by Joy Wild
“Forever family,” Mark said as he sat watching Autumn.
“Forever family,” Caleb said, and Mark saw him quietly walk out.
Autumn was walking through the field of flowers with a super excited Abby. The sun was shining so brightly, and the flowers seemed to burst with color. Autumn couldn’t remember a time when everything was so bright. Abby was dancing around.
“Look, Mommy, there’s Daddy!”
Autumn saw Mark approaching them from across the field. He was smiling so big. She was slowly making her way to him, when Abby got tired of waiting and took off running to him. Mark caught her in his arms and lifted her to the sky. She was laughing so happily. Autumn finally made it to Mark, and he set Abby down so he could wrap his arms around her. His arms didn’t fit anymore, she glanced down and saw how big her stomach was. She was pregnant. She looked up at Mark and as she was about to kiss him, his face changed. It wasn’t Mark. It was Diego! She started to scream when she heard a voice calling her. Her eyes suddenly opened, and her heart was racing. She didn’t know where she was. There were people and a lot of beeping. Really loud beeping.
“Autumn, honey, easy. You are okay. Look at me, baby.”
Everything was blurry, nothing was making sense. The beeping was getting faster.
“Easy, Autumn,” a voice said. Caleb. I know that voice. She tried to focus on him.
Finally, he came into focus.
“It’s about time you wake up, sleepyhead,” he laughed. “Your husband is about to have a fit.”
Husband? Wait. Mark? Was the dream really true? Where’s Diego?
“Calm down, baby. Yes, husband. Diego is gone. Stop thinking so hard. It’s all okay,” Mark said.
“All right, my dear, we need to take this tube out. You know how it works. Are you ready?” Caleb asked her.
She nodded. She coughed as he pulled the tube out. Her throat hurt. It hurt to swallow.
“I know it hurts. We have some ice chips for you to help. Hubby here can feed them to you,” Caleb snickered.
“Fuck you,” Mark said.
“Nah, we already told you Autumn wouldn’t like that,” Caleb laughed.
Mark growled at him, which set him off into more laughter.
Autumn watched the two of them, but something was wrong. This wasn’t Mark, it was Diego. Her dream told her that. She needed to run.
“Autumn look at me,” Mark said.
“Diego is gone. He is not going to hurt you or Abby. You have to calm down,” Mark said.
“Blake, he shot Blake,” Autumn said in a hoarse whisper.
“I know, baby. They found him.”
“Abby?”
“Abby is safe and sound with Spring, Summer, and Stephanie at the house,” he reassured her.
“I’m so tired,” Autumn whispered.
“Go to sleep, baby. You are safe. We are all watching over you,” Mark said.
She didn’t fight. She closed her eyes and drifted back into oblivion.
29
Mark sat beside Autumn’s bed as often as they would let him. She was doing well, so they were getting ready to move her to a regular room for a few days of observation. They were watching her for swelling on her brain. The doctor explained that she was severely dehydrated and that once her body started getting fluids, it can sometimes pull too much fluid to the cells, causing brain swelling.
She had been through enough, so he was praying that she would not suffer anymore. She and Abby were his. Of course, he had to convince Autumn to keep him. Yeah, dumbass, even Renee didn’t want you. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. Renee is gone. Autumn is his life now.
Caleb came in to check on Autumn and to see if Mark needed anything.
“They are moving her to a room this afternoon,” he told Mark.
“Why is she still sleeping so much?” Mark asked.
“Her body is tired, man. She’s been through hell for years. I think when she was in that prison cell, she gave up. Now her mind has to regroup. She’s going to be okay,” Caleb assured him. “Keep hanging in there.”
“I’m trying,” Mark replied.
“Go home, get some rest. Stephanie is coming in to stay with her. She will call if anything happens.”
“I will when she gets here. I don’t want Autumn alone.”
“Fair enough. We got your back, Mark. You know that. Forever family,” Caleb said, putting his hand on Mark’s shoulder.
