by Claire Adams
“Let’s get you home,” Adam said, taking me by the hand. “Santa Claus will be here soon.”
I giggled, “You mean Father Christmas?” I said, referring to the jolly man who visited me on Christmas as a child.
“Before we get married, you’ll have to sign over rights to teaching our children the proper names for things here in America. Your English is not so good.”
He said our children. I felt a warm glow flood my veins. I laughed then and said, “My English is perfect, just not mixed with grammar and made-up sayings like yours.”
********
I slept amazingly well that night. I dreamed of being married to Adam, living in a big house in the suburbs. In my dream, we had three children. Two of them were boys and had their father’s dark hair and handsome smile. The youngest was a little girl with her mother’s auburn hair and dimples. We were barbecuing as a family in the dream, and were all just about to jump into the large blue swimming pool when I woke up. I wasn’t sure what had woken me at first, but then I took a deep breath and the smell of my father’s famous Belgian waffles reached my nose. I could also smell fresh brewed coffee. I reached for my robe and slipped on my fuzzy slippers and went out to join him.
I found him in the sitting room before a roaring fire with a platter of waffles, butter and maple syrup, and a carafe of the wonderful smelling coffee. “Good morning, and Merry Christmas, sweetheart. Sit down and I’ll pour you a cup of coffee.”
“Good morning, Daddy, and Merry Christmas to you,” I said, giving him a kiss on his cheek before sitting down. He poured me a cup of the steaming coffee from the carafe and after I took a long, very satisfying sip I said,
“It’s been so good having you and Mother here for the holidays. I’m going to miss you so much when you leave next week.”
My father took my hand in his. “I’ll miss you, too. I’m glad we came. It was not only good to see you and meet Adam, but to see how well you’ve done for yourself makes us so proud. It sets our minds at ease that you are okay way over here by yourself.”
“Aw, Daddy, I’m not by myself. Adam is always close by.”
“Until I met him, I couldn’t be sure…”
“Are you sure now?”
“Yes, I think you’ve made a good choice there for a husband. I will still reserve the right to worry, though. I am after all your father. That never changes no matter how old you get, how successful you are, or how many husbands you have.”
I smiled and laid my head on my father’s shoulder. “You know no matter how many husbands I have and for the record, I only plan on having the one, you will always be my first love.”
My father kissed my head and we sat there like that in silence for a bit. Mother came in a while later, and the silence was broken. “Let’s give her our gift now before everyone gets here,” Mother told my father.
“Shouldn’t we wait for Adam?” he asked.
Mother had always been the one to give out gifts early and not keep secrets until Christmas morning. I imagined the wait for today had been especially hard on her being that we had been living together for the past couple of weeks.
“He’ll be here soon enough and Alicia can tell him all about it. Besides, if she doesn’t like it, then it will be easier to exchange if Adam hasn’t yet seen it.”
Daddy laughed. “You just can’t stand the waiting, that’s all,” he said to my mother. She nodded in agreement.
“Yes, that’s true. We’ve already been waiting for some time. Let’s give it to her now.”
My father got up and went over to the tree. He rummaged around for a moment and came back with a white and gold envelope. He handed it to me and said, “Promise me before you open it that if you don’t like the gift, the idea of the gift, or think we’re being intrusive you’ll tell me.”
“I promise,” I told him. I had no clue what it could be. I took the envelope and slid the sealed portion open with my finger. As I pulled open the envelope a document came into view. It said “Deed of Trust” across the top, and listed both mine and Adam’s names under heading “owner/s”.
“Oh, my,” was all I could manage to get out when I realized what it was, “This is way too much, we can’t accept this,” I said to my parents.
“Don’t be silly,” Mother said. “Of course you can accept it. It’s what parents do and it made us very happy to do it. Look it over and take Adam out to look at it and if it is not what you both want, we will make other arrangements.”
I was holding in my hand a deed of trust to a home and the five acres that surrounded it. I couldn’t believe my parents had done this. There was a picture of the house in the envelope. I looked at it once and then again. It was almost identical to the home I had dreamt Adam and I lived in with our children. I got up and threw my arms around my mother first, almost knocking her over. She hugged me back tighter than she usually did. I let go of her at last and hugged my father.
“I don’t even know what to say, thank you.”
“Take Adam out to look at it. If it’s not perfect for you both, let us know, we mean it. Your home has to be special to you. It’s another part of a good marriage, stability.”
“I will,” I said with tears of happiness in my eyes. I couldn’t wait to tell Adam. I knew he would be as happy as I was.
CHAPTER EIGHT
ADAM
Christmas came and went in the blink of an eye. I was at the office the day after Christmas and still in a mild state of shock over what Alicia’s parents had done for us. I tried to tell them both that it was too much, but they insist that it’s ours and they won’t take it back. It looks perfect in the photo we have of it, but I couldn’t wait to see it in person. Alicia and I were driving up tomorrow afternoon while her parents spent the afternoon with some friends at their club.
