Glass Ceilings

by A. m Madden

  My family sat quietly, continuing to process the news in their own ways.

  “We dumped a lot on you guys, but there’s one more thing we wanted to tell you.”

  “Isn’t the fact I have a grandson I didn’t know about enough?” Dad quipped.

  Ignoring him, I added, “Angela and I are planning on getting married soon. I want my son to have my name.”

  “Alone? Without your family?” my mother asked desperately. She twisted her hands nervously on her lap, making me feel guilty for denying her the traditions she valued so much in life.

  “Yes. I’m sorry you all can’t be here, but we want to do it sooner than later. We’ll find a way to properly celebrate with you all down the road. Please know that I love Angela, and she loves me. Together we know we made mistakes, and we forgave each other for them. The most important thing to us is moving forward with our son.”

  “We love you, Nick. You know we do. If you’re happy, then we’re happy.”

  Reaching over, I skimmed my hand over Angela’s face. Her eyes shimmered with emotion and she closed them as she leaned into my touch. I turned back to the screen and said, “I’m very happy, Mom.”

  “I can see that, son. I can tell.”

  I texted pictures of Nicholas to Michelle’s phone, and watched while my mom sobbed tears of joy as she stared at my son’s face. Them seeing him for the first time, brought on even more heart-wrenching emotions.

  The pictures turned the awkward call into one filled with laughter and promises that they’d be back to New York sooner than originally planned to meet them both, Michelle included.

  When I finally hung up, Angela visibly relaxed beside me. I pulled her onto my lap, gently pushing her hair behind one ear while gazing into her eyes.

  In spite of how difficult that conversation was, I felt so much lighter now that they knew it all…except for the part regarding Ronnie and his murder.

  “Baby, all things considered, it really went well.”

  “They think I’m an awful person. I shouldn’t be upset by it, but I so desperately want for them to forgive me.”

  “They will. I promise they will. The worst is over.”

  “Nick, you didn’t have to say that.”

  I knew immediately what she was referring to. “Yes, I did. They don’t know what drove you to make your decisions, and it’s not fair to let them think you alone were to blame. I should’ve fought harder for you.”

  “I love you,” she said before leaning closer to kiss me softly.

  The kiss quickly morphed into an all-consuming act of need. Between the relief of telling my family and the fact that Nicholas was sleeping fitfully, my libido no longer wanted to be patient and made no secret that it wanted to be acknowledged.

  Maintaining some semblance of control while kissing her quickly became impossible. When we both paused to take in a much-needed breath, the familiar electric tether stretched between our gazes causing the air to crackle around us.

  “Fuck, Angela,” I huffed, desperately trying to calm a carnal need to literally consume her whole. Her shocked expression from seeing me fly up off the futon turned into a grin when she realized why I had. With lightning speed, I pulled on her hand, forcing her to stand beside me. Unfolding her makeshift bed, I then lifted her and placed her in the center of it.

  My eyes locked on hers as I hovered above her. Remnants of her tears left moisture around her eyes. Using my thumbs, I dried them before bending to kiss her. Her chest rising and falling rapidly captured my attention. I felt her eyes on me as I slowly lifted her shirt until it exposed her breasts. They filled the cups of her lace bra so perfectly that it looked like the fabric was custom made to mold over them. The need to have her pulsed violently within, but the need to savor her won the battle.

  With one fingertip, I followed the swell of her breast taking the lace fabric down with it. A small gasp flittered through the air when the same fingertip traced across her pebbled nipple. Circling around it slowly, it grew further beneath my touch. As I bent my head closer a single freckle that I hadn’t noticed before caught my eye. I kissed it softly before moving to the left to take her into my mouth.

  Instantly her fingers found my hair in a desperate hold. Each time I sucked, she’d buck beneath me. Each time I sucked, my cock would buck inside my jeans.

  I needed all of her skin against mine. Piece by piece I removed her clothes until she lay completely naked looking absolutely beautiful. Through hooded eyes she watched me take off my own clothes before lying beside her to resume just where I left off. Her breasts, her lips, and her pussy were all places I needed to taste. Her smooth skin, her warmth, and her wetness were all things I needed to touch.

  Pinning her with my gaze, my cock hardened from the change in her expression when I slipped a finger inside her. It was clear that she had drifted off someplace distant, maybe even someplace dark and erotic at the touch of my hand.

  She opened her eyes to witness my own provocative stare. The color of her eyes darkened from her dilated pupils. Just as I felt her clenching around my fingers, she gripped my head to take my mouth down to hers. With each pulse of her orgasm, she thrust her tongue further into my mouth.

  Not allowing her body to calm, I broke the kiss and shifted until my face met the apex of her thighs. Her skin was smooth, warm, and intoxicating. She moaned loudly when I dragged my tongue over her slowly, repeatedly. Her previous orgasm caused tiny aftershocks to continue beneath my lips. Each flick of my tongue had them intensifying. Sucking on her forcibly had them exploding into another demanding release.

  She smiled lazily when I moved up to lie beside her. Not one word was exchanged between us, yet an entire conversation occurred. By staring into her eyes, I confirmed how much I needed her, and by staring into mine she said the same. Leisurely, I kissed her over and over. With each kiss, I was telling her how much I cherished her, and she was telling me she’d never let me go again.

