That's a Promise (18 page)

We expressed in many different ways just how much we loved each other, and every night he held me in his arms whispering his secrets, wishes, and stories of life. I whispered back to him about all of my fears, dreams, and fantasies. He would sit with me for hours and listen to me talk about the books I read or was reading, smiling and asking questions at all the right moments. Every cuddle, whispered secret, and stolen kiss made me fall in love with him even more.

We all visited George the next day, and he seemed to be recovering well. He looked the same as I have always known him, but the fragility of being in the hospital bed with monitors hooked to him, was evident. He joked around with Blake and me, and it made me feel better knowing that the accident didn’t take away his fun personality.

The doctor said that he would have to relinquish a lot more control of the farm to other workers. He needed to relax more, and not participate in any extraneous labor work on the farm. He was furious, but there was no denying that he would have to submit to the doctor’s orders, because there was no way he would intentionally put Gayle and Seth through that again.

I didn’t see Seth much the rest of the week, but I really didn’t miss him either. I know that sounds terrible, but I was so captivated by Blake and spending time with my dads that I didn’t feel the need to have him be there with me all week. He was busy helping out his dad anyway, so I knew that he wouldn’t have time for me. When Seth first saw Blake and me after the night we declared our love for each other, I could tell that he knew. He wouldn’t look at me while we were in the hospital room, but when we were alone in the hallway, he finally said something to me.

“You love him?” he asked softly while looking at the ground. He looked back up at me and I was surprised to see sadness in his blue green eyes. “You fell in love with him, didn’t you? And you told him everything.” He knew it was a fact as he said it, and maybe he was hoping I would deny it, but I couldn’t. I don’t know how he knew. I didn’t know if Blake and I seemed closer or if I slipped out an “I love you” too loudly, but Seth knew.

“Yes. I love him. And yes, he knows everything. I told him everything, and he still told me he loves me.”

“There’s nothing not to love about you, Josie” he said tenderly, embracing me quickly.

“I’m happy you’re happy, Pussy Cat. I’m gonna be helping out my dad, so I’ll see you back at school next week. I love you,” he told me, clearly ready to end the conversation.

“Thanks Seth. I love you too. Let me know if you need anything.” He smiled at me, and mussed up my hair before turning and going back to his dad’s hospital room.

My dads seemed to like Blake more each day that they spent together. Blake seemed to really get along with Daddy. They played chess, Scrabble and talked about architecture for hours. I didn’t mind, because it gave me more time to work on the car and spend time with Dad.

About midweek, Dad started asking more questions about Blake, which I took as a good sign.

“So you seem to be very taken by this boy. Is he being good to you?” he asked me seriously. I gave him a big smile to reassure him

“Yes, Dad. I didn’t think I would be able to connect with any guy the way I have with him. I told him everything.” He seemed a little shocked by my admission.

“Everything?” he asked speculatively.

“Yeah,” I said, knowing that it was a big deal. “Every single thing. I haven’t been able to talk to anyone like that, but there is just something about him. He makes me feel safe and loved at the same time.”

“Yeah, well…. If that boy hurts you, I won’t go easy on him. I promise you that, baby girl!” We went back to work on the car, but I couldn’t help smiling at his proclamation. He
did
like him.

Every night, I made Blake watch the next movie in the Harry Potter series. He started to get hooked on them, and I swear I saw him tear up when Sirius died (or vanished! Worst part ever!). Of course when I called him out for it, he just attacked me by tickling me all over. He was serious when he said he wasn’t finished with me. My sides were killing me from laughing so hard. He made it worse (or better) by holding me down on the bed and giving me wet slobbery kisses all over my face, while I tried my hardest to stop him.

Towards the end of the week while Daddy and I were cooking, Daddy decided it was his turn to give the “dad talk” about boys. Only his was a little different than Dad’s.

“Do you love that boy, Josie Bean?” he demanded of me while I chopped an onion. I looked over at him and grinned.

“I love him so much, Daddy. He really is the perfect guy for me. I spend so much time laughing with him. I don’t know… I just feel like he is exactly what I needed in my life, past and present.” I shrugged and went back to chopping.

“Well good, because if you didn’t, I was sure to fall in love with him soon,” he said, smiling and winking at me. “He really is a good man, Josie. I can see how much he loves you with a single look. It’s how I used to look at your dad when we first fell in love. He looks at you like he can’t live without you. Like it would be taking away his very breath if you were away. He breathes you in with every hug and kiss. That’s not easy to come by, baby girl.” I knew exactly what he meant, because I felt the same way about Blake.

“I feel the same way about him,” I said. He smiled at me, and I knew he was happy that I had found someone who could make me feel happy, safe, and loved. He came up next to me and leaned against the counter.

“And by the way, you might want to be a little more quiet during your nightly rendezvous,” he said quietly. I immediately reddened at his comment, but he continued, “Your Dad has about had a heart attack from wanting to go in there and kill him every night this week,” he said, chuckling quietly.  

