The Senator's Choice

by Combs, Sasha

  Suddenly, William’s parents understood the reason Michael was standing in the hallway. He was just as bothered by William’s news as they were. As much as they wanted to feed into the brewing pool of discontent, Mildred wisely surmised that bickering would do little more than add salt to the wound.

  With her hand on the arm of her husband, Mildred wrangled him in. She wanted to put an end to the family quarrel. With a firm voice, she spoke her words with conviction.

  “Wallace...enough of this squabbling. William needs our support and that’s exactly what we’re going to give him.”

  As she said these words, footsteps could be heard coming in their direction. By the sound of the gait, the person or people were running in their direction. More than likely the disagreement had echoed in the hallways.

  The first person to turn the corner had been Frederick and right on his heels was Pamela then LaShawn. They had been in the library when the sound of the loud voices traveled into the room. The voices were no more than muffled sounds but the tenor of the words was clear. You didn’t have to be a scholar to discern that the discussion had gone south. But the most beaming sign that pointed to trouble had been the sound of the voices. The tone hinted that something in that part of the house had gone terribly wrong. While they’d been leisurely touring the house, pretending not to have a care in the world; they all knew what William had gone to do. When they finally were standing in somewhat of a semicircle, Pamela walked over to where William was standing. Her eyes met his out of deep concern. She could see the angst and what this talk had cost him. He took her hand, lacing her fingers with his, as he smiled down at her. She not only felt the warmth from his touch, but his strength leapt from him to her. The way his eyes traced across each of their faces, then finally landing back on Pamela; his mother could see that her son was indeed happy and she believed that due to his love for his new bride, he was determined to make this work.

  Since Morgan had gone and there was little to be done on that front for now, William surged forward with introductions. It had been a year since his parents had been in the company of his friends and Pamela.

  “Mom...dad... You remember Pamela, don’t you?”

  He looked at their faces, pleading with them to remain civil. Especially his father. He watched as his mothers perfectly colored red lips turned up into one of her compromising smiles.

  “Yes dear, I remember Pamela. But I guess a great deal has changed since our last meeting. It would appear that best wishes are in order.”

  “Yes,...” said his father. “It would appear so.”

  Extending his hand, Wallace noticed that Pamela’s parents were watching this greeting with assessing eyes. He immediately detected the hint of dissatisfaction brimming from Michael.

  When Pamela took her father-in-laws hand, she felt his tentative grip. He was a few inches shorter than William but he was still taller than her. He forced a smile and she knew that he was doing his best more so for his wife’s sake than hers.

  Mildred stepped closer to her waiting until Wallace released her hand.

  “Welcome to the family dear.” She said, just before wrapping her arms around her shoulders, hugging her with a show of genuine affection. Mildred kissed her cheek, then spoke in a low voice... “Forgive the noise. We were simply taken by surprise. Please don’t interpret our shock as anything else.”

  When Mildred released her and peered into her light hazel eyes, she could see why her son had fallen for the young beauty. When she’d last seen Pamela after the funeral, even then she’d noticed how much William had depended on her.

  As the players to this unscripted opera stood in the hallway, it was clear that each would do their best to avoid a scene. Tense smiles and relaxed arms hung by their sides, while they each waited to see who would break the silence.

  “Well,...” Wallace spoke in a commanding voice, signaling that the introductions were over, and the time for action had come.

  “Perhaps one of us should go to talk to Morgan. We mustn’t forget, she wasn’t very happy when she left the room.”

  Still holding Pamela’s hand, William had every intention to talk to his daughter with his new wife by his side. He felt this would be the best way to break through the wall of her confusion.

  “I’ll go dad.” William said but his mother placed her hand on his arm to stop him. She’d noticed his joined hand with Pamela’s and she also rightly concluded his intentions. Mildred wasn’t persuaded that her sons actions would be right for their current situation.

