Worth It All

by L. J. Swartz

  We walk through the door of my condo. I call out, "We're home." Rian and Declan both rush from the kitchen. Declan walks to Vance pulling him into a hug. "Hey bro glad you're home," he says stepping back. Rian looks at Vance hesitantly. He opens his arms to her saying, "Get in here sis." She smiles then throws herself into his arms. He pulls back looking down at her saying, "I've called you sis before." She smiles up at him as tears stream down her face. "You call me tiny sis," she tells him. He smiles at her wiping a tear from her cheek. "Tiny sis. I like that," he says to her. She pulls him in close again then steps back. "So you're remembering then," she asks sounding hopeful. Declan wraps his arm around her waist kissing her temple as she wipes her eyes again. Vance looks to me taking my hand in his saying, "Yeah I am." I hold his gaze searching his face. "Right babe," he asks with a smirk. I nod never taking my eyes off him. "Ok you too. What all have you remembered," Declan asks. Vance looks to him then says, "Uh I remembered seeing Sadie in this outfit in a parking lot." Declan nods asking, "Anything else?" Vance looks around like he's trying to pull memories from his surroundings. "This is my place babe. Nothing here will help you," I tell him. He looks down at me looking a bit confused. "I told you all about it. David and I lived here," I tell him. He nods then looks to Declan saying, "I need to be home." I look to Rian and Declan saying, "We need to go back to New York." Vance's phone rings in his pocket. He pulls it out looking at it funny. I look up at him asking, "What's wrong?" He shakes his head saying, "I'm scared to answer it. What do I say to people?" I touch his face. He looks in my eyes. "Who is it," I ask. "Mom and Dad," he tells me. I look to Declan. He huffs saying, "You forgave them." I give him a funny look then look back to Vance. He looks so hurt. "How," he whispers looking at Declan. "Mom apologized, and you know dad you two just kind of tolerate each other," Declan explains. Vance nods then slides his phone back into his pocket saying, "Yeah not yet." There's a knock at the door. I let go of Vance and open it. "Hello," a suit clad man says to me. "Hello. How can I help you," I ask. "I'm detective Adams," he says holding his hand out to me. I shake it. Declan steps up behind me saying, "Hey man. I'm Declan the brother." Adams nods at him. "Come in," I say motioning him in. "Thank you," he says as he steps in. I close the door then take Vance's hand in both of mine. "You're looking well Mr. Matthews," Adams says to him. "Thanks," Vance says. "I'm here because Ms. Hartman is claiming temporary insanity. That means she could get off with only having to prove she's under gone therapy for her actions," he explains. "That's horseshit," Declan barks then adds, "That girls bat shit crazy, always has been." Detective Adams start to smile but hides it saying, "Is there anything you can tell me that may prove she knew what she was doing when she attacked Mr. Matthews." I look to Vance he looks pissed off. I know him. He's jacked he can't remember any of it. I look to Declan. He shakes his head and shrugs. I think back to that day. Quite frankly she seemed bat shit crazy. She was not thinking logically at all. Detective Adams looks to us all then nods his head saying, "If you think of anything contact me." Declan nods at him saying, "Will do thanks man." Adams walks out the door. "Fuck," Vance hisses pulling his hand from mine. "Babe calm down," I say walking in front of him placing my hands to his chest. He places his hands over mine looking to the floor. "If I could just remember. I know I could help the detective prove she knew what she was doing," he says frustrated. "Hey you will remember. Give yourself a chance," I tell him reassuringly. He lifts one of my hands to his lips kissing my palm. His eyes go wide as he says, "That's our thing. I do that all the time." I nod as he places a kiss to my other palm. "See you're slowly remembering," I tell him excitedly. He holds my gaze saying, "You wanna show me a bit of that physical greatness you were talking about earlier." I bust up laughing pulling my hands from his. "What," he asks playfully. I walk to the kitchen calling over my shoulder, "I'm not that easy Mr. Matthews." Rian huffs saying, "Oh yeah right." I stop and turn glaring at her. Vance's face lights up. I point at her saying, "Don't." Vance steps between me and her saying, "Oh I think you should Tiny sis." I go to step around him. He grabs my arm pulling me to him. "Oh no you don't gorgeous. I wanna hear this," he says placing a soft kiss to my lips. I'm paralyzed. He kissed me. I open my eyes slowly as Rian says, "You two slept together the first day you met." Vance looks to me with wide eyes saying, "Did we now?" I smile as I look to Rian saying, "Traitor." She