by Nella Tyler
Chapter 39
It was Carson’s sixth birthday and Cole and Gilda decided to have a no-holds-barred party in his honor. Gilda had carefully cultivated a small group of friends for Carson: children and grandchildren of wealthy families.
She wasn’t necessarily crazy about their elitist attitudes, but she was smart enough to recognize that Carson, who would one day become Cole’s legal son, would have a far greater advantage in his life if he made connections with others as a child. She believed people always seek the level to which they are accustomed.
Gilda hired a party planner and the theme was that of a popular science fiction series set in another galaxy. The result was a mammoth, 360-degree temporary building with an interior fashioned to look like the surface of another planet. The children were all given laser light guns and theatrical smoke wove in and about the Styrofoam rocks and unearthly trees and fauna. Strobe lights and a moving celestial sky gave an unearthly sensation to the occupants.
Carson was beside himself with excitement. The children were allowed to roam freely, and for children who were required to be quiet unless spoken to, this alone was a coveted freedom.
Otherworld creatures in costume circulated with trays of strange-looking concoctions that were actually hotdogs and cupcakes in disguise. Drinks had vapor streams of green and orange, and even the utensils were shaped like frozen creatures with multiple legs and heads. Gilda was amazed at the creativity the party planner exhibited and rewarded the effort with a healthy tip.
By day’s end, Carson was exhausted but possibly the happiest he’d been in his entire life. He’d never had a birthday party, and to have one that was so over the top was so exciting he couldn’t stop talking about it.
“He’s overdue to start school, Gilda,” Cole brought up as they went to bed that night.
“Yes, I know. I just couldn’t bring myself to enroll him in the city, withall the problems the schools there had. Now, of course, here it’s different. Do you have one to recommend? Is there a bus? How does it work here?”
He laughed. “No, sweetheart, the schools here are quite different. They are more of a boarding school, although the students are permitted weekend passes to come home. During the week they are in small classes with very qualified professors who will identify their individual strengths and incorporate individualized classes.
“There will be, of course, the standard, reading, writing, and stock market mathematics,” he added to Gilda’s shocked look. He laughed. “Just teasing. The kids here are taught the basics just as you were, although I was serious about the boarding school.”
“I don’t know if I like the idea of him being gone through the week,” she commented. “I will miss him, and I think he’s too young.”
“Sweetheart, he’ll only be a couple of miles away, and it’s a good thing for a child to learn to be away from home. Makes them resourceful and independent. They learn to assimilate with others better and won’t be homesick.”
“I see the point in that; Lord knows I was a homesick mess, even though my mama wasn’t very good to be around. She was all I knew, though.”
“Exactly. Carson will be the better for it. Besides, when we begin to add more children to our family, the other siblings will get their share of attention in turn,” he said matter-of-factly.
Gilda looked at him in surprise. “Other children? I’m not having any more children, Cole,” she announced.
His mouth opened, but he stopped before saying the first thing that came to mind. He had to remember that she was still carrying guilt, even though none was earned.
“We won’t talk about that now, Gilda. There’s no hurry. If and when you’re ready, we can talk about it then.”
She seemed appeased for the moment and crept closer to lie on his chest. Her hand reached for his naked member, and she began to pet him. He inflated almost immediately, the touch of her hand having been so seldom offered over the previous few months.
“Did you have a good time today, sweetheart?” he asked her in a husky voice.
“Carson did. Would you like to have an equally good time?”
“I would, indeed,” he chuckled. “Did you have anything in particular in mind?”
“Well, as a matter of fact…”
“What?”
“I was thinking…the galaxy far, far away is still set up on the grounds. They won’t show up until afternoon tomorrow to begin disassembling it,” she started.
“And?”
“Would you like to give it a try?” she tempted him.
“I would, indeed!” he laughed and taking her hand, led her outside and toward the domed structure.
Once inside, Cole flipped a switch and the interior came alive. He approached Gilda and told her in a serious, deep voice, “You must become one of us if you are to survive.”
