Our Forever Promise

by Mary Wasowski

  Tears began to fall down his hardened features. He ran his hands through his hair and tried to hide once again from me, but I was crying too.

  “Reese,” he sighed, “for you…I will try.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered to him.

  As I remained in his arms, I felt the weight of his stress leave him. Putting the past behind you and leaving it there was harder than it looked, but we were all trying. Today, Walker, Riley, and Samuel all took the first step forward.

  I WAS PRETTY much gone the entire day. All I wanted was to be with Reese. She was my home, and I needed to be comforted by her. I phoned her immediately, and my calls went straight to voicemail. She knew how I detested when she ignored her phone. My second option was to call Richard. If he valued his job, he’d better be with her. He answered on the third ring, raising my alarms even more.

  “Hello, Mr. Reed.”

  “Where the hell are you? And where is Reese? She is not answering her phone.” I was trying to keep myself in check, but how I just spent my day, my patience level ceased to exist.

  “Mr. Reed, I assure you Ms. Mitchell is fine. She is speaking with Dr. Briggs at the moment and didn’t want to be disturbed.”

  “And you’re not with her? I’m coming to you. Where are you? Hello? Richard? Answer me. Where are you?”

  His silence was peeling away the last layer of my patience and then he answered my question.

  “The roof sir. I’m up here with Ms. Mitchell and Dr. Briggs. They are speaking to one another, and I have a clear sight of them.”

  “I’m on my way. Words cannot begin to describe how angry I am with you.”

  I hung up before he could respond. Stephen was following behind and tried to keep up. I had never moved so fast in my life. I was nearly out of breath by the time I reached the entrance to the roof access.

  “Sir, I…”

  “Not a fucking word from you, Richard. I will deal with you later. Where is Reese?”

  He directed me and Stephen to where she and Briggs were. I witnessed an intimate moment they seemed to be having. She was in his arms, and he was lovingly stroking her hair.

  What the fuck! I wanted to throw him off the roof, but hell had frozen over because I remained in control and dauntingly calm.

  “Reese,” I called out to her. She immediately smiled and walked toward me. It was my arms that were now wrapped around her, as I glowered toward him. He remained where he was standing.

  “What are you doing up here?” I asked. “This is not a safe place for you. What were you thinking?”

  My hands were now cupping her face and waiting for an answer. She didn’t respond and turned back to Samuel. She asked if he was okay, and he simply told her, “Yes.” Entwining her hand with mine, she led me away, but not before I shot him one last look.

  My hand was at the nape of her neck, as I guided her down from the roof. She remained silent as we were now heading to my car in the private underground garage.

  HE TOLD STEPHEN and Richard to leave us, and to wait for him back inside. No doubt they were on their way back up to watch over Jackson and Riley. His hand hold did not lessen on me until I was in the backseat of the car. His eyes were flaming pools of fire. He began to loosen his tie, and before I could register what was happening, he had my hands bound.

  “Walker!” I shouted. “What are you doing?”

  It’s not as if we didn’t have this type of play in our life, but here in this car? He was treading on thin ice. This right here was not him having fun, but punishing me for being with Samuel. It was finding me in Samuel’s arms. I might as well have thrown gasoline on Walker and lit the match.

  “Walker, please talk to me?”

  “I think you did enough talking already today, Reese. Now I get my turn, but on your body instead.”

  I’m sure he wanted to shred my clothes, but he had impeccable control and deftly unbuttoned my blouse. He lifted my skirt and made his way to my panties, which he tore.

  “Why, Reese?” he asked has he plunged two fingers inside of me, making me cry out.

  “Answer me. You were alone with your ex-husband in an area you knew would make me lose my mind? And in his arms? I can’t bear to see another man touch you, least of all, him.”

  Before I could answer, Walker was fucking me with his fingers. I came soon, as he entered me with his tongue, bringing me to the edge of my second orgasm.

  “I’m going to fuck you now, and hard,” he slowly spoke while clenching his jaw.

  I was defenseless against his sensual assault. He placed my tied hands around his neck and entered me not as hard as he warned me he would. I loved every piece of this man inside me. With every thrust, I wanted more, but he glanced down at my growing belly and held back. He wouldn’t risk hurting me, not that he could. This was who we were. When he was inside of me, he was all I saw and wanted. The way we made love was a force to be reckoned with. We had no boundaries, we never did. I was about to come so hard, and he was close too. Grabbing my hair, he filled me with his release and called out my name. My body was shaking with him still buried deep inside of me.

  “I love you so much,” he said as he kissed me all over and swiftly untied my hands, rubbing them over and making sure I was fine. We cleaned ourselves up, and then I was pulled onto his lap with his arms securing me in a tight hold.

  “I’m sorry, baby. Trying doesn’t mean I will completely change everything about me. I am a man who protects what’s his. And never forget who you belong to. You. Are. Mine. No matter what the reason to why you were up there, you had to know it would never sit well with me. To see you in his arms, I just about lost my fucking mind. I will make concessions, Reese, but not on this. He is never to touch you like what I walked in on. I’m not a fool to believe that you will never embrace. You do share a daughter, but the way he was touching you was not exactly friendly. I know the difference, and I’m quite sure, he does too.”

