“Would you hand me the socket wrench?” Dad gestures towards his toolbox, his head bowed over the top of his mower. The man has never been able to sit still. Once lunch was over and everyone cleared up, he wandered into the garage saying he needed to cut the grass before it rains again. Of course that meant Jayden and Cooper made themselves scarce, but it gave me the chance to come out and talk to him.
“This one?” I spin the wrench in my hand, the clicking of the gear one of my favourite sounds. It reminds me of long summers nagging Dad to let us help him work. He always had time for us, no matter how busy he was.
“That’s it.” He takes the tool and positions it on the nut, ratcheting it until it’s good and tight. “There. Just like a bought one.” He smiles and closes the plastic motor cover before picking up an old rag and wiping his hands. “Nice girl you’ve got there,” he says, meeting my eyes.
“She’s special,” I say with an inhale, nervous all of a sudden. He’s only just met Sandra and I’m about to drop a bomb on him and ask him to trust me even though I’ve never given him reason to where women are concerned.
“Special, huh?”
I nod. “I want to spend the rest of my life with her, Dad; have a family, grow old together.”
“That’s quite a commitment, something you have a habit of rushing into.”
Pressing my lips together, I tuck my hands into my back pockets and rock on my heels. I was expecting that response. “That’s why I’m taking things slow with her. I’m not going to propose to her. Not yet, anyway. I want to make a promise to her, and I was hoping you still had Grandma’s ring for me to give her.”
“The puzzle ring?”
“She always said I was to give it to the woman I knew I’d spend the rest of my life with. And I know I’ve been engaged before. But I’ve never once considering offering that ring to anyone. Until now. Sandra is the real thing, Dad. She’s that one we’re all told we’re searching for. My one. And…and she’s pregnant.”
The tool falls from his hands with a clang. “She’s what now?”
“I got her pregnant, Dad.” I kneel to retrieve his wrench, returning it to the toolbox. He continues to stand there shocked.
“How did this happen?”
“How do any babies happen, Dad?” I say with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood.
He gives me an exacerbated shake of his head. “You know what I mean.”
“Alcohol was involved, and…I don’t think either of us were thinking.”
“I see.” He scrapes a hand across his chin. “And have you seen proof of this pregnancy?”
“I took her to the doctor myself.”
“OK.” He runs his hand through his unruly grey hair and frowns. “And you’re sure it’s yours?”
“Yes, Dad. She’s not like that. She didn’t do this on purpose to try to trap me. I’m the one who’s been pursuing her. The baby is something we only learned about in the last week. She doesn’t see me as a meal ticket, but I plan on taking care of her regardless.”
“Your mother is going to have a fit.”
“About getting a grandchild? Come on, Dad, she’s gonna be ecstatic.”
He lifts his brow in agreement. “It’s just…it’s so soon.”
“Yeah. Well, speaking of soon. I’m taking her back to the States with me. I have a screen test next week then we’re launching straight into production.”
“Next week?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s not slow, son.”
I laugh. “No. I guess we can say I’m being deliberate then. I’m making these choices with a clear head and a sure heart.”
Pressing his lips together, he lets out a breath then nods. “Get me that step ladder over there.” He points to the old wooden ladder that’s been in here as long as I can remember.
Dragging it over, I pass it to him and he positions it against the built-in shelving before he climbs up and pulls down a black plastic tub.
“Grandma’s ring is in there?”
“Sure. All the keepsakes are out here. There’s a tub for everyone. They’re full of artwork, sports trophies, achievement awards and pictures. Everything that makes up a life. Your mum always said she’d give these to you when you had a kid of your own to help you remember what it’s like to be one.” He steps up the ladder and pulls down another box. “This one’s yours.”
He hands it to me, and we stand on either side of his workbench, digging through memory boxes. I find the script for the first play I was ever in, along with news clippings and magazine pages. Digging a little deeper, there are photos of me in high school and all the way back to kindergarten. I find handmade Mother’s Day cards and macaroni artwork, a tattered blanket and a blue baby romper.
“That’s what you wore home from the hospital when you were born,” Dad says, pausing his own reminiscing to watch me. “Hard to believe you were that small.” A small smile pulls at the corner of his mouth then he holds his hand out to me, a small red box in his palm. “Here it is.”
I suck in my breath and place the baby romper back in my crate before I take the velvet box from Dad. “Thank you,” I say opening it, my eyes settling on the intricate pattern created by five gold bands around a small sapphire. “It’s perfect.”
“Are you sure this is what you want?” Dad asks, placing the lid back on his keepsake box. “Kids are the biggest commitment you’ll ever take on.”
“I’d want this without the kid, Dad. The fact she’s pregnant just makes me more sure.”
“Then Godspeed to you, son.” He steps around the workbench and gives me a tight hug. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I say, hugging him back. “I’m happy too.”
Thirty-One
Sandra
“Your place or mine?” I ask when Jonathan slips his arm around my waist as we leave his parents’. Dusk is settling around us and the suburb feels still and sleepy.
“I thought I’d take you for a walk first.”
“I’d like that. Your mum puts on quite a spread.” I think I ate enough for ten instead of two.
