by Cheri Marie
“Shall we?” Kat asks as she links her arm through mine.
“Sure,” we head toward the door of the restaurant. Once inside we’re greeted by the hostess, she hands me another card. I open it.
Hey beautiful, hope you loved spending time with your friends and enjoyed your day so far. I can’t wait to see you. Come to the private dining room off to the left of the restaurant, I’ll be waiting for you there. I love you, always and forever.
Love,
Your Hero Xo
The hostess points me in the direction of the private dining room that Landon told me to go to. I turn to ask Kat if she’s coming but she’s gone. I shrug; she must have gone to the restroom or something. She can catch up. I walk over to the French doors leading into the private dining area, I can hear music coming from inside. It’s our song playing, All of Me by John Legend. I turn the handle and open it. Landon is standing next to a table in a fitted three piece suit. He looks gorgeous. I walk in and close the door behind me, and then I walk towards him; he envelopes me into his arms.
“Hey beautiful, I’ve missed you all day. Did you enjoy yourself?”
“I missed you too. Yes, I had a great time. Thank you, I appreciate it more than you know.”
“You deserve it,” he leans down and kisses me.
Ed Sheeran’s, Thinking Out Loud comes on next. We stand there and sway back and forth to the music. I still can’t believe my life is where it is right now. My organization is doing fantastic thanks to Christopher, his team, and Landon. We were able to get the Carter family into their new home before Thanksgiving. I am now standing in the arms of a man that even though we’ve only been together for six months, I can’t imagine my life without him. The song ends, I sit down and Landon sits across from me, taking my hands in his.
“The day I met you, my world was crashing down around me. I was convinced my life was over, that I would be better off dead.” My eyes tear up but he continues…
“Then I made the decision to attend a fundraiser luncheon where this beautiful piercing green eyed woman almost literally knocked me off my feet, and one look at her took my breath away. Those green eyes stayed with me. They didn’t just see a pretty face, they saw past the bullshit exterior right into my soul. In that moment, I knew my life would change forever. I suddenly had a different outlook on life. I saw the beauty in the world again. After the first time I kissed you, I felt like I could conquer the world as long as I had you by my side. Fast forward to now, I look back to that day at the luncheon and I realize… I’ve always known we’d end up here.”
The music starts playing again. I hear the intro to the song; it sounds familiar but it doesn’t register what it is until the lyrics begin. It’s, Marry You by Bruno Mars. I look up at him with questioning eyes. Is he proposing? Is this really happening? He stands, pushing back his chair and then he gets down on one knee in front of me. I stop breathing. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a little black velvet box and opens it. Inside is the most beautiful diamond engagement ring I have ever seen.
“Arianna Taylor, my girl, my solace, my earth bound angel; the love of my life. From the day I met you, I knew you were the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. You were the first woman I have ever loved, and even if you say no, I will never love another woman the way I love you. Will you please, make me the happiest and luckiest man in the universe and be my wife?”
Tears are streaming down my face staining my cheeks. I think I started breathing again but I’m not really sure. Thank God I’m sitting, because my legs feel weak. I look down at this beautiful man in front of me, beautiful hazel eyes burning into green and I can’t picture myself being any happier than I am in this moment. I take a deep breath.
“Landon Holt, I have never been happier in my entire life than I am with you; and I could never imagine being with anyone else. So yes, yes, absolutely YES! I will marry you!”
He climbs to his feet, quickly pulling me up in his arms and kisses me deeply. There’s a loud applause behind me. I turn and all of our friends are there. Damien, Ashlan, Tristan, Kat and Xavier. He steps back and slides the ring onto my finger, there’s applause again and then everyone steps forward to hug us both and tell us congratulations. The hostess enters with glasses and two bottles of champagne. We pour everyone a glass and clink them together.
“To the Bride and Groom to be, and to a great New Year cheers!”
