A Heart Reborn

by BK Harrell

  Sarah opened the door for Coop, since his hands were full and it felt like the most natural thing for the two of them to come home from shopping. Get out of your head Sarah. She shook her head slightly to clear her thoughts. “What do you want for dinner? I can cook for us if you want or we could just order pizza.”

  “Pizza would be fine, but how about I take you upstairs and fix you a nice hot bath and relax with you in the tub.”

  “Mmmm…that sounds heavenly. I haven’t found much time lately to just relax in a hot bath and you have that huge tub that was made for relaxing.”

  Coop led Sarah upstairs and sat her on the bed while he ran the bath for them. He had picked up a few essential bath oils and the lavender seemed to be the best for relaxation so he poured some in as the water filled the tub. Coop lit the candles he had purchased and walked back downstairs to grab a bottle of wine and two glasses. When he returned to the bedroom, he found Sarah sitting on the bed naked with her legs crossed looking very proper and very sexy. He took the wine into the bathroom before returning to get Sarah. As a last thought, he hit the button turning on the music. Coop helped Sarah into the sunken tub and sat down behind her enjoying the feel of her body against his. He reached over and grabbed the glasses of wine, handing her one. “I thought you would enjoy a nice Riesling while we enjoyed the bath.”

  “You know me so well. Thank you for this. How often do you use this gargantuan tub?”

  “Honestly, I’ve only been in this tub a few times and it has usually been with bags of ice poured over me. I think this is the first time I’ve taken a hot bath in here, and taking it with you makes it so much more special.”

  Sarah sighed at his words, snuggling even closer. Sarah chastised herself for thinking that this would go on forever. Sarah sipped her wine and relaxed in the water, as Handel’s Water Music played over the speakers. She supposed that was one thing she knew about Coop that most people didn’t, he loved classical music.

  “So, I have plans for you tonight. It’s a surprise, so we may have to order our pizza early to make it on time. I bought you a present since this was a surprise.”

  “I’d ask what the surprise is, but I know you well enough to know that you won’t tell me so whatever you planned will be great.” Sarah continued to relax into Coop, and as they finished their wine she felt Coop help her up and out of the tub. She loved the way he took care of her and gently dried her off.

  “I just wanted you to know how much fun I had today, and that I’m sorry about Rhett in the locker room.”

  “I had fun too. Don’t worry about it. It’s not like Lincoln or Skip walked in on us.” Sarah followed Coop into the bedroom and watched as he walked into the closet and came back out with a beautiful black cocktail dress and a pair of matching shoes. Her mouth fell open seeing that it was a Vera Wang dress and Jimmy Choo heels. “That’s so beautiful Coop. I’m going to need something to wear under it though.”

  “No problem,” he said as he went back into the closet and came out with a bag from Agent Provocateur. He watched Sarah’s eyes light up as she pulled the black lace thong and bustier out of the bag.

  “Still want that pizza or something a little fancier?”

  Sarah looked at Coop and saw the excitement in his eyes and the joy from giving her the gifts. She couldn’t deny him anything at this point. “Something fancier please.”

  “Okay then. Get dressed.” Coop walked back into the closet and pulled out his black Armani suit. Coop got dressed and walked downstairs to wait for Sarah. As he was waiting in the family room, he turned around to watch his vision of an angel descend the stairs. She was utterly radiant in her dress, and she honestly glowed as she came towards him. He slowly walked to the base of the stairs and took her hand in his. “I made dinner reservations at Bistro Niko and then we have box seats for the Atlanta Symphony’s performance of Mahler’s Second Symphony along with the Atlanta Choral Society.”

  “Oh my God, Coop. You remembered that I loved Mahler. Thank you so much.” Sarah kissed Coop on the cheek as he continued to walk them out to the car. Sarah couldn’t ever remember them having such a romantic night out together.

  By the time the night was over Sarah was exhausted, but she had the time of her life. She hadn’t been to the symphony in so long, but the music infused her with peace and tranquility. Sarah wanted to make love to Coop, but when they made it to the bedroom, she just wanted to fall asleep in the big comfortable bed. “Coop, I’m so tired. Will you just hold me tonight while I sleep?”