giggles as Declan says, "Nice." I shake my head looking to floor. "Why Sadie I feel like your betrayal of my trust should be punished," Vance says. I look up at him with wide eyes. He bends down throwing me over his shoulder. "Vance put me down," I call out as he walks back the walk with me. I smack his ass. He chuckles as he walks into my bedroom. He throws me to the bed. "Vance you just got out of the hospital," I say holding my hands up. "With a clean bill of health," he says climbing onto the bed between my legs. I hold in a moan. I can't help but get excited. I love being with him. He lowers himself to me grazing his lips across mine. I moan sliding my hands under his shirt up his hard stomach. He tenses all over the second my hands touch him. I pull away stopping our kiss asking, "Vance are you sure?" He moves his lips against mine saying, "I've never wanted anyone like I want you." I part my lips allowing his tongue access as he slips it into my mouth. I moan as he pulls away slowly trailing kisses down my neck. "God I love you," I whisper without thinking. I snap my eyes open. He lifts his head up meeting my gaze. "I," I start. He places his finger tips to my lips whispering, "Don't. Don't take it back. I've belonged you to since I opened my eyes to your beautiful face in the ambulance. I have a feeling I've belonged to you for much longer. Just give me time to remember ok." I nod then kiss his finger tips. He lowers his lips to mine claiming me. I tug on his shirt. He moves away long enough to pull it over his head throwing it to the side. I moan as he lowers back to me kissing my neck. He pulls my shirt from my pants then slides his hands up my stomach cupping my breasts. I grab his hips digging my nails in as he kisses across my collar bone circling my nipples with his thumbs. "Vance," I whisper as I close my eyes floating away on pleasure. "I wanna see you. All of you," he says moving from on top of me. He takes my hands pulling me to my feet. I get nervous. What if he doesn't like my body? What if he doesn't find me sexy? I lock in on his eyes as he removes my jacket from my shoulders. It falls to the floor. He slides his hands up my arms down my neck to the buttons of my blouse. He takes his time slowly undoing each one. His finger tips graze my skin as he goes. I'm panting with need when he finally pushes it from my shoulders. His eyes trail down my body. I hold my breath. His eyes meet mine again. "How the hell did I get you," he says in awe. I chuckle saying, "I was pretty much mush in your hands from the second I saw you." He smiles running his hands around my sides to my back unhooking my bra. I gasp as he slides it off my shoulders down my arms. "Fuck me you're gorgeous," he hisses leaning forward placing a kiss to my shoulder. "Thank you," I whisper as he trails kisses up my neck and down again, across my collar bone, and up the other side nipping my ear lobe. "Oh please," I whisper running my hands into his hair. He takes one nipple into his mouth as he rolls the other between his thumb and forefinger. I groan holding his mouth to me. He works me into a horned up mess before he stands with a smile on his face as he unbuttons my pants. I buck forward as he slides his hands into my pants at my hips catching my panties as he moves both down my legs. He slips my shoes off as I step from my pants one foot at a time. He kisses each knee then stops touching my hip. He looks up at me saying, "You have a heart tattoo. "I smile saying, "Yeah." I sound hoarse. He holds my gaze as he flicks his tongue through my folds "Oh my god," I whimper grabbing a hold of his hair remembering his stitches. I move my hands to his shoulders digging my nails in as he teases me licking up and down my seam. "Vance dear god," I whisper barely holding on. He places one open mouthed kiss to me before trailing kisses up my stomach. He licks my lips giving me a taste of myself. It's so sensual. I open my eyes slowly then look down to watch as he unbuttons his pants pushing them and his boxers off his hips down his legs stepping out one
foot at a time. I swallow hard as my eyes trail up his hard lethal body. He's hard as hell. I reach out touch him. He catches my hand shaking his head no saying, "If you touch me, I'm not sure I can handle it." I smirk at him then lean down licking his tip. "Oh fuck," he hisses at I slides my lips around his tip taking him back as far as I can. "God all fucking mighty," he calls out as I squeeze my lips around him pulling back slowly. I stand up licking my lips. His mouth is hanging open a bit. He flicks his tongue across his bottom lip. I groan. We both move for each other falling to the bed. We're all lips, hands, and entwined legs. I can't think straight. I just do and feel. He moves between my legs. I groan then hold my breath as he slides into me dangerously slow. I bury my face