  “William, perhaps you should let me talk to Morgan. After all dear...we’ve been very close since she lost her mother and I think she needs a consoling touch from her grandmother right now.”

  “Mother, I disagree.” William was prepared to argue his point but he stopped short due to Pamela’s gentle urging. She touched his arm with her free hand. She’d been watching his parents closely from the second she’d joined them. As William’s mother made her suggestion, it did not escape Pamela’s notice that Mildred avoided her eyes. Topics concerning Bianca or that time period after her death were still rather sensitive and she supposed his mother didn’t want Pam to feel uncomfortable.

  Regardless of who would be tasked to deal with Morgan, the bottom line was that Pamela was at the center of the problem. There would be no need to talk to Morgan if she wasn’t there. So, Pamela felt that it was her responsibility to persuade William to understand this.

  “William...Morgan may need a little time alone. She’s a smart girl and she doesn’t need our help to figure out what you’ve told her. I think your mother makes a valid point. Since she and Morgan have been very close during this past year, then perhaps she would be the best person to be with Morgan now.”

  William’s brow furrowed, clearly dissatisfied with this course of action but she recognized the signs indicating that he would give way to his mother. He had to admit, Mildred had played an active role in Morgan’s life; more so than he had over this past year.

  “All right mother. You go sit with Morgan but I want to be informed of whatever she says.”

  “William, you know I can’t do that. Young girls become very touchy at Morgan’s age. Privacy is extremely important to them. However, I will tell her everything that you’ve asked and we’ll just have to wait and see what she says.”

  William understood his daughters right to maintain her privacy but as her father he believed he had rights too. As her father, he needed information that would help him smooth over the rough edges that these changes would present. Which would mean being privy to her conversation with his mother. All the same, William accepted the likelihood of that happening to be slim to none.

  Mildred waited a few seconds, giving William time to signal his approval. When he slowly nodded, she said...

  “You all must be famished. The cook has prepared a wonderful dinner. I think it would be a good idea if you all retire to your rooms, or another part of the house to relax and rest. You’ve had a long tiring journey and you must be exhausted.”

  “That’s a good idea.” Frederick said, while focusing his attention on Michael and LaShawn.

  “I can show you back to your room. I’m sure that your luggage has been unpacked and I can have the maid call you an hour before dinner will be served.”

  LaShawn recognized a brushoff when she was getting one, but oddly she wanted to be alone with Michael to discuss all that they’d just witnessed.

  “That won’t be necessary Frederick. I think Michael and I can find our way back to our room. I was attempting to remember the hallways while you took us on our tour. But if we get lost I’m sure someone on the staff will be kind enough to point us in the right direction.”

  LaShawn stepped forward, placing her hand on Pamela’s arm. With a light touch, she squeezed her daughters arm, while smiling at her. This was a gesture reminding Pam that she wasn’t at Barn Wood Hudson alone. Even if her parents weren’t pleased with her decisions, they wouldn’t abandon their only ch
ild. For that reason, they traveled to the secluded house to support her in whatever way she might need.

  “You’ll come get us before the dinner bell is rung?”

  LaShawn asked of her daughter.

  Pamela nodded because she knew that her parents wanted a moment alone with her before they sat down at dinner with William and his family. She would give them that time but she wouldn’t entertain criticism or anything that would add fuel to an already heated fire.

  Stepping forward in an inconspicuous way, Frederick leaned close to William to whisper a few words in confidence. He smiled at Pamela just before turning, then strolling down the hall. William watched him along with Michael and LaShawn. They all trailed down the hall, walking in silence while leaving the area. Before they left, Michael held back for a few seconds as if he expected his daughter to join them. William knew this turn of events had been hard on his friend and he understood the harnessed anger that festered in him. In spite of that, William wished that Michael would just scream at him to get it all out because his quiet rage had him on edge.

