by Lisa Lace
As soon as he’s finished and another toast made, Elise leans in toward me. “Rory, that speech was beautiful. Did you mean it?”
“Yes. Seeing you and Grace today has made me feel…truly content.”
Elise reaches for my hand and squeezes it tightly. “I’m happy too, Rory.”
Elise and I take the elevator up to our room. I look down at our hands, clasped together, the bright silver wedding bands shimmering in the light. Alice is watching Grace at home tonight so Elise and I can spend our first night together as a married couple in a hotel suite.
When we enter the room, champagne is waiting for us in a bucket of ice, and there are rose petals scattered across the bed.
Elise enters first, then spins on her heel and offers me a warm, wide smile. She laughs in exhilaration.
“Here we are, Mr. Everest. Husband and wife.”
“Here we are, Mrs. Everest.”
She smiles. “What a wonderful day.”
“You didn’t feel overwhelmed, like a fraud?”
“I didn’t.” She catches my eye. “Should I have?”
“Not unless the way I felt was also wrong. The sight of you in that wedding dress made my heart stop, Elise. You look beautiful beyond belief.”
The smile drops from her face and is replaced by an expression I can’t read. She looks down at the ground, then back up at me. “I’m getting confused, Rory. Where does the acting end and real life begin? Are we falling for each other?”
“I’ve already fallen.”
“Me too,” she tells me. These are the words that I’ve been waiting to hear from her.
My bride is in my arms, and I carry her into the bedroom of the honeymoon suite, our bedroom. What had started out as a mere business arrangement has turned into so much more. When I look at her, I feel much more than I had anticipated.
I sit her on the bed and step back to admire her beauty. For someone with such little means, she is an absolute beauty, natural and real.
“What?” she says sheepishly.
“I just want to tell you how much I appreciate what you are doing for me.”
“What I’m doing for you?” She stands and walks toward me. “How about everything you’ve given me? I couldn’t imagine how I would ever repay you.”
Her lips are on mine before I can argue about who owed more to whom. She tastes sweet, and she arouses me quickly. I turn her around in her long white gown and begin to unbutton the several buttons that keep it wrapped around her. Each button I unfasten, I leave a small kiss behind it. By the end, her breathing is heavier as she steps out of the miles of material. I discard it to the side and stand before her, looking at the white lace keeping me from what I desire most.
I scoop her up into my arms and carry her to the bed. We sit, side by side as I reach for a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket next to our bed.
“I’ve been looking forward to this night,” she says. “It feels like it has been too long, and it almost feels like the first time with you.”
I pop the top and pour two glasses, sitting next to her and handing her one.
“Why do you say that?”
“I’d like to think this is a little more than just a business arrangement. We’ve been through so much.”
She slides her hand along the side of my face and down my chest. I take a sip, realizing it is the first drink I have taken since my sobriety. I set it down, nervous to mess things up, and I watch her do the same.
She is right. Things have changed. I pull her toward me and kiss her deeply, my tongue delving into her mouth. My cock hardens quickly as I feel her half-naked body next to me. I loosen my tie and pull it off, quickly unbuttoning my shirt. I push her down onto the bed, straddling her as I pull my shirt off and throw it off the bed. I lean down, watching her lips part, and I grab her wrists, holding them above her head. I am hungry for her, and now that I know she is mine, I want to dominate her even more.
Her body stretches out, her chest heaving in and out as I kiss her neck, moving my mouth down to her breasts. I pull her lace bra from her body and feast on her nipples, my hand finding her luscious flower I have been craving since the last time I took her.
I slide my fingers into her, watching her body squirm and her back arch in ecstasy.
“You are so fucking beautiful,” I say growling, taking her bottom lip into my teeth and pulling on it gently. I push my tongue into her mouth again, and I feel her moan coming from her throat. It heightens my arousal for her immensely. I peel off the rest of my attire and slide her panties down her long legs. Climbing on top of her, I soak her in for a moment before thrusting her legs apart and taking her like my bride should be taken. I open her up and fuck her slowly, moving my body against hers, kissing her with the passion of a hundred men.
Her moans are so delicate, so fragile, and I want to make them last as I make love to her. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into me, slowing down my pace and relishing in every moment.
When she pushes at my chest, I climb off and sit upright until she turns her body around. She kisses me hard with eyes half-closed with passion.
“Stop treating me like a virgin bride and fuck me.”
She bends over on her hands and knees and looks back at me so seductively I could have lost it right there. I grin and take her hips in my hands, lining myself up with her. I run my hand down her spine, then back up to her neck. Grabbing a handful of her hair, I yank her head back at the same time I enter her and thrust into her. I slam my pelvis into her and hold her there, feeling her muscles clench my cock tight.
“Yes,” she says with a moan.
I pull out and slam into her again, repeatedly, picking up speed, watching, breathing hard, feeling my orgasm well up and overwhelm me.
“Harder,” she says, begging me to dominate her. “Please, harder.”
I slam into her over and over, watching her body tighten up. Her head flies back, and she yells out, her head slamming down into the pillow. I hear her muffled cries as her orgasm slams into her and possesses her. I feel a pressure so great inside me, a groan comes from someplace deep inside me as my orgasm seizes me. I push into her, holding myself there until my body shakes uncontrollably. I move back and forth holding onto the feeling until she collapses underneath me.