  I hitched her leg over my hip and silently slid into her warmth. Not wanting to break the connection, we barely blinked as we made love. I started out slowly, wanting to feel every sensation with every drag in and out of her. The feeling of her surrounding me was not one I’d ever tire of. The scent of her skin, the taste of her lips sparked a deep-rooted need to claim her release.

  Without conscious thought, I quickened my pace while my hand skimmed over her smooth skin. When I covered her mouth with mine, and rolled my tongue over hers, I could barely hold back any longer.

  Pulling away, I pleaded, “Come for me, Angela. I’m there.”

  The moment I touched her clit, I could feel her beginning to clench around me.

  “Fuck,” I said as her walls gripped me forcing an explosive release. She came seconds later, grabbing my head as she did and crushing her lips to mine. Through that kiss, she swallowed my moans as well as every ounce of love I felt for her.

  Chapter 31

  Nick

  After the phone call to my parents, we paid a visit to hers the following day. Telling our story over the phone was nothing compared to doing so face-to-face. Gauging facial expressions, body language, and pained reactions was something I was used to, but seeing them from people who were entwined with the woman I loved was not a pleasant experience. It should have been easier telling Angela’s parents than mine since they knew about me. They were prepared, warned about our past, whereas my family had no idea that Angela had ever been in my life.

  I never shared that with them after leaving Chicago. I intended to, wanting to wait until I saw them to break the news that their son had finally found someone who actually meant something to him. Once we broke up, I never saw the point.

  Her family, on the other hand, knew the entire story…except for how we reconnected. Luca hid Ronnie’s murder, his involvement with David, and even Angela being questioned by the FBI. She worried about the web of lies that stretched from corner to corner around us. I told her it was a necessity, for now. As long as we were honest with each o
ther, the rest would eventually work itself out.

  The hardest part for my parents was learning they had a grandson. The hardest part for hers was learning we were getting married in a few days. Her mother did everything in her power to try to convince us to wait, including begging. Angela held her ground, insisting we needed to do this now, and we’d find a way to properly mark the event later.

  They simply couldn’t understand the rush, and I couldn’t blame them. We said it was my issue, and that being away from my son was what was behind my need to bind us as soon as possible. It was then, and only then, that they finally accepted our plan.

  When the dust settled, the visit became a touch more pleasurable. I say a touch because the dark cloud that hovered was the sore subject of David. Still not a word had been heard on his whereabouts, and her parents had no knowledge of Ronnie’s murder.

  Trying to be the voice of reason, I offered scenarios that involved his last deployment and possibly the Army needing him to help in a sensitive case. I reminded them that no news was good news. My explanation was enough to supply my future in-laws with some hope that he was indeed okay.

  We had one more thing we needed to accomplish before getting married, and that was to tell Eve and Jase that we were indeed getting married.

  —

  Our license was approved a few days ago, and we could have gotten married at city hall on Halloween.

  “You can’t get married on Halloween!” Eve barked, with her hands on her hips and the evilest glare I’d ever seen.

  “Why not?”

  “Because.” She focused her ire on me, and I actually cowered behind Angela. “Jase and I may have eloped, but at least it was romantic. I’ll be damned before I let my cousin get married in an awful civil ceremony.”

  Angela was emotionally exhausted, and complacency may be the only reason why we listened to her crazy cousin.

  So, instead of trudging down to city hall that day, we dressed Nicholas in a tiny policeman costume—my suggestion—and spent the morning watching him wobble along in his daycare parade. Later that day, we drove to Jersey to help his grandparents hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. My son had a ball. I sent pictures of him to my mom, who instantly cried at the sight of her grandson looking just as I had when I was younger.

  Overall, it was a great day, and I had Eve to thank for it.

  My appreciation toward her faded quickly when she proceeded to drive us nuts for the next several days. Angela and I gave her carte blanche, in exchange for peace and quiet.

  Central Park became our wedding backdrop. Instead of Jase and Eve as our witnesses in a cold, clinical room while a judge married us, we had Jase, Eve, Angela’s parents, Ben, Ella, Nicholas, and a minister all there to bear witness.

  Eve insisted I invite Ben and Ella to represent my family who couldn’t be there. She arranged every detail, from the dress Angela wore, to the photographer capturing our day, down to the black slacks and white button-down shirt both my son and I sported. Shit, she even had an iPad set to Skype with my parents and sister watching the whole ceremony from California.

  Somewhere in the past few days our wedding went from a task to an event, and now, seeing Angela for the first time looking so absolutely beautiful, made me thankful for the control freak known as Eve.

  As I stared across the green lawn where she slowly walked toward me on her father’s arm, I couldn’t believe what was about to happen. In a few minutes, she’d be mine, Nicholas would be mine, and I’d do everything in my power to make them happy and keep them safe.

  And there I stood on the third of November, waiting to marry Angela Cavello. The gold, red, and orange leaves on the trees lining the patch of park where we stood created the perfect landscape for her.