  “Anything for you, baby,” Coop said as he unzipped Sarah’s dress and watched it pool at her feet. He wanted her so badly, but he respected her wishes and helped her into bed. He stripped out of his suit, crawling into bed, and pulling Sarah against his chest. It didn’t take long before Coop felt Sarah relax against him and her breathing even out. These were the moments that Coop loved. Holding Sarah and being able to visualize their future together. He hoped that this was what life had in store for them. They had spent ten years apart, and if he had anything to say in the matter, they wouldn’t spend any more time apart. Coop ached to just drop down on one knee and beg her to marry him. He didn’t understand why she was still holding back. What did she think he had done? He’d never been anything but respectful and loving towards her. He’d never taken her for granted, or even looked at another woman when they were dating. No matter what, a couple more weeks and this would all be settled. Coop finally fell asleep breathing in Sarah.

  Coop awoke the next morning to Sarah straddling him, riding him slow and easy.

  “Good morning, Coop,” Sarah said in her husky morning voice. “Sorry, I fell asleep last night, but I wanted to wake you up in a manner befitting a king. You deserve it, after all you treat me like a queen.”

  Coop’s hands moved to Sarah’s hips and helped guide her as she rocked her hips in time with his thrusts. Coop was struggling not to finish too soon, because he really loved being woken up this way. He could die a happy man right now. He may still have a lot of questions to be answered, but he’d be happy. Coop reached down and used his thumb to apply pressure to Sarah’s clit hoping to hasten her completion. He heard her breathing speed up, and she began to move faster and faster. He felt her muscles start to clench around him and milk him as she called out his name collapsing on top of him, as he found his blessed release. Coop stroked Sarah’s back and kissed her temple. “Thank you. I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too” Sarah murmured with her face still buried in Coop’s chest. Sarah raised her head and looked into Coop’s eyes. Mesmerized by the love she saw in his eyes. “Want me to make you some breakfast?”

  “Why don’t we make it together.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Sarah said as she crawled out of bed and headed to the bathroom to take care of her morning ritual. She stood in front of the mirror looking at her body, thinking of all the changes it had gone through over the years. She wasn’t dissatisfied with her body, but her hips had filled out and her busts was certainly larger. Thankfully her bust remained perky, and hadn’t taken a journey south. Coop certainly appreciated her body. At least he loved it like he did. Finishing up, she threw Coop’s dress shirt on and walked into the bedroom to find Coop wearing his boxer briefs and nothing else.

  They walked down stairs and fixed breakfast. They didn’t want to fix anything too big, since they would be having a large lunch with his family. Sarah went to work cutting up fruit for breakfast, while Coop made coffee and toasted bagels. This domestic scene made Sarah sigh with pleasure, but her heart caught thinking that it could soon end all because of her selfishness.

  After breakfast, they got dressed and headed to Lawrenceville. Sarah had meticulously wrapped all her packages and hoped that everyone liked their gifts. To say she was nervous, would be an understatement. Even though she had been around Coop’s family lately, except his dad, she knew they were still weary of her return. She didn’t let go of Coop’s hand the entire drive, and it wasn’t until
he tried to get out of the car that she finally let go.

  They walked up to the front porch and went in to see his family. Sarah received hugs from everyone, especially from Coop’s nieces and nephew. She smiled inwardly at her reception hoping that the worst was over for the time. As they sat in the living room, they exchanged gifts and talked about plans for Christmas. Sarah was happy that everyone liked the gifts she had selected. She was nervous about the cigars she picked out for Dan, but he was ecstatic that she had gone to the trouble to find his favorites. She thought that she would have to thank Coop later. His parents had given her a nice sweater and a gift card to Soma, since Coop had mentioned that she liked their pajamas. His sister had given her a bottle of Chanel no. 5 and his brother had given her a gift card from Victoria’s Secret which she assumed probably was more his wife’s idea than his.