I lay next to her and wrap my arms around her, pulling her into me. I kiss her neck, small kisses in a trail over her shoulder to her lips.
“How was that, Mrs. Everest?”
“Hmmm. I love that. And it was absolutely incredible.”
She kisses my nose and pushes her butt back into me as she pulls my arm over her like a blanket.
“I could get used to this,” she says.
“I hope so.”
Elise
I’m curled up in a wing chair with my laptop perched on my knees. I’m writing an article for my editor on the most exclusive coffee joints in the city. I’m in a great mood and have a ready smile when the door opens and my husband walks into the library.
My husband.
It still doesn’t feel real, but little frissons of glee shoot through me every time I say or even think those words. Rory Everest is my husband.
“Hi, you,” I say. The smile soon drops from my face when I see his stormy expression. “Are you okay?”
“Bill called me in for an unscheduled meeting about the custody case.”
I close my laptop lid and place it on the floor, straightening up instantly and gripping the arms of the chair. “What did he say?”
Rory starts pacing. “It seems to be Margot’s new husband driving this custody battle. He’s the one who’s put this idea in her head. That’s why she waited until now. That greedy bastard has convinced her she’s sitting on a winning lottery ticket.”
“Who cares what he thinks? He’s not part of this, Rory.”
“He’s the asshole who got the ball rolling on this custody battle. Bill says this guy’s been hounding him to move forward with this case. He wants it sorted, l
ike now. It’s all about this.” Rory rubs his fingers together. Money.
“Any judge will see that as soon as the case gets to court—if it gets to court.”
He shakes his head, finishing one lap of the room and starting to stomp around on his next circuit. “Margot has been sending Bill pictures she has of me.”
I frown. “What kind of pictures?”
“Pictures of me fucking high. Pictures of me on a sofa behind a table covered in needles. He even showed me one of me shooting up.”
I can’t imagine Rory doing any of those things. I stand and try to place my hand on his arm, but he jerks away from me and continues to storm around the library. “It’s a tactic, Rory.”
“What do you mean?”
“If she really wanted to use those pictures, she’d save them for the judge, not be showing them to your lawyer. She wants you to know she has them. She’s trying to scare you into settling because she knows how damaging those images could be.”
“Well, it’s working. I’m shaken. If those pictures get out, I could lose Grace.”
I stand in front of his path and grab his shoulders. “No, that won’t happen. If Margot really wanted Grace, she’d have used the pictures in her case to win custody. Instead, she’s parading them in front of you to try and get you to settle. She doesn’t really want custody. She wants a payout.”
“No, I don’t think it’s that.” Rory finally stops, his hand pressed against his temple. “There’s too much evidence she’s gathered against me. She has witness statements from people I knew years ago saying how reckless and violent I am.” He casts a resentful glance my way. “She’s brought forward your article as evidence of my poor character. She’s doing everything she can to prove I’m unfit to be a father.”
“You’re a great father. Don’t let her mind games get to you. We’re not done fighting yet.”
Rory kicks a wing chair. The sudden noise makes me jump. He raises his voice. “Don’t you understand? I’m losing my daughter.”
“Grace isn’t going anywhere.”
“Not if I can help it.” Rory exhales slowly. His voice is ragged, and he’s close to tears. “I’m going to see my little girl. God knows I need to soak up every moment I have with her just in case this whole thing goes horrifically wrong.”
Rory goes to Grace’s room, leaving me alone and shaken. I want to help, but I don’t know how. Then an idea comes to me. Maybe it will help, maybe it won’t—but I’ve got to do something.
Drawing up a seat at the writing desk under the window, I pull out a fresh sheet of paper and a pen.
I, Elise Sawyer, present the following statement as a character witness for Rory Everest.
I stop as it occurs to me. I am no longer Elise Sawyer. I crumple up the sheet of paper, set it aside before I take out a fresh one and begin again.
I, Elise Everest, present the following statement as a character witness for Rory Everest.
Rory Everest is my husband. I am writing on his behalf to express my sincerest belief that he is the best person to have full custody of his daughter, Grace Everest, and to firmly reject any claims that he is an unfit father.
The devotion I have seen in Rory for his daughter is unparalleled. He would go to the ends of the earth for her. How hard he works is only to provide for her and to establish himself as a strong role model as her parent.
Principally, Grace always comes first. Living with Rory and Grace, I see how much he cares for her. He tucks her into bed each night and reads her stories. He plays with her, talks with her, and nurtures her. They share a true bond. Grace adores him. Although Rory may have a busy schedule at times, he would drop everything if Grace needed him.
I reject any claims that Rory has violent tendencies, is neglectful, or is in any way unfit to care for Grace. On the contrary, I would describe Rory as a warm, dedicated, fun, and responsible father.
Beyond my character statements for Rory, I would like to highlight my own intentions as Grace’s stepmother. She will always be my first priority. I do not consider her a burden, but a delight. It is my pleasure to be a part of her life, and I can assure any judge reviewing this case that Grace will not be neglected. She has a stable and loving family home here with us.
