“Nothing’s bothering me,” I claim.
Cece nods with a cocky grin. “I’ll just take this outside.”
“Thanks,” I saw with a smile, hoping that she won’t push the subject for the rest of the day.
The party goes rather smoothly. The few town’s people we invited over are old friends of the family along with a few of the newer people who have young children. Henry Jr. is still the youngest, but only by two years. Half the time, the adults are standing or sitting in lawn chairs that circle around the kiddie pool we bought. It’s deep enough for the kids to splash and sit in and nowhere near capable of making it possible for any of them to drown.
Papa tends to the grill, not letting Henry play with his new toy that he just bought this last week. Henry knows how to use it because he’s insisted on cooking dinner every night on it. I have to admit, I was a little nervous at first, but by the second meal, he had the hang of it.
All of the friends Henry and I had since we were little, who still live in town, show up, making the day more fun. We’re able to recount stories and catch up from everything that’s happened over the years since I’ve been gone.
The kids get to splash around and play, popping out to eat for just a few minutes before going back into the pool. All of the adults seem to get along well, discussing different things about life as we monitor the children. Henry Jr. has fun opening a few of his presents, but gets distracted with a water gun that Papa bought for him. The rest of the kids whined for a water gun as well, but luckily Papa had bought extras for the rest of them.
After all the guest leave, It’s just Henry, Henry Jr., Cece, Drew, Grady, and myself at the house. Grady refuses to sleep in his room back at Momma’s, especially with Drew here since things have been going well between them. He says it’s weird to have a boy sleep over in his room with our parents just down the hall even with them knowing and being accepting of his choice.
With Henry Jr. already down for the night, crashing earlier than his usual bedtime due to an exciting day and no nap. I say goodnight to my friends, needing to take a long, hot bath to wind down. Right as I slide into the bubbles, with soft music playing and candles burning all around me, the bathroom door creaks open. I don’t bother opening my eyes, knowing that it’s Henry. I pretend that I can’t hear him, wanting peace to wash over me and to soothe the tension out of my body.
“Hey,” I whine as I feel the water slosh around.
“I couldn’t resist,” Henry claims. “You look so sexy in here.”
“I just want some time to relax from today,” I inform, shifting since he’s insisting on staying in the tube with me.
Henry takes a hold of my right leg, sliding his fingers from just above my knee slowly down to my toes. His fingers start to massage my feet, so I offer my praises by moaning softly. When he switches to massage my other foot, he inquires, “Why don’t you want to have any more kids?”
“I didn’t say that,” I remark as my stomach flips.
“Well…you said something to that effect,” Henry claims.
I evade his eyes, hoping he’ll drop the subject.
“Do you not want any more kids?” Henry asks.
“At some point,” I confirm.
“Just not right now?” he checks.
I nod.
“Why not?” he pushes.
“I just don’t,” I say, hoping that he’ll accept that as an answer.
Henry shifts closer, draping my legs over his hips. “What’s wrong, Firefly?” he asks, kissing me.
“Nothing,” I lie.
“Bullshit,” he chuckles. “Tell me, please. I’m sure I’ll understand.”
“It’s nothing,” I return, shaking my head slightly.
Henry takes a hold of my neck, keeping me steady as he studies me. “You’re scared.”
“Of what?” I reply, deflecting his words.
A soft, sweet smile pops on his face. “Me…you…us.” His fingers caress the side of my face. “You think things can’t be good between us…like there’s always going to be something to ruin it all.”
“No,” I deny.
Henry presses his lips to mine. “Ain’t nothing happening, Firefly,” he claims. “I promise.”
“You can’t promise anything,” I counter.
Henry shifts again, forcing me to hold on to his shoulders so I don’t fall off his lap. When we’re settled, my heart leaps into my throat. My eyes dart back and forth between his face and the box that rests between his fingers.
“I can promise anything and everything,” Henry states. “I can make promises and vows that I couldn’t make when I was still a boy.”
My mouth opens to say something but just hangs there.
“I didn’t always do right by a lot of things, by you or by me,” Henry continues. “Despite all that shit, I’m grateful for where it’s led me. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it hadn’t happened. I don’t regret one moment of it and neither should you.”