“Oh, and how do I do that, oh, noble one?”
“You must begin by disrobing,” he told her, sliding down the spaghetti straps of her nightgown. They fell down easily; she had lost weight after her surgery, and her frail figure was only then beginning to fill out. The crimson negligee dissolved into a pool around her feet, and Cole lifted her enough to stand clear of it. With a few movements, he was also naked.
“I’m feeling a little naughty,” she ventured.
“Isn’t that why you suggested this?” he pointed out.
She shrugged, lifting her breasts high. He could not stop himself from cupping them with his hands. At the same time, his fingertips stroked her nipples, causing them to stand out, erect and inviting.
She reached downward and with a gentle pressure, she pushed Cole’s legs apart so his stance was wide. His penis answered her call, filling quickly and beckoning to her in invitation. Gilda sank to her knees and fastened her mouth down upon its length.
“Take it all, sweetheart,” he whispered.
She shook her head. “I’m trying, but you’ll choke me,” she protested and instead, filled in the remaining touch to his flesh with warm hands.
She ran her mouth and lips up and down his length, her saliva lubricating each stroke. Cole groaned at the sensation and his knees wanted to give way, but Gilda moved beneath him. She held him and her shoulders touched his knees as she raised her mouth, as if lapping up rains from the skies.
“Oh, my God,” he breathed, unable to keep his stance. He collapsed to his knees and lifted Gilda to lie upon him. She spread her legs and with her own hand, petted her clit as invitation for him to join.
Cole groaned and added two fingers to her labor, inserting them into her as she stimulated her own flesh. “God, but you drive me wild,” he told her in a husky voice.
He was answered by her musical laugh, her long hair spilling over her shoulders and onto his chest. The look on her face changed as she felt the result of her own stroking. “Oh, Cole, I’m going to come soon,” she said, as if to warn him of the impending moment.
He nodded and lifted her, setting her down upon his rigid penis, impaling her to her depths. Gilda moved her hips up and down and the sensation sent her over the brink.
“Oh, my God!” she cried, and shudders ran the length of her body, making her nipples hard as her head rolled back, exposing her long and tempting throat.
Cole rolled her over, laying her over one of the Styrofoam rock formations. He parted her legs from behind, trapping her feet with his own. Placing his hands on her bottom, he penetrated her from behind, and she screamed at the sensation.
He slowly began the pumping action as the ceiling of the dome shot stars and planets in a dizzying pattern above them. She raised her head to watch it, to become lost in the visual emptiness of infinity as Cole filled her depths, each stroke harder and faster than the last.
Just when she thought she might faint from the overload of sensation, she felt her next climax rising and called out his name. He answered with repeated pounding; one finger inserted shallowly in her anus. The sensation of multiple penetration was too much, and she dissolved in a mass of
shudders.
She heard Cole cry out behind her and soon, she felt the heat of his fluids filling her; its searing lava, so long withheld, overflowing until it ran down the inside of her thighs.
They collapsed into an embrace on the floor of the dome, their eyes opened as they watched the amplified heavens spin above them. It was a moment of the ultimate; one they would never forget.
Chapter 40
Gilda awakened the next morning with a wonderful sense of relief and contentment. Cole kissed her on his way out of the bedroom and flicked his finger on her nipples as a romantic reminder. She gave him an answering grin and a deep kiss.
“I’ll be down shortly,” she told him and pushed back the covers, stretching the muscles that had been taxed the night before.
After her shower, she chose a casual outfit with jeans rolled up at the ankles and a red gingham blouse. A quick peek out the window had revealed Mrs. Crutcher and Dr. Keller watching Carson play in the back courtyard as a crew had begun to disassemble the party elements, including the domed tents. Gilda blushed as she thought of what she and Cole had done in there just hours before.
She emerged from the house with a coffee in hand, Herbert following behind with a covered tray containing her breakfast. She joined Mrs. Crutcher and Dr. Keeler after Herbert had set up a table with white linen cloth and set out her meal.