Today, I was stuck in meetings all day. The first one found me and Mac locked up in his office with Kyla, Nico and three paralegals. We were drawing up motions for the civil trial and making sure that we’d collected copies of everything we could to replace what was taken in the robbery. I felt like I was seeing double by the time we broke for lunch at noon, but I was in the middle of a brief and I didn’t want to stop. I told the rest of them to go on and I’d step out and get a sandwich or something later. Knowing me the way that she does, Marie didn’t wait for me to go out and get my own lunch. She appeared at the edge of my desk with a sandwich and chips and a cup of coffee. She sat them down in front of me and I said,
“Thank you, Marie. I have no idea what I would do without you.”
“Sir, I’m not sure you could do it without me,” she said with a wink.
“I think you’re right, Marie,” I agreed as I took a sip of my coffee. I sat it down and once again said, “I think you’re right.”
“Miss Winston came in a little bit ago. She’s in her office. She asked me not to disturb you, but if you took a break she’d like to see you.”
“Thank you, Marie.”
“You’re welcome, sir, and don’t forget, you really would never survive without me.”
I laughed. “I know I wouldn’t.”
After Marie left, I ate my sandwich and finished my coffee, all the while reading the files in front of me. I went into the executive washroom and brushed by teeth before heading down the hall to find Alicia. Carla was still on vacation for the holidays so there was no one at her desk. I tapped softly on Alicia’s door before hearing, “Come in.”
“Hey,” she said, standing up from behind her desk,
“Hey, yourself, I thought you were taking the day off?”
“I tried,” Alicia said with a tired smile. “Jack showed up and ruined my mood.”
“What?” I said, suddenly alarmed, “While you were alone? What did he want?”
She went around the desk and put her hand on his arm. “I’m okay, you can calm down. Let’s sit and I’ll tell you about it.” We went over and sat on the sofa and she said, “First of all, please don’t be mad but I talked to Kyla
last night about Jack. I didn’t tell her why, but I told her he wasn’t the right man for her. She trusts me and because of that, she told him she didn’t want to keep seeing him.”
“I’m not mad,” I told her honestly. I actually prefer Kyla know something if it kept her away from him. “He’s pissed?”
“Yeah.
“He came to the door this morning when my parents’ were out and when I opened it, he pushed his way in. He asked if I said something to Kyla about him. I was caught off-guard because I knew Kyla would never tell him anything I said. I played dumb and he said she just abruptly broke things off and he suspected it was because I said something. He scared me, not because of anything he said or did; it was the way he was looking at me. I told him to leave and he finally did. The FBI agent from downstairs checked in on me and I told him I was fine and he said he’d watch out for him and not let him up again.”
“I want to punch the S.O.B. in the mouth.” My fists were clenching on their own. If he’d been there right then, I don’t think I could have controlled myself.
“Me, too,” she smiled and went on, “But we can’t so I say we put our energy to better use.”
My cock twitched in my pants and I smiled and said, “What did you have in mind?”
She looked at her new watch and said, “That all depends on how much time you have, and how you feel about this couch.”
I jumped up and almost ran to lock the door. I came back and took her into my arms, kissing her full on the mouth and massaging the small of her back with my fingertips. She responded with a moan that only egged me on. In one swift motion I had her blouse unbuttoned and the snap that held her bra released. I kissed her neck, paying special attention the side just below her right ear where I knew she loved it.
While I did that, she wrapped her fingers through my thick hair. I used my lips and tongue on her flesh until she was biting her lip to keep from screaming. She didn’t cry out and let whoever might be in the office today know what was going on inside her office.
I pulled away from her and got undressed and then I spread my shirt out on the couch and sat on it. I pulled her down so she was sitting backwards on my lap facing away from me. She used her legs to push herself up and I took my hot cock in my hand and rubbed it against her sensitive, wet bud. She was biting her lip hard and whimpering.
It didn’t take long before she was coming with a silent scream and it didn’t take much longer for me to follow. When we both calmed down, I let her off of my lap and she turned around and folded her body into mine.
“I hate this, but I have to get back to work.”
I smiled. “I know, baby. Me, too.” We stood to gather our clothes and I looked down at the couch and said, “Maybe you should have that couch cleaned before we open back up for business after the holidays.” She laughed and I grabbed her again for another kiss. This one was long and deep and our tongues tangled up in a sexy dance. God, I love kissing her.
When we broke the kiss I said, “Don’t clean it just yet. I want to do that again.” We started to kiss again when my phone rang. I didn’t want to answer it, but finally I slid my finger across the screen and put it to my ear.
“Hey, bro, what’s up?” I brought my finger to my lips and then pressed the speaker button.
“Hey, Alex, what’s up?” The nonchalant sound of his voice pissed me off. I was still trying to process his involvement in all of this.
“Sorry, did I catch you at a bad time?” Alex asked.
“No, just taking a short break from work and have to get back in a few.”
“Well, first off, I wanted to thank you for the Giant’s tickets. I’m so stoked, you have to go with me, Okay?”
“I’ll have to see what’s going on here at work and let you know,” I said, trying not to let the disdain come through in my tone.
“Okay, secondly, I was wondering if you and Alicia would like to have dinner Saturday night? My parents will be in town. We’d love to see you, and I’d love for them to meet Alicia.”
