Learning to Live Again

by Taryn Plendl

  “Are we ready?” Rachel asked the group. Everyone stood and made their way to the doors, shuffling into their coats. The gang was planning on spending New Year’s Eve at a local club, something this Philly group loved to do.

  The walk to the club was brisk, and the excitement of the coming year could almost be felt. A lot had happened in just a little over a week, and Austin couldn’t wait to see where this next year took him.

  The club was hopping by the time they got there. Austin and Trevor secured some seats, while Nick and Tom went and got the drinks. It didn’t take long for the girls to find the dance floor and start their moves, tossing their hair around and smiling.

  “How are you doing, Austin?” Trevor asked as Austin watched Rachel dance and laugh.

  “I’m good … real good.” Austin grinned, and Trevor shook his head.

  “You know, it’s almost time to go home.” Trevor watched Austin closely.

  “I know,” Austin replied.

  “What then?” Trevor followed Austin’s eyes to where his sister was dancing.

  “I don’t know yet. I need to figure some things out, but I can assure you this is not over. Not by a long shot,” Austin confirmed and Trevor nodded, obviously satisfied by his answer.

  Nick and Tom approached with the drinks and headed straight to the dance floor to claim their women. Ava came up, fanning herself. “Wow, it’s hot.” Trevor pulled her down onto his lap. “You’re hot, Mrs. Dawson.” Trevor growled and kissed Ava.

  Austin took that as his queue to leave and went out to the dance floor to claim his own little woman. He moved up behind Rachel and pulled her gently back against his chest. “I could watch you dance all night,” Austin whispered into her ear, causing her to shiver in his arms.

  Rachel turned around and faced him. “I was hoping you’d join me.” She moved closer, pressing herself up against him and frowned.

  “What’s wrong?” Austin asked, confused by her sudden mood change.

  Rachel patted his hip where she had just been pressing. “Where’s your phone?”

  Austin winked. “I haven’t had it on me for days.” He laughed at Rachel’s surprise and then leaned down to kiss her full force on the lips.

  “Keep kissing me like that Mr. Montgomery and we will have to make our way home before midnight.” Rachel giggled.

  “I’m good with that.” Austin chuckled.

  “Come on; let’s at least have one drink.” Rachel pulled him over to the table where the three couples were talking and laughing.

  “This has been the best trip.” Talia leaned into Tom.

  “It really has,” Chelsea agreed as Nick pulled her down onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her.

  Austin looked at Rachel and raised his eyebrows. Rachel nodded and finished her drink. Austin whispered into Talia’s ear,” I’m taking Rachel back. We want a bit of quiet. Let Trevor know she’s okay.” Talia nodded at Austin, and he and Rachel slipped away.

  ***

  Austin shut the door to the condo and turned toward an almost giddy Rachel. “Well, Miss Dawson … what on Earth should we do now?”

  Rachel smiled at him and walked up the stairs to the loft bedroom. Austin followed without question. When they reached the top of the stairs, Rachel turned and unzipped her dress down the side. Austin couldn’t do anything but stare until he watched the garment fall around her feet, finally springing into action.

  Austin pulled Rachel into his arms, kissing her mouth with fiercely intoxicating movements. By the time they separated, Rachel was panting, and Austin was barely controlling his own breathing. “Are you sure?” he asked, pressing his forehead to hers.

  “Very.” Rachel smiled.

  It was all the invitation Austin needed. He reached down and lifted Rachel into his arms, carrying her to the bed and laying her down gently. Austin stepped back and unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it off his shoulders and onto the floor. Next came his pants, and soon he was standing in front of Rachel with nothing but his boxers on and a sure indication of how much he wanted her.

  Rachel lay back, watching him, as she bit her lip in anticipation. They had cuddled and essentially made out like teenagers over the past few days, but seeing her like this blew all that out of the water, and he couldn’t imagine ever wanting anything as much as he wanted Rachel in that very moment.

