I looked at the grainy image, the features of our child just beginning to develop. “It’s a girl?” Tears filled my eyes.
“It’s too early to tell, but I just have a hunch it’s a girl.” She touched the image with her finger, showing her love for our baby already. Sitting down in my lap, we gazed upon the evidence of our love and neither of us spoke a word, just looked at the picture in wonder.
A noise across the room had me looking towards Josh and Emily as they started to stand, indicating they were about to leave. In the past, my fear would have started to kick in but I knew Josh wouldn’t let anything happen to her and I trusted Emily to take care of herself.
“I’m going to take Emily out and show her Atlanta. Give you guys some time alone to come to terms with all of this. Sound good, Emily?” Josh asked, her small hand secured in his.
“Sounds great. How about we come back around six and bring dinner. That way y’all have the day to yourselves?” They made their way towards the front door, a smirk on their faces.
I nuzzled my nose into Caroline’s neck as Josh and Emily closed the door behind them, leaving us alone for the first time since that fateful day. The need to be with her, to possess her, to feel her love was overwhelming. I needed to be inside of her, to taste her, to touch her until we were one again.
I slowly began to kiss and nibble on her neck, as she turned in my lap, her legs straddled mine, her core connected with my quickly hardening cock. I kissed up the column of her slender neck, my hand reaching around and grabbing the back of her neck as I made love to her mouth. Every stroke of my tongue against hers made my need for her greater.
“Can I make love you to, baby?” I asked her as she began to rock against my stiff length, a groan slipping past her perfect lips.
“Please, Andrew.” She begged as we continued to kiss and fondle each other.
“Wrap your legs around me.” I said as I stood with her and started to walk down a hallway, no idea where I was going but determined to find a bed. She pointed to the door on the left and I pushed through, finding her king-sized bed against the far wall.
I gently laid her down on the bed and looked into her green eyes, needing to make the connection with her before we made love. I found unshed tears in her eyes as she looked up at me, love shining through showing me we were finally where the universe had intended.
Together, having a baby, getting ready to start our forever.
“I love you.” I said to her, needing her to know my love for her never faltered.
“I love you too, Andrew. Forever and always.” I smashed my lips against hers until we both were panting for breath.
I sat back from her and grabbed my shirt from behind my head, pulling it off and tossing it to the floor as I settled between her legs and began to kiss her again. I slowly began to pull her shirt up, removing it as I kissed down her neck and began to nip at her covered breasts.
She reached behind her and unhooked her bra, letting her growing breasts free as I kneaded them and pulled a hard nipple into my mouth, a groan coming from her mouth. I alternated between sucking and biting her hard nipples as she squirmed beneath me, her breathing rapid as she gyrated against my cock.
I pushed my length against her as I tugged on her nipples. Caroline was panting as I leaned down and began to work her pants and soaked panties off her, leaving her laid bare for me. I found myself moving towards her stomach kissing our baby as she brought her hand to the back of my head and caressed me.
I looked up at her, “I love you so much, baby.” As I settled myself down between her legs, inhaling her intoxicating scent before I placed a kiss on her wet lips. She moaned out loud and it spurred me to make her come before I made love to her. I gave one long, slow lick to her amazing cunt before I started working her clit with my tongue, flicking the hardened bud between my lips as she moaned her pleasure into the room.
Every stroke had her hips rising up to meet my tongue, her moans getting louder. I slipped two fingers into her tight, wet channel and I began to pump faster, feeling her squeeze me, her wetness dripping down my hand. Her body began to convulse as she screamed her release into the air, her hand keeping my head trapped between her legs. She released her hold as I slowly crawled up her body, kissing a path to her beautiful mouth. As we connected, she tasted her release on my tongue.
“Andrew, please fuck me.” Her hands reached down and unbuttoned my pants, her small hand reaching in and grasping my hardness, smearing pre-cum over the crown as she squeezed and pumped my cock, knowing exactly how I liked it.
