More Than I Wanted (18 page)

I
cringed even asking, “How did they take the news last time?”
I hesitated, “You know, with Emily.”

“Yeah,
let’s just pretend you didn’t ask that. It will be fine,
don’t worry. I don’t need their permission to marry the
woman I love. At some point you’ll have to meet my sister, but
she sort of does her own thing. We’re not super close being
years apart, but I adore her, she’s a good kid.”

I
wasn’t feeling very relaxed knowing it didn’t go over
well last time and swallowed my pride, hoping to make it through the
lunch date. I could do this, I loved Austin, and they’d see
that, right?

Pulling
up to the restaurant, I called up my courage and got out of the car.
Austin took my hand and together we went inside.

His
parents were sitting on a small bench to the side, “There you
are,” she sighed. “We’ve been waiting. They’ve
got a table ready for us.” She looked annoyed. “What took
you so long?”

I
calmed my nerves the best I was able, focusing on my breathing. I
desperately wanted to be anywhere but here. I was about to be put
under the microscope and every bit of insecurity I’ve got
inside of me was going to bubble to the surface.

“Mom,
Dad, I’ve got some news,” Austin started.

“Can’t
it wait darling? I’d like to order a drink first.” She
said, sitting down and opening her menu.

How
could the tension be thick all ready? I wished I liked her more, but
all ready my guard was up. I hoped our time together would be swift
so I could get the hell out of here.

“Actually,
it can’t wait,” Austin spoke up, clearing his throat.
“I’ve just asked Kate to be my wife, and she’s
agreed.”

“How
lovely,” his father replied. “Congratulations.”

I
wore a small smile, feeling on display, barely speaking, “Thank
you.” I sensed his mother hatred all ready.

Rolling
her eyes she finally spoke, “Austin, really, another one? Are
you sure about this? I mean, you just got home, give it time. You
must stop wearing your heart on your sleeve, dear boy. You’ve
got enough on your plate all ready. Shouldn’t you slow things
down? Besides, you’ve all ready done the marriage thing in the
past. Do you think this is a good idea, I mean really, what’s
the rush? Live together, be young and free, but marriage? I don’t
know. It’s so,” she paused for effect, “permanent.
Well, in most cases. I mean, your last one ended in divorce. Do you
really want to go through that again?”

I
was sitting right there, it was almost like I didn’t exist
.
It took every bit of strength from letting my jaw drop open at her
comment.

“Mother,”
Austin tensed up, I could almost feel his teeth clenching to keep his
calm. “That was completely uncalled for. Please welcome Kate
into the family.”

“If
you insist,” she rolled her eyes again. “Welcome, dear.”
It was so off the cuff; I didn’t know how to respond. I felt
badly, watching Austin shake his head in frustration.

“Thank
you,” I said meekly. What should have been a joyous occasion
was anything but. I excused myself to the ladies room, feeling sick
to my stomach. I was beside myself at her reaction. My heart broke
for Austin, and my anger was bubbling up. How dare she destroy our
precious celebration.

She
didn’t even try to hide it to be polite. She just threw it out
there, not only embarrassing us both, but being a total B-I-T-C-H! I
expected her to be less than thrilled based on what he’d told
me about her, but seriously? She seriously just said all of that to
him – and right in front of me!

In
the safety of the bathroom stall, I texted Heather, “Austin
proposed. His mom hates me all ready.”

“OMG,
really? Squeals of excitement!”

“Trapped
in bathroom stall, don’t want to go back out there,” I
texted in return.

“Be
strong, he loves you.”

“You’re
right, but she’s mean.”

“You
can handle this. Be yourself, you’re awesome.”

“Love
you, thanks.”

“Talk
later, call me when you can.”

“Will
do, hugs to baby AJ.”

And
with that, I pasted a smile on my face, opened the door, and headed
back out to join the others at our table. Drinks had been served and
with orders placed, it was just a matter of time. I was counting down
the minutes until I got to leave this place. The thought of spending
any more time near his mother overwhelmed me.