  Austin leaned down over her, trying not to put too much weight on her, as he recaptured her mouth in an all-consuming kiss. Whatever fragment of control he had went right out the window when Rachel pulled him down hard against her.

  Hands and legs moved sensually over each other, exploring and touching for the first time. Austin groaned when Rachel reached around him and grabbed a hold of his backside, grinding upward. “Holy shit!” Austin gasped before flipping Rachel over so that he lay underneath her now.

  Rachel looked down at him, lips swollen from kissing, face heated and flushed. She was exquisite. Austin had never seen anyone so beautiful. She made his heart swell and beat rapidly. “God, woman! I want you so bad.”

  “What are you waiting for?” Rachel raised her eyebrows. Austin sat up, reaching around her and unfastening her bra, slowly moving it down her arms and tossing it to the floor. Her skin was flushed and flawless. Her breasts were round, full, and flushed. Austin watched as each breath made her chest rise and fall. Austin cupped each breast in his hands, leaning forward, teasing the hardening nipples with a flick of his tongue.

  “Austin!” Rachel tossed her head back and sighed. He pulled her back down, lifting her slightly as he kissed her so that he could slide her panties down her legs. Rachel ran her hands over Austin’s chest, stopping briefly to circle each nipple before proceeding down to the waist of his boxers.

  Austin lifted his hips, allowing Rachel to slip them down his legs where he could kick them off completely. The feel of skin on skin, writhing against one another sent their mutual need into a frenzy.

  “Please, Austin,” Rachel begged.

  Austin rolled Rachel over onto the bed before reaching for his pants, searching for the square package that he had enough sense to put in his pocket earlier, just in case. Austin lay back down, tearing open the package and rolling the condom down his aching shaft with trembling hands.

  Rachel spread her legs, inviting Austin to move between them. He positioned himself at her opening and pressed before guiding himself into her slowly, inch by incredible inch until he was completely buried in her, making his want become a reality.

  Austin’s words were incoherent as Rachel arched her back to take him deeper. Austin rocked inside her over and over. “I’m not going to last long, Rachel,” Austin groaned, barely holding on. “So good.” He continued to move as Rachel rose up to meet his urgent thrusts.

  Rachel cried out his name as uncontrollable, shuddering contractions took over, sending Austin falling over the edge in the longest, hottest release of his life. Several minutes passed as they both tried to catch their breath. Austin finally rolled off Rachel, walked to the bathroom to dispose of the condom, and returned with a warm washcloth to gently clean her before climbing back into bed and pulling her into his arms.

  This was usually the moment when he had the urge to get out of there, and he waited to see if it would happen, but it never came. Austin sighed as he buried his face in Rachel’s neck. “That was incredible,” he mumbled against her skin.

  “Yeah.” Rachel sighed and ran her fingers through Austin’s hair.

  Austin chuckled. “I hope you can’t overdose on smiling, because if you can, I’m doomed.”

  Rachel giggled. “I know, me too.”

  Austin pulled her tighter against him. “Thank you, Rachel.”

  “For what?” Rachel turned her face so she could look at him.

  “For teaching me that you can’t always dwell in the past or look to the future. Sometimes you just have to live in the moment. It takes a strong heart to love, but it takes an even stronger heart to live.” Austin ran his hand over Rachel�
�s short hair, loving the way it felt.

  Rachel leaned up on her elbows and smiled. “Austin?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Here’s to a Happy New Year.” Rachel leaned forward and kissed Austin softly before slipping back into his arms.

  Austin kissed Rachel’s head. “It already is.”

  Epilogue

  Five years later

  The doors to the hospital waiting room opened and shut repeatedly, bringing in people from all walks of life. Rachel leaned in closer to Austin, resting her weight against him. Sensing her restlessness, Austin pulled her to him and rubbed her shoulders.