  Before lunch, Sarah enjoyed sitting back with Coop on the couch, since his mother refused any help, watching the kids play with all their new toys. She remembered Harry when he was that age, and the fact that he was often more excited with the boxes than the actual toys.

  Lunch was delicious, and Sarah realized how much she missed the atmosphere of a large family, and how much fun being with a group like this could be. For the longest time, it had just been her, her mom, and Harry, but hopefully that would change soon. She just hoped that Alice and Dan would be thrilled at having a new grandson, they would eventually forgive her for the ten years she deprived them of Harry.

  With lunch done and their goodbyes said, Coop and Sarah headed back to Cumming.

  “You okay? You seemed really tense before we got there.”

  “Everything is great. I was just nervous, because I think your siblings don’t trust me enough to be comfortable around me, but even if they don’t, they masked it well today. It was good to see your dad again. He hasn’t really changed that much.”

  Coop laughed. “You should have seen him a year ago, he was fifty pounds heavier and diagnosed with high blood pressure. Mom, put him on a diet and with her help and my personal trainer, he has slimmed back down, and is healthier than he has been in a long time.”

  “Good for him. I can’t help but think that’s what you’ll look like when you are his age, and I can say you’ll still be a hottie.”

  “Are you crushing on my dad?”

  Sarah let out a gasp and blushed. “No…I was just saying you’ll still look damn good at his age. That’s all. Geez, insecure much?”

  “Just making sure I don’t have any competition. Anyway, I think mom might fight you for him,” Coop said with a laugh.

  They drove home holding hands and simply enjoying each other’s company. They didn’t exchange gifts because they agreed to do that on the 23rd so they could spend Christmas with their respective families.

  After arriving back at Coop’s house, they said goodbye with a long passionate kiss that made Sarah have second thoughts about leaving, but she wanted to spend time with Harry. She didn’t know how much time she had left with him by herself. Sarah kissed Coop one last time before heading home. She knew she’d see him in a couple of days.

  Sarah walked in the front door of her house and found Harry and her mom sitting at the kitchen counter drinking cocoa and laughing about something. She stood there and watched them smiling to herself. She loved the sound of his laughter. She just hoped that he didn’t change from the loving kid that he was as he got older. Sarah knew the second he realized she was home, because he was off the barstool running over to engulf her in a hug.

  “Hey, mom. Glad your home. I missed you. Did you have fun?”

  “Yes, I had fun, but I’m so glad to be home with you and Nana. Did you have fun while I was gone?”

  “Yep. Finally beat the game I was playing, and we went to the movie and had pizza. I’m ready for our trip to the Aquarium tomorrow and the zoo. Nana was sad she couldn’t go because she has to work, but we’ll bring her a treat back.”

  “Yes, we will. Why don’t you run upstairs and get ready for dinner while I talk to Nana.”

  “Okay. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  “So, how was your Christmas with Harrison’s family?”

  “It was good. Less stress than lunch. I just hate that they still don’t know that they have a grandson they’ve never met. I think they’ll be thrilled to meet Harry, but I don’t think they’ll be too thrilled with me. His siblings are already weary of my return, and this may very well be that final nail in the proverbial coffin with them.”

  “Well, I’m sure there’ll be some hurt feelings, but everyone will eventually come around. I’m sure Alice and Dan will be excited about having a new grandson when all the dust settles. Just remember to fight for what you want. Have you given any consideration to when you are going to tell Harrison about Harry?”

  “I think, I’m going to tell him at our meeting. At least, he can’t yell at me too much in the conference room. I put together a picture album for him that chronicles Harry’s life from my pregnancy to the present. I can’t change the past, but I can at least give him a glimpse of what Harry’s life was like. I don’t know what his reaction will be, or if he will even want to see Harry, or when he’ll want to see Harry. We still have a couple of weeks before the meeting. I know he loves me, and I hope that his love for me will transfer to Harry, and he’ll be able to get over his anger.”

  “I’ve told you before, he loved you then and I can see that he loves you now. Just be patient with him because it will be a shock to him and his family. If he needs space give it to him, but don’t let him have too long.”