I removed my pants and boxers, kicking them off the foot of the bed as I brought my cock up to her beautiful pussy, rubbing her sensitive clit as her head thrashed from side to side. “You want me to fuck you? Is that what you need Caroline?” I whispered into her ear as I plunged inside her and forcefully pushed to the hilt, feeling her tight, wet channel pulse around my throbbing cock.
We both sucked in a breath at the feeling of being connected so intimately. The tightness of her pussy almost had me coming as soon as I pushed inside of her. Her pussy has always been perfect and I was determined to make her come again.
“Yes! Yes!” She chanted as I withdrew and slammed my hips back to hers, picking up my pace with each thrust. She wrapped her legs around my waist and met me thrust for thrust as we reconnected our souls with our lovemaking.
Her hands were wrapped around my back and I placed them over her head and held them down, her entire body open and receptive to my ministrations. Each thrust moved her further up the bed as our pace became quicker and quicker, her wetness dripping down my balls, her slick channel tightening around my thickness.
Her pants and moans began to increase as I felt the tingling in the base of my spine, my impending orgasm evident. I held both of her small wrists in one hand as I reached down and began to strum her swollen clit, smearing her moisture around the hardened bud. Her body started to quiver, as I felt her slick pussy lock down on my cock. Her body bowed off the bed as I felt her come, the sensation causing me to explode inside of her, both of us shouting our pleasure into the empty room.
I made sure to keep my weight off her as I released her hands and she brought them to my back, gently stroking me as we caught our breath.
“I wasn’t too rough on you or the baby, was I?” I was afraid I had allowed my raging libido to hurt her or our child.
“It was perfect. I love you.” A smile was evident in her voice.
I looked up and she had tears in her eyes, my fear I’d hurt her becoming more real.
“Are you okay?” I asked as my cock slipped free and I placed my hand against her cheek, my eyes looking into hers for signs I was too rough.
“I’m so happy.” She replied as I placed my forehead against hers and we breathed in the same air, finding we were exactly where we had always wanted to be. Together.
I rolled to the side and tucked her into my arm, her head resting on my chest as her hand went to my tattoo, her fingers grazing the design I stared at every day since I’d gotten it. “It really is beautiful.” She said absently as her fingers traced each eye inked into me.
“Not as beautiful as you are.” I leaned down and kissed her, my tongue gently sweeping hers.
She placed her head back on my chest as I rubbed her back. Eventually, her breathing leveled out and I knew she had fallen asleep. I waited, holding her while she slept until I knew she was deep asleep before I slowly rolled out from under her and covered her with a blanket I found on the chair by the window.
After pulling on my jeans, I made my way into the living room of her apartment, picking up the ultrasound photo and starring at it in awe. The woman I had loved since I was 12 years old was pregnant with my child and I was determined to get her to agree to marry me before the baby was born. I had bought a ring before we left New Orleans but figured it would take time for us to reconnect like we just did.
I text Emily and let her know I needed her to pick the ring up from the hotel
and bring it with her tonight. I wasn’t going to propose tonight but I wanted to have it when the time was right.
I had crawled back in bed with Caroline, needing to hold her and feel her against me while she slept. She awoke with a lazy stretch and an adorable yawn, yet another thing I loved about her.
“I’m sorry I fell asleep. I’ve been so tired lately.” She explained, placing a kiss on my bare chest as she snuggled back into my arms.
“It’s okay, baby. How has the pregnancy been so far? I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner but I promise, I’m here, now and forever.” I tightened my embrace on her.
“I had bad nausea until a few weeks ago and the minute I found out I was pregnant, it went away. The doctor said it may come back or I may be lucky and only had a few weeks of it. My boobs are tender and pretty soon I’m going to need new pants, but overall, I can’t wait until she is born.”
“You really think it’s a girl?”
