Unwoven Ties

by Bethany Lopez

  “You mean you’re not coming back for senior year?” I asked, moving in closer so everyone around us wouldn’t overhear.

  It didn’t stop them from looking, though.

  “No. I don’t know if I’ll ever come back,” she admitted.

  “Why? Your parents? Things haven’t gotten any better?”

  “Not really, no. But it’s not just them … It’s being here,” Ally whispered. “Ever since people found out I was pregnant, there have been remarks. And even though I’m not anymore, it’s only gotten worse. The guys make comments about me being easy, or a slut … you know, I’m sure you’ve heard it all.”

  “No, honestly, I haven’t,” I assured her. “There’s no way I’d let anyone talk about you that way.”

  She nodded and tucked her hair behind her ear. “The guys aren’t even that bad. I mostly ignored them, but the girls?” Her eyes widened and filled. “They’re vicious. In person, behind my back, on social media, I can’t get away from it.”

  “I’m so sorry, Ally, if there’s anything I can do,” I said, feeling helpless.

  Ally gave a small shrug and said, “Between being miserable at school and ignored at home, I feel like I’m losing my mind. I talked to my cousin and she talked to my aunt, and they agreed to let me come and stay with them. It’ll be a fresh start, and I think I can be happy there.”

  “God, Ally, this really sucks, and I hate that you feel like you have to leave, but if it’s what you need, then that’s great.”

  “Thanks,” she replied, blowing out a breath. “Well, I just wanted you to know, didn’t want you to think I dropped off the face of the earth.”

  “I’m glad you did,” I told her with a small smile. “Let me know if there’s anything you ever need from me, yeah? I’m just a phone call away.”

  Ally looked grateful and said, “I will. Promise.”

  She moved toward me, her face unsure, so I met her halfway and wrapped my arms around her.

  “I’ll miss you, Jake,” she murmured, her cheek on my chest.

  “God, Alison, I’ll miss you, too,” I replied, my voice full of emotion.

  She’d meant so much to me over the last few years, and although our relationship had shifted, Ally would always be my first love.

  Thirty-Five

  Sean

  “What do you say we plan a trip?” I asked, taking Kelly’s hand and gliding my thumb over the back. “Jake is on vacation, summer before his senior year, and lord knows we could all use a break. Maybe head to a beach and give us time to relax. Or, do you think it’s too soon?”

  Kelly tilted her head to the side, her lips curving up as she looked at me.

  “That sounds wonderful. I can’t even remember the last time we took a vacation.”

  I could, and it was a lot longer in my mind than it was hers, the realization of which still brought with it a twinge of sadness for everything we’d lost.

  “We’ve always talked about going to the Caribbean, or Hawaii,” I reminded her.

  Kelly grinned at that, and I knew she was picturing sunny days in the ocean and cool nights walking on the sand.

  It had always been her dream vacation.

  “The Caribbean would be perfect,” she said wistfully.

  “Then how about you look at when would be a good week for you to leave the bookstore and I will put in for time off work, and we’ll make it happen. I think Jake could use the time away as well.”

  Kelly nodded. “He’ll need to request time off work, but, yeah, I’d say we could all use a break. And what better place to take one than in paradise?”

  Pleased that she didn’t think it was too soon and wanted to go away, as a family, I leaned in toward her, slowly, waiting to see if she would welcome my advance, wanting to kiss her so badly I could already feel the supple sweetness of her lips.

  Kelly moved closer, tilted her chin up, and closed her eyes, making the invitation clear.

  I lowered my mouth to hers and savored.

  We’d kissed a few times over the last week, and I never took those moments for granted. They were a precious gift, one, not so long ago, I thought I’d never have again, so I cherished every second.

  Her lips parted beneath mine and we both shifted so we were closer on the couch, the candles flickering in the room offering the perfect ambience. I moved my hand to her neck, loving the race of her pulse beneath my palm, as I deepened the kiss.

  Kelly let out a soft little moan, the sound, just like one she’d made a million times over the years, comforting me like a warm blanket, while simultaneously making my cock harden painfully.

  When she broke the kiss and moved back, I eased back into the seat, giving her the space she needed.

  “Sean?” Kelly whispered.

  I opened my eyes, not even realizing they’d been shut while I’d fought to compose myself.

  “Yes?” I replied, my voice gruff with desire.

  “Can we … take this upstairs?”

  My stomach bottomed out and my heart soared, even as I heard the nervousness in her tone.

  “Are you sure?” I asked, not wanting to rush her. Needing things between us to be on her terms, at a pace that was comfortable for her.

  The last thing I wanted to do was jeopardize what we had or somehow cause Kelly to take a step back.

  She nodded, a slight blush pinkening her cheeks.

  “I’d love to,” I assured her.

  Hell, being with her again is all I’d been thinking about for months.

  Kelly stood up and offered her hand to me, her expression expectant and sweet.

  I let her lead me out of the living room and up the stairs, making a mental note that Jake would be home from work in a few hours, before focusing solely on Kelly and letting the anticipation of what was to come fill me.

  She pushed open the door to the room we’d shared together, but hadn’t lain with each other, in over five years, and everything felt exactly right.

