Pieces of You

by Haven Rose

  She lets me use her, not saying a word when I set a punishing speed, bumping the rear of her throat before she loosens the muscles, allowing me to slide down. When she swallows, her lips closing so I’m just about buried in her mouth, I roar, hoping I’m not hurting her as I go harder, deeper. When I spill my speed, she doesn’t miss a drop, licking to get every bit off me as I slowly pull out. I’m watching her face, wanting to make sure I wasn’t too rough, and she looks straight in my eyes and tells me, “Yummy.”

  And my control snaps. I help her up, push her into her original stance, and slam into her, my dick prepared for a second round already. Jackhammering into her tight pussy, I hold her biceps, pulling her against me as I push in. Rooney rises to her tiptoes, taking me even deeper, her breasts now against the glass, nipples so hard they could cut through it.

  “You wanna come, rainbow?” She mumbles, her response unintelligible, but I know she’s saying yes. Giving her what we both want, I lean forward, my teeth on her shoulder, and bite at the same time I thrust forward.

  “Caden!” She screams, her head thrown back, hair sticking to her skin from the exertion. As my own release draws near, my hands move to her waist, somehow finding the strength to lift her, her legs instinctively wrapping around each of my thighs, as I pound into her.

  Shouting her name, my seed pouring out of me, I collapse, the window supporting both of us, as we wheeze, trying to catch our breath after that workout,

  Setting her down, we walk hand in hand to the bed, where I pull back the covers, and watch as she slides underneath them. When I join her, she rests her head on my chest, her fingers twirling around my heart, and whispers, “Thank you for loving me.”

  She falls asleep before I can respond, but I give it all the same, “Thank you for letting me.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Rooney

  July 17th…

  Gypsy is now home with us and doing well. I thought she’d be leery of Boomer if nothing else, but those two instantly became best friends. She warmed up to Caden a little slower, but by the end of the night, he could pet her too, smiling when her purring was activated.

  I called at least twice every day after taking her to Landry, and they reassured me each time she was doing well, better than they thought she would. Since she didn’t seem to have any problems with the previously broken leg, she decided to let it go as is with the idea we could reevaluate it as she got older.

  “We have another pet, don’t we?” Caden had asked when he met her. Just like Boomer, she had stolen our hearts and we couldn’t imagine not keeping her.

  Bianca called shortly after we returned from our honeymoon, asking if the part-time job offer was still available. Caden and I had talked about her situation, feeling bad that she was in such a tight spot she’d been forced to do something she didn’t want to because of it. She didn’t need the money due to the raise she’d been given with the promotion, and offered to work as a volunteer.

  Looking into the matter, with her permission of course, Caden’s lawyer discovered Trudy, Bianca’s mom’s, medical bills should’ve been handled by the other driver’s insurance company as he was responsible for the accident. Best Insurance, ironically that was their name, refused to pay as they stated the customer was not current at the time, therefore, they weren’t responsible. However, the lawyer found proof of the payment being made, the second party happy to provide it, and the check being cashed.

  Mr. Best, the owner, unhappy with the news once confronted, complied lest he be sued, and agreed to cover the remaining bills and refund what had already been paid. It’s odd how things work out, but if Caden’s mother hadn’t pulled that stunt, Trudy and Bianca would still be suffering, struggling to get by while paying for bills that weren’t their responsibility.

  Her timing is perfect as Mona had learned from a friend in the police department that a dog hoarder had recently been arrested, each neglected to where it was almost too late – another day, two tops, and the scene the cops came upon would’ve been so much worse. And that’s saying a lot considering how bad it already was.

  Bianca, as my newly appointed assistant, has also started calling businesses, telling them what we do and asking for donations. Surprisingly, the majority offered to send supplies right away, almost doubling what we’d hoped to get. With the number of new residents set to arrive any day now, Landry and I agreeing to space them out so we can spend a little one on one time with each, their help is greatly appreciated.

  There are a few that are more aggressive, and I’ve taken measures regarding that, but my belief is all they need is to see they’re safe, that someone cares, and that issue will fade. I’m not naïve enough to think everything can be easily fixed, if at all, but in this instance, where animals are concerned, I whole-heartedly do.

  Landry already donates a lot of her time and resources to getting any rescues I take in healthy, never expecting to be paid, but I always give the effort to do just that anyway. Caden, without me even asking, has taken care of that, making it so the vet’s office has what they need. When I asked why, he informed me that being married, me taking his name, meant we share not only the good times but the bad as well. And, upon learning just how much Landry does for the rescue, he didn’t hesitate to take steps to thank her, in his own way.

  Peyton and Reese have visited often, our sisterly bond strengthening with each, though I threatened to kick her out last time when she brought news of her parents throwing another family dinner. They vowed this time it will be just family and the invitation has been extended to my moms, well, my parents as my new in-laws aren’t aware of the fact I have two. They would’ve met at the wedding if Thomas and Kimberly – I refuse to refer to them as father and mother, nor have they asked me to – if they’d attended.

  My moms are excited, knowing them just showing up will cause quit a stir. It’s probably the most fun a guest at anything they host will have.