“I know. Forever family,” he answered back.
Mark watched Caleb head back out to talk to the doctor. He sat and stared at Autumn. He was willing her to fight. To fight for him, for Abby, and herself. He felt her hand tighten on his.
“Autumn? Can you hear me?” he asked her.
“Mmmm. Mark?” she said groggily.
“Wake up, baby, I’m right here.”
She slowly opened her eyes. To him they were the most gorgeous eyes in the world.
“Hey,” she said in a husky voice.
“Hey, sexy,” Mark said as he smiled at her.
“I’m not sexy. I am hungry though.”
Mark laughed. “Well that’s a good sign!”
Mark heard the door open and looked over. Stephanie came in like a whirlwind. Caleb on her heels.
“Well, sunshine, it’s about time you joined the land of the living,” Steph fussed.
Autumn smiled.
“Your husband over here has been by your side constantly. He’s starting to smell!”
“Husband. We just got married. We were eating dinner,” Autumn said.
“Yes, husband, and yes we were. I got up to go to the bathroom and came back and you were gone.”
“This guy came up. He told me that he had Abby and if I didn’t come quietly she would be killed.” Autumn cried.
“Abby is safe, honey. What happened next?”
“He made me take off my wedding ring and leave it on the table.” She rubbed her ring finger.
“I have it, don’t worry.”
“We walked outside and got into a car. He must have hit me because everything went black. When I woke up I was in an extremely cold room. I could hear voices. I heard Diego talking to Blake.”
“Okay, baby. What else?”
“I heard a gunshot and Diego laughing. He told his guys to dump his body somewhere. Then he told them to keep me for a few days and then kill me.”
“It’s okay, baby, you’re safe,” Mark assured her.
“After Diego left, one of the guys said he wasn’t doing it. They were afraid of you. So they left. The door was locked, so I couldn’t get out. There were no windows.”
“I know, baby.”
“I started getting really sick. I was throwing up and had diarrhea. Finally I think I just didn’t have anything left in me because it stopped. I curled up in a ball on the bed. It was cold, but I felt like I had a blanket on me.”
“Oh, sweetie, that was the dehydration setting in. You needed water,” Steph told her.
Mark was trying hard not to cry for her. He was so proud of how she handled everything. She is much tougher than she gives herself credit for being.
“I would wake up and then pass out again. Then finally I heard voices, but I thought it was the men coming back so I closed my eyes and wouldn’t open them. I felt myself being carried out of the room. The next thing I knew I was in the ER, and I was floating above my body.”
“You coded in the ER honey. You died,” Mark had tears in his eyes.
“Well, that explains a lot. There was someone there with me. He told me it wasn’t my time. He told me to love Abby and to love you.”
“Honey, I’ve never truly believed in God, but I do now. I love you. I love Abby. Please stay married to me.”
“I thought you didn’t want to be married. I was only a job for you, Mark.”
“You have never been only a job to me. Yes, it was my job to protect you. It was because I love you that I wanted to protect you.”
“But what about Abby? It
can’t be easy for you to jump into the role of a dad like that.”
“I want nothing more than to be married to you and a dad to Abby. I didn’t know I was ready to be a dad until Abby jumped into my arms and called me daddy.”
Mark leaned over Autumn and gently kissed her. He didn’t care that Stephanie had heard the whole conversation or saw him kiss her. He wanted to make love to her. He needed to prove to her that she belonged to him. He broke the kiss and leaned back.
“I need you to get well. I need you, Autumn.”
“I need you too.” She pulled Mark down to her.
“I want you,” she whispered in his ear.
His cock twitched at the thought of being inside her again.
“I want you too. Get better first,” he whispered back. He saw Autumn’s green eyes sparkle with desire for him. He vowed to keep that sparkle in her eyes.
“Okay, you two, break it up. I need to get you ready to move to a regular room. If you’re good you might get to home in a couple of days,” Steph broke in.