A small smile starts to creep onto my face as I bit my lip.
“I know what I want in life, Ivy Lynn Abney,” Henry declares. “I want you. I want my son. I want you both in my life for the rest of the time I’m alive. If things ever need to change, I’ll accept that change as long as it means you both are with me.” Henry’s eyes redden a little. “I meant everything I’ve said since you’ve come back to me. I love you, Ivy. Will you marry me?”
Warm tears spring from my eyes like a hot Georgia rain. My head bobs as my body shakes. Unable to wait for him to open the box, my lips crash down onto his as my body curls more tightly around him.
“Yes,” I breathe out. “Yes.”
Henry chuckles as he kisses me back. “Don’t you want to see the ring first?”
“Nope,” I admit. “I don’t need to see what it looks like. It doesn’t matter. Just you and our family matter.”
“Can having another kid be put back on the table?” Henry pries.
My face falls a little.
“What’s wrong?” Henry searches nervously. “If you’re not ready, I’ll understand. I just want to….”
“It’s not that,” I preface nervously.
“Then what is it?” he checks.
“We can’t put it back on the table,” I state.
Henry’s expression saddens. “You’re not able to,” he presumes.
“No,” I inform.
He furrows a brow. “Then what? My soldiers shot right the first time. I’m sure they’re still good.”
I giggle timidly. “It’s not that either,” I reply.
“Then, what is it?” Henry pushes. “Are you sick? I’ll take care of you. We’ll do whatever it takes just to make sure you’re good. We don’t have to have another kid. I just don’t want to lose….”
“Henry,” I interrupt, placing my hand over his mouth. “Let me answer.”
Henry nods.
I remove my hand and look down, trying to find the courage to say what I need to say. “The idea of having a baby can’t be put on the table because…because it’s already on the table,” I reveal.
It takes Henry a few long seconds to process my words. Then, a widening smile smears across his face. “You mean, you’re already pregnant?” he checks.
I smile and nod. “Yep,” I confirm.
“How?” he asks.
“Well gee, think of all the times we’ve had sex since I got back,” I say sarcastically.
After a slight pause, Henry’s got me pressed against the back of the tub, kissing me as if we haven’t seen each other in years. He’s forceful, yet soft enough to allow all of his emotions through with each touch. By the time we finish having sex, half of the water that was in the tub with us is all over the floor.
38 Henry
I wasn’t nervous about anything today until I saw her walking down the aisle. My heart stopped for several long beats as I took in the sight of her. Ivy’s always been beautiful in anything she wears, but today, she’s the most beautiful woman in t
he universe because she’s marrying me and carrying our next child.
At first, Ivy wanted to wait until the baby was born, but it didn’t take long to convince her to do it sooner. There was no point in waiting, and I think it calmed her nerves and made it more real knowing that she wasn’t going to be unmarried when she gave birth. She wouldn’t confirm it, but Cece lead on to that being a possibility.
We spent the last two months planning a small wedding to have with close friends and family. I insisted on having it at the Firefly Resort’s main lodge, outside in the gardens. Everything else, Ivy could decide upon and I would not interfere. I offered to help in any way she wanted, but I wouldn’t make a decision. I’d tell her what I did like, but Ivy had final say.
“Mama’s coming,” Henry Jr. tells me.
I look down and smile at him. “Yes, she is,” I confirm, fighting to hold back tears.
Henry Jr. raises his arms, indicating that he wants me to pick him up.
“Please,” I prompt to get him to use his words.
“Pwease, Dada,” he replies.
“You want a better look at Mama as she walks toward us?” I ask him.
“Yeah,” he agrees.
Our gaze shifts to Ivy who’s halfway toward us.
“Why you cry?” Henry Jr. asks as he touches a tear on my cheek.
“Because, Mama looks so beautiful,” I say.
“Mama looks booful,” Henry Jr. confirms.
I nod as my son and I watch Ivy, not taking our eyes off of her.
“Mama booful,” Henry Jr. states when Ivy gets a few feet away.
Ivy smiles and kisses his cheek. “Thank you, sweetheart,” Ivy replies.
“My Firefly,” I sigh, taking her hand and kissing it.
