Epilogue
“I’ll see you after work.” Leaning up on her toes, she kisses me hard. My hand instinctively rests on her large swollen belly carrying our child.
“I’ll be counting the hours.”
Two years ago, I almost lost her.
We drive home holding hands. Silence envelopes us. I pull into my driveway and park, turn to her and instantly pull her to me. My mouth covers hers. She moans into my mouth, and my cock hardens. I pull back and look into her eyes. “Wait here. Don’t come in. I’ll come get you.” She nods. Her swollen lips lift into a smile. Rushing into the house, I set out to replicate what I had done before only the roses had withered. I’d never removed them, too obsessed with finding her, making things right. Only at that time, I didn’t know it wasn’t me who had wronged her. So, I make do with lighting all the candles, grab a bottle of wine and two glasses, setting them on the coffee table in the midst of the glowing embers. I may have cut myself a few times from the thorns, grabbing the withered petals from the roses and throwing them around on the table and floor then take the vases to the kitchen.
By the time I’m left breathing heavy, unsure if it’s from the exertion or my desire to take her to bed, I nod at the room before me then walk out the front door. She appears to be waiting patiently, yet eager as I watch her apply some lipstick while looking into the visor mirror. As if caught, she pushes it up into place and drops the offending lipstick into her small purse.
“Sorry that took so long.” I tell her as I open her car door, my words sound strange mixed with heavy breathing. Without a word, she smiles and places her hand in mine. It’s as if we can’t bear to take our eyes off each other as we walk to the front door. Suddenly, she turns around, runs her hands up my chest and around my neck. Leaning up, she kisses me. Gentle, at first, but we become a frenzy of mouths, tongues, and hands. Maybe we can make love first? No, I’m too anxious and there’s plenty of time for that. Man, have I changed.
“I’ve missed you,” I whisper against her lips. She begins to kiss me again, and I reach up and take her hand. “I need to show you something first.” Her lips turn into the cutest pout, and I swear my cock is aching to get out and inside her. “Hurry before I change my mind and make love to you right here for all my neighbors to see.” She giggles as I lead her into the house. Fuck, I’ve missed that! I guide her into the living room. Her hand leaves mine as she covers her mouth with a gasp. I’d turned off all the lights in my haste to go get her. The room is glowing.
“Oh, Greer!”
Turning to her, I take her hands in mine. “That horrible night I went to your apartment to take you soup and juice, thinking you were ill, this is what I had planned.”
Her head shakes slightly, her eyes filled with tears. “Greer, I’m so….”
Bringing my left hand up, still holding her right, I cover her mouth with my finger and smile. “After I learned what had happened, I was beyond angry at my ex, but I vowed if you ever came back to me, I’d finish what I started.” Releasing her hand, I put mine in my pants pocket, pulling out the item I’ve carried with me ever since that dreadful night. Her right hand covers her mouth as I keep hold of her left while I get down on one knee. I look up at her, watch the wetness in her eyes overflow and slowly slide down her flushed cheeks.
“Charleigh. Before I met you, I had no hope. I looked at the world and thought there would be no way to tell if a woman was honest. I had no way to know if I could trust them to be who they appeared to be. I lost any desire to try again. That night you accidentally spilled drinks on a pretentious woman at the bar, started my journey of learning what a wonderful woman you are. I’ve learned what a smart, trustworthy, selfless, and kind woman is, through you.” Her chin quivers as more tears fall. Taking a deep breath, I open the small black velvet box, exposing a princess cut engagement ring. Simple yet elegant that is perfect for her. “Charlotte Dawson? Will you do me the utmost honor of allowing me to be your husband? I will cherish, protect, be faithful, and do everything I humanly can to make you happy as long as we live.”
Now, every movie I’ve seen, the woman remains standing, nodding eagerly, and the man puts the ring on her finger then they kiss. Charleigh falls to her knees, cups my face with both hands and kisses me hard. I can feel her tears against my skin as I put my arms around her, pulling her closer. I don’t remember how long we stay this way, however, I begin to think she was trying to let me down as easy as possible. Suddenly, she leans back but a breath away and searches my eyes. For what, I’m unsure. “Greer Markson. I would love to have you as my husband on one condition.” Oh, shit!
“Anything,” I whisper.
“I will always be faithful to you, love you with every fiber of my being, and take care of you and Embry, unconditionally. I promise to never doubt you, fight for you and Embry until my last breath. I promise to talk to you about everything, keeping no secrets. Will you promise the same?”