She felt uncomfortable to have someone wait on her like that; she wasn’t sure how to behave. She had the impulse to tip him, but instead thanked him with a small smile and a nod.
“How did you sleep, Gilda?” Mrs. Crutcher inquired, her motherly side emerging.
“Wonderfully,” she responded with a smile as she waved to Carson. He ran toward her and hugged her gingerly.
“Aw, c’mon, you can give me a big hug now. I’m not so sore anymore,” she told him.
“Any complaints?” asked Dr. Keeler, and she shook her head.
“None. So, Carson, did you like your birthday party?” she asked him.
“Oh, Mama, it was wonderful. I’m six now, you know.”
“Yes, I know,” she laughed.
“Doesn’t that mean I get to go to school?” he wanted to know.
“Exactly; it does, indeed. We’re going to begin finding a school for you nearby very soon. Are you looking forward to it?”
“Uh, huh,” he nodded and then with a quick hug, ran off toward the deconstruction of his party. She had to admit the spectacle was fun to watch.
Cole came up behind her, kissing her on the neck. Herbert was in close pursuit, a similar tray to her own in hand.
“Cole, is this really how you grew up?” she asked, looking out over the grounds with the fountains, trees, peacocks, and swans.
“I’m afraid so, although it didn’t seem nearly so enjoyable then as it does now with you and Carson here.”
“Aw, you’re sweet, but it must have been awesome to wake up to this every morning. Did you have your own pony?” She put her hand on his thigh and lightly stroked it, making him flush as he tried to concentrate on his breakfast.
“Yes, in the early years, and then later on, of course, I had a jumper and rode steeplechase,” he said matter-of-factly.
“Really? Can’t picture you doing that,” he laughed.
“Lots of things about me might surprise you,” he handed back enigmatically.
This gave Gilda pause for thought. Since their marriage, so much time had been occupied by her past, the kidnapping, her illness, and the move that she realized she actually knew very little about Cole as a youth. She vowed she would begin asking more questions when they were in private.
“Any old flames I need to worry about?” she teased.
Without skipping a beat, he said, “Lots of old flames around here, but none you need worry about.”
She gulped a bit at this. Jealousy was a new and unexpected emotion for her. She wasn’t sure quite what to say ,but heard Dr. Keeler chuckle next to her.
“What’s so funny?” she challenged.
“Did you think the guy had no women in his life before you? Look at him, Gilda. He’s what I understand you ladies refer to as a ‘stud.’”
Cole rolled his eyes, but never stopped eating. Gilda looked from him to Dr. Keeler to see if they were teasing her. “Of course, he’s a stud. I know that, for sure. I guess I just never considered his romantic past. Anything I should know about, Cole?”
“I plead the fifth,” he responded with a wink and Gilda pouted, folding her arms over her chest in mock protest.
Cole’s phone rang and he glanced at the caller ID. Tapping it, he said, “Call back in five minutes,” and tapped it off. Standing, he wiped his mouth and laid the linen square over the remnants of his breakfast.
“Sorry, I need to talk to this guy. See you later, darling.” He kissed Gilda and nodded to the others as he turned and headed inside. She watched him go, craning her head in puzzlement.
“He’s never done that before,” she commented aloud to the others.
“He’s a busy man now, Gilda. You’re going to have to expect there are going to be times when he will be busy and you can’t sit on his lap.”
“Oh, stop it, Dr. Keeler. You’re just picking on me.”
“About time someone did; you’ve been on me for a while now, and at the precinct, I couldn’t give you what for, being your superior and all. Now, that’s all changed, you know.”
She turned back and grinned at him. “Oh? Is that so? And just what kind of ‘what for’ are you planning to give me?” she laughed, picking up her coffee cup to take the last sip.
Carson was playing in the fountain water, letting it splash up onto his face. “Mama, look at me! I’m melting, I’m melting,” he threw his arms outward and began to theatrically crumple to the ground, emulating the wicked witch from Wizard of Oz.