“No one goes hungry when Molly is around,” he says, his tone reverent, like there’s something on his mind.
“Is everything OK?” I ask, concerned because he’s been this way ever since he came inside after spending time alone with his dad. I’d thought we’d be telling his parents about the baby, but to my relief, the topic was left alone. We did tell them we’re going to the US together though. The reaction was…muted. I had a feeling his father already knew, and his mother did her best to act pleased. The brothers took it in their stride, of course, although Jayden seemed like he’d appreciate the opportunity to join us.
“Everything is perfect,” he assures me, leading me around the corner then gesturing to a small neighbourhood park. “I kissed my first girl on that swing.” He flashes me a smile.
“What was her name?” I ask.
“Tina. We were five, and we were hopelessly in love. Promised to marry each other when we grew up and everything.”
I laugh, remembering the boys I promised myself to during games of mothers and fathers in preschool. “I’ll bet she regrets not holding you to that promise.”
“She moved on rather quickly with a boy called Timothy Cousins. He had a plastic ring from one of those gum machines so it was much more serious.”
“Did that hurt your feelings?”
“Big time. My grandmother always said that you never made a promise unless you intended to keep it. I was very hurt.”
“I can imagine. Poor little Jonathan.”
He grins then gestures for me to sit on the swing, so I do, expecting him to push me, but he leans down and presses his lips to mine, kissing me until my head spins. “I’d like to make a new promise,” he says, reaching into his pocket as he squats down in front of me.
“What kind of promise?” I ask, my heart thumping, nervous.
“When I was a kid, my grandmother used to wear a puzzle r
ing my grandfather gave to her before he shipped out with the Navy at eighteen. She would let me play with it and explain that the rings of the puzzle signified a relationship.” He holds up his hand, showing me a beautiful woven ring with a tiny blue sapphire in the centre of entwined bands. “You have to hold on to keep it together, but it can easily fall apart if you’re not paying attention.” Opening his hand, he allows the ring to drop into the centre of his palm, showing me the unlinked puzzle that looks more like a tangled mess of five small bands. Plucking it from his palm with his other hand, he works the bands back together as he speaks. “She also said that when I was ready, I should give it to the girl I intend to spend the rest of my life with.” He holds it between his fingers again and meets my eyes. “I’ve been engaged before, but I never offered this promise ring. It didn’t feel right, I thought maybe it was the tiny gem I was embarrassed about, or the fact it’s a family heirloom and I didn’t want to part with it. But now that I have you, I realise I just hadn’t met the right girl yet. I wasn’t willing to give my promise away.” He reaches out and takes my left hand while tears spring to my eyes. “When I found out you were pregnant, I wanted to ask you to marry me. But I realise jumping into an engagement with my history might not seem special to you. So instead, I offer you something true. I promise that you’re it for me, Red. I promise to spend the rest of my life loving you. I promise to be the man you need me to be. And I promise that I will do everything in my power to make you happy.” He slides the puzzle ring onto my ring finger and beams when it fits.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, my chest tight with emotion.
“It’s destiny.”
“Can I make a promise to you too?” I ask when I look up from the ring to meet his glittering eyes.
“Of course.”
“I promise to trust in us, Jonathan. No matter what the world throws at us, I promise to trust that we’re strong enough to see it through. I love you most.”
He grins and rests his head against mine. “I love you most as well.”
I smile, then he kisses me, or perhaps I kiss him. But it doesn’t matter because it’s a kiss that seals our promise in our hearts. Somehow, Jonathan knew a proposal wouldn’t be right for us, and he gave me something profound and full of meaning. He gave me his word. And I believe him. We belong together.
We’re barely inside his apartment before his mouth claims mine and his hands are unzipping my dress and pushing it to the floor. My arms wrap around Jonathan’s neck as I melt against the firm strength of his body and moan softly as the heat of his hands move over my skin, hungrily squeezing. Our mouths move and our tongues slide and our teeth clash as we grow desperate for contact. This is it. The moment he’s been waiting for.
The anticipation has me whimpering with pleasure.
I reach down and pull his shirt up, pushing it until he discards it and walks backwards, leading me to his bedroom where I plan to have my way with him.
His hands return to my body and they slide down to grip my arse and lift me so my legs need to wrap around his waist. I kiss him harder, pressing my breasts into the heat of his chest as he walks us to his bed and lowers me down.
“I promise to love you until I take my dying breath,” he murmurs, his kisses moving to the curve of my neck, his hand kneading my breast.
“I promise to love you when I’m nothing but dust and bones,” I gasp, my fingers in his hair as he rolls my nipple between his fingers, curling my toes.
“I promise to worship you.” His mouth takes in my nipple, sucking back on it and grazing it with his teeth. I cry out, arching my back as his other hand grips my free breast and squeezes it softly, sending waves of desire rolling through me.
“I promise to always be yours.” I struggle to speak, let alone think as his kisses trail between my breasts and down my stomach, pausing to gently run his tongue around the rim of my belly button, which sends chills rippling through me as my core throbs for his attention.
He pauses, looking up at me and grinning. “I promise you orgasms.” Moving lower, he takes a hold of my panties and pulls them down just a touch.