“YES!” I don’t hesitate and kiss her – hard.
Releasing her mouth, I kiss her all over her face and listen to the music of her sweet giggles. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” she says, breathlessly.
We’d decided, a month later, that in order to keep my witch of an ex from trying to use Embry to keep us apart, we got married in a small church. My parents came for the occasion, along with Emily, Matt, and a few others from my office. Her friend Mitzi was her maid of honor while I had Matt stand next to me. Some of our Juniper Court neighbors even came. Embry was our flower girl. She was so excited, not only to toss flowers and be the center of attention but that Charleigh was now going to “sleep over” every night. We decided when she gets older, we’ll explain it better for her to understand. We had a small reception at our house. Fuck, I love the sound of that.
“Ungh, Greer!”
Hearing her scream my name in the heat of passion, my cock fully inside her, my arms shaking with my own release, was amazing the night I proposed. But hearing it on our wedding night, knowing she’s mine forever, will never be outdone. “I love you so much, Charleigh Markson,” I whisper as I kiss her swollen lips.
Wait! I take that back.
“Oh! Greer!” We both look down at the puddles beneath her feet. “My water broke!”
“Mom. Call everyone! We’re having the baby!”
Now, you’d think by the way I’m acting, I’d never been through this before. Well, I haven’t. Not with Charleigh. We’d decided a long time ago, we didn’t want to know the sex of our baby. The anxiousness has been overwhelming thinking about it and now, we’re on our way to find out as we welcome them into the world. Ending the call, I hold onto Charleigh’s hand as she pants through her contractions while I drive her to the hospital. Mom and Dad had come into town two weeks ago, Charleigh’s due date being surpassed already by a week. Knowing it would be a matter of time, they’ve stayed at the house. They were still asleep when we left so I called to give the good news, asking Mom to call everyone I’d written down on a list with their numbers.
“Slow down, Greer. We’ve got time,” she says through a gritted smile while breathing hard.
One look at the pain she’s obviously in, I slam down my foot on the gas pedal.
“Just one more big push, Mrs. Markson, and your baby will be here.”
Charleigh’s brows lower in concentration, or maybe anger, as she bears down again. I tighten my arm around her while holding onto her upper arm, trying to give as much support as I can.
“AHHHHHH!” she screams, making me instantly change my favorite sound of her passion to bringing our baby into the world my favorite ever.
“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Markson. Here is your beautiful son.”
My eyes widen as my pride kicks up a notch, looking down at our son. Helping Charleigh lie down, I kiss the sweaty skin of her forehead and her mouth. “I’m so proud of you, my love.”
“My brother!” Embry screams once Emily and my parents brought her into the room. I watch with more love I ever knew a person could have as Embry sits down on the couch against the wall, and I place her brother in her arms. She looks up at me with love filled eyes and smiles. “I’m gonna be the best big sister!”
Later that evening, after everyone came to visit and held our beautiful son, I’m lying in the hospital bed next to Charleigh, looking down at our son in her arms. “David,” I say. She shakes her head. “Michael?” We haven’t been able to come up with a name we both like.
Suddenly, she looks up at me. “Greer, Jr,” she whispers. Leaning over, I kiss her, smiling against her lips.
Since my grueling divorce, I’ve learned so much. Charleigh taught me most of it. There’s always someone else out in the world for you. You just have to force yourself to get out there and find them. Don’t let grief and despair of your situation dictate the rest of your life. Take control. Charleigh’s strength and never ending tireless efforts showed me you can obtain anything as long as you’re willing to work hard for it. Since we started the school, she got her degree, became director of the school, a wife, and a mother to two amazing children. Well, technically a stepmother to one. We had to put up with so much grief from Gianna once Charleigh and I were together again, but a year ago she remarried. Poor sucker. He’s rich. She moved into his large estate, and I’m sure having affairs on the side. At least now, she pretty much leaves us alone. Thank fuck!
Another year has gone by. Life couldn’t be better. We’ve added to our school building, creating two more classrooms. Business is booming. Charleigh is working part-time as we’re about to welcome another daughter into our family soon. We’d decided this time we couldn’t put ourselves through waiting to find out the sex. Okay, I couldn’t wait.
“Blow out the candles, Embry!” One of the seven children at her birthday party shouts.
Six years old and about to begin first grade. Greer, Jr., turned one, and my life is full. “Um, Greer?” Turning my head I kiss my beautiful wife. “My water just broke.”
Here we go again!