in his neck biting down as my body adjusts to the pleasure coursing through me driving me insane. "Fuck Sadie," Vance hisses as he stills inside me. I kiss his neck sliding my hands into his. I look him in the eyes and whisper, "Mind altering." He eyes widen then without missing a beat he whispers, "I'll show you mind altering." I close my eyes as I press my lips to his. He pulls from me making me groan against his lips. He pulls back saying, "I need a minute." I open my eyes looking to him in panic. "No Sadie. Shit. It's just I knew it deep down it would be incredible but this," he whispers closing his eyes. "This is unbelievable," he says opening his eyes to me. I feel like I've been smacked in the face as the love he feels drowns me. "How could I ever walk away from this," he whispers more to himself. I slide my hands to his neck as he leans forward pressing his lips to mine. He slides back inside me slowly. I shoot to the edge of my orgasm. I don't want this to end. I try to think about something else. It's no use. He's claiming me mind, body, soul. He starts breathing harder. I squeeze myself around him throwing my head back as my orgasm shoots through me. "GOD VANCE," I yell as he grunts loudly spilling into me. He pumps into me a couple times. His body twitches as he lowers himself to me. I wrap my arms around his shoulders. He slides his hands into my hair holding me to him. "That was more than mind altering that was out of this world," he whispers next to my ear. "Cheater," I whisper. He chuckles as he lifts up asking, "What?" I smile as I say, "You used three words." His eyes widen as he says, "I said that to you once." I smile and nod. He searches my face. He opens his mouth them closes it again. I swallow hard waiting to see if he'll say what I desperately hope he wants to. "I love you Sadie," he tells me. I close my eyes as tears fall from my eyes. "I love you," I tell him as I open them. He leans forward kissing me slowly. I slide my hands to his face running my thumbs along his jaw.

  "Well you two you've gone awhile," Rian says with a raised eye brow as we walk into the living room. I changed into a thermal and jeans. Vance sits on the couch pulling me to his lap by my hips. "How ya feelin now bro," Declan asks suggestively as he walks to the couch sitting next to us. Vance chuckles saying, "Outta this world." I bust up laughing burying my face into his neck. I look up. Rian and Declan look confused as hell. I shake my head asking, "Anyone else hungry?" Rian chuckles saying, "We just ate." I look to Vance. "I could eat," he says pushing hair behind my ear. I jump up then walk to the kitchen. I close the fridge and jump as Vance walks up to me sliding his hands to my hips. I place my hand to my chest saying, "Shit you scared me." He smiles saying, "Sorry babe." I run my finger tips up and down his abs asking, "You wanna go eat?" He licks his lips with a raised eye brow then says, "Yeah there is somewhere I'd like I eat." He slides his hand down my stomach cupping me between my legs. I hold in a moan as I slap his chest looking over his shoulder saying, "Vance geez." I feel my face flush. He chuckles saying, "Yeah babe let's go." He takes my hand leading me to the door. "Wait, I need shoes," I tell him pulling my hand from his. I walk back the hall slipping on a pair of grey flats. I come back with purse in hand. Vance isn't by the door where I left him. I look to Rian and Declan. They're watching a movie now. Declan points to the kitchen. I walk in. He's on the phone. "I'm fine, no really," he says as he turns meeting my gaze. "I promise. I'm getting more and more back. Yeah I know," he says holding my gaze. He listens a bit longer then smiles saying, "Yeah I will. Ok I'm gonna let you go. Yep will do. Ok Lynn talk to you soon, bye." He slides his phone into his pocket as he walks to me asking, "All ready?" I point to his hand asking, "Who's Lynn?" He slides his hands to my hips. I step back. He gives me a funny look then gets serious. "Uh you don't know who Lynn is," he asks hesitantly. I shake my head crossing my arms over my chest. He swallows hard searching my face. "Uh can I go talk to Dec a second," he asks. I shake my head no blocking the doorway. He swallows hard. "Lynn is Megan's mom," he tells me slowly. I don't know if I should be mad or relieved. Why hasn't she ever come up before now? I shrug saying, "I don't know if I should be mad or not." He smiles as he steps to me saying, "I'm going with not." He slides his hands to my hips. I huff with a smile as I run my hands up his arms. "She just called to ask if I was ok," he tells me. "Ok," I say then turn walking toward the door. "Sadie," he calls out. I turn to look at him. He searches my face then shakes his head no. He steps to me taking my hand in his leading me to the door. "Have fun," Rian calls out as we leave. I wave above my head.

