by Dean, Taylor
His hands moved to the zipper on the back of her dress and he slowly began to pull it down. “Marisa?” he said quietly. She looked up at him and he kissed her in between his words. “What…kind of car…do you drive?”
“What?” She could hardly think straight. She just wanted him to kiss her, to touch her. “I don’t know.” Why was he asking her such a hard question at a time like this?
“You don’t know?” He covered her face with kisses and continued to unzip her dress. She unclasped his pants.
“Honda Civic,” she murmured. She let her head fall back and he kissed her neck.
“What color?” he whispered.
“Why are you asking me this?” she said as she slipped his shirt off.
“I want to know everything about you.” She couldn’t answer for the next few moments as he kissed her hard on the mouth.
“Blue,” she said almost inaudibly as he slipped her dress from her shoulders. It fell to the ground and he kicked it out of the way.
“Don’t tell Mary I did that.”
“Mary who?” she whispered and Josh chuckled lightly.
His worn picture that Mary had tucked into her bodice wafted to the floor, but he didn’t notice. No matter, she didn’t need it anymore, she had the real thing. He held her to him and they kissed deeply. He paused and stepped away—holding her hand so she wouldn’t lose her balance—to simply look upon her. She now stood before him in white satin lingerie.
“You are absolutely beautiful.”
Marisa sighed, wishing she wasn’t wearing a cast on her honeymoon night. It was the only damper on the evening. He was amazingly perceptive, however.
“I love that cast. Do you know why?” he asked as he pulled her close again.
“Why?”
“It represents life. Your life. You lived through the accident and the cast—for as long as it’s with us—will always remind me of that miracle.”
“I didn’t think of it like that,” she murmured, lost in his kiss. “Will it put a damper on the evening?”
“Heck, no.”
Suddenly, the cast didn’t matter one iota. They’d work around it. The room was silent for the next few minutes as touch was their only communication.
“Marisa?”
“Hmmmm…”
“Will you miss bein’ a teacher?” His hands wandered the length of her and she let her hands wander too. Their breathing became ragged, their kisses, more intimate.
“Josh…”
“Hmmmm…”
“Shut up.”
He laughed softly as they kissed and then something changed as they both let go of all the restraints that had been between them. On this night, all barriers were suddenly cast aside and the passion between them would not be suppressed, but satisfied.
“Thank you for saving yourself for me,” he whispered tenderly.
“You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted.”
“You, Marisa. It’s only ever been you, you are the one for me. Only you, it’s always been you…” he murmured as their embrace and their kisses became heated.
He took her to the bed and they collapsed down onto it.
Passion overwhelmed both of them as they became one.
EPILOGUE
Marisa stood at the window of her old room, looking out upon the Folly. She held her stomach and caressed her bulging belly. Josh was just exiting the Folly after his morning run. He didn’t know it, but she’d made a habit of watching him every morning. Clearings in the foliage gave her an occasional view of him as he jogged. They’d been married now for nine months and she was exactly nine months pregnant. A content smile crossed her features. They were having a honeymoon baby and nothing had made them happier. She watched as Josh peeled off his hooded sweatshirt and stretched his legs. He was an extremely attractive man and even though he made love to her nearly every night, when she saw him in the light of day she found herself feeling intensely attracted to him. It must be pregnancy, her hormones had gone wild. She wondered with a smile, what was his excuse?
Life was good. They were crazy for each other, there was no denying it. Josh was over the top excited about the baby and she was feeling quite well, now that the morning sickness had dissipated. As soon as her cast had been removed, Josh had whisked her away to Hawaii for two weeks, a surprise wedding present—and a much needed honeymoon. She’d begun to feel sick within a week of returning home from Hawaii and they assumed she’d simply caught some sort of bug. When she showed no sign of getting well it finally dawned on them that she could be expecting. A visit to the doctor confirmed it and even though she was a little green at the gills, Josh took her out for a celebratory dinner. To her dismay, she could hardly choke down her meal.