“We watched that last night,” Mrs. Crutcher commented in explanation.
Gilda laughed and clapped. “Very nice, Carson. Now let’s see you fly on your broomstick!” she encouraged him.
Suddenly, she heard Cole calling her name. “Gilda! Gilda!” She turned around and saw him running toward her. “Get down! Now!” he screamed.
Gilda cocked her head, caught off guard by the contrast of Cole’s screaming and the laughter from everyone at Carson.
She wheeled around and saw, in slow motion, Dr. Keeler’s body move past her as he headed toward Carson. Puzzled, she looked around for some explanation and saw Mrs. Crutcher’s hands raise to her face. She looked back and saw Dr. Keeler, within feet of Carson.
That’s when she saw him fall forward, as though he had tripped in his haste to get to the boy. Carson was still crumpled on the ground, feigning his wicked witch’s death, but no longer laughing.
Dr. Keeler hit the ground, face down, and as Gilda started to rise to her feet, she was knocked flat to her face. The wind was knocked from her and she was stunned.
In her confusion, she wasn’t sure of the order of what happened next. She heard screaming, but the voices were both female and male. She felt pain in her chest and was struggling for breath, not only gasping for air, but to sustain the pain emanating from her lower tummy that was still healing from the surgery.
Once she was finally able, she lifted her head toward Carson and saw Cole scoop him up and immediately turn at a full run back toward her, and the house. “Stay down, Gilda!” she heard him scream.
Then there was a wall of dark-clothed bodies around her; she felt herself lifted between them, and they moved quickly toward the house.
Her thoughts were for Carson, and she screamed his name. What was happening?
They were inside the house then, but the men didn’t put her down. They carried her down a stairway — she could feel the slant as their bodies bent forward. She was propelled through a doorway and then heard a loud noise and lights came on overhead.
“Cole? What’s going on?” she cried out as she was laid down on a flat surface.
He didn’t answer her, but she
heard his voice. It was a tone she’d not heard before, sharp and commanding, barking orders. She struggled to sit up, but the pain in her midsection took her flat again.
She raised just her head and looked around and spotted Carson not far from her, lying on a fold-down bunk. He wasn’t moving. “Carson!” she screamed and despite the pain, got to her feet and moved toward him.
She threw herself over him and turned his face. He had blood running off his forehead, but she felt he had a pulse, and his lips were warm when she kissed him. “Cole! Cole! Please help!”
“Ma’am, he’ll be fine, he was only grazed,” came a stranger’s voice and Gilda got a glance at one of the dark suits.
“Ma’am, please, now go lie back down and I’ll see to the boy. I have some medical training, and we have plenty of supplies. Please, ma’am, back away and let me see to him. He’ll be fine,” the voice said, a hand on her shoulder pulling her away. The hand pulled harder and she felt herself being lifted backward. Gilda threw her hands toward her son.
“No, let me stay with him!”
She was handed off and Cole was in her face. “Gilda, listen to me! Carson is fine, sweetheart. It was only a graze and barely scratched his skin. He probably passed out from fear. He’ll come to in a moment and then you can hold him forever, I promise. Now, let me look at you. I hit you pretty hard to get you flat, sorry, sweetheart. Are you hurting?”
Her emergency calm set in, and she nodded. “It hurts from the wound area.”
He laid her down on what she realized was another bunk. He lifted her blouse, inspecting her abdomen. “No blood. I’m guessing you probably pulled some of the interior sutures that weren’t healed quite yet. Gunnerson here is a medic; he’ll be with you as soon as he sees to Carson. You’ll be fine, sweetheart.
“I have things I have to attend to. I’ll be back shortly. You just lie there, still, and try to relax. Smith! Stay with her!” Cole ordered and then his face disappeared.
Gilda turned her head so she could watch Gunnerson working on Carson. She knew she had to lie still, but she was going to supervise at the same time. “Gunnerson!” she called to him. “Bring him here and lay him next to me! I’m a nurse. I want to check his vitals.”