Imperfect Love (Heart of Hope 4)

His fingers flexed and then gripped my hands harder. Then he yelled out and his hips thrust hard and warmth filled my womb.

“More…fill me more…” I said, lost in his pleasure.

He groaned again, withdrawing and thrusting, ejecting more of his seed inside me. He continued to thrust and grind, and it caught me off guard when I was coming again.

“Oh Jesus,” he moaned as my body convulsed around his again. “Baby…yes baby…”

Our bodies continue to move together, slowing, yet still rocking, still pulsing even as we lay quietly catching our breaths.

Finally, he lifted his head and kissed me. It was slow and sweet, filled with love. I poured every bit of love I had for him back in that kiss.

Ten years ago, we’d made love on our honeymoon. It was beautiful and filled with the promise of a happily ever after. But somehow, I’d lost sight of that.

This time, I vowed I would never forget. I’d been given a second chance in life and in my marriage. I wasn’t ever going to let a day go by that I didn’t show gratitude for both.

Starting now. “I love you, Brayden.”

He lifted his head and smiled like I’d given him a gift. It was a gift I’d give him every day for the rest of my life.

Epilogue

Terra – Six Months Later

I walked into the house after picking up the kids from school feeling a little stunned at the news I got while at my doctor’s appointment that afternoon.

“I’m going to check George and Steven,” Noah said running off toward his room.

“I’m hungry, mommy,” Lanie said, tossing her backpack down.

“The troops are back,” Brayden said entering the kitchen. “Is that where the backpack goes, Lane?”

Lanie sighed. “I’m tired, daddy.”

“Put the pack away and you can take a nap.”

She rolled her eyes, putting her backpack on the table where she’d do her homework later. “I’m going to feed Jack,” she said of her shrimp, named after Jacques from the movie, Finding Nemo.

He smiled wide, but it faltered when he saw me. “Is something wrong?”

“Ah…”

“Mommy?” Noah rushed into the kitchen, his face filled with panic. “George is upside down and not swimming.”

“Uh oh,” Brayden said. I could see he was torn between checking in with me and dealing with Noah and his probably dead fish.

“Go deal with George,” I said. “I?

??ll make a snack for them.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. We can talk later.” Later would be better. We had a lot to process and it shouldn’t be done in front of the kids.

Since Brayden sold the business and was home pretty much full time, I learned that it was definitely easier to parent with two people than alone. I’d been afraid that having Brayden at home most of the time would eventually get old. Especially for him. But the truth was, life was calmer. He still occasionally consulted with the business, but mostly he worked at home on the foundation, which I helped him with. He was involved with the kids, usually getting them up, while I did the pick-up. He attended their sports practices and events.

A month ago, he was with me when I had my next post-cancer check-up. At that time, all was well and we were able to breathe a sigh of relief until the next visit. All in all, life was good. No, it was wonderful. Nearly perfect.

Today, was a regular day, except of course, my doctors visit and the loss of George. Dealing with George’s death was difficult under normal circumstances, but having come through the health scare of a lifetime, I was reminded at how much loss hurts.