“I do. I could be wrong but my instinct says she is in there, waiting to be born to show the world how amazing she is.” Caroline explained.
“If she is anything like you, she will be beyond amazing, into the uncharted territory of awesomeness.” I said, a laugh breaking out at the sheer joy I was feeling.
She and I laughed together for a few minutes before she reached up and gently kissed me. “I have to go home tomorrow and tell Mom and Dad. I don’t know how you feel about going with me but you are welcome if you want to go.”
“It will be the first time I’ve been home since we moved but I want to be there for you, for us. How do you think your parents are going to take me showing up with you and telling them we’re having a baby?” My fear was that her parents wouldn’t be able to forgive me for how I had treated her.
“Mom suspected something is going on with me, but I wanted to see a doctor before I told them.” She shifted so she was sitting up, her jade green eyes looking down on me with unshed tears. “I was going to call you and tell you, hoping we could find a way to co-parent her. I’m sorry you had to find out this way. I wish I could have told you instead of having to spring it on you after your declaration earlier. I’m not sure how we are going to handle everything but I know she is going to be the greatest thing I ever do with my life.” The tears fell down and landed on my chest.
I sat up so that we were looking into each other’s eyes. I needed her to know the depth of my conviction. “I will do whatever it takes for you and her to have everything in life you have ever wanted. You are my forever and the baby is an answer to my prayers.” I told her as I reached into my pants pocket and pulled out her necklace, repaired and fixed, just like our love. “I found this after you left. I had it fixed, determined to put it back around your neck, where it belongs. The charm is new just like our start.”
She pulled her hair up so I could place the necklace back on her as I felt my heart overflow with love. I had the woman of my dreams, my soulmate, back in my arms and a future filled with love and laughter.
As she and I hugged, holding each other tight, I silently thanked God for allowing me another chance at my destiny.
The trip down to my parent’s house was an adventure, Maddie, Lucas, Josh, Emily, Andrew and I all loaded into Lucas’s sports utility vehicle and made our way down the highway to Columbus. I was worried about Andrew and Emily being back home after what they told me, but they both kept laughing and seemed to enjoy the trip.
When we arrived in Columbus, they both were shocked at all the growth and change that had taken place in such a short amount of time. Fort Benning had gained a lot of new soldiers a few years ago and the town had to grow and adapt to the influx of new residents.
Lucas pulled the car into my parent’s driveway as we made our way to the steps of my childhood home. I was afraid of how my parents would take the news of the baby, but they knew Andrew and I were destined to be together so I knew they should be supportive of our decisions.
We hadn’t talked about where he would be living, or anything related to our future plans. We only knew we were together and that was how it was going to stay. My parents greeted Emily and Andrew like old times, engulfing them in hugs and welcoming them back home. I was worried about the anxiety they might feel, but they both seemed to be enjoying their visit so I let the worry slip from my mind as we spent the day barbequing and catching up.
Andrew and my dad walked outside after lunch and sat down to talk, a familiar sight since dad was a second father to Andrew when his dad was deployed. The conversation seemed to take on a serious tone, and I wanted to go out and see what was happening when Josh stopped me and reminded me Andrew needed to work out the feelings he had from the past and talking with my dad would be a good step in his recovery.
After a short while, they stood up and shook hands as they made their way back inside. Andrew came up to me and gently took my hand as he kissed my forehead and whispered, “I love you.”
Dessert was hand-churned ice cream and I decided now was a good time to tell them about the baby. “Mom and Dad? Andrew and I have something to tell you.” I started. “I’m not going to beat around the bush…I’m pregnant.” I explained, waiting for their reaction.
“I told you, Joe! I’m going to be a Nana.” Mom cheered as she came over and pulled me into a hug, dad embracing Andrew as our friends watched on in delight.
We talked about the baby and I kept looking over at Maddie, trying to get a read on if she had bought a test for herself and what it said, but I couldn’t tell one way or the other. I made a mental note to corner my sister and find out if I was going to be an aunt.