  It was hard to believe that it had been almost five years since Rachel had come into his life. It had only taken Austin three days after leaving Colorado to know that he needed Rachel in his life on a more permanent basis. They had spent almost a full year commuting back and forth between Philadelphia and New York, until Austin had finally had enough. The following Christmas he proposed to Rachel and then informed her that he had put in for a company transfer to Philadelphia, much to his boss’s dismay.

  They were married just four short months later, and Austin had spent every day of the last four years with Rachel like they were each a precious gift—one he felt so privileged to have received. They had built a life together, traveling and working and spoiling their nephews, as well as Tom and Talia’s boys, and Nick and Chelsea’s girls.

  They were both completely content with their life, and so when Rachel started feeling extremely fatigued and nauseous, it had made her very nervous. When she started waking up with night sweats, she finally told Austin. Rachel called her oncologist who suggested she come in right away for some testing. The wait was excruciating. Austin and Rachel were supposed to meet everyone at Trevor and Ava’s after they received the results.

  “Mrs. Montgomery?” The petite nurse stood in front of them, snapping them both back to the present. Austin stood up and pulled Rachel into his arms.

  “Whatever this is, love, we will get through this together,” Austin spoke softly into Rachel’s ear, causing her to shiver. “Okay?” Rachel nodded and followed the nurse through the door.

  “The doctor will see you now.” She led them both to an office and smiled softly before turning and walking away. Austin knocked. “Please come in, both of you.” The doctor motioned to two seats across from her desk. “Please have a seat. We got the results of your tests and have some things to discuss.” Austin took Rachel’s hand and squeezed it. This was the moment of truth.

  ***

  Austin pulled the car to a stop outside Trevor and Ava’s house. The entire group—except for him and Rachel—had moved to the suburbs. It was a very nice area, and just four train stops to Center City. Ava and Trevor had made the move first, shortly after their first son, Aidan, was born, and a few months later, Talia and Tom purchased a townhome about a mile away. It didn’t take long for Nick and Chelsea to find a home. They ended up just around the corner from Ava and Trevor. It seemed like a natural progression.

  “How are you?” Austin ran his hand over Rachel’s cheek.

  “I’m just in shock.” She shook her head. “Come on, we need to go tell everyone.” Rachel opened her door and waited for Austin to walk around the car before walking to the door hand in hand.

  Before they could even knock, the door swung open. “Uncle Austin! Aunt Rachel!” Aidan rushed to them, grabbing their joined hands, pulling them through the door. “They’re here!”

  Austin shook his head and chuckled. “For a four year old, he has a huge voice.”

  “I’m four and a half, Uncle Austin,” Aidan corrected.

  “Oh, sorry buddy.” Austin ruffled his hair as three year old Michael barreled around the corner with Talia in pursuit.

  “Michael, let me wipe your hands.” Talia finally caught the little guy and cleaned him up before he touched anything.

  “Hewwo.” Michael waved his little hand before running off after Aidan.

  “Hey guys.” Talia smiled. “Come on, let’s get you something to eat.”

  Austin and Rachel followed Talia into the great room. A variety of food was set out on the table in the dining area. Ava and Trevor waved as Austin and Rachel made their way to the food, helping themselves.

  Ava sat with fourteen month old Lucas in her arms. He was sleeping peacefully against her shoulder, completely unaware of the chaos around him. Just as Austin and Rachel took a seat on the love seat, two giggling girls ran into the room with red curls bouncing. “Daddy, guess what?” the four year old twins squealed in unison as they climbed up into Nick’s lap.

  “What, my princesses?” Nick placed a kiss on the top of each of their heads.

  “Aidan kissed us!” Sophia exclaimed as her sister, Lexie, covered her mouth and nodded.

  “What the—” Nick glared in Trevor’s direction. Trevor held his hands up and chuckled.

  “Oh, come on, dude. He is four.” Tom laughed, grinning at Trevor and giving him a thumbs up, only making Nick glare even harder.