My life is complete. The most amazing man I have ever met has asked me to marry him and I can’t even express the joy I am feeling right now. Not to mention, I have inherited this amazing, sometimes crazy family that I absolutely adore. We stand around talking and laughing waiting to ring in the New Year together. Landon hasn’t left my side, his arm is wrapped around my waist and he walks around like I am a prize to be shown off.
The snooty hostess who had be here when we had our first date is working. She looks shocked, then disgusted. I just grin at her and she huffs off. There is nothing that can ruin the amazing mood I’m in. After a glass of wine I’m feeling queasy so I switch to water; making a mental note to see my doctor to figure out why I’ve been feeling so sick lately.
SHE SAID YES! Arianna has agreed to marry me and I couldn’t be happier; I want to shout it from the rooftops! The New Year couldn’t start off any better. I have my girl, all our friends are here, and it’s perfect! I noticed Arianna switched to drinking water instead of wine.
“Hey baby, you feeling okay?” I ask her, whispering in her ear.
“Yea, I’m fine. Just feeling a little nauseous again; it’s probably all the excitement,” she grins at me. I give her my all teeth megawatt smile, I can’t wipe it from my face.
“Are you sure? If you want we can leave.”
“No thanks baby, I’m okay.”
“Okay,” I say kissing her on the forehead. As much as I’m ecstatic that we are celebrating our engagement and ringing in the New Year with friends, I would leave it all to go home and take care of her if she wanted to go.
I watch her as she chats with our friends; a big smile on her face and that beautiful ring on her hand. I make a mental note to thank Ashlan, she was right Arianna loves the ring. She catches me staring and blows me a kiss. I smile stupidly as I pretend to catch it and place it on my heart. I hardly realize that Damien has walked up behind me.
“Wow dude, you have it bad,” he says.
I laugh at him, “Yes I do! And I don’t care who knows it! I wish I could write it on the skyline. ‘I’m madly in love with Arianna Taylor and she said yes to marrying me.' Damien laughs at me, shaking his head.
“I’m really happy for you man! You hit the jackpot with that one, don’t fuck it up,” he laughs and pats me on the back.
“Thanks D, so when are you going to tie the knot?”
He shrugs but doesn’t answer. I see him glance at Ashlan and then back at me.
“Everything okay between you two?” I ask.
“Yea, everything’s okay.”
“Okay, well let’s get another drink.”
“Sounds good to me,” he says.
I flag down the waitress and order another bottle of wine. I catch Arianna staring at me, her eyes running up and down my body. I grin at her and she winks at me, I walk over to her and whisper in her ear.
“How about I take you home right now and get you out of that dress, my fiancée?”
She whispers back, “I would love that, but let’s ring in the New Year first with our friends.”
“Okay,” I agree; leaning down I lightly nip her earlobe. She moves away quickly, narrowing her eyes at me. She mouths "stop it," and I laugh at her. I grab her hand, pulling her towards me and kiss her.
“I love you my beautiful future wife,” I whisper against her lips.
“I love you too my sexy future husband,” she says back.
“It’s almost midnight!” shouts Ashlan.
Everyone grabs a glass of wine as the countdown begins. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four,
three, two, one, “Happy New Year!” Everyone shouts tapping their glasses together, then drinking down their wine.
Arianna and I say our goodbyes to everyone and head home. Ashlan made plans to stay at Damien’s tonight so that we can have the whole house to ourselves. This could be fun! We get home and I suggest we go in the Jacuzzi, naked.
“Uh I don’t think so! What about Ashlan?”
“She made plans to stay at Damien’s tonight. That means we have the whole house to ourselves.” Slowly I walk around behind her and grab the zipper on her dress.