A little while later, after the baby excitement had died down a little, Andrew asked me if I wanted to walk up to our old high school, to see the place we had grown up. I was eager to take a walk, so we set out the two blocks through the neighborhood, reminiscing about the times we had growing up and the adventures we experienced.
The huge, three-story brick building on the hill, overlooking the park, was exactly the same as I remembered. Majestic and regal, her beauty rising up to tell the world ‘We Are as Always Columbus High’, having been the center of education for our town for over 125 years. We walked through the park and crossed the street, the school’s stairs rising up into the sky, cut from the hill the school sat on, allowing passersby to use them for fitness, recreation, and sometimes, reflection.
We walked up the first flight and halfway up the second, sitting in the middle of the rise of stairs as we looked out over the park where we played and laughed when we were kids. The sounds of the children running and playing, the ballgames being won and lost, took me back to a simpler time when all I knew was my love for him.
Looking over at him I smiled as we laughed over the antics we had gotten into as naïve youth, trying to find our way in the world. He pointed to the left towards a particular oak tree near the center of the park. I remembered our first kiss and love flooded me.
“This place always has such good memories, doesn’t it?” I asked him, wanting to make sure he was remembering the good of the past and not the bad.
“Being here with you is such a good memory. We were sitting right here the first time I held your hand, the first time we said I love you. I thought this would be the right place for this.” He said as he stood up and stepped down one step, bending to one knee.
My hand went to my mouth as my eyes began to swim with tears, my heart racing at what this move meant.
“I have loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you over ten years ago. I knew you were destined to be my wife, the mother of my children, my forever. I know we may have taken the long way around, but today I feel like we are finally where we are supposed to be.” He said as he opened a small ring box and showed me a simple silver band with a small diamond, exactly like I have always wanted—understated and perfect. “Caroline Johnson, will you do me the honor of allowing me to be your husband? Will you marry me?”
I nodded my head up and down, the happy tears falling down my face.
“Yes, Andrew! It would be my honor to be your wife.” He slipped the ring on my hand and I stood up, our face aligned in a perfect kiss to celebrate the joyous occasion.
I heard the cheers before I looked down the stairs and saw my entire family waiting in the park, cheering us on, with some people who had stopped to witness our private moment. Andrew took my hand as we made our way down the stairs and walked across the park to be greeted by our family and random well-wishers.
My sister grabbed me into a huge hug as everyone around us hugged and celebrated the start of our future.
“I am so happy for you, Caroline. You get your happily ever after.” She said to me with tears in her eyes, “I knew your book wasn’t over yet, it’s just now getting to the good parts. The happy chapters, the ones that make you believe in forever. You turned the page, Caroline.” As she hugged me one more time and moved to embrace Lucas.
I noticed his hand move towards her stomach for a brief moment and realized we all had something to celebrate. My selfless sister didn’t want to take away from my moment to tell us their good news, but I planned to have a celebration for them very soon.
As we walked back towards my childhood home, I thought back on all the obstacles we had faced to achieve the start of our forever. Some of our loved ones weren’t with us anymore, some of us had to suffer life-altering events to get here, and some of us didn’t feel like we were lovable enough to deserve a forever.
The laughter of our group as we maneuvered the familiar street encouraged me that no matter the obstacles, no matter the challenges, everyone deserves love. And if you look hard enough, you realize everyone has a soulmate waiting for fate to deliver them to us, we just have to be ready when they arrive.
THE END
H.J. Marshall began her love of reading and writing at an early age and has always dreamed of being a writer full time. Moving frequently while growing up has given H.J. many different perspectives of life, community, and culture, resulting in a lifelong love of food, music, and history. After years of Retail and Non-Profit Management, H.J. decided to take a leap of faith and began to write the stories bouncing around her head.
The Love That Heals Me (Forever Mine Book 2) Page 18
