Sunday is my usual family dinner. There’s nothing more that I would have loved than to bring Shay with me. She’s still hesitant to be around my family and I can understand that. I haven’t been able to talk to them at all about what’s been going on. She insisted I go to dinner, that she and her brother and his family are planning their own quiet dinner.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” I promise her and head to my parent’s house with a heavy heart.
As soon as I get in the house, I see the look in Ava’s face. She’s out for blood again.
“Are you still seeing Shay?” she asks before I’m even all the way through the front door.
“Ava, you need to let it go,” I tell her.
I’m really not in the mood for this shit.
Everyone is sitting at the dinner table and none of them can look me in the eye. My parents look guilty. I think they’ve thought long and hard about everything that happened all those years ago. Asher has his arm around Willow, they too look sympathetic. Amelia and Kyle look at Ava with shock, it looks like they don’t share Ava’s thoughts either. Aiden, Chloe, and Max look apologetic too, and Chloe and Max don’t even know Shay. I think it’s time to tell everyone exactly what’s been going on.
“Alright, I have something I need to say. I’m only saying this once, and I hope we have everyone’s support. Shay and I are back together…”
“NO! You can’t allow her to worm her way back into your life,” Ava shouts.
I hang my head and try to gather my patience and say, “I’m going to lay this out for all of you. I wasn’t originally going to tell you everything. This is between me and Shay, but I can see I have no choice. I already told you that Shay overheard all of us blaming her for the accident, but what you don’t know is that day she had a miscarriage and couldn’t bring herself to tell me or any of you, because of how we all behaved.”
“She was pregnant and didn’t tell you? What a bitch. She lost the baby because of the accident and she was so selfish she didn’t even tell you!” Ava shouts.
“Ava, that’s enough! I’m telling you right now. Shut up! The accident wasn’t the cause of the miscarriage. Shay didn’t know that herself until a few days ago, she blamed herself for the accident and she thought she killed our baby…”
Shit, I didn’t mean to tell them all that.
“She did! She did kill your baby! She’s a murderer!” Ava shouts, as tears stream down her face.
“Ava, sweetheart you need to stop and listen to your brother,” my mother says, with her own tears in her eyes.
“The accident didn’t cause the miscarriage and that’s all you need to know about it. Shay and I are back together and whether I have your approval or not for our relationship, doesn’t matter to me. Shay’s mom died a few days ago and it would mean a lot to both of us if you all showed your support and attended the service tomorrow to honor her mother.”
“I will most certainly not be there. I don’t accept the two of you getting back together. I just can’t!” Ava yells.
In light of Shay’s loss and realizing that family is so valuable and important, I manage to say in a calm voice, “I’m sorry you feel that way, Ava. And I’ll make this very clear to you it was an accident, she’s not to be blamed for the miscarriage. I hope the rest of you don’t feel the same way too. I was hoping that all of you could see it the way I see it. Shay has lost so much. I forgive her, not that there’s anything to really forgive her for. I understand the events that led up to everything that happened. I hope that all of you can too. I love her. I always have. I hope to see you all there tomorrow.”
I tell them the details and head to the front door. I can hear Ava still yelling, as my family tries to calm her down. My mother walks to the door before I leave.
“Sweetheart, your father and I will be there tomorrow. I can’t speak for the rest of your brothers and sisters, but I need to tell you I’m so sorry for any part I may have played in all this,” she says with tears in her eyes.
I pull her in and give her a hug. I’m so relieved to have the support of my parents.
“I appreciate that, Mom. Don’t be too hard on yourself. There was a lot of misunderstanding. I’ll see you and Dad tomorrow at the service.”
As I get to my truck, everyone’s come out of the house to say they’ll be there tomorrow too. Everyone except Ava, that is. As much as that breaks my heart, I’m glad I have the support of most of them.
I head back to Shay’s condo with a very heavy heart and completely disappointed in Ava. Tomorrow, Shay will need as much support as she can get and I’m glad my family will be there to support her. I know it will mean the world to Shay.