I slide it down painfully slow, sliding the delicate spaghetti straps down off her shoulders, letting the dress puddle to the floor. She steps out of it and I pick it up, laying it on the couch. Walking up to me she places her hands on my shoulders, letting them slide down my chest and slowly she undoes each button. We stare at each other as she strips me of my shirt; then reaching down she undoes my belt and then the button and zipper of my pants. I let them fall to the floor, kicking them to the side. I watch her and she looks down letting her eyes linger on the growing erection in my boxer briefs. Arianna drops to her knees, looping her fingers in the sides of my boxer briefs and pulls them down letting my erection spring free. She looks up at me, her green eyes ablaze with passion. She licks her lips, grabbing my erection she teases the tip with her tongue. Slowly she slides my length into her mouth. Running her tongue around the shaft; sucking as she takes me into her mouth inch by inch. My breathing hitches and a deep growl escapes my lips. Wrapping my hand in her hair I take control sliding my cock in and out of her hot wet mouth. She moans in appreciation as I fuck her mouth, it speaks right to my groin and I harden even more.
Pulling out of her mouth I lead her around to stand in front of the couch. Stripping her of her panties, I gently push her down onto the couch. I kneel in front of her and spread her legs wide. Teasing the entrance to her sex, I notice she’s dripping wet. Pushing one, two fingers into her, massaging her center; she moans, arching her back and grinding into my hand. With my free hand I reach up, undoing her bra letting her succulent breasts free, fondling them with my fingers, teasing each nipple. I lean up on my knees and take her breast into my mouth nipping and sucking the nipple. Moaning, she grinds into my hand harder, I quicken my fingers.
“Landon...”
“What baby?”
“I’m almost there,” she says panting. I feel her insides tighten around my fingers and her legs start to quiver. She’s moaning, meeting every thrust of my fingers. She screams out in pleasure. Quickly removing my fingers I dip my head between her legs. Sucking her clit into my mouth, I dig my tongue deep inside her drinking in every last bit of her sweet juices from her orgasm.
Seeing her come apart under my mouth makes me want to be deep inside her. Before she can come down from her climax I stand, grabbing her hips I slam deep inside her. She moans and her body bucks as I invade her. Sliding out slowly I swivel my hips and slam back into her.
“Landon…” she whimpers.
“I know baby,” I repeat the motion, ever so slowly. I ease out swiveling my hips, and slide deep inside her again.
“Faster baby, harder I want you to fuck me harder,” she begs.
“Your wish is my command baby,” I lean down and kiss her deeply and then I pick up speed. Pounding faster and deeper inside my girl, she wraps her legs around me. Digging her heels into my ass and her nails into my arms, she meets my every thrust.
“Yes!” she says through gritted teeth, locking her legs tighter, forcing me to drill even deeper into her. I’m about to come and I can tell she is too by the way she’s moaning. A minute later she’s screaming my name. I growl her name as I come with her. I collapse on her, we lay there as our breathing steadies. Propping myself up on my elbows looking down at the beautiful woman beneath me I can’t believe I get to spend the rest of my life with her.
Looking at her laying there naked ignites the fire in me again. I kiss her hard, thrusting my tongue into her mouth, our tongues dancing together. My hands work her body until I reach the apex of her thighs, I can feel the heat coming from her sex and I know she’s ready again. Planting kisses down her body, I stop to tease her nipples and then work my way to her sex. I plant a light kiss at her opening and then slide my tongue inside her leading us into another round of ecstasy.
Tonight was amazing. We rang in the New Year with friends, and then Landon brought me home and made love to me. I’ve come multiple times already and I have a feeling if Landon has it his way there will be many more. I smile at the thought even though I’m already heavily sated and ready for bed. Rolling over to face Landon I nuzzle my face into his neck, breathing in the scent of him. I could just lay like this with him forever.
“So much for making it to the Jacuzzi,” I laugh.
“No worries, we’ll get there eventually,” he says.
“Today was amazing, the happiest day of my life. Thank you,” I whisper.
“No, thank you for making me the happiest man in the universe.”
“You’re welcome,” I say giggling at him. He wraps his arms around me pulling me closer. My mind wanders back to his beautiful proposal and everything he did for me. I can’t believe I’m marrying the man of my dreams. How did I get so lucky? Feeling my eyelids getting heavy, I give in and drift off to sleep.
