Etching Our Way (Broken Tracks 1)

He brushes his lips against mine while grinding his hips into me, pulling me impossibly close. We stay still for a beat, breathing each other in and basking in the moment before he pulls away, wrapping his arms around my back and holding me to him.

He picks up the rhythm, breathing heavily into my ear, making me grasp onto his hair. I thread my fingers through it and use it as an anchor, all the while the heat starts to build between my thighs for a second time. I know I’m about to tip over the edge again.

This is all I’ve ever wanted: to be back in the arms of the man I love. Feeling the raw passion that’s been missing for the past ten years.

He peppers kisses back over my jaw and looks into my eyes, not breaking the connection as he moves faster, conveying everything he doesn’t need to say with one simple look.

“Never again,” he murmurs. “I’m so sorry, Harm. I promise I’ll never leave again.”

He rests his forehead against mine and his admission only intensifies the release that rips through me, touching every part of my body.

“I love you, too,” I whisper in his ear as he moans my name, stilling inside me.

We stay clutched against each other, neither one of us willing to break the connection. I want to stay in this bubble forever, just him and me, no-one else around to interfere. But I know that can’t happen, so I pull away, expecting to see regret in his eyes, but all I see is love reflected back at me.

He pulls out, letting my legs down gently and keeping his hands on my waist to steady me. I don’t think my legs have felt this shaky since… the last time we had sex.

He buttons up his jeans and lifts his hands up as I pull my tank and bra back into place, his hands brushing over my hair and cupping each side of my face.

“I’m never letting you go now, Harm.” I swallow, nodding my head. “I mean it. This is us now. You, Clay, Izzie, and me.” His eyes flash. “That’s if… If you’ll have us?”

My eyes tear up at him wanting me to be there for them all. “Have you?” I ask. “You already had me.”

Ed Sheeran—How Would You Feel

Andrew Ripp—When You Fall In Love

Yiruma—River Flows In You

I steady the ninth candle in the pink icing as it nearly falls, chuckling to myself before walking out into the backyard of the smaller house we moved into two and a half years ago.

“Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to, Izzie. Happy Birthday to you.” Everyone sings along and cheers for the birthday girl.

Nine today. I can’t believe it.

Izzie jumps up and down in her seat as she blows out each candle.

“Did you make a wish, pumpkin?” Tris asks, walking over to me but directing his question at Izzie. “Here, go to Mommy.”

He passes over an over-excited Frankie who pouts as he tries to reach for the cake before we can cut it. “Not a chance, bud. That’s your sister’s.”

“Want it!” he shouts, making everyone laugh.

When I went to the hospital one Sunday and “Baby F” wasn’t there anymore, it broke my heart that I would never get to cuddle him again, that I’d never see his little face and look into his big brown eyes. I couldn’t imagine a life where I wasn’t holding onto him and keeping him safe.

But it didn’t end there. A lot of serious conversations later, Tris and I decided we weren’t going to let him stay in the system a minute longer. We had a long battle with the legal system, but he was finally ours. And soon I

zzie and Clay will be mine—legally—too.

The decision wasn’t an easy one to make regarding Clay and Izzie. When Tris first approached me about adopting the kids, there was no doubt in my mind that it was what I wanted. But I was worried that they’d think that I was trying to replace Natalia. Much to both of our surprises, when we sat the kids down and told them that I wanted to adopt them, Izzie didn’t even bat an eyelid, running and hugging me like it was the best news that she’d ever heard. Clay was cautious at first, but he soon warmed up to the idea when we explained the situation more.

I walk over and sit beside Clay on the sofa with Tristan on the other side of him.

“I would never try to take your mom’s place, Clay.” I look up at Tristan who nods slowly at me, giving me the go-ahead to say what we talked about. “Your mom was actually my best friend when we were in college.”

Clay’s head snaps toward me. “She was?”

I nod gently. “She sure was. Your mom was an amazing, kind-hearted person, and I will never take that away from her. I… I want to give you everything you deserve. I want to be there for you when you need someone to listen to your stories and when you need someone to rant to when your dad is being a big stinker.” We all chuckle. “But most of all, I’d like to be your stand-in mom, if you’ll let me?”