  “I don’t care, man. I don’t want any boys kissing my girls.” Nick frowned as he pulled the squirming girls tighter into his lap as if he was shielding them. Chelsea pried Nick’s arms off the twins and smiled as they ran off, still giggling. Chelsea picked up Nick’s hand and placed a kiss on it, softening his frown.

  The irony of Nick having the only girls in the group was not lost on anyone. It had been quite amusing to watch the former womanizer become the doting daddy to twin girls. God help the poor boys who decided to date them in the future. They wouldn’t be able to pull anything over on Nick. He had done it all, and would be one step ahead of them.

  Trevor leaned forward, suddenly very serious. “Did you get the results of your tests, Rachel?”

  Rachel nodded as she chewed a bite of hamburger.

  “Well … did they find anything, Rach?” he asked nervously.

  Rachel looked at Austin and then back at her big brother. “Yes, they found something.”

  Trevor jumped to his feet and began pacing. “Okay. It’s okay. You did this before. You are so strong, Rachel. You can do this again, we can all do it again, right?” Everyone nodded as Austin and Rachel looked around the room. Rachel felt the tears welling up in her eyes at the love and support she saw in each of their faces. “When do you start treatment?” Trevor asked as he sat back down next to Ava.

  Rachel cleared her throat. “Um, I’m not doing treatment.”

  “What? No, Rachel, you have to!” Trevor stood back up, walking to her and dropping to his knees in front of her. “You can’t give up, Rachel, you have to do treatment. You can do this.”

  Rachel handed her plate to Austin and placed her small hands on her brother’s face. “I don’t need treatment, Trevor. It’s not cancer.”

  “Wait, I don’t understand,” Trevor whispered.

  “I don’t have cancer. I’m pregnant.” Rachel’s tears finally spilled over as Trevor stood up, pulling his little sister into his arms, swinging her around.

  “Pregnant? You’re pregnant?” He pulled back and looked into Rachel’s eyes, laughing when she nodded again.

  Nick stood and pulled Austin up into a hug. “Welcome to the group. It’s exhausting and scary, but it is the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do.”

  Ava, Talia, and Chelsea wrapped Rachel in a group hug as they laughed, clearly relieved. Trevor hugged Austin, and then Tom did the same. After several minutes of celebration, they all took their seats again.

  “The fatigue and nausea make perfect sense now. The doctor also said the night sweats are probably due to hormone fluctuations, but other than a baby with a very strong heartbeat, everything else looks one hundred percent perfect.” Rachel grinned as she leaned into Austin’s arms.

  Austin and Rachel had basically accepted that they wouldn’t have children. She had been told that sometimes those who went through such vigorous treatments had fertility issues. They had just planned on spoiling the other couples’ littl
e ones, and not fretting over the fact that they couldn’t have their own, so when they had found out that it was a baby causing all of Rachel’s symptoms … needless to say, they were a bit shocked.

  “How far along are you?” Talia asked.

  “They think I’m around thirteen weeks,” Rachel answered, unable to control her smile.

  “God, Rachel, this is incredible, little one.” Tom grinned as he pulled Talia down onto his lap.

  “You’re a fighter, girl.” Talia winked at Rachel.

  “Anything in my life that is worth fighting for, I already have.” Rachel tilted her head up and kissed Austin. “Spending precious time with friends and family makes life worth living.”

  The padding of little feet grew louder until four little ones rounded the corner, launching themselves into each of their parent’s laps.

  Austin and Rachel looked around the room. Ava and Trevor snuggled with their two boys, smiling at each other. Tom and Talia tickled little Michael as he giggled and squirmed on their laps. Nick and Chelsea each rocked a little girl as they sucked on their little thumbs, eyes growing heavy. It didn’t take much for them to see that you don’t need to share blood to be family. Love and loyalty, laughter and tears … all of this was what made up family. At the end of the day, each of them was truly happy. Maybe they didn’t all have everything that they wanted, but they sure had everything they needed in each other.

  They finally figured out that you can’t look too hard for the happy ending, or you just might miss the best part of the story.

  Love is a special thing.