After
sitting down, Austin squeeze my hand under the table, trying to give
me a reassuring boost. Looking into his eyes, I reminded myself he
was all I ever needed. It didn’t matter if his parents weren’t
my biggest fan. As long as I had Austin, we’d be okay.

His
mother was unbearable, but somehow I managed to get through the meal.
She had less than lovely comments about pretty much anything I said
or did. “Oh dear, do you really need those extra starchy foods?
You could stand to lose a few pounds in your hips,” I swear, I
didn’t know how to respond and almost choked when the words
came out.

“I
hope you’re not expecting Austin to carry all the burden in
this marriage, you do intend to work right? Oh, that’s what you
call a career these days? Hmmm, I don’t see much of a future
for promotion there…” and on, and on, and on.

When
it was time to leave, I was polite but greatly relieved. “It
was lovely to meet you both,” I offered, trying to harness the
sling of thoughts I was actually feeling.

“Like
wise,” his father said. “Again, welcome to the family.”

His
mother said nothing, simply giving Austin a hug, and out the door
they went.

“Are
you okay?” He asked with a grimace.

“I’ll
survive. How are you doing?”

“Great,
now that we’re about to go home and get naked. I’m sorry
my mother was so rough on you. I want to say she means well, but I’m
not sure she does. I think she’s trying to scare you, to see if
you’re strong enough to hang in during tough times. Sometimes,
I’m not even sure what her angle is. You’re an incredible
woman to have put up with that so gracefully.”

“Graceful,
huh? I had a few choice comments I choked back. I just, I didn’t
expect to be verbally assaulted so much. You could have jumped to my
defense a little more,” I said, and then stopped the train of
thought. Not today, not now. “Eh, it will be okay. God, I hope
it will be okay,” I sighed. “Is she always this,” I
was desperately stuck trying to find the right word. Bitchy was all
that wanted to come out, but I refrained, biting my cheek. Finally, I
went with difficult. “Is she always this difficult?”

“Mostly,”
he flinched. “I’m sorry. She will soften up a little over
time.”

“You’re
damn lucky I love you this much,” I laughed.

I
hoped my parents would be more charming when the moment came along. I
knew they wouldn’t be assholes at least; they’d probably
just embarrass me. After today, I could handle a little embarrassment
– that would be cake.

Driving
home, the anticipation of alone time had us both on edge. I hadn’t
been naked with Austin in what felt like forever. I wanted to hide
away for days and spend every second of it in bed with my lover –
my future husband.

I
was still wrapping my head around that bit - Austin, my husband. It
felt surreal, here we were separated for what felt like forever, and
now we’re together again, and soon we’d be united as
husband and wife. The past year melted away, all my heartache and
sorrows, now that he was home with me.

Pulling
in the driveway, we both practically ran to the door trying to get to
the privacy of my home. Unlocking the door, we pushed through and
closed it, and within seconds Austin was working at unzipping my
dress, helping it fall to the floor. The urgency was intense, the
need driving our every movement.

Pressed
back up against the door, I felt the weight of his body against me,
and stood in my silky lingerie and heels. Red panties and matching
bra, blue shoes, and my pale white skin – I was a vision of
red, white, and blue for my soldier.

His
mouth was hungry, and there was urgency in his kisses. Reaching down,
he picked up one of my wrists and lifted it up over my head, pinning
it to the door. He reached down and lifted the other as well, holding
me there, my hands up and unmoving. His mouth roved from my mouth
down across my neck and shoulders, and licking and tasting my skin,
he found his way back to my mouth.

“Don’t
move your hands,” he whispered, letting them go. “I want
to look at you, just like this.”

Shoving
my bra up over my breasts, he caressed them, sighing as he enjoyed my
body. “It’s been so long,” he said, and then
lowered his mouth. My eyes closed, feeling his hot mouth on my skin.
Suckling my nipple into his mouth, I let out a small gasp of
pleasure.

I
meant to keep my hands up, truly I did, but I instinctually put my
fingers in his short hair, pulling his head tighter to my breast. “It
feels so good,” I cooed, “don’t stop.”

My
hips were all ready grinding, and my need to be penetrated was
strong. I ached for my lover after such a long time away from him,
but I’d have to move at his pace, because he wasn’t ready
to yet.