  Sarah was about to speak when Harry came bounding down the stairs.

  “Ready to go, mom and Nana?”

  “Certainly, where are we off to tonight? Before you say it, no pizza and no Dave and Busters.”

  “How about Uncle Julio’s. Nana really likes those swirly things and I like their quesadillas.”

  “Fine, Uncle Julio’s it is. Mom could probably use one of those swirly things as you put it as well.”

  Dinner was great, but after returning home Sarah wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed. She was exhausted from her day, and it seemed Harry was overly excited about Christmas coming up, and didn’t want to do anything but talk throughout dinner. As Sarah crawled into bed, her phone dinged with a good night text from Coop. She was honestly too tired to talk to him and simply sent him a text explaining her desire to sleep. He understood, and she went to sleep without anyone having to rock her.

  Monday was another exhausting day for Sarah. Harry ran her everywhere. He was a bundle of energy at the Aquarium and the zoo. Thankfully the weather had cooperated with them, and it was somewhat balmy for the end of December. As much as she enjoyed watching Harry, she enjoyed sitting and watching the pandas play with their newborn. Harry insisted that they buy her mom a stuffed panda, since she couldn’t be there, and Sarah couldn’t say no, so she bought it. Not only was her day with Harry long, she had to finish her Christmas shopping after her mom got home, and that was what led to her standing in the toy game aisle at Toys-R-Us as they were getting ready to close.

  Sarah made it back home with Harry’s last presents and her mom’s presents. She loved Christmas, but hated the crowds and the rude people. Sarah surveyed her room, looking at the gifts. She had to spend tomorrow wrapping everything, and then she’d have free time until Christmas. She was going to dinner with Coop, but not spending the night. She didn’t want to do the walk of shame on Christmas Eve.

  Sarah went to sleep with happy thoughts of her family and Coop. She had to get ready for Christmas and the New Year, because changes were coming.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Sarah’s was ready for her date with Coop. She had somewhat struggled with what to get him, but Nicole had been very helpful in choosing gifts for him. She had been able to score a box of Lincoln’s favorite cigars that she knew Coop loved, a new Rolex engraved for him, a bottle of twenty-five-year-old scotch, and a few art
icles of clothing, including a new riding jacket for the motorcycle he was buying. While she wasn’t crazy about him buying a bike, she couldn’t help but be a little excited at the thought of riding behind him as the wind blew through her hair. She had chosen a red Versace sweater dress to pair with her red Jimmy Choo heels and a black garter belt with black fishnet back seam lace stockings. She may not be spending the night, but she was sure there would be some love making after dinner.

  Sarah arrived at Coop’s house and she let herself in. She found Coop standing in the kitchen drinking a glass of water. She loved his reaction to seeing her dress as he nearly choked on the water he was drinking.

  “My God Sarah, you are a vision of loveliness. I love your dress.”

  “You aren’t too bad yourself. Love the suit. Honestly, I’d love to skip dinner and just strip you out of it, but I don’t want to ruin the plans you made.”

  “Don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of time for stripping things off later. However, the shoes may have to stay on.”

  Sarah laughed. “Just let me put these under the tree and we can get going.” Sarah walked over and put the presents under the tree. As had been her practice since she was a small child, she looked to see what was there for her. She smiled as she saw the meticulously wrapped presents that Coop must have spent a long time on.

  Coop took her hand and led her out to the car. He had planned a fun night. They were going to Trader Vic’s for dinner. He had a car service for the night because he knew neither one of them should drive after drinking the Mai Tais.

  They arrived at the Hilton, and Sarah’s first thought was they were going to Nikolai’s Roof again but she was happy to go to Trader Vic’s. She had never been there before, but she had heard Marcie and Nicole talking about the wonderful food and drinks. Coop had arranged a private area for them so they wouldn’t be disturbed throughout dinner. As Sarah perused the drink menu, she was shocked at the number of choices for drinks. Coop had ordered the first round and she was currently sipping a delicious Mai Tai. She couldn’t decide what she wanted next, but decided on a Samoan Fog Cutter and then she thought she might try the Zombie.