  When I’d shared that with Caden, he busted out laughing, joking, I think, about recording it so we could watch it whenever we wanted to. The idea brought such a gleam to his eye, and a smirk to his face, that I didn’t dare tell him he shouldn’t. I rather liked the idea myself.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Rooney

  July 21st…

  Here we go again, I think ominously. But then Caden whispers in my ear, my moms giggle behind us, and the tension eases, the smile on my face becoming real. This should be fun.

  Surprisingly, this time, Kimberly Howell opens the door herself. With Caden’s height, my mama is hidden from her view, but she notices my mom.

  “Where’s your dad?” My mother-in-law asks.

  I shrug, having never met the man. My mom, ever the blunt one, says, “Hopefully in a trash heap where he belongs.” Caden, knowing the story of my birth and adoption, snickers.

  Kimberly gasps, no doubt finding talk like that inappropriate, and asks, “I’m sorry?”

  My mom replies, “Why? You aren’t him.”

  Trying to regroup, she says, “I just meant, well, I guess it doesn’t matter now. Thomas has referred to her parents as Danny and Mary, but I must’ve misheard him.”

  And that’s when my mama finally moves to the side, bringing her into Kimberly’s line of sight, and helpfully states, “You heard right.”

  “But you’re a woman,” she stammers.

  “Duh, otherwise, we’d be doing this whole lesbian thing wrong,” my mom informs her. Caden is losing it at this point, the unintentional comedic performance playing out in front of us almost too much for him to take. His face is buried in my shoulder, and he’s almost wheezing as he complains, “I can’t breathe.”

  “D-a-n-i,” mama spells for her, then adds, “it’s short for Danielle.”

  Are vapors only a thing in the south, because I swear Kimberly is about to claim she has them. Her eyes go back and forth between my moms, as if trying to understand what just happened. Then, as if a lightbulb, or probably a chandelier for her, went off,
she states the obvious. “Rooney, you’re adopted?”

  “I was, but we prefer the term chosen. Out of all the children they could’ve adopted, they chose me to be a member of their family.”

  “Best decision we ever made,” mom pipes in as mama adds, “We knew she was meant to be ours the second we saw her.”

  With their unconditional love, along with Caden’s, I can handle anything Kimberly tries to dish out. Give it your best shot, you uppity bitch. You won’t break me.

  **Caden**

  My wife is calm personified tonight, my mother’s words and actions rolling off her like water on a duck. It might be childish, okay, it is, but that doesn’t stop the old mantra I’m rubber and you’re glue from rolling through my head numerous times.

  The attempts have somewhat amused me, simply because they don’t seem to bother Rooney, but, as she’s prone to do, she takes it too far and I can’t let that go.

  “I’d like to toast Thomas and Rooney on their recent nuptials. We regrettably couldn’t be there, but I’m sure it was lovely.” Then she signals to one of the staff who promptly fills everyone’s wine glass, waiting as they blend back into the woodwork, their place – in her opinion – to remain unnoticeable unless their services are required, before raising hers. The rest of us do the same, holding them up as she wishes us many years of happiness, my in-laws rolling their eyes at my mother’s insincerity, and acting as if we’re clicking them before taking a sip.

  It doesn’t escape my mother’s attention that Rooney simply sets hers down without drinking any. “Unfamiliar with wine, dear? It takes a little getting used to when you’re usual is beer, but I think you’ll like it.”

  “Aunt Roo hab baby,” Reese declares, his version of her name. My mother’s head spins so fast you’d think she was possessed.

  “What now? Thomas, please tell me he’s referring to an animal she rescued.” Her words are almost desperate. She glances to my father, who empties his and motions for more. When he gets it, he just takes the bottle from the woman’s hands and places it in front of him.

  With a nod from Rooney, I confirm what is probably Kimberly Howell’s worst nightmare. Trying to mask my glee at being the one to completely ruin her plans for my life, I tell her, “We’re expecting our first child in January.”

  “How could you?” She asks me.

  I can’t resist that opening, and no one will blame me for taking it. “You have two children yourself; I know you’re fully aware how they’re created.”

  “Don’t be uncouth,” she glares at me. “The woman has no breeding nor manners; her last name isn’t even hers but belongs to one of the women calling themselves her mothers. Her own parents didn’t even want her, so why do you?” Mary and Dani both stand right after I do, all of us ready to rip into her, but she isn’t finished. “Are you sure the baby is even yours?”

  “Yes,” I answer instantly, no doubt in my mind whatsoever.

  “Then she found out who you are and got pregnant on purpose.”

  “Wrong again,” I inform her.

  “Why are you so sure she didn’t trap you?”

  “Because, mother, you had it partially right, the pregnancy was on purpose, but I’m the one who did it. I wanted to knock her up the night we met. I couldn’t wait for her to have our child. I wanted to marry her then and there.”

  I can feel Rooney’s eyes on me. When she speaks, her voice isn’t accusatory, just curious, “We used a condom each time.”

  Turning to face her, my hand on her belly, the other stroking her ring, I admit, “I never put them on. I wanted to tie you to me in as many ways as possible. I already knew you were it for me, I just decided to speed up the process.”

