by J. Lea
He lifted me in his arms and took me to the bedroom. “I can’t resist you any longer.”
Piece by piece, we stripped out of our clothing, and took all the time in the world to explore each other’s bodies. He made sure my first time was as painless and pleasant for me as possible when he finally buried himself in me. We made love for hours. Slowly, passionately, lovingly. Then faster, harder, and deeper. All the bad things from my past faded away with his tender touches, and all I could see was a bright future.
Epilogue
Present day, 2025
It’s one of those hot, lazy summer days. Parker is fixing the car on the driveway in front of our house. And, oh my, he looks mouthwateringly sexy in those black basketball shorts, riding low on his hips. He lifts his head from the hood of the car, reaches for the towel, hanging over his shoulder, and wipes his dirty hands in it. He was already incredibly hot ten years ago, but he’s like a good wine—getting even better with age. I’m sitting on a blanket on our front yard, stealing looks at my husband, but my gaze is mostly focused on our boys, playing on the lawn. We have two boys—twins actually—and even though they look alike, their personalities couldn’t be more different. Mason is talkative and loud, while Mark is quiet and reserved. They are four years old, and they are my and Parker’s biggest treasure.
The boys are running around as fast as their tiny bare feet can carry them, trying to catch a Frisbee, and I can hear their joyful giggles from where I’m sitting. There isn’t a more beautiful sight than seeing your children happy and smiling. I would join them, but my big belly is preventing me from running around, so I’m lounging on the blanket, watching my little boys have fun, rubbing my belly lovingly; in about a month, Parker and I will welcome our baby girl into the world.
King is keeping me company. He is in the fall of his life, but his eyes are still full of youthful joy.
After graduation, I introduced Parker to my mom and Tyler. Parker showed up on our doorstep, looking handsome as always. When we told my mom the whole story, she was speechless. She didn’t judge us; she was just happy I found my soulmate.
Parker and I didn’t go out in public much; we were careful not to start any rumors. It took us a while before we could comfortably walk down the street, hand in hand.
I also got to meet Parker’s family. They accepted me with open arms. We didn’t tell them about alopecia until much later. We wanted them to get to know me first. It took a few months before Parker managed to convince me to let him tell his parents about my condition. Like Parker, they told me I had nothing to be ashamed of. The heart was the only thing that mattered, they said. I love his parents, and we’re extremely close. Parker and I visit them with the little ones whenever we have time.
Mom finally decided it was time to start dating. I was happy for her because I didn’t want her to spend the remainder of her life all by herself. She’s been seeing a nice gentleman named Frank for about a year now, and he makes her happy, which makes me happy.
Tyler moved in with his fiancée, and currently, they are traveling around Africa.
Elias and I remained best friends throughout all these years. His relationship with Drake didn’t work out. He’s still blissfully single, and according to him, it suits him perfectly.
After graduation, I applied to college, and four years later, I graduated. I always knew what I wanted to do in life. I had a vision and I worked hard on realizing it. First, I worked as a volunteer at the self-help center for people suffering from alopecia. I wanted to help everyone who experienced the same hardship as me. I didn’t want them to feel ugly or unwanted. We, people who suffer from alopecia, are completely normal people who want the same things as the others. I gradually evolved from a volunteering position to leading our organization. We strive for integration, education and help for people affected with alopecia.
Parker still owns his martial arts studio. He enjoys what he does, and children adore him. Results from the competitions are proof he is a great mentor. He eventually had to hire more people to help him with his business, and one of the employees is Parker’s best friend, Gabe.
Right after I graduated, Parker asked me to marry him. We were at home, watching television, and he got up to get more snacks from the kitchen. But the snacks he brought were completely different from what I expected. He carried a small plate with two fortune cookies into the living room. First, he handed me one. I looked at him with my eyebrows raised. He just sat down next to me, and swung his arm around my shoulders. I broke the cookie in half, and was stunned in silence when I read the piece of paper that said: Will you marry me? I turned to face him, and looked him deep into his eyes. A grin spread over his perfect lips.
“Are you seriously asking me this?”
“I don’t joke around with things like this. Yes, I want you to become my wife. I love you, and I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Like I’d ever say no to you,” I shook my head, grinning from ear to ear.
“So, will you be my wife?”
“Yes,” I shouted, and jumped into his arms. Parker then cracked open the second fortune cookie, and a beautiful engagement ring fell out. I gasped.