Ivy’s cheeks flush as her smile widens.
“Firefy,” Henry Jr. repeats.
My eyes trail down her body, enjoying how she’s picked a dress that accentuates her breasts nicely. They’ve gotten bigger already. Then, my gaze moves a little further south, resting on the little bump that is already emerging in her belly.
“How are you feeling?” I ask lowly in her ear as the officiant speaks.
“Good,” she replies.
“You look beyond beautiful,” I inform.
“You look rather good yourself,” she replies with a grin.
“There are so many things I want to do to you in that dress,” I declare.
“Henry Lee Rein,” she scolds quietly through a clenched jaw, gently smacking my arm.
I can’t help but chuckle.
The officiant continues and when it comes time for the rings, I pass Henry Jr. off to Davis, my brother and best man, who then hands him off to Grady. Davis hands me the ring, and I take a deep breath to steady my nerves before I say my own vows.
“Ivy,” I sigh, getting myself ready to say what I’ve memorized. “In front of all of our friends and family, I choose you, our son, and soon to be nugget. I promise to always love all three of you, no matter what life throws at us. I promise that I will always fight for us, protect us, bet there for you, all of you, when you need me. You have taught me so much, through all the happiness and pain, on what it means to be myself and to become the person I choose to be. I will choose to lead each day with love, hope, and happiness, knowing that those things are what matter most for all of eternity. I love you, Ivy Lynn.”
Tears trickle past Ivy’s face. She takes a lace thing from Cece and dabs her eyes. “We’ve been through a lot,” Ivy begins, choking up on her words. “More than I would have liked…but, I would do it all over again as long as it brings us here today, together with those we love. You’ve had my heart before I even knew what love was. You continued to have it even when I pushed you away. I’m so grateful that you didn’t give up on me…on us. I promise to always lead with love in my heart for you and our children. I promise to fight for you…for us…by your side every day. I choose you and I’m so glad that you, Henry Jr., and this little nugget chose me. I love you, Henry Lee.”
“By the power granted to me by the great state of Georgia,” the officiant states. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your groom.”
Ivy giggles as she yanks on my tie, pulling me into her for a kiss.
I wouldn’t be surprised if she asked him to say that, but it doesn’t matter.
The world around us fades into the background as I kiss my wife, Mrs. Ivy Lynn Rein for the first time. “I love you,” I hum into her mouth.
“I love you,” she replies with a smile.
“You can’t get rid of me now,” I tease.
“I don’t plan on it,” Ivy replies. “Not anytime soon.”
“Good,” I muse, holding her tighter.
Book mentioned in HGR
The book read by Ivy in this story, “The Divorce,” is a heart-wrenchingly amazing story written by an equally amazing author, Nicole Strycharz. I’ve read almost all of her books and it’s wonderful to see how her story telling has developed. Aside from the fact that she’s an awesome friend and author, I highly recommend reading her books. You can find her bewitching stories on many retail sites that range from historical romance, to contemporary romance, and even a few fantasy novellas.
Also by Martha Sweeney
The Just Breathe Series
Breathe In
Breathe Out
Just Breathe
Bookish: Adult Coloring Book
Because Beards - anthology
One Kiss
The Killmore Series
Killmore
The Killmores (coming 2017-18)
The Red Knight Series
Knight Takes Pawn
Pawn to King (coming 2018)
Queen Takes King (coming 2018-19)
Love Happens - anthology
Wild Pumpkin
Hot Georgia Rein
About the Author
Martha Sweeney is an Amazon Best-Selling author who writes in a variety of genres: romance, suspense, thriller, coloring books, and soon into romantic comedy and science fiction. She strives to push herself as a storyteller with each new tale and hopes to push her readers outside of their comfort zone whether it be genre or the stories themselves.
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With a B.S. in Psychology, Martha utilizes her knowledge of human and animal behavior successfully in the business world and in her writing to present realistic characters and situations. She's been creative since she was little, always drawing, coloring or making crafts, so her venture into being an author was a natural transition.
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She lives in sunny California with her husband and enjoys writing poolside most months out of the year.
Connect with Martha Sweeney:
www.marthasweeney.com
[email protected]
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