The next day everyone stands at the memorial service and a man talks about the life of Shay’s mother. I hold Shay’s right hand as she silently cries, with the side of her head buried in my arm. Her brother Drew and his family are in the row behind us. My family stands behind them, everyone except Ava. Shay’s friend, Mia, is on the other side of me, and there are several people who are friends of her mother in other seats scattered around the room.
Shay
Listening to a man who didn’t know my mother say things as if he knew her makes me slightly mad. I certainly don’t have the courage, or myself put together enough to say a eulogy. All I can do is stand and listen. He does speak eloquently and his words do hit home. I’m pleasantly shocked that Adrian’s family is here. I don’t see Ava though, and that tears my heart to shreds. Adrian told me he talked to everyone last night. He said they all seemed to feel bad about everything that happened and them being here today just goes to show you how forgiving people can be. I love his family like my own. It breaks my heart that Ava still feels the way she does.
Just as the service is closing, I feel a warm hand slipping in my left hand. I lift my head from Adrian’s arm and look at my hand, then follow it up to see Ava standing next to me with tears in her eyes. I held it together for most of the service pretty well, in my opinion, but seeing Ava and feeling her hand in mine opens up the floodgates. Not with sadness, but with an overwhelming sense of happiness which is strange, seeing that we’re at a funeral service. It brings me to my seat, instantly Ava sits down next to me and wraps me in her arms.
The service is over and everyone leaves the room and gathers in the reception waiting area. Adrian squeezes my shoulder, then leaves Ava and I alone.
“Shay, I’m so sorry for how I behaved. And I’m so very sorry about your mother. I had a long talk with my mom, after Adrian left last night, and I realized that it’s not for me to judge you or anyone. I was wrong about you and I sincerely apologize. I feel completely ashamed of my behavior now and back then. Can you possibly forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive. I’m just so glad that you’re here,” I tell her and give her a hug.
Adrian comes back in and we both stand. He grabs his sister in a fierce hug that scares me, because she’s so tiny. He hugs her with such force; I’m afraid he’s crushing her. But, she hugs him back with the same intensity, it’s what they both need. They too have healing to do. They both cry and let their emotions run free. It’s one of the happiest moments in my life, all while being the saddest I’ve ever been in my whole life. It’s one of those moments where you have a smile on your face with big, sad, crocodile tears streaming down your face.
Adrian opens his arms and the three of us are now in one big hug. My brother and his wife and the rest of Adrian’s family come back in and we all form one big family hug. I’ve never felt such love and support before.
My brother and his family have to head back to California tomorrow. I’m sad to see them go so soon, but we make plans for Adrian and I to go down and see them.
The rest of the week goes by slowly. There’s an ache and a missing piece in my heart. Every day, I spend a little time in her room and I can still smell her familiar perfume in the air. I close the door when I’m done, to try and preserve that little piece of comfort that it brings. That sm
ell is kind of like a little gift every time I go in there.
Sunday will be the first family dinner I attend with Adrian since before the accident. He’s been very attentive since my mother passed away. I take the rest of the week off work. He couldn’t take the time off, but he spends every available minute with me that he can. Willow invited me out to lunch with Abbey one day, and I can see why everyone loves her so much. Man, can that woman say what’s on her mind. She’s due to have their second baby this July. They have the cutest little family. Seeing what someone else has and struggling with my own guilt, I can’t help but be a little jealous.