  Smiling, she places her forehead against mine, a kiss on my lips, then whispers, “You felt so good inside me, I should’ve known you were taking me bare. I figured it was wishful thinking though, that to even think so was moving way too fast.”

  “I told you I was prepared to elope that night.”

  Unable to stay quiet any longer, my mother bursts out, as if none of us are aware, “She has two moms. That’s just not natural.”

  “And I consider myself blessed to have them, and feel sad Caden didn’t,” Rooney chimes in, her voice carrying throughout the room.

  “Why is that?” My mother asks, her Botox probably not allowing the sneer she’s trying for.

  “Because he barely got one.”

  “You little…”

  “Enough!” I shout.

  “Thomas, she’s beneath you.”

  “First, it’s Caden. You know that’s what I prefer, yet you and father refuse to use it. Second, Rooney is so far out of my league it’s a wonder she ever let me talk to her in the first place, let alone touch her. My love for my wife,” I stress that word, “is unconditional on her part. All she has to do is exist and I’m happy. It’s up to me to earn the right to call her mine. To show her with my words and actions that she’s my world and always will be. I would be nothing without her, I was nothing without her. Her smile is brighter than a thousand suns, her heart purer than the whitest snow. I know she could do so much better than me, but she is mine and I will never take that for granted. She chose me. I don’t get to love her, she lets me, and that’s a greater gift than money or prestige could ever bring.”

  “Oh hell, I’m gonna cry,” Mary says to the left of me. “He’s so perfect for our little girl, honey,” she tells Dani, laying her head on her shoulder.

  “How could you think I, or any woman, would do something like that?” Rooney finally asks.

  “Because it works,” my mother declares haughtily, her glance sweeping my father, the big house, and all the expensive things filling it.

  “My wife and I, our son or daughter, do not exist to you unless you apologize, and mean it. If you can’t handle that, then you are no longer welcome in our life.”

  “Then consider yourself fired, you ungrateful ass,” my mother says, shocking me that she’s actually swearing as she’s always declared it as something only uneducated people do.

  “Sit down, Kimberly,” my dad commands, finally speaking up. “Caden,” he calls me for the first time ever, “your position in our family business is always yours, should you want it. However, based upon your mother’s actions tonight, and every day prior to it, I wouldn’t blame you if you no longer wish to work there. If you choose to stay, you have complete control over the entire downtown location, and that’s including who you decide to have forbidden to enter the premises,” he adds with a pointed glance at my mother.

  “Thank you,” I pause, never having used the next term with him before, “Dad.” He stands, giving me a long hug, and says to take my wife home and that we’ll talk later.

  Moving Rooney’s chair back from the table, I know I owe her an apology. Once hugs are given, her moms in their car heading home, my sister and nephew in their own, I help Rooney into ours, then close the door after she’s inside and get in myself.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

  “For what?” She asks, confused.

  “Thinking my mother would change, exposing you to her diatribe, and subjecting you to her vile presence numerous times.”

  “Caden, I understand, and the apology isn’t necessary. She’s your mother, of course you had to keep trying. You wouldn’t be the man I love if you hadn’t.”

  “But I should’ve put you and our baby first.”

  “And that’s exactly what you did,” she states, taking my hand and placing a kiss on the palm. “You always do.”

  “How?”

  “By continually giving her a chance, for not easily giving up on the woman that gave birth to you, even knowing in your heart the outcome. You want her in your life, and to do so, she needed to be a part of mine and our child’s. Caden, you were giving her a chance to be a grandmother to our baby, and any we may have in the future, probably holding out hope she’d become an actual mom after becoming a grandparent. I won’t lie, her words and act
ions hurt, but not as much as it would seeing you doubt your choices if you hadn’t given her all these opportunities to do the right thing.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Caden

  July 28th…

  Rooney is sitting on our couch, looking through the video she’d taken the other day, Gypsy and Boomer stretched out, side by side, to my right. Needless to say, I was pissed when she told me, not at her but at the thought something could’ve happened to her.

  When the doorbell rings, I stand, letting her know I’ll get it. I’ve been putting together a bookcase for the nursery and could use a break.

  “Shane, what are you doing here? I thought you forgot I existed?” He’s one of the last people I expected to see.

  “Can we talk?” He asks, resigned.

  Stepping back, I let him in. “Come inside,” I offer. “This is my wife, Rooney,” I say. “You know, the one I was paying you to find.”

  “I returned it all,” he reminds me, and I nod, acknowledging the truth of his statement.

  “You,” Rooney interrupts him. “Why were you following me the other day if you no longer work for him? And that wasn’t the first time either, was it?”

  “That’s uh,” he continues nervously, “why I wanted to do this in person.” Shane takes a seat, placing a messenger bag beside him, and glances from Rooney to the half-assembled bookcase. “Despite how it may have seemed, I am happy you found her.”

  “Don’t,” I stop him, my voice full of anger. “We lost two months because of you. I wasn’t there when she discovered she was carrying my baby. I missed her first appointment, and I could’ve lost so much more if my sister and I hadn’t been in the right place at the right time.”