  Without so many people crowed in one spot, the area no longer felt like a bulging bubble. In spite of that William’s eyes followed their movements, until they turned the corner at the end of the hall. Even though there was no one in sight, his eyes still stared glued in that direction. Perhaps he was waiting for one of them to retrace their steps, leading back in their direction. Whatever his reason was for staring, even William didn’t understand the fixation. It wasn’t until Pamela waved her hand across his line of sight to get his attention; then and only then did he blink while turning to look at her.

  “Are you all right?” she asked.

  “As all right as can be expected. This isn’t going as I planned.” He said. Pamela felt a soft laugh slip from her lips. She wondered what fantasy he’d concocted in his head. Then she considered her own dreamy notions, which made her laugh even louder.

  “Are you going to let me in on the joke?” he asked.

  Pamela smiled, then lifted on tiptoes to kiss him.

  “William...lets face it. We’re the only ones that are going to be happy about our marriage or this baby. The sooner we get that in our heads, I think it will be for the better. The rest of our time here, lets just stick to the facts. We can’t expect anyone to accept what we’ve done, we can only tell them the truth. If they accept it fine...if not then...” She let her words hang, and in that moment he understood. Pamela was right. He’d known all along that her conclusion was correct, but in his heart, he’d wanted Morgan to be happy. He also wanted his parents to love Pamela as much as they’d once loved Bianca.

  Now that he knew he might not have exactly what he wanted to happen; one thing was certain, he had the woman that he loved. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling Pamela in close. Lowering his head William passionately kissed her, as if this was the first time their lips had met. In a way it was. This was the first real loving kiss that they were sharing since the kiss in the back cabin on the plane. Not being free to express themselves had not been easy but now William felt a sense of freedom. They didn’t have to sneak around anymore. Everyone in his mountain home knew about him and Pamela. And the most wonderful thing was that, now they were legally married. Which meant, they wouldn’t have to sleep apart to make their parents feel comfortable.

  “Did Frederick show you our bedroom suite?”

  Pamela smiled while shaking her head.

  “No...we went to the suite where my mom and dad are staying. After they freshened up, Frederick returned and began the tour of the house. I guess he didn’t think it would be appropriate to show me our room with my parents there. I noticed that he’s treating them rather gingerly.”

  “He’s good at his job. He’s good when it comes to putting out fires too.”

  “Well,... It’s a good thing that he came along.” She smiled while saying this.

  William considered this for a moment, then he dismissed the reason for Frederick’s presence. Currently he had more important things on his mind. First thing being, getting his wife into bed. They had a few hours before the dinner bell would ring. That would be plenty of time to make love to Pamela. He knew that he couldn’t wait until the night hours. He wanted to make love to her right now. Before dating Pamela, William had always been slavishly predictable. Yet, today he could barely recognize himself. His conservative morals and upbringing had always dictated his responses and his actions but when Pamela came into his life, all that changed.

  Leading her down the hallway to the opposite end of the house, they walked while talking in low voices.

  “You won’t have to worry about running into anyone. The master bedroom suite takes up the entire south wing. My parents and Morgan normally stay in the east wing and I’m quite certain that Frederick is staying in the west wing with your parents.”

  “You’ve thought of everything.” She said, pleased with his attention to detail but William corrected her.

  “On this point, we need to thank Frederick. He told me that he would take charge of the minor details until Morgan and I have the opportunity to talk. I guess he anticipated that telling her wouldn’t be as easy as I’d hoped it would be.”

  When they reached a set of stairs, they climbed to the next level of the house holding hands while William continued to talk. Pamela was amazed at how quickly his manner changed. William seemed calm and relaxed but she supposed as a senator he must have dealt with worse situations, requiring him to keep a level mind, while earnestly looking for that one sliver of hope, leading to compromise.