  We open the door to my condo and are instantly surrounded by cameras. "Fuck," Vance hisses wrapping his arms around me giving them his back. They're all yelling his name asking questions about what happened with Brittany. He opens the door backing us back in. He closes them out. "Back so soon," Declan asks. "Fucking media," Vance tells him. He pulls back saying, "Shit babe I didn't even think about what the media would do." I look up at him saying, "It's ok. I should have thought of it myself." He shakes his head asking, "What do you wanna do now?" I shrug saying, "I say we go get food. The more we avoid them the more they'll hassle us." I feel Declan walk up behind us. "Are you sure you're ready for this," he asks Vance. He nods then opens the door again. He walks through them holding onto me tightly. Neither of us says anything. Once we get to the sidewalk, he pulls me to his side tucking me under his arm as some of them run ahead of us snapping pictures. "Where's Brittany, Vance," one of them asks. He says nothing. "Sadie I thought you were marrying David Voorhees," another one asks. How the hell does he know that? Vance takes my hand pulling me along across the street. We walk into a small diner style restaurant. The waitress sees that we're being followed and walks around the counter stopping them at the door saying, "You're not allowed in here. Give them some damn respect." I smile at Vance. She walks to us then throws her arms around his neck. He lets go of me to pull her close. Ok now I have no clue what's happening. This must be how he feels all the time. They pull apart. Vance looks to me saying, "Babe this is Rhonda." She smiles at me saying, "Nice to meet you Sadie. I've read a lot about you which means I probably don't know you at all." I chuckle saying, "Nice to meet you as well." She smiles saying, "See you don't seem like a gold digger." My smile falls as I nod at her comment. "Come on in and sit," she says motioning to an empty booth away from the windows. I sit down. Vance stands next to me. I smile at him as I scoot in. "Ok what can I get you two to drink," she asks. "Water," I say at the same time as Vance says, "Coffee." I chuckle as Rhonda nods then walks away from the table. "How do you know her," I ask. "From here actually. I've been in L.A. before for obvious reasons and come here every time. Usually late at night though. Rhonda and I have sat here bs'ing many a time," he tells me. Why am I finding out so much more about Vance now that he can't remember me? She walks back to our table sitting our drinks down. "You two ready to order," she asks. "I want the turkey club with fries," Vance tells her then looks to me. "Sounds good to me," I say with a shrug. "Shit babe did you need more time," he asks. I smile at him shaking my head no. "Ok," Rhonda says then walks away. We eat the most delicious turkey club I've ever had then make our way back through the cameras to my condo. There are cops parked out front when we get there. Declan. They escort us through to my door. I take a deep breath as Vance closes the door behind us. "Fucking vultures," Declan hisses as he comes from back the hall. "You guys ready to go to New York yet," he asks sitting on the couch. I look up at Vance. "Call
mom and dad tell them we're using the jet," Vance says shocking the shit out of me. "You have a jet," I blurt. He laughs pulling me to his side saying, "Yep."