  We watched each other undress, neither of us in any rush, and I loved how confident and sure her movements were. When Kelly moved her hands to unclasp her bra, I stepped behind her, clad only in my short-leg boxer briefs.

  “Let me,” I murmured, my head bent so my lips were a breath away from her ear.

  She nodded and dropped her hands.

  I unfastened the bra and slid my hands over her shoulders, moving the straps down as I did, until the scrap of lace drifted to the floor. Needing to feel her, I stepped close so I could press against her back, as I eased my hands up over her stomach and cupped her breasts.

  Kelly leaned back against me with a desperate sigh as I tested the weight of her breasts in my palms and ran my thumbs over her beaded nipples.

  “Sean,” she gasped as I trailed my lips down her neck and rocked my hips against her.

  She felt perfect. Like every fantasy I’d ever had, every memory we’d ever shared, and every wish I’d made since she’d woken up.

  I continued my ministrations with my left hand, as my right began to move lower. First I cupped her over her lace panties, pulling her back toward me as I rocked my cock against her firm ass.

  “Yes,” she managed, her head falling to the side as she thrust against my hand.

  Knowing what she wanted, what she needed … and how long it had been, I shoved my hand under the material so I could stroke her velvety soft folds and ease a finger inside while putting pressure where she needed it most.

  Kelly bucked beneath me, searching for her release as I worked her body in the way I knew would bring her to climax quickly.

  When she came apart against me, a sense of rightness seemed to wash over my skin.

  This is where I’m meant to be … In this moment, with this woman, and there is nothing I would change.

  Thirty-Six

  Kelly

  “Good morning,” I said when Sean opened his eyes.

  I’d woken up a few minutes before and laid there, taking in his face, relaxed in sleep, and the cute, disheve
led hair surrounding it.

  I’d woke up feeling not one ounce of regret. Instead, it felt right to have Sean sleeping next to me in our bed, on his side, his body curled toward me as he seeked my warmth.

  I felt content. Alive. Happy.

  It was the first time I’d felt this way, like my old self, since I’d come to in the hospital bed and my whole world had been turned upside down.

  “Morning,” he replied, his eyes crinkling at the corners when he smiled.

  He’d changed over the years, and while a part of me mourned the fact I hadn’t been there to see those changes occur, I was enjoying the process of getting to discover them all.

  “Did you sleep okay?” I asked.

  Sean’s hand found my hip beneath the sheets and he gave it a small squeeze. “Better than I have in years.”

  I gave him a sad smile, once again aware of how much we’d lost, before pushing the thought from my mind and asking, “Would you like breakfast?”

  “How about I make you breakfast?”

  “That sounds nice.”

  “You stay in bed as long as you like … relax. I’ll go get started.”

  I looked my fill as Sean slipped out from under the covers, naked as the day he was born, and moved to find his clothes.

  Sean had aged well. With a naturally athletic build, handsome face, and salt-and-pepper hair that only made him look more appealing, he still made my stomach flutter when I looked at him.

  I snuggled back into the pillows with a smile on my face, enjoying the twinge of soreness I felt at the movement.

  “Dad?” I heard Jake say from outside my door.

  He sounded shocked and I automatically covered my mouth to cover my sharp laugh, even though he probably wouldn’t have been able to hear me.

  “Hey, Jake, how was work last night?” Sean asked, sounding completely at ease even though this was the first time he’d spent the night since he’d moved out.

  “Uh, fine … How was dinner?” Jake asked, and I could hear the smile in his voice.

  “Excellent,” Sean replied cheerfully.

  I sunk lower into the bed and covered my head with the blanket, even though I was alone in the room.

  I could feel my cheeks flaming at the realization that Jake knew Sean and I had sex last night. Sure, it was normal and healthy for parents to have sex, but it wasn’t something Jake, or I, had ever dealt with, so I was feeling a bit mortified.

  “I’m gonna make breakfast, wanna join me?”

  “Sure,” Jake answered. “I don’t have to be to work for a couple hours…”

  Their voices trailed off as they went to the kitchen and I eased the blankets off of my head.

  No longer feeling the urge to lounge around in bed, I got up and headed into the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day. Once I was done, I made the bed, tidied up, and with nothing else to help me stall, I left the sanctuary of my room and started down to join Sean and Jake in the kitchen.

  I could feel my cheeks heating as I rounded the corner but stopped in my tracks at the site of my two favorite men working side by side at the counter.

  “Morning, Mom,” Jake said when he looked up and saw me standing there.

  He smiled easily and looked completely unphased by the fact his dad had slept over.

  Feeling the nerves leave me, I smiled lovingly at my son and said, “Good morning, do you guys need help with anything?”

  Sean looked up, eyes twinkling, and said, “Food’s about done, but you can set the table if you’d like.”

  I nodded and moved to do just that.

  I put out the place settings, asked them what they wanted to drink and put those on the table as well, then helped carry dishes full of eggs, bacon, pancakes, hash browns, and fruit.

  “Wow, you really went all out,” I stated as I took in the bounty.

  “It feels like a special occasion,” Sean said with a grin as he put an arm around my waist and tucked me into his side.