“I promise your name will be the only one I scream out in ecstasy.”
Letting out his breath with an erotic shudder, he pulls my panties down my legs so slowly it could be considered reverent while his eyes drink in every inch of my naked body.
“I’ve dreamt about being inside you, craved your thighs wrapped around my waist,” he murmurs, dragging his fingers lightly up my legs until he grips my knees and slowly pushes my legs apart to expose my core. “You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Grinning, I pull at my lip with my teeth, swooning at his words. I didn’t think it in the beginning, but he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me too. He’s everything I imagined a doting man to be. He’s my other half. “Thank you for being patient with me.”
“I’d wait for you forever if I had to, Red. You’re worth it.” His eyes darken with lust and hunger as he gazes between my thighs, then lets out a low growl as he bows his head and tastes me.
I’m overcome with sensation and my mouth opens and my body shudders, pleasure rippling through me as his tongue takes slow, tentative laps between my folds.
“Oh,” I moan, quivering with emotion as his tongue moves and presses a feather light touch to my swollen clit, then a kiss, a suck, a swirl.
“Mm. I love how responsive you are.” His fingers slide into my body. In and out. In and out. Moving rhythmically while his tongue teases, his mouth sucks.
“Oh god! I can’t, I can’t hold—” I gasp, unable to finish my sentence as my body spirals into orgasm sooner than I can control.
Letting out a deep rumble, he grips my thighs and clamps his mouth down over my core, licking and swirling and sucking, dipping his tongue into my entrance and dragging it back upward, sucking back hard on my clit. I explode again. I scream. I buck beneath him, clawing at the sheets, pulling at his hair, but he keeps going, his moans vibrating through me as I’m taken through wave upon wave of heightened pleasure, and just when I’m about to scream ‘enough’, something inside me rolls forward, growing into something bigger, something stronger. My arms fly out, and my legs wrap around his head, and I throw my head back and yell, “Holy fuck!”
Slowly, his firm suction turns into a gentle lap, then a gentle kiss that travels up my now limp body as I lay beneath him, heaving for breath. I feel his cock through his pants as he holds himself over me.
“Get inside me,” I murmur against his lips when he brings his mouth to mine. I crave his entrance, my hands sliding over his torso and to the waist of his pants.
He moans again, pressing his hard length against my thigh as he kisses me in the curve of my neck. “I have never loved a woman the way I love you, Red. Do you understand that? Do you understand what you mean to me?” he whispers.
“I do,” I gasp. “I do.”
“I need to be inside you, Red. But I’m scared. I’m already so fucking in love with you that I’m afraid to feel anymore. I love you, Red. I love you more than anyone or anything, and I’m petrified of fucking this up even though it’s the last thing I want in this world.”
Grabbing hold of his face, I shift my body so I can look up into his eyes, shimmering with his warring emotions. This union is momentous for the both of us. To trust someone with your heart and to promise them your soul is something neither of us has done before. We’re standing on the ledge, ready to jump into our eternity, knowing that the moment we do, we’ll never come back to what we were before.
“I’m scared too,” I whisper. “You know I am. But, I’m giving you my heart, Jonathan. I’m giving you my heart and I’m giving you my trust. Make love to me. Make love to me and give yourself to me, like I’ve given myself to you. I love you. You have me. I’m yours. Be mine.”
He closes his eyes and his breath shudders as he lowers his mouth to mine, kissing me long and slow, his tongue making love to mine in a soft langui
d motion that brings tears to my eyes.
My hands slide down his back, drifting lightly towards his waist. Still kissing me, he shifts his hips and allows me to open his button and zip then push his pants down enough to free his erection and take it in my hand. We moan together as my hand travels up and down his length, squeezing his girth as his intense arousal pulses against my palm.
“Oh, Red. What you do to me,” he hisses through his teeth.
Working together, we push his pants and boxers to the floor and position his tip at my entrance. A light growl escapes his throat as I tilt my hips up then grip his arse and urge him into me, gasping out as his girth stretches my walls and his length fills my depths.
“Jonathan,” I moan, my eyes rolling back at the sheer intensity of our connection.
“You feel even better than I remember. This may not last long.”
Wrapping my legs around his waist, I cross my ankles behind his arse. “We’ve got the rest of our lives to take our time.”
“Hmm, and I plan to use every moment wisely.” He looks down at me as he strides in and out, the emotion passing between us transporting us to some sort of desire-filled dimension that has no other purpose than to feed this moment as we whisper about love and a life that exists only with the other in it.
Slowly, the emotion becomes this vastness that can’t be contained anymore and our bodies release on a long slow moan. He spills himself inside me and I erupt around him and as we hold each other, our bodies physically shaking from what we just went through, we both understand clearly that our lives have just changed forever, and neither of us will ever be whole without the other.
This is a love like no other. It’s that rare, joining of souls that many of us never find.
This is forever.
Thirty-Two
Jonathan
“Good morning,” I whisper when the sun lightens my room, casting a soft pink glow over the walls. It happens before either of us has even gone to sleep. We’ve been too busy making up for the last seven weeks.
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