  When they reached the top landing, she noticed that they were entering a large open sitting area. The furniture throughout the house was rustic and made from natural wood. As they approached the suite she saw two closed double doors. When he opened them the size of the room nearly took her breath away. Pamela stepped inside, and she’d not noticed that William had released her hand. It wasn’t until he came up behind her, that she felt his presence again; wrapping his arms around her waist while he nibbled on the side of her neck. He moved her hair to give him clearance. He wanted to kiss the side of her face. Pam felt her body as she melted back into his chest, allowing his body to prevent her from falling. His hands went to work, unbuckling the belt that she’d worn to hold up her blue jeans. Since their time dating, this had been the longest period in between them making love. His hectic schedule had prevented them from seeing one another. William craved the smell of her flesh, the touch of her gentle caress. His emotions were heightened when he allowed his mind to linger on the events that had taken place over the last twenty-four hours. They were married now and their relationship wasn’t a secret being kept from their closest family members. He wasn’t a fool of course. William knew there would be fences to mend but for now he only wanted one thing. He wanted to get lost in the arms of the woman that he passionately loved.

  After he’d unbuckled her belt, then unsnapped the clasp on her pants, William turned Pamela to face him. When their eyes finally met, her stare washed him with a look that threatened to keel him over. It wouldn’t have taken much to buckle his knees, even a feather could have achieved this. Her face held a youthful beauty that he couldn’t begin to understand or describe. With one hand, he cradled the curve in her back, while his other hand weaved in the locks of her hair. He guided her body into him, then lowered his head to gently kiss her full lips. Tingling sensations soared throughout their bodies, centering in their core. She could feel the urging need of his flesh as it bulged and pressed into her stomach. She responded by rubbing her legs together, stimulating the sensitive part of her flesh that throbbed with anticipation. When their lips met, their tongues swept out seeking the thrill of that sensuous contact. In this room, there were no worries nor cares for others. There was only them. When they broke the kiss, within seconds they had removed their clothing and were climbing on the bed underneath the sheets.

  Pamela loved the rippling muscles on William’s toned body. He was an avid r
unner and his body was in immaculate shape. She pressed his chest to lie flat on the bed, while she straddled her thighs on either side of his toned belly. She lay her palms flat on his chest, toying with fluffs of straight hairs. Placing one finger in her mouth, she licked the tip until it was wet with the juices from her tongue. As she did this, her eyes never left his. He knew what she had in mind and he loved that the bedroom was one place Pamela wasn’t inhibited. From the beginning they had learned the areas that were most sensitive on each other. After she believed that the sexy way she’d licked her tongue had tempted him to near bursting, Pamela wrapped her full lips around her finger, then slowing pulled it out of her mouth. Starting with the swirl of curls that covered his nipples, she placed her moistened finger to lay dead center. With a luscious pout, she poked her full lips out while deliberately teasing this hypersensitive area. Relentlessly with the flat surface of her finger, she circled the padded ridges on the tip of his nipple. She felt periodic jerks from his hips beneath her. When he did this, the weight of his length would surge forward, slamming into her rear. Feeling his sex do this would send gratifying chills coursing throughout her body. Pamela loved this part of their sex play. Her brows arched with a deliberate show of power. Power, that she knew she currently possessed over him. Her lips lifted in a smile as she lowered her head to hover inches from his face. Pamela watched the way William would close his eyes to prevent himself from losing total control. He could feel the intimate warmth of her breath on his nipple when she replaced her finger stroking with her lips, then her tongue. As her mouth did delicious things to his body, he felt her hands splayed across his chest, toying with his hairs, causing his pulse to spike. William wanted to lift his body near her face but the way he was pinned, his position prevented this. Bit by bit, her body would shift its position, pressing her breast hard and firm into his chest. Whenever he lifted his head to catch a glimpse of her; long strands of her black hair prevented him from seeing her face. More than anything, William needed to see her eyes. Gliding his hand along the side of her hips, he traveled the length of her curves, then he followed the upward slope of her sultry back. At the nape of her neck William gathered as much of her curls as he could, then he pulled the curtain of hair out of the way, allowing him to see more of her beautiful face. His pulse raced with anticipation. There was no woman more beautiful to him than her.