  There was plenty of noise surrounding us. The violinist Eve hired played a soothing melody, kids laughed in the distance, dogs barked, yet I barely heard any of it. Even as Nicholas’s adorable voice called for his mama, all I could hear was the sound of my heartbeat in my ears.

  The park was crowded, everyone trying to enjoy every last bit of the beautiful autumn weather before winter hit hard. A small crowd gathered around the perimeter, watching with smiles as our lives were about to become one.

  My father-in-law shook my hand then turned to kiss his daughter’s cheek. Before Angela took her place beside me, she took Nicholas from her mother’s arms and carried him to where I stood.

  “You look stunning,” I said, taking her hand in mind. Her hair was long and loose, falling around her slim shoulders in silky waves. The red-apple shade of lipstick that she wore made her lips look completely edible. Her ivory velvet dress hugged every curve of her body, making her skin look creamy in contrast. Around her neck hung a delicate green pendant the exact same shade as her eyes.

  Fuck, she was so beautiful.

  As she smiled warmly, her bottom lip trembled ever so slightly from the onslaught of emotions that must have hit. The enormity of what was about to occur was also hitting me hard in much the same way. Flexing my fingers tightly around hers I winked while gently wiping away a stray tear that slowly rolled over her flushed cheek.

  From Angela’s arms Nicholas stretched his little body into mine. Taking him into my arms with Angela beside me under the massive oak tree, I anxiously waited for the minister to legally marry us.

  My son fussed with my boutonniere during our simple and traditional vows. We exchanged bands, mine plain platinum and Angela’s lined with diamonds. She’d argued with me in the jewelry store, but I won. Until I got her a proper engagement ring, this wedding band would be the only thing representing my feelings for her. Call me sentimental—who knew?

  During the rest of the ceremony, my son stole the show. As the minister pronounced us husband and wife, he latched onto my nose, and when I leaned in to kiss his mother, he intercepted my kiss, causing our guests to laugh through their clapping and cheers.

  Angela kissed him next, and then passed him back to her mom so she could gift me with my own proper, uninterrupted kiss.

  “I love you, Mrs. Farley,” I said against her lips.

  “I’m pretty sure that I love you more, Mr. Farley.”

  “Game on.”

  Eve was the first to intrude on our moment, and the rest of our friends and family soon followed. Good wishes, hugs, kisses, and chatter caused a commotion around us. I stood beside Angela as she smiled her way through them all.

  The crowd that had watched our ceremony slowly dispersed, some calling out congratulations as they walked away.

  In the distance, a man standing under a tree caught my attention. He didn’t seem the type to care that there was a wedding occurring in the park. Something looked familiar about him. A severe muscular build and the way he remained rooted in place with his hands shoved deep into his pockets made me suspicious. Dark sunglasses, a hoodie he wore over his head, and dark clothing made him look completely out of place.

  Angela came closer and said, “Ready to take some pictures?”

  I peeled my eyes away from the stranger to look at my wife. “Absolutely.” By the time I looked back, the man was gone.

  —

  Eve and Jase had our guests back to their place for a casual reception. Servers offered trays upon trays of elegant hors d’oeuvres. A bartender filled all requests. There were eight of us milling around their apartment, but the food and drink available could easily have fed dozens.

  My personal life couldn’t have been better. Each day that passed brought us closer and closer. Spending these days with her, and with my son, was a precious gift, and the only upside of my leave of absence.

  However, David’s disappearance weighed heavy on my mind, especially after seeing that man in the park. I’d seen pictures of David, but had no way of being sure if that was him.

  The day prior, while Angela and Eve were busy with last-minute details for the wedding, I tried to hack into one of the programs we often used at headquarters, but no such luck. My access was stalled when my
leave of absence began. All I was able to find on him was his credit card transaction that placed him right here in New York City just before Ronnie’s murder. If I could find it, the Feds could as well. That meant nothing, as he could’ve been long gone. If it wasn’t David in the park, the alternative of who it could’ve been was even scarier.

  Why the fuck was he hiding, or the better yet from whom?

  “I love Ben and Ella,” Angela said, breaking into my thoughts.

  “Yeah, they’re great. They’ve been through so much, I’m glad to see them so happy.”

  “She invited us over for dinner. Ella and I have a lot in common, sort of.”

  I glanced down at her, meeting her eyes. “You do, the most common being how much your husbands love you.”

  My words caused a smile to spread over her lips. “Kiss me, Mr. Farley.”

  “You don’t have to ask me twice, Mrs. Farley.” I tapped her glass with mine before crushing my lips against hers.

  “Oh good,” Eve interrupted. “This would be a great time to give you our wedding present.”

  Angela pulled away and laughed when she saw my pout. “You guys did enough already,” she said to her cousin.

  “Blah, blah. Jase, come here.”

  “Wha?” he asked, with a mouth full of food.

  Eve waited until he stepped closer, and presented us with a plain white envelope.

  “What’s this?”

  “Open it.”

  Angela opened the flap to reveal a hotel room key. She turned it over, reading out loud, “The Plaza?”

  “Yep.”

  Imagery of Angela and me alone together at The Plaza for a whole night excited me more than I cared to divulge in a room full of guests.