“I’m going to go and let them get you moved. I love you.”
“I love you too.” Mark kissed her forehead and then looked at Steph.
“Thank you, Steph,” he said.
“You’re welcome. Now get out of here lawman.”
Mark laughed as he walked out the door. He took his time walking to his SUV.
It was cool outside. Fall was his favorite time of year. The hurricane had come and gone. The damage was being repaired and life was going back to normal. He smiled and started the vehicle. As he pulled out of the parking lot and headed home his cellphone rang.
“Owens.”
“Well, Diego is in the wind. I don’t see him being a problem for now. How’s Autumn doing?” Gene asked.
“She’s good. She’s awake and remembers everything.”
“That’s great. Is she going to be okay?”
“Yes she is.”
“What about you?”
“I’m good, Gene.”
“Does she want to stay married, or do I need to annul it?”
“We’re gonna stay married. Thank you for that by the way.”
“You’re welcome. When she is better, I will rebook the honeymoon suite for you. You need a few days for you guys.”
“Thank you, Gene. That’s more than anyone could ask.”
“I kind of made sure that the house stays in Autumn’s name. She can do what she wants with it.”
“Wow. That’s awesome.”
“Well, it’s all Abby has known so I figured it was best, but it may contain too many bad memories for Autumn.”
“Maybe, but I kind of have an idea. Depends on Autumn though.”
“What’s that?”
“Making it a base of operations for us. The house is huge and we could all live there and have offices there.”
“That might work. See what Autumn thinks and we’ll go from there.”
“Roger that,” Mark said.
Gene hung up.
30
Mark opened the door to the honeymoon suite and then turned and scooped Autumn off her feet causing her to squeal and carried her into the room, closing the door with his foot. He carried her straight to the bed. He was done taking it easy, he wanted her now. Tonight will make her his wife in every way. He had champagne and strawberries delivered to the room earlier today. Gene made sure that the refrigerator and bar were fully stocked. Mark had no plans on leaving this room for the next five days.
Laying Autumn down gently on the bed, Mark stared down at her. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. He was incredibly grateful that she was alive and that caused tears to form in his eyes. Autumn stared up into Mark’s tearful eyes and lifted a hand to his cheek.
“I’m okay, baby. I’m here with you and I’m all right. Please. Love me,” Autumn begged.
Mark moved, straddling Autumn’s hips. He leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss that he was sure would burn them both. He thrust his tongue into her mouth and caressed hers. He was glad that Autumn didn’t hold back. She gave just as much as she got. The kiss seemed to last forever but Mark was so dizzy that he finally pulled away only to trace kisses along her jaw to her neck. He ended his trail of kisses at the right ear where he whispered, “I love you, Baby”.
“I love you, too,” she whispered back.
Mark sat up and reached for the bottom of Autumn’s shirt, drawing it upward. She lifted her arms and was freed. Mark then unclasped the front hook of her bra and removed it. The coolness in the room tightened her already hard nipples. Mark used one finger and circled her left nipple causing Autumn to moan and arch her back. His other hand closed over her right breast and started kneading it. Again, Autumn moaned and arched. Bending over Mark took one of her nipples into his mouth and sucked hard. Autumn screeched and grabbed the back of his head. Autumn was writhing under Mark so much that every time she moved, she brushed against his hard cock, and he thought he would come right then, he had to pull back. He wanted Autumn so bad that he couldn’t wait any longer to make her his, this time as his wife.
Mark moved down Autumn’s body and unbuttoned her jeans. He took hold of them and pulled both her jeans and panties off at the same time. He climbed back up the bed and between her legs, opening her up to him. He needed to taste her first. Mark gazed up to see Autumn peering down at him with her eyes opened wide.
“Are you okay with this, baby? I don’t want to do anything that you don’t want.”
“Yes, please,” she begged.