I haven’t been able to spend much time with Amelia and her husband Kyle, or their little guy, Noah, yet, but they’ll be at dinner on Sunday and I can’t wait to spend time with them. They have a few honorary family members too. Chloe, who is Kyle’s twin and lives with Ava, also comes to dinner every Sunday with her boyfriend, Max. He holds a special place in the family’s heart. I guess there was a kidnapping involving Amelia and Chloe and Max was the one to help find them and bring them home safe. Sometimes even Kyle and Chloe’s parent’s, Steve and Mary come to dinner too.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit nervous about dinner, but I am. I know they were all supportive at my mother’s funeral, but that was a tragic situation and I hope they still feel the same way about Adrian and I. I baked my special chocolate chip banana bread for the family, and I brought Samantha a bouquet of flowers as a thank you for opening up their home to me. Adrian said it wasn’t necessary, but I can’t go empty handed.
Seeing the changes in this lovely family are enough to bring a smile to my otherwise sad face. I still miss my mother every day. When I walk in my front door, I have to stop myself from calling out to her and say that I’m home. To see everyone so grown up, and Asher and Amelia married with children of their own, is something I thought I’d never get to see.
Dinner turns out to be amazing. Ava’s definitely turned around and is now completely accepting of Adrian and I. Each of his brothers and sisters pull me aside privately and apologize for everything that happened all those years ago. I tell each of them there’s nothing to apologize for, that I’m just thankful to have them in my life. The one talk that takes my breath away is from Adrian’s dad, Samuel.
I think he arranged for everyone to vacate the room, because we’re all clearing dinner dishes away, but when I turn around, there’s no one in the room except for him and I.
“Have a seat, young lady. We need to talk,” he says and holds out a dining room chair for me to sit.
I can’t tell you the last time someone called me young lady and said we need to talk. This doesn’t sound good. I take a seat and hold my breath.
“I want to say to you how sorry I am for everything…” he starts to say.
“Mr. Wellington, really this isn’t necessary…” I start to say and release the breath I was holding.
“You can call me Samuel, or Dad, but no more of that Mr. Wellington nonsense. I still think of you as my daughter and if my son has anything to say about it, I’m sure he’ll make that official again in no time. But, I need to say this to you. Now, as I was saying. I want to apologize for any wrong doing I may have done. I was selfish and I was only thinking of my son and I didn’t take the time to consider you were in that accident too. You may not have appeared to be hurt on the outside, but I didn’t stop and consider that you were hurt on the inside. But what makes me mad at myself, is that I contributed to that hurt on the inside, for that my dear, I’m so very sorry.”
“Mr. Well… I mean, Samuel, really you don’t need to apologize for anything. Thank you for saying that though, that really means a lot to me,” I tell him and truly, he has no idea just how much that means to me.
“Well, we’ll just have to work on you calling me dad, I guess, in time,” he says, gets up and kisses the top of my head.
We both spot Samantha standing in the doorway with tears in her eyes. He walks up to his wife, and she places her hand on his cheek with a smile, then they walk hand in hand into the kitchen.
Chapter 9
Adrian
After dinner, I take Shay back to my place. I know this has been a hard few weeks for her, but tonight she has a peacefulness about her. She told me on the way home what my dad said to her and God, do I love my family. I try to get Shay to stay at my house as much as I can. I know it has to be hard on her to go back to her condo, to an empty home.
It’s late and without even saying a word, I guide her to my bedroom. I stand her just in front of the bed, pull her hair away from her neck and massage her shoulders. I work my way down each vertebra, until I get to the bottom of her shirt. I lift it slowly up and over her head, then toss it to the floor. She ever so slightly tilts her head to the side, an invitation to kiss and love her neck. God, do I love this woman.
Slowly, I kiss down her neck, down her shoulder, sliding her bra strap off as I go. I unhook her bra and toss that to the floor, too. I peel off my own shirt and press my chest against her bare back. I run my hands down the backs of her arms and thread my fingers in hers. Her head falls back on my shoulder and I kiss the side of her neck again.
Letting go of her hands, I reach in front of her and undo her pants, then peel them down her legs. Lifting each foot, I remove them completely along with her panties. Having her standing here in front of me naked has me so turned on. She turns around and faces me. She takes my breath away with just how beautiful she is and she’s even more beautiful than I remember.