  “I love you too.”

  “That’s it? You’re not going to fight with me? You’re not going to tell me that I’m a crazy, possessive caveman?”

  I was laughing now with my mercurial man. Oh, I love him so much.

  “Walker, you are all those things and so much more. I love all parts of you, you know this. Walker, Samuel is part of my life, and he always will be, but not for the reason you believe. Please try for both our sakes to come to terms with this. Sooner rather than later would be best. You weren’t the only one breaking with the past and starting over. He needed a friend today. I was happy to be there for him. He was hugging me because of what he will be facing tomorrow when he operates on Jackson. I have no doubt he can do this surgery and come out successful. It’s too close to home and emotions are high. It’s perfectly natural to be apprehensive.”

  “He’s not having doubts, is he?”

  “No. Nothing like that. He and Riley reconciled their differences today, and I felt it was my turn to do the same. Before you protest, hear me out. I forgave him a long time ago, but he didn’t forgive himself. He needed to let this go before tomorrow. We talked everything out and when you saw us hugging, that was Samuel promising me that he would try his best to move on. Are we okay? Do you now understand?”

  “I do. More than you know. I’m sorry. We are always…okay. I know he’s a good man, and I understand how he feels. It’s an emotion I felt for years when we were apart. The rational side of me gets it, but tell that to my caveman side. Reese, it’s just impossible for me to know any other way.”

  “I understand, baby. More than you know. Do you want to tell me about your trip to the Hamptons?”

  “Someday.”

  “Walker? What is it?”

  “I’m fine. Can you do something for me?” he asked as his shoulders fell and he visibly relaxed.

  “Anything.”

  “No more talking. Just let me hold you.”

  IF I DIDN’T know I was getting brain surgery tomorrow, you would think my stay here was a vacation. I had staff dot
ing on me. My suite was filled with fresh flowers, and I had all the amenities a five star hotel would offer. This had my father written all over it. After all, he did design this building.

  My mind kept going back to my night spent with Riley. She was the best thing that ever happened to me. Her body beckoned my desire to take her all night long. We fit perfectly together as two lovers could. I FaceTimed with Brandon earlier, and he told me that monogamy was too cruel a rule. I couldn’t help but laugh. They could have their fill of nameless faces and the quick flings. What I had with Riley was real, and it was for a lifetime.

  Losing myself deeper in my thoughts, I didn’t hear the knock at my door. I looked up to see my grandpa Henry standing there. He was wearing a pained expression on his face, kind of like when I saw him last at my graduation. I wasn’t sure why he hadn’t entered yet, but I decided to make it easier for him and walked toward him.

  “Hi, grandpa. I’m happy you were able to make it.”

  Before I could say anything else, he stepped forward and grabbed me by my shoulders. His fingers dug into my shoulders to the point of pain, but I stayed still and waited for him to say something. He looked me up and down then pulled me forward to hug me. His grip was tight, and then he broke down into tears.

  “Oh, my boy, my precious boy, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. I promise you. Please, grandpa, don’t cry.”

  “I can’t lose you, Jackson. I won’t survive it.”

  “Grandpa, please don’t talk that way. I’m going to be fine.”

  “And how in the hell do you know that?” His tone made me step back.

  “I’m sorry, son. This news has certainly rocked me to my core, and I admit I’m not handling it very well.”

  I guess there was no better time than to address his issue with my father. I asked him to have a seat, so we could talk. He wiped his eyes and joined me at the table.

  “Am I the reason you argued with my father last night?” I think my question surprised him.

  “Jackson, it’s more complicated than you realize,” he answered back.

  “Enlighten me. And before you sugarcoat your answer for my benefit, I know why my father is angry with you. The one thing I don’t know is why you did what you did?”

  “I’m not having this conversation with you, Jackson, and not before you are about to undergo brain surgery tomorrow. You should be resting and not worrying about the adults in your life.”

  “Grandpa, if you haven’t noticed, I’m an adult too.”

  “I know, my boy. I was there when you were born. I just don’t want to burden you with my problems that concern your father. He’s been standoffish and obstinate when it comes to you. He barred us from even sitting in the family section at your graduation. You can’t even begin to know how much that hurt your grandmother. I respected his wishes then, but all cards are off the table now. I will not be dismissed and kept away from you.”

  “Grandpa, no one is keeping you from me. You are here because I want you here, but if you argue with my father and make an intense situation even worse, I will be forced to choose sides. I mean, he’s my father.”

  “And I’m your grandfather who has rights. We deserve to be with our daughter’s child, and not even your bastard of a father will keep me from you, son.”

  Who was this man before me? It’s as if he has lost his humanity. He has never raised his voice to me, let alone speak in a derogatory manner toward anyone. After he slammed his fists onto the table, I literally jumped. His expression instantly softened and filled with regret, but it was too late. My eyes found his, and they were filled with rage. I wasn’t sure how long my father had been standing there, but judging by the glacial daggers he was now directing at my grandfather, I knew he heard enough.