I beseech you to keep her with us, in the home where she was raised, with the people who love her.
I finish with a steady hand and sign my name. I’ll drop the letter off to Bill tomorrow to use in Rory’s case. Whether it could be submitted or not, I don’t know, but it feels good to advocate for Rory and do what I can to protect Grace.
Besides, everything I wrote is true. Rory is a wonderful father, and I adore Grace. As Rory said on our wedding day—we’re a family.
Rory
I’ve not only opened the bottle of whiskey but poured a glass. I’ve escaped from work to be alone. Margot’s crusade against me has me in a tailspin. I haven’t felt this low since before Grace was born. It feels like my life is crumbling; like the very ground beneath my feet is disappearing.
I thought Margot would quickly quit her pursuit of Grace once she realized I wasn’t going to back down, but she’s relentless. More pictures, more statements, more damning evidence from over a decade ago keeps being sent to Bill. It reminds me of who I used to be and fills me with a deep, gnawing shame and sense of self-resentment. If I hadn’t been so reckless and wild in my younger years, I wouldn’t be in this position now. My past is catching up with me and threatens to take away the dearest thing in my life.
I stare at the whiskey. It’s not an expensive brand. It’s the cheap stuff I used to drink back when I was necking whole bottles at house parties or in drug dens before shooting up heroin and knocking myself out cold with drinks and drugs.
The amber liquid beckons. I can almost taste the bitter, oaky flavor on my tongue. I hold the glass under my nose, slowly swirling the whiskey and inhaling its scent deeply. My lungs shudder in delight to be filled with the smell of alcohol again. It makes my mouth go dry, but I know I’m not thirsty—simply battling my addiction.
All I want is to switch off for a while. To drink just enough to let me sleep deeply. Then I’d be able to wake up and face this thing instead of drowning in panic. I’m not used to feeling out of control.
“Snap out of it,” I mutter to myself.
Drawing on my last reserves of determination, I pick up the bottle and the glass and walk into my en suite, where I pour the entirety of the whiskey down the drain. The effort to resist leaves me drained.
I go back to the bed and lie atop the covers, still fully dressed in my suit.
I close my eyes, my head pounding. The battle of willpower has done the trick. I sleep deeply, no dreams marring the thick black night of my unconsciousness.
I wake up to the sound of Elise opening a drawer in the bedroom. Ever since the wedding, we’ve shared a room. Her things are now stored next to mine in the master bedroom.
She sees me stirring and apologizes. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Rubbing my eyes, I sit up and reach for my cell to check the time. I know it’s late. It’s dark outside. It’s ten. My heart skips a beat. “Is that the time?” I exclaim. “Why didn’t you call me down for dinner? Who put Grace to bed?”
Elise sits on the edge of the mattress and leans over to kiss my forehead gently. “I did. It was her turn to read a chapter. I hope you don’t mind, but I said Alice could go home for the night if she wanted. She wanted to check with you, but I wanted you to rest. I cooked some spaghetti for Grace, and we watched a movie before I tucked her in. She’s fine. I told her you were sleeping.”
I sit up. There’s a crick in my neck from sleeping awkwardly, and I have a headache from sleeping during the day.
“You didn’t need to do that. You could have woken me.”
Elise offers me an understanding smile. “You’ve been worried sick over this whole custody battle. You obviously needed the sleep. I didn’t mind, although you owe Grace two chapters tomorrow. I promi
sed her you’d make up for what you missed.”
“I will.”
“Are you okay?” Elise places her hand on my knee and fixes me with a concerned stare. “It’s not like you to leave work early. Has something else happened?”
“Only the usual. Margot is sending more shit to Bill.” I shake my head slowly. “And I’ve been kicking myself for having given her the ammunition. If I hadn’t done the things I did…”
Elise kicks off her shoes and lies on the bed beside me, sidling up to me face-to-face. She looks tired, too. Margot’s greed has left no one in my life unscathed. “You can’t beat yourself up for who you were all those years ago, Rory. You’ve turned your life around. It’s who you are today that matters.”
“I wish that were true. Margot has enough to bury me.”
“That’s not going to happen. Trust me.” She kisses my forehead again. “I’m going to wash up before bed.”
She heads into the bathroom. I get up and take off my jacket, then my shirt, getting undressed for bed. I’m just stepping out of my pants when Elise reenters the room holding an empty bottle of whiskey and wearing a confused expression.
“Rory?”
“I didn’t drink any.” I let out a long breath. “I poured it down the sink. Please believe me.”
Elise stands for a moment in the doorway, then carefully places the empty bottle in the waste bin. “I do. I hardly think you’d leave the bottle in plain sight if you were hiding something.” She comes and sits back beside me. “You were tempted.”
My throat tightens with emotion. “Yes.”
She sits with her back against the headboard and pulls her legs up beneath her, then wraps her arms around me, holding me close to her like I’m a child. I’ve never been comforted this way.
Elise strokes my hair. “You resisted. I’m proud of you.”
“I got so close to losing my sobriety.”
“You poured the whiskey away. That took strength.”
“I nearly threw away everything I’ve worked for.”
