
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You Matter Page 23