The New Year has started out with a bang. Not only am I now engaged to the most amazing man in the world but my organization has just gained three more very wealthy benefactors. Christopher and I have been working on creating a program for the children that my organization helps. It will offer classes that the children can take to learn any kind of art; music, painting, dance, creative writing, any kind of art you can think of. I think it will be great for them, not to mention I have a deep appreciation for the arts so this is something close to my heart. We set a meeting for the beginning of February to go over plans.
Ashlan brings lunch for her, Tristan, and I on her lunch break. We all sit in my office and they gush about how amazing Landon’s proposal was. My cheeks blush and I can’t wipe the smile from my face. While I’m enjoying my lunch, the nauseousness returns. I try to fight it but it doesn’t go away this time. I spring from my seat, running to the bathroom making it just in time to lose my entire lunch. Ashlan comes rushing in after me.
“Arianna, are you okay?” she asks concern in her voice.
“I don’t know,” I say as I grab a paper towel to wipe my mouth. I grab a small paper cup, getting some water to rinse my mouth.
“Was it something you ate?”
“No, I don’t think so. I’ve been nauseous on and off for the last week or two. It comes and goes throughout the day.”
She widens her eyes at me, dropping them to my stomach then back to my face. I stare at her for a minute before it registers what she’s thinking. My head starts to spin, a million things rush through my mind. Could I be? What would Landon think? Would he be happy?
“Arianna, are you pregnant?” Everything’s spinning and I feel like I might vomit again.
“I don’t know... I… I think I need to sit down.”
Ashlan grabs my hand and walks me to a chair so I can sit. She sits in the chair next to me, taking my hands in hers. So many emotions are running through me. We aren’t even married yet, what will Landon think? What if he doesn’t want a baby? Tears spring to my eyes at the thought of him rejecting me.
“Oh honey, don’t cry. Just breathe. Let me go get a test so we can find out for sure before you freak out.”
“Okay,” I choke out past the lump in my throat.
“I’ll be right back, remember just breathe. I’ll have Tristan come sit with you until I get back. Everything will be okay I promise.” She kisses me on the top of my head and heads into my office to ask Tristan to come sit with me.
Tristan replaces Ashlan in the seat next to me as Ashlan rushes out to the drug store to get the test that could change my life forever. Tristan rubs my back trying to soothe me.
/> “Everything will be okay Arianna, I’m sure of it.” I take a couple deep breaths in an effort to calm my nerves. No sense in panicking until I know for sure or not. After a couple minutes the tears have stopped and my breathing returns to normal.
“You okay boss?” Tristan asks.
“Yea, I’ll be fine.”
We sit there in silence for what seems like forever. Finally, Ashlan comes walking through the door with a test in hand. She hands it to me. I freeze, sitting there staring at the box in my hand.
“Go take the test Arianna,” Ashlan says with a hint of excitement in her voice.
Slowly I stand, taking a minute to steady myself as the spinning rushes over me again. I walk into the bathroom, grabbing another small paper cup to pee in. I finish and set the cup on the counter. Taking a deep breath I tear open the box, then the wrapper. I dip it into the cup for thirty seconds, laying it to the side I empty the cup. Tossing the cup in the garbage, I wash my hands and then lean against the wall and wait…
The minute the timer goes off on my phone my heart starts pounding. Now is the moment of truth. I pull up the test and look at the results screen. All the blood rushes from my head to my feet and I have to remind myself to breathe. I walk out the door and Ashlan and Tristan jump to their feet.
“So, what did it say?” Ashlan asks.
I can’t speak, I just hand her the test. She looks at it, then back at me as tears spring from her eyes.
“I’m going to be an auntie!” she says choking back a sob. I lean back against the wall and let myself collapse to the floor. All this is so overwhelming; deep breaths Ari, in through your nose out through your mouth, I internally coach myself.
“Are you going to tell Landon?”
“I don’t know. I mean yes, just not now.”