“What? Did you think I was going to ask you to marry me without a ring?” he asked as I put a hand over my mouth. He reached for my hand, and gripped it tightly in his. “Lori, not a day goes by that I thank the heavens for having you by my side. I feel so incredibly lucky to have met you. You’re my other half. My better half. You complete me. I would be lost without you. I love you so much,” he said, before placing the ring on my finger. Our lips joined, our hearts beat like one. We were inseparable.
I was overwhelmed with joy. An incredible journey, full of love and happiness, was in front of us. I knew Parker would forever be by my side.
After we got married, he took me to Australia. He hadn’t forgotten that I’d mentioned how much I loved the land down under when we’d first met. He made all my dreams come true.
“Mommy, I’m thirsty,” Mason runs to me, and Mark follows him soon after. Rummaging through the basket by my side for packets of juice, I offer it to them. I can smell Parker before he even reaches my side, he still smells so divine. He plops down next to me, and kisses me, caressing my belly.
“How are my beautiful girls?”
“Couldn’t be better,” I reply with a smile on my face. I lean back to his chest, and he wraps his big hands around my shoulders. Mason and Mark run back to their Frisbee, and they manage to toss it to one another for a while, before it lands on a tree.
“I better go help them,” Parker says, and jumps to his feet, plants a kiss to my cheek and runs over to our boys. He retrieves the Frisbee from the tree, and joins them. They play Frisbee, jumping around and tossing it to one another, laughing the whole time, and having a blast. Parker is a great father; he couldn’t be more loving and attentive. Our boys both giggle, as he grabs them and lifts them on his shoulders, carrying them around.
I finally understand why they say everything happens for a reason. I probably wouldn’t be the same person as I am today, if it weren’t for the hardships in my life. I wouldn’t be able to appreciate all the good things in my life, and that’s why I think the whole ordeal was some kind of present. It depends on every individual whether he or she will open that present and use it to his or her advantage. To me, this was an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. I was able to help others with my experience. And, I know now, without the shadow of a doubt, that I am worthy of love. Parker is the one I have to thank, and I do thank him, every day.
A partner is someone who knows you are not perfect, but treats you as if you were. And Parker does that; he values me like a precious diamond. But, there is no such thing as a perfect diamond; there are always imperfections that make them special. And alopecia is what makes me special.
THE END
Thank you for reading!
About Author
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Other books by J. Lea
Because of you
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MV9RVBY
What would you do, if you lost the one person in your life that you could count on?
Abuse
Pain
Sorrow
Fear
These are the things, that Aaliyah Thomas had to cope with, all of her life. After the person, who meant the most to her and who made her life worth living, is murdered, she escapes and flees to the other side of the country. She enrolls in a college, determined to go on with her life. What she does not know, is that the killer is looking for her and will do anything to find her.
Ryder Knight lives for basketball. He is one of the most popular guys on campus, with a lot of friends and a good heart. The only thing he misses is honesty. Most hang out with him because of his money, so he isn't sure who is sincere and who has hidden motives.
The attraction between Ryder and Aaliyah is immediate, but Ryder's distrust quickly ruins any chances of them becoming friends.
Is he ready to open up his heart and once again let love enter his life? Will Aaliyah break down the walls, that she set up around her heart and finally start trusting others?
Will they get their forever? Or are their hearts too broken?
Never Again (Again #1)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R8CQJO4
Right after graduation, Ella Vaughn is on the verge of realizing her dreams of becoming a professional masseuse. She and her boyfriend finally move in together and everything seems perfect - almost too perfect. Until tragedy strikes and completely shatters her world.
Jake "The Beast" Burns is a world famous motorcyclist. A desirable bachelor, Jake is living a dream life - he has a loving family, great friends, money and fame. He's got it all. At least that's how it appears, until Ella, a strikingly beautiful brunette, walks into his life. Ella is completely different from the girls he usually hangs out with, and that arouses his interest. But not everything is as it seems. Jake is hiding a great secret which not even the media have been able to uncover.
Will Ella be able to forgive him or will she never want to see him again?
Once Again (Again #2)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U9T8IE2
Ella finally discovers Jake's big secret, and the shocking news leaves her disappointed and angry. Knowledge that Jake was hiding such an important part of his life is a bitter pill to swallow, but her heart is willing to forgive him, and Ella gives Jake another chance to regain her trust.
But their happiness doesn't last long. The shadows of Jake's past still haunt them, and it seems like there is no end to the dark clouds hovering over their relationship.
Is their love strong enough to withstand the obstacles life keeps throwing their way? Can Jake and Ella learn to trust each other after all they've been through, or will his past rip them apart once and for all?