  “HE’S NOT YOUR son. He’s my son,” I proclaimed as I walked in Jackson’s room. Jackson was frozen where he sat, but Henry quickly turned to face me, not caring about what I just interrupted.

  “You!” he shouted.

  “Because of you, my Gail is sick with worry and is in bed back at the hotel. You and your ‘truth’ caused more harm than you can imagine.”

  “Are you for fucking real?”

  “Dad…”

  “Not now, Jackson,” I said. “This is between me and your grandfather. He obviously has something he needs to get off his chest. If he wants to do it here, then we do it here. So it’s my fault Gail is sick? I love how you can stand here and feign innocence when you are the one that caused years of heartache for me. Your presence was requested here because of Jackson, and him alone. I don’t owe you anything but a punch to the mouth. I don’t know what it is with you, Townsend? I warned you months ago to stay the hell away from me and out of my life. We are finished. I really don’t give a fuck what happens to you, but my son does. You have a choice to make right here, right now. Shut the hell up, and be the grandfather that Jackson needs, or go back to Arizona. I can’t have you flying off the handle like this. My son should be resting and not having to witness your temper tantrums.”

  “You are such a smug bastard. You think you can twist the truth and use it to your advantage. This is your fault, Reed. Everything is your fault. If you would have just stepped up and chosen Elizabeth from the beginning, I wouldn’t have had to do what I did.”

  “I already know what you did, Henry. Please spare your grandson any pain, and not repeat it.”

  “I have nothing to lose, Reed, not a thing. I already see Jackson looking at me differently, and that’s because of you.”

  “Grandpa, that’s not true,” Jackson pleaded. “Please let’s just talk it out?”

  Henry interrupted, “It’s too late for talking, son. Your father is not the man you believe him to be. He used my Elizabeth, then threw her away like garbage because of some whore from Georgia.”

  The moment I heard him spit out his malevolence toward Reese, I completely stepped outside of my body and became unhinged. Never will another person ever hurt her again. Even with words, I would make them suffer. I punched Henry so hard that he flew back into the wall, denting the sheetrock. He lunged at me as if he could take me. By this time, Stephen had come rushing in to the room and restrained him.

  “Fuck you, Reed. Fuck you and your Reese Mitchell. You didn’t deserve my precious daughter, and you don’t deserve her son. Your father wasn’t man enough to keep you away from her, so I took over.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” I said.

  “I fucked with and sabotaged your company. I arranged for that accident to happen on that job site so I could have your father right where I wanted. He was under my control. And you, Walker, were under his. Did you honestly think that Phillip Reed gave that much interest to who you were fucking? He lived for his company. Sure he wanted you matched with the perfect woman, but he knew you loved her. When I saw him slowly changing his mind, I had no choice but to change the game. Thank god, she lost the only leverage leading her back to you. It paved the way for you to be with Elizabeth. When I found out she was pregnant with Jackson, I knew I had you. I knew you would never walk away from your responsibility. After you brought her home, my good friend Phillip easily cowered down to my demands.”

  Was this really happening? This couldn’t be my life right now. Just when I thought I had put the past pain behind me, Henry Townsend upped the ante and changed everything. I knew he was the puppet master pulling the strings, but not to this extent. He was the one? It didn’t dismiss my father’s role in this fucked up story, but it showed me that I truly never knew my former father-in-law.

  I JUST STOOD there in shock and disbelief. Who was this man? Five months ago, he was my grandpa, a man I respected and loved with all of my heart. The man standing here now was not that guy. He was unhinged. His words were filled with poisonous venom, all aimed at my father, ready to strike. What am I saying? He already did. My father was silent. My grandpa had now been released from Stephen’s hold, but all eyes were on him. They were all ready to pounce
if he made any sudden moves.

  Richard now joined them, along with two more men I had never met before. I was thanking God that Riley wasn’t here to witness this. My head was beginning to slowly pound. I took a few deep breaths and looked at my grandfather. He tried to come closer, but my father blocked him. After what happened here, I knew there was no recovering from this. Grandpa Henry, and his hatred for my father and Reese, did this. I didn’t know if I could even speak, but slowly tried.

  “Is it true, Grandpa? Don’t worry, I don’t need to hear you confirm it. Your actions here speak volumes of a man I truly never knew. Please leave, and don’t come back here again.”

  “No! Jackson, it was your father. He’s trying to keep us apart. You must believe me, son. I did it for your mother. You are what binds us together. Don’t let your father take that away from you. I am your grandfather, and I love you. Please, Jackson, don’t let him do this.”

  “I’m sorry, grandpa, but you did this all on your own. The only person that’s wrong here is you. How could you disgrace my mother’s memory like this? She loved my father, and my father loved her. For you to say otherwise makes me sick. I feel sorry for you. You’ve spent years hating on a woman that did nothing to you, and all she did was love my father. You destroyed lives. I’m looking at you, but all I see is an angry shell of a man I used to know. You’re not even sorry for it. You say you loved my mother? How could you when you are filled with so much hate? You vilify what my father shared with my mother. It may have not been what you created in your head, but it was real, and their story belonged to them. You don’t get to stand here and rewrite history to ease your conscience. Get out! And don’t come back.”