Josh became a positively doting husband, pampering her as if she could break at any moment. She loved every second of it and basked in the attention.
“Hey.”
Startled, Marisa turned to see Josh standing at the doorway. Her thoughts had wandered and she hadn’t noticed him leave the backyard.
“What-cha-ya doin’?”
“Just rechecking, making sure everything’s in order.” She didn’t tell him she’d been watching him.
“I thought you did that yesterday,” he said with a huge smile, eyes sparkling.
Marisa didn’t deny it. Her old room had been converted into a nursery. Marisa was pretty sure they’d gone way overboard. In their excitement, they’d purchased every baby item known to mankind, convinced they couldn’t live without it. The nursery was well stocked, everything was ready. All they had to do was sit back and wait for the blessed event. Still, Marisa was in the nursery every day, organizing and reorganizing, she couldn’t seem to help herself. It was those darn nesting instincts. She knew Josh was amused at her obsession. She also knew it pleased him to no end.
Josh knelt down and kissed her stomach several times. He held his hand on her tummy and felt the baby moving and kicking. It was an active baby and the doctor said that was a good sign. They had no idea of the sex of their unborn child, opting to leave that to the thrill of the moment.
Josh gazed at his beautiful wife and she smiled down at him. There was a look in her eyes that thrilled him. She appeared utterly content and happy. She was so relaxed and took such joy in every aspect of pregnancy. She’d completely immersed herself in her new life. There was a satisfied air to her and she was flourishing before his eyes. Any and all thoughts of abandonment had left him. One look at her radiant features and he knew it was completely ludicrous to even think such a thing. She inspired him to be a better man. Her faith in him made him feel somewhat thunderstruck. He wouldn’t let her down. He was completely enamored with her.
“I love you,” he whispered. He never tired of saying it. Without fail, her eyes flashed each and every time. He loved it.
“I love you,” she said as she ran her hands through his hair.
Briefly, he wondered what his life would be like right now if he hadn’t taken a leap of faith and married her. He would be miserable, he couldn’t even fathom it. Marrying Marisa had been the best thing he’d ever done. She brought him so much happiness. She wanted to fill this house with children and he loved her for it. His thoughts wandered to holding her early this morning in the pre-dawn light. He’d held her stomach, her hand over his, and together they felt their baby moving in the womb. He let out his breath and smiled.
“What’s for breakfast?” Josh asked.
“I told Constance I was in the mood for an omelet with pickles, sardines, and pimentos. Doesn’t that sound good?”
“Please tell me you’re kidding. I beg of you.”
Marisa’s musical laugh rang out happily. “I’m kidding with you. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Constance is making blueberry muffins and fruit salad.”
Relief washed over him. The things Marisa liked to eat turned his stomach. Pregnancy had only amplified her outrageous appetite. Life with Marisa was anything but boring.
“Nothing for me though.
I’m not supposed to eat anything,” she said mournfully. Josh hoped that was the toughest thing she faced today.
“Are you ready for today?”
“Yes. I can’t wait to meet our baby.”
“Me too.” Marisa was scheduled to be induced today. Her due date was two days away and the doctor felt it was safer to induce labor, rather than face a tense two hour drive into town with Marisa in the throes of labor. Mary and Jerome were visiting, eager to meet the new arrival. They were planning to retire to the ranch in just a few short months and Marisa was excited to have Mary close again. Josh was too. This is where she belonged.
“I’ll miss this belly, I have to admit,” Josh told her mischievously. She slept with about five pillows tucked under and around various places. Josh solicitously helped her to find the perfect position and they laughed out loud when she announced she needed to get up and use the bathroom. The process repeated itself at least five times a night. “You’re a trooper, Marisa. For the record, I think you look absolutely adorable.” He hugged her, her huge belly between them. He loved every minute of watching her stomach grow, it was the most fascinating and beautiful thing he’d ever seen. “I’d better shower. We need to leave soon.” At the door, he turned and watched Marisa for a moment before leaving. She waddled and still limped slightly, but her leg was basically healed. The doctor felt it best to keep up with rehabilitation exercises since the pregnancy was progressing normally with no complications. She was doing great. He was proud of her determination to survive through a life-threatening ordeal.