Mark leaned down and ran his tongue up her slit from bottom to top ending with flicking her clit. Autumn moaned and her hips jumped. Mark moved a hand up to rest on her lower stomach to try to still her. He circled his tongue around her clit and reveled in her taste. She was so sweet. As he circled and licked her clit, Mark traced a finger up and down her soaked lips and pushed a finger inside. She was so tight and wet and he about lost it right then. Mark needed to be inside her right now. He clamped his lips abound her clit and sucked hard white stroking her with a finger. It didn’t take but a minute and Autumn screamed and exploded. She tightened and squeezed his finger so hard that Mark couldn’t wait to feel that on his cock.
Mark stood and stripped his clothes. He was back on the bed within seconds. He couldn’t wait any longer and leaned over Autumn.
“Are you ready for me, baby?” he asked.
“Yes please, Mark, make me yours,” Autumn answered.
He stared deep into her eyes and said, “I love you”, at the same time he plunged his cock deep inside her. The heat of her sex and tightness almost made his come, but he held control, barely. Autumn moaned and wrapped her arms around him. She was squeezing him so tight Mark knew he wouldn’t last long.
“Baby, I’m not going to last long. I need you right now. Hard and fast.” He gazed into Autumn’s eyes, asking her permission.
“Then what are you waiting for? Hard and fast, please.” Mark began to move then. He pounded in and out of Autumn with a need to touch her very soul. Autumn moaned, squirmed, and planted under him. He leaned down so that his forehead was pressed against hers and he was staring into her eyes. He moved one hand down between them and started flicking her clit. He wanted, no he needed to feel her juices on his cock. Mark felt Autumn’s sex squeeze him tight and soaked his cock. He lost it. Two more thrusts and he held himself deep inside her. He felt his balls tighten and he blew.
It seemed to last forever, and Mark was having a hard time catching his breath. When he could finally open his eyes, he peered down to see Autumn staring up at him. He realized he must be crushing her and rolled to the side bringing her with him. Autumn snuggled into his side and Mark was the happiest he had ever been in his life. He gazed at the woman who owned his heart.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you more,” she said back.
This is how Mark intended to spend the next few days. For just a little while, the only thing that exis
ted in the world was his wife. It still amazed him she belonged to him. He held her as she slept and for the first time she slept with a smile. He knew she would still have nightmares, but he hoped they would become less and less and she would be filled with new, happy dreams.
Epilogue
It was a great party at Autumn’s house. Christmas was Mark’s favorite time of the year. The house had been decorated by staff and it was gorgeous. Abby was bouncing around and being a crazy six-year-old. Gene must have thought it was funny to buy Abby a horse for Christmas, but she was behind herself wanting to go ride.
“Honey, you cannot ride a horse by yourself. You have to have lessons first,” Winter was trying to explain to her. “You need to trust the horse and the horse has to trust you. You are way too hyper right now, sweetie.”
“But I want to ride. Will you teach me?” Abby begged.
“I will one day, when your mom says it’s okay,” Winter promised.
“Mommy! Mommy! She said she would teach me to ride,” Abby ran to Autumn.
“That’s great, baby,” Autumn bent down to look Abby in the eyes.
“Can we go now, Mommy?” Abby begged.
“Not now, baby. It’s dark outside and it’s cold.”
“But I want to, Mommy!”
“Soon, baby. Soon.”
Autumn stood up and the whole room seemed to spin around. She turned and rushed to the bathroom hoping no one noticed.
She barely made it before she started throwing up.
Mark was behind her pulling her hair back. He reached over and turned on the cold water and got a washcloth out. He wet it and squeezed out the excess water and put it on her neck. Once the vomiting stopped Autumn to the rag and wiped her face off.
“Ugh. I ate something bad,” Autumn said.
“I don’t think so, baby. I do believe you are pregnant,” Mark said, pulling her against him.
“Uh, I’m not sure,” Autumn said. “I’m not ready, Mark.”
“Yes, you are, and so am I,” he said as he smiled.
“Let’s not say anything right now.”