  I tilted my head back to look up at him and was rewarded with a sweet kiss.

  Jake cleared his throat, and I felt my cheeks redden, but when I turned my face toward him, he was grinning broadly at me and his dad.

  “Definitely a special occasion,” Jake agreed.

  I smiled at him and said, “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

  We sat down in the chairs that had been dedicated to us since we’d purchased the dining room table and enjoyed our first family breakfast since before the accident.

  When we were done, Jake and Sean insisted I go relax in the living room while they cleared the table and did the dishes. So, I indulged and caught up on one of the shows I had recorded while they cleaned up.

  “I’m going to go get ready for work,” Jake said as he passed the living room on the way to the stairs.

  “Okay. Thanks for breakfast.”

  He paused, then switched direction and crossed to the couch. “It was fun,” Jake said. “It’s nice to have Dad here, and, uh … you seem happy.”

  “I am,” I replied lifting my hand up.

  He took it with his briefly and said, “Good. I’m glad. You deserve to be happy.”

  “We all do,” I told him gently.

  Jake dipped his head in agreement and said, “I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you, too, buddy.”

  Epilogue - Kelly

  My eyes were closed, and my lips were curved as I relaxed in my lounge chair and listened to the faint sound of Sean and Jake’s voices mingling with the waves crashing on the sand.

  I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so relaxed or had such a wonderful time with my family simply being together.

  We’d been at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas for five days so far and it was absolutely a dream come true. The island was breathtaking, the resort fancy without feeling stuffy, and there was plenty to keep all of us occupied.

  Before we’d left, I’d convinced Sean to have Connor and Blake over for brunch. And, although I didn’t think they’d ever been best friends, I’d been grateful he’d been open to forgiveness.

  He’d grown a lot since I woke up. We both had.

  I cracked one eye open slowly, letting it adjust to the bright sun dancing over the crystal-blue water, before opening them both fully.

  Sean and Jake were walking toward me, their snorkel gear dangling from their fingers, talking happily with each other as water dripped down their skin.

  I heard Jake laugh, loud and bright, and grinned in response.

  He’d been laughing a lot since we’d been here, and it was heartwarming to see and hear.

  Ever since he and Ally had lost the baby and Ally’d left town, he’d been quiet, almost sullen. I didn’t blame him, there was a sadness left in the memory of the baby we’d never been able to meet yet had loved with all our hearts.

  Thankfully, Jake was starting to seem more like himself again, and although I knew he’d never forget what happened, he seemed to have found a way to deal with it and was finding a way to move on.

  “Hey, babe, how’s the sunbathing going?” Sean asked when they were close enough for droplets of water to hit my legs.

  “Fantastic,” I replied, using my hand as a shield from the sun so I could look up at him.

  “I’m gonna go meet Pete by the pool. See you guys later,” Jake said, already starting to back away from us.

  Jake had met Pete at Crush, the kids-only nightclub at the resort on our first night. He hadn’t been too keen on going, since the word kid offended him, but after much cajoling from Sean and me, he’d agreed to go for thirty minutes.

  They’d ended up closing the place down.

  It wasn’t a nightclub in the traditional sense, more of a game-room on steroids. He’d been hanging out with Pete and a couple other kids ever since.

  “Okay, see you at dinner,” I replied.

  “Later, Jake,” Sean called out.

  “Bye,” Jake shot back, then turned and took off at a jog.
>
  “See any cool fish?” I asked Sean when we were alone.

  The beach wasn’t overly crowded, which was nice. Sure, there were pockets of people, but we usually found a spot far enough away that it felt like we had our own private section of paradise.

  “Yeah, a few we hadn’t seen before, as well as some starfish and a seahorse.”

  “Nice. What are you planning to do now?” I asked.

  “Well, I thought I’d see if I could talk my wife into heading back up to our luxurious and currently empty suite for a little mid-day exercise,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows playfully.

  “Oh, yeah?” I asked with a laugh.

  On our third day here we’d decided to renew our wedding vows.

  It had been a beautiful ceremony held on the beach at sunset with only Jake and the officiant in attendance. And, ever since, it had felt like we were on our honeymoon. Especially since Jake spent so much time with his new friends.

  Sean offered me his hand and I took it, my stomach fluttering when he bent to place a soft kiss on my skin.

  “If you’re up for it,” he whispered.

  I stood up slowly, my blood heating as Sean’s eyes roamed over my bikini-clad body.

  “Actually, I’ve been doing some research,” I said, holding up my ereader and waving it. “We’ll see if you are up for what I have in mind.”

  I picked up my towel and wrapped it around my waist, then started for the hotel.

  “What kind of research?” Sean asked as he hurried to catch up to me.

  “Don’t worry, I think you’ll like it,” I said as I picked up the pace.

  “Oh, I’m sure I will,” he replied, going faster.

  Before I knew it, we were racing up the beach back to our suite at The Cove, the part of the resort we were staying in, our laughter trailing behind us.

  We all have obstacles to overcome during the course of our lives … battles to fight. But, with the right person by your side, I believe it’s possible to come through the darkness happier than you’d ever imagined.