And she’d done it for him—to be able to experience making love with him. He still felt overwhelmed by her love and devotion.
Over the past several months she’d kept up a strict homeschooling regimen with Bethany. She was blossoming under Marisa’s attentive mothering. His future had taken an unexpected turn when Marisa came into his life—and it was all for the better. No doubt about it.
It was only a few hours later that the smile he loved so dearly was completely missing from Marisa’s face as she panted through a contraction. It was several more hours of grueling labor—it wasn’t called labor for nothing—until their baby was ready to enter the world.
Josh cradled Marisa’s head in his arms. She could hardly catch her breath as the contractions seemed to come with only seconds between them. The doctor entered the room to check on her. He only had to look at Josh and he knew.
The baby was coming now.
“Mrs. Kensington, I can see the baby’s head. I need you to take a deep breath and give me one good, hard push.”
Tears poured down her face, but she nodded and did as he said. Josh talked her through it, speaking softly in her ear. He was completely awed by the miraculous event about to take place as he coached and cajoled Marisa through it.
It only took three pushes and their baby entered the world.
“It’s a boy!” the doctor announced as he placed their son on Marisa’s chest. Their eyes met as they heard the first cry from their baby. Marisa wrapped her arms around their son and Josh placed his hand on his little head, feeling awestruck. He was tiny, but he was perfect. His crying stopped as he felt the comforting hands of his parents on him. Slowly, after several attempts, he opened his eyes for the first time. Bright blue eyes stared back at them innocently, trustingly. Between his blue eyes and head of black hair, he was the image of himself. And as Marisa tore her eyes away from their creation, he didn’t hide the tears that rolled down his cheeks. He was completely overcome with emotion. Marisa knew what it meant to him to know with absolute surety that it was his child and he loved her for it.
He loved her for everything.
Several hours later Mary, Jerome, and Bethany joined them, eager to meet the new addition to their family.
“What’s his name?” Bethany asked with excitement.
“Jaden Michael Kensington,” Josh announced proudly.
They oohed and aahed over him and Bethany was thrilled to have a baby brother. Josh helped her to hold Jaden for the first time as she beamed from ear to ear. Bethany was going to be a wonderful big sister.
“Hi Jaden,” she whispered. “I love you.”
Josh turned away quickly and Marisa knew he was trying to keep his emotions in check. His emotional reaction to Jaden had taken her a little by surprise, yet she felt touched by it all the same. Her love for him grew stronger and deeper by the day.
“He has cerulean eyes,” Bethany commented and they all laughed, lightening the mood.
Josh gave in. “What exactly does that mean, Bethany?”
She smiled sheepishly. “Deep blue, like the sky on a clear day.”
When it was Mary’s turn to hold Jaden, she didn’t hide her tears. “He’s so beautiful, Marisa,” she said thickly, discernibly fighting regret over the uncontrollable circumstances of her life. Reluctantly, Mary placed the sleeping infant back into his mother’s arms, softly caressing Marisa’s cheek and kissing her forehead.
“Congratulations, my darling,” Mary whispered. Then even softer, so that only Marisa could hear she added, “Your prince is still watching over you. We always knew he would, didn’t we?”
“Yes,” Marisa began, but then simply nodded, feeling too choked up to speak. It would appear Josh’s emotional condition was contagious. When she gained control of herself, she added, “Congratulations, Grandma.” Marisa had blessed Mary with a baby in her life, hopefully healing a pain within Mary that Marisa was positive her presence had never truly conquered.
Marisa knew Jaden was destined to be pampered and spoiled by his grandmother for the rest of his existence.
Lucky baby.
“Wait a minute, am I his aunt or his grandma?” Mary asked with a smirk.
“Guess you’re both,” Josh replied. “We’ll let you explain it all to him one day.”
“Me? I think it should be you…”
Jerome ignored Josh and Mary’s banter and stole his turn with Jaden, winking at Marisa as he did so.