Tenderly
sucking my nipple, he let his hand roam my body, and found the edge
of my panties. Slowly, he played with the elastic band, and then
slipped his fingers underneath, reaching for what was hidden below.

I
was all ready wet, filled with excitement, his touch setting my body
on fire, and when his fingers slid inside of me I groaned with
satisfaction. A light tingling sensation ran through my body.

“You
like that, huh?” He was caught in the moment, and as he took my
body to the edge with his hands and mouth, I begged him not to stop.
“You’re so wet,” he whispered.

Sliding
my panties down my legs and stepping out of them for easier access,
he asked me to keep my heels on for now. I spread my legs wider,
wanting him inside of me.

Soon
he was tearing at his belt, trying to get his pants down. He couldn’t
move fast enough, and needed his own moment of relief. We maneuvered
so he could slide inside, and then lifting me up, he told me to wrap
my legs around him.

My
back was pressed to the door, and he was deep inside of me. Thrusting
from below, my arms and legs tangled around his body, he worked up a
good sweat before finally grunting and releasing his seed deep inside
of me.

His
hands cupped just below my bottom and thighs. After he came, he
slowly released his grip, letting me find my balance on my feet once
again. Our breathing was ragged, and my heart raced.

Together
we sank to the floor, him still partially dressed, his shirt on, his
pants and underwear shoved to his ankles, and me in my bra pushed
over my breasts and in heels. We were quite a vision.

Slowly,
I reached around and unhooked my bra, slipping it off and tossing it
onto the floor. I laughed watching Austin kick his shoes off and
shimmy out of his pants. After regaining our composure, he stripped
off his shirt, and together we got up and headed into the bedroom.

“Keep
the heels on,” he said. I smiled and followed behind him.

It
felt funny walking down the hallway, naked and only in heels. There
was something sexy about it, and for a moment I felt like a goddess
knowing he wanted me.

Climbing
onto the bed together, we snuggled in, holding one another. “It
feels funny wearing shoes in bed,” I said.

“You
can take them off if you get out of bed and walk around the room for
me, just for a minute or so. I’ve missed your body,” he
grinned.

I
got off of the bed, and playfully swayed my hips while walking back
and forth. I threw in a few poses, trying not to giggle as I did.
Finally kicking the shoes off, I hopped back onto the bed and pressed
my body to his. Austin pulled me in tightly, wrapping his body around
mine. It’s as if he wanted every bit of our skin to be
touching, and I wasn’t about to complain.

We
made love again, tender and sweet, slow and rhythmic. There was
something so beautiful between us, and I realized how different
quick, hot sex and making love really are. We were connected, in
sync, the feelings were powerful, and it wasn’t just lust –
it felt like so much more.

His
fingers brushed my hair away from my face, “I love you, Kate.
I’m so glad we made it this far.” His words were sweet,
and his eyes sincere.

“Me
too,” I leaned in kissing his lips gently. I couldn’t get
enough of him. I missed him so much.

“I
want to spend every waking moment with you here, but after this
weekend, I’m going to need a few days alone, okay?” He
gently let me down; reminding me it would take some time for him to
adjust.

I
nodded, “Sure, of course. Are you okay?”

“Yeah,
yeah, it’s fine. I just need to process some stuff, readjust to
things again, but I don’t want you to think it has anything to
do with you. I’ll need some alone time.”

“If
you need anything,” I started.

“It
will be fine. This wasn’t my first rodeo,” he reassured.

His
hands slowly drew up and down my body, and we lazily spent the rest
of the afternoon in bed. Our mouths would meet, we’d make love
again, and then collapse into a heap on the covers, panting and
smiling, only to snuggle in and nap. Waking up, we’d start all
over again. It was like a fairytale, the connection we felt, the
desire, the need…and he was home again, which was all I ever
wanted.

“I’ll
take you ring shopping tomorrow. I would have surprised you, but
well, you know…” he grinned. “Then we have all
afternoon to be naked again.”

“Are
you sure you want to do this? You don’t have to, I mean I want
to, but I don’t want you to feel obligated.”