I had a good relationship with Alex’s parents. It made me really sad to think of how crushed they would be when it came out that the son they were so proud of was nothing more than a crook. I looked at Alicia and she shrugged as if to tell me it was my decision. I sighed inwardly and told Alex,
“Sure, I’d love to see your parents. Where and what time?”
“At my place, say seven?”
“Okay, see you then,” I said before hanging up. Alicia put her arms back around me and laid her head on my chest.
“I know how hard this thing with Alex is hard on you. I’m sorry.”
I only nodded and held her for a few more minutes. Looking at my watch, I said, “I guess I should get back.”
“Thank you for lunch,” Alicia said with a smile.
I grinned at her. “Best lunch I’ve ever had.”
CHAPTER NINE
ALICIA
I was nervous about this dinner with Alex and his parents, mostly because the nervous energy coming off of Adam on the drive over was so thick in the car that you could cut it with a knife. When we pulled up in front of Alex’s big three-story house, I stopped Adam from opening the car door and asked him, “Are you okay?”
He nodded and started to get out again. I stopped him again. “Adam, words please. Can you do this, babe?”
“Yeah, baby,” he said. His voice was hoarse. I wasn’t so sure that he could pull this off, but before I could object again he was out of the car. He came around and opened my door but didn’t meet my eyes as he took my hand and led me up to the front door. I saw his hand tremble as he raised it up to knock. This was tearing him up and because of that, it was killing me. We’d gone to look at our own new house the night before. It was amazing and I loved it. Adam said he did, too, but he was so anxious about this dinner today that he couldn’t work up any enthusiasm for anything else.
“Hey! There they are.” Alex opened the front door. He was dressed casually in a golf shirt and jeans and he was wearing an apron. He grasped Adam’s hand and shook it hard and then leaned in and kissed my cheek. I felt nauseous at his touch, but tried to keep a neutral expression. “Come on in, guys. I’m so glad you could make it.”
I smiled at him because Adam wasn’t and I wanted to draw attention away from him. “Thank you for having us. Adam’s been excited about seeing your parents.”
“They’re excited to see you, too, buddy.” Adam finally managed a smile.
“Yeah, thanks,” he said. Alex led us into the den where there was an older couple waiting. They both got to their feet and Alex’s dad, who he introduced as Bill, enveloped Adam in a big hug. His mother hugged him, too, and then they both shook my hand.
“Adam you look great!” Mr. Fritz told him. “It’s so good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too, Bill. Suzie, you look as beautiful as ever.” The older lady blushed red.
“You always were a sweet-talker,” she said. “So, Alicia, you’re from England?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“No ma’am, I’m Suzie. Can I get you two something to drink?”
“I got it, Mom. Have a seat.” Alex excused himself and came back with a carafe of coffee. “If you want something stiffer help yourself to the bar,” he told them. “I’m going to finish up dinner.”
“Do you need help?” I asked.
“Nope, you all stay out of my kitchen,” he said with a grin. “It’s almost finished.” Adam and Mr. Fritz fell into easy conversation and Mrs. Fritz turned to me and said,
“Alex tells me you’re getting married on Valentine’s Day?”
I smiled. One thing I loved talking about was marrying Adam. “Yes, at the Plaza. I’m really excited.”
“Good, it will be here before you know it. Mr. Fritz and I have been married thirty-five years this month.”
“Congratulations, that’s amazing.” I found out that she was easy to talk to. She wanted to hear all about our plans for the wedding. She seemed s
incere in her praise and offered up a few tips of her own.
“Where are the two of you planning to honeymoon?”
“You know, that is the one detail that we haven’t discussed yet,” I told her.
“You should go to Hawaii,” Mrs. Fritz told her, “That’s where Alex’s father and I honeymooned. It was so lovely.”
“It does sound lovely,” I told her, “I’ve never been there.”
“We stayed in Oahu. It’s a beautiful island. The water in the ocean there is warm all the time, and so clear you can watch the fish swim by.”
“That would definitely be a nice change from the cold, dirty water we have here in New York, wouldn’t it?” I told her with a grin.
“Yes, dear, you would just love it. Waikiki is another beautiful place.”
I listened with sincere interest as Mrs. Fritz described the islands to in vivid detail. I was about to ask her how long it had been since they’d been there, when suddenly, all hell broke loose.
From outside of the house came a piercing scream. It sounded human and male, but when I went over the details of the night later with the police and in my own head I couldn’t have sworn to either. Before anyone could react to that, however, the front door crashed in and two large men dressed all in black and wearing nylon masks over their faces burst inside.
“What the hell is going on here?” Mr. Fritz said, surprising them all by rushing towards the men.
“Dad, no!” Alex yelled as he was just coming into the room from the kitchen. The men were huge, and both were armed. He tried to grab for his father, but he was too late. One of the men swung his overly muscled arm out like a clothesline, striking the older man in the head and knocking him to the floor. Alex was pushed backwards and caught himself on a chair to keep from also tumbling to the floor.
Suzie Fritz screamed and Alex went over to her and held her back gently, but firmly as she tried to go to her husband. “You can’t help him if you get hurt yourself,” I heard him whisper to her.
