“Hmm,” is all I can respond with as he flicks my nipple with his tongue.
Brian positions himself over my wet slit while he rolls a condom onto himself. Gently, he eases inside of me. He takes a moment to enjoy the feel of me. “Baby, you have no idea how good you feel. Fuck, how I’ve missed this…you…us.”
“Shhh, less talking more action.”
I awaken hours later alone in Brian’s hotel room. I wipe the sleep from my eyes, and look over at the clock, it’s one A.M. Shit! I hope Caroline isn’t freaking out. I should have been home hours ago. I flip the lamp on. There is a note on the nightstand.
Aria,
Tonight, was amazing. I didn’t want to wake you; you were sleeping so peacefully. I had to catch my flight. Feel free to spend the night, checkout isn’t until 11 am. I hope to see you soon. I hope to see you in the stands at my next game. You have no idea of the power you still hold over me.
Brian
There are two passes to his next game peeking out from under the note. Fuck! I didn’t even get to tell him about Jace. Scrambling from the bed, I call Caroline and apologize to her a million times. She tells me not to worry that Jace has been in bed for hours. I let her know that I will be there soon. I can’t believe I was so irresponsible. I must have passed out, today was exhausting both mentally and physically. I checkout at the front desk, and flag a cab to take me to my car.
I can’t believe I just had sex with Brian after my mother’s funeral. What kind of person does that? Apparently a fucked up selfish one like me! I bang my head against my steering wheel as I sit in my car and cry. Yeah, I am having a pity party for myself. Finally making it home, I crash on my couch.
I wake up the next morning to the sound of bacon being fried in my kitchen. Jace is sitting on the floor watching cartoons. I give him a quick kiss on the head and let Caroline know I’m going to take a quick shower. As the water beats down over me, I let my tears fall. I have made such a mess of things. How did I let the night spiral so out of control?
After dressing, I join Jace and Caroline at the table for breakfast. She slides a cup of coffee across the table to me. “Now dish!” She gives me an excited look.
“You don’t want to know!” I groan feeling so ashamed of myself.
“The H-E- double L, I don’t, now spill.” She taps her impatient fingers on the table. “Faye talked of this baby meeting his daddy for the past year, it was her dying wish,” she tells me.
“What? She never told me that.”
“Here. I was supposed to wait before giving you this, but here, take it.” She hands me a letter and goes back to her coffee.
My hands start to tremble as I read my mother’s final words to me.
Aria,
My beautiful girl, if you are reading this then I have succumbed to my illness. I don’t want you to mourn for me, rejoice in the fact that I lived a happy life. Being your mother and Jace’s grandmother was the greatest accomplishment of my life. I wouldn’t take any of my mistakes back. They brought me to your father and led you and Jace to me. Life has a funny way of bringing you the people you need most at certain times throughout your life. When people leave your life sometimes it only means that they have served the purpose they were meant to. And if a time comes that you need them again, God will put them in your path once more. So, my sweet girl, love hard and live even harder. There are no set promises, just promise me you will follow your heart. I only ask one thing, please tell Brian about Jace. It is my last request of you. I know your intentions were true, but you and Brian aren’t your father and me. You must live life and make mistakes so you can learn from them and grow. I know you will raise Jace to be a fine young man. Tell him his Mam Mam loved him with all she had.
With all my love,
Mom
Chapter Twelve
Getting up from the table with shaky legs, I take out the tickets Brian left for me from my clutch. They are season passes, meaning I can go at any time. I get online from my phone’s browser to look up the schedule for the Red Jackets. They have a game tomorrow. I’m not scheduled to work again for another two days. Looks like I have a flight to book.
I can do this.
I will do this.
Jace will meet his dad.
Caroline is watching me as I start frantically pacing the floor while making calls to book a flight for Jace and myself. I plan to show up for Brian’s next game with Jace to fulfill my mother’s final wish.
I explain to Caroline that I didn’t get the chance to tell Brian about Jace last night and how I plan to just show up and surprise him. “You think I’m crazy, right?”
“No, I think it is quite romantic.” She beams at me.
**
I am in a rush to get to the airport. I managed to book the last two seats available on the last flight to Cincinnati for the night. I packed a carry on bag for Jace and me, we will only be spending the night in Cincy tonight. We have to fly back late tomorrow evening. I decided against telling Brian we—I, well, that we are coming.