Marisa recovered quickly and Jaden was perfectly healthy, hence, by the next evening they were back home at the ranch. Josh and Marisa were getting ready for bed together in their shared master bathroom. They brushed their teeth, flossed, and rinsed with mouthwash.
“Don’t swallow it,” he reminded her with a smile, remembering her recurring nightmare.
“I won’t,” Marisa laughed.
Late that night, around two a.m., their favorite time, Josh sleepily retrieved Jaden from the bassinet at the edge of their bed, as he was letting them know he was hungry.
“Two a.m….” Josh told him, “…is a great time for a snack. Like parents, like son.”
While Marisa nursed Jaden, Josh ran downstairs and quickly made them each a steaming mug of hot chocolate, topped with a ridiculous amount of whip cream, just for old time’s sake.
When Jaden was satisfied, Marisa and Josh slowly sipped from their mugs, smiling at each other in between each gulp.
“To two a.m.,” Josh toasted her with his mug.
“To two a.m.,” Marisa toasted him and they gently clanked their mugs together. “Especially since it looks like we’ll be up at this hour for the next several years.”
“Amen,” Josh returned. “Good thing we’re used to it.”
They settled back into bed with Jaden lying on his stomach, sound asleep on the bed in between them. He yawned and stretched his little arms. Marisa held out her finger and he clasped it tightly in his little fist. Josh did the same with his other hand. Josh and Marisa clasped their other hands over him and rested lightly on his back. Their family circle was now united, hand in hand, except Bethany, who was fast asleep in her own room. They couldn’t stop gazing upon Jaden, he was so beautiful. Then they smiled at each other, huge, happy smiles.
“This is what life is all about, right here, right now. All over the world people search to ‘find themselves.’ They long for happiness and peace—it’s the common thread of humanity—the one thing that is common to all c
ultures. Only most people look for it in the strangest places. They go on long soul searching adventures, the faster and the higher, the better. Except most find emptiness and loneliness in the end. It’s nothing but momentary thrills brilliantly disguised as fulfillment of your dreams. But I know the answer to life’s great mystery. If you’re searching for happiness, simply return home to find it. This, right here, you, my wife, and my son, and Bethany—this is where you find happiness in this life. This is it, Marisa.” His eyes glittered softly.
“And if that’s my folly, then so be it.”
other books by taylor dean
available at www.taylordeanbooks.com
i have people
Holly Sinclair is happily married to the love of her life, Gabriel. Young and in love, Holly hopes to have their first child soon. Of course, Gabriel wants to wait till Holly’s health is restored, much to Holly’s dismay. She feels perfectly fine. So what if she just woke up from an eight-month coma? So what if some of her memories are missing? She remembers Gabe and that’s all that matters, right? That is, until HE enters her life again…she forgot about HIM.
sierra
Alyssa Fontaine’s life, loved ones—everything familiar and dear—are brutally taken from her. Taken captive by two men, she endures a horrific nightmare. A new life is forced upon her and even a new name. Just when it appears that no hope is in sight, she is saved by an unlikely twist of fate. Trapped in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, life will open its arms to her again and she will embrace it. She will find love such as she never knew existed. Sierra is a heart-wrenching story of the power of the human spirit to survive amidst impossible circumstance and severe losses. It is a story of survival…and hope.
lancaster house
Zoe Grayson needs a change. So, she moves to another state, purchases an old, dilapidated 1920s Victorian Mansion, and sets out to restore it to its former glory. As she begins the restoration, she finds herself falling in love with the old house…not to mention its illustrious builder, Mr. Lancaster. Zoe becomes obsessed with the house as she discovers its secrets; hidden rooms, secret passageways…and a mysterious man who seems to think the house is his. Who is he? More importantly, how does he live in her home unseen and unheard? The unexpected answers leave her reeling—and questioning everything she’s ever known. To her dismay, Zoe’s actions land her in the local psychiatric hospital, scheming for ways to return to Lancaster House…and the love of her life.