“God, you’re so fucking beautiful,” I tell her.
I sit her on the bed and kneel on the floor in front of her. She lays back and puts her feet on top of the mattress. God, she’s so amazing. I run my hands up her thighs and make my way to her. Ever so softly, I touch my lips to her and inhale her intoxicating scent. As I love her with my mouth, I massage the inside of her upper thighs with my thumbs making her moan. I insert two fingers and move in and out as she gets louder and louder.
“Oh, God, don’t stop,” she says.
With one of my thumbs I rub a little lower, which sends her back arching off the bed.
“Yes, right there, please, don’t stop,” she moans.
As she pants, I feel her insides clenching my fingers as she comes. I continue to lick, as she comes down from her orgasm. I kiss the inside of her thigh and stand. She gives me a devilish look as she smiles. She reaches for my belt, unbuckles, then unzips my pants, and sends them along with my boxers to my ankles. As I stand in front of her, she lies on her side on the edge of the bed and takes me into her mouth.
“Fuck,” I say through my teeth.
She pulls me close with her hand around my ass, and with her other hand she cups my balls and massages gently. Each time she takes me in, she takes me to the root and hits the back of her throat. The muscles in my thighs start to contract and I don’t think I can take this standing up any longer. I don’t know what the fuck she’s doing to me, but I’m about to lose all control.
I pull out of her mouth, lean down, and thrust my tongue in her mouth and kiss her as I back her up slightly on the bed. Still standing, I lean in and enter her hard. She wraps her legs around my thighs and pulls me in tight on every inward thrust. I grab her hands and lace my fingers with hers, holding them above her head, while I continue moving in and out of her. She smiles at me and I growl with pleasure.
I can feel her insides again start to clench around me and let go as she comes hard, sending me into my own. As I pulse inside her, I lean down and kiss her ever so softly.
“I love you, Doll,” I whisper in her ear.
She kisses my cheek and whispers back, “I love you more.”
I never thought I’d ever hear her say that to me again. I love you more was what she always used to say to me when we were in high school and it lights my heart on fire for her. The Shay I know and love is coming back to me.
Snuggling up behind her, I hold her good and tight. Covered in only a sh
eet, I kiss her shoulder and run my hands down her arm, down her hip and over her ass.
Spending extra time on her ass, I say, “You have a magical ass.”
She looks behind her shoulder at me puzzled and questions, “A magical ass?”
With a smirk I say, “Yeah, every time I touch your ass, I get a boner.”
She laughs so hard that she snorts. I can’t help but laugh right along with her. But it’s the truth. One touch and I get an instant hard on.
Shay
It’s been a few weeks since my mom passed away. For the most part, I’ve been staying at Adrian’s. I think it’s time to go back to my condo and pack up some of my mother’s belongings. They’re just sitting there and I know someone else could benefit from her clothes. After work today, I plan on going home, packing up her things, then donating them to a local charity.
When I walk in her room, the first thing I notice is her perfume. It still smells like my mother is right in the room with me. I wrap my arms around myself and it feels just like it’s really her standing in front of me giving me that hug herself. I close my eyes and stand there for the longest time with a smile on my face.
Packing away her clothes out of her closet is truly bittersweet. Half of me thinks this is the last of her, once all of her stuff is gone, so is she. But, I love that someone else can benefit from her things. I know she would have wanted it that way. I know she’s gone, but she will never be truly gone from my heart. She will always hold a permanent special place there.
On the top of her closet, I come across a wrapped gift. In her elegant handwriting is my name and it takes my breath away. I touch the ink, as if it could send magical healing powers to my broken heart. I totally forgot that my birthday is this Saturday. After everything that has been going on, it completely slipped my mind. I take the gift and sit on her bed. I never was any good at not peeking. There’s no way I can wait until this Saturday to open it. I don’t know how she was even able to do this. I’m guessing her nurse played a big part in helping her.
Running Into Love - The Complete Box Set Page 41