“Oh my god, Daddy! I cannot believe you guys heard us! I swear I thought we were far enough away from you guys.” I would’ve put my head in my hands to hide from the embarrassment that I felt if I didn’t have onion juice all over them.

“Yeah well, I can handle your dad, but you might want to make it easier by keeping the volume down some.” He laughed, and went back to his cooking.

That night Blake and I made love as quietly as we could, but he still had to cover my mouth with his every time he gave me an orgasm. I felt like it made the moment even more intimate, and I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything.

On the last night at my house, Blake and I watched the very last Harry Potter movie. That one had always been a hard one for me, because it wasn’t just the end of a movie, it was the end of an era for me. I cried every time I watched it. Blake was leaning on his knees as he watched the end. I glanced at him and could see that he really was interested in what had happened. When it ended, and I had tears in my eyes, he looked over at me and gave me a sad smile. He just shook his head.

“I just don’t understand why they had to kill off all those people. I really liked that werewolf and that twin. They were kind of like a family to Harry, and they just killed them off! I don’t get it,” he said to me. He really did look frustrated about the ending.

“I guess not everything has a perfect happy ending,” I shrugged and told him. “I mean Harry had his best friends still, and the love of his life, but not without a lot of trouble getting in the way. Life’s not perfect, and I think that’s why they made it that way. The road to happiness has to have its bumps.” He seemed to contemplate what I had said. Then he shook his head.

“Nah, I just think they’re cruel!” He smiled at me, and then tackled me back on the bed. “Thanks for making me watch those movies with you. I really didn’t think I would like them that much.” He nuzzled my ear and neck, placing soft kisses under my jaw. “I love you so much, Josie. This past week has been perfection for me.” He leaned up so he could look at me, smiled, and continued, “I love my Ma, but spending time with your family really showed me what a family should be like.”

“I love you too, Blake. I never thought I could feel this way. I’ve never been this happy,” I reached up and cupped his cheek in my hand, wanting to savor that moment of contentment with him. Where we were free to laugh and be happy without any problems.

He let me take control that night, and I grinded on top of him. I loved watching his face as I moved against him, knowing that it was me who was making him pant and moan my name. Eventually he took over, and rocked into me, showing me exactly what he could do when he was in control. I was grateful for the chance to be in control for a short time, but I liked it so much better when he worked his hips against mine. He came at the same time as I did, and I loved how in sync we were together. We just worked.

The thing was, though, that there is never just a happily ever after without bumps in the road along the way. Blake and I didn’t realize that it would be so soon that our bubble of bliss would pop, and we would have to get over mountains if we were ever going to have a happy ending.

Chapter 16

We drove to Blake’s mom’s house the following day.

I gave my dads a big hug, and thanked them for such a great week. Blake gave them each a hug before we left, and I felt much better going back to school knowing that they both approved of him. We still had almost another week before the break ended, so we planned on staying with his mom. It was my turn to be nervous. She was the most important woman in his life, and I wanted to make sure that I was accepted by her.

His mom lived in the opposite direction of the school, so it was about a two hour drive before we got there. We held hands, and sang random songs on the radio together. He would tickle my side every time I put my bare feet on his dash board, and left foot prints in the window. He would say I was ruining his “baby,” but the laugh he had every time he caught me didn’t sound like he cared.

When we pulled up to his mom’s house, I was shocked at how beautiful it was. It was a huge white house with a wraparound porch and rusty red shutters. It was beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to see the inside.

“She wants me to add onto the house when I start up my business,” Blake said to me when he saw me gaping at the house. I turned to him, shocked.

“Really? It’s perfect! I love that porch! I could just imagine the books I could read all day sitting on there.” I smiled, and he chuckled before taking my hand and walking to the door. I took a deep breath, and he squeezed my hand once before he opened the door.

“Ma! We’re here,” he yelled out into the large home. It was really beautiful inside. It was decorated with antique looking furniture and beautiful knickknacks, but it felt lonely inside. Such a big home with no kids or family around had to feel lonely.

An older woman who looked about an inch shorter than me, came walking towards us. She had dark brown hair with grey highlights in it and stunning blue eyes. She was a little overweight, but she looked so beautiful that it didn’t even matter. I thought she looked amazing, and I immediately felt welcome seeing her huge smile directed towards us.

“Oh Blake! I’m so glad you’re home!” She pulled him down so she could wrap him up in her arms. She pulled back, and I saw tears welling in her eyes. She looked over to me, and grabbed my face.

“Well, now. Aren’t you just the prettiest girl I have ever laid eyes on? Goodness your skin is amazing! I wish I was able to tan like that!” I laughed at her candor.

“I’m half Filipino, so I cheated,” I said smiling. Blake snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me to his side. His hand played with the bottom of my hair, thoroughly distracting me.

“Ma, this is the girl I have fallen madly in love with. This is Josie. Josie, this is my Ma, Joyce” His mom just stared at me, and back at him. Maybe she was shocked that he announced that he love me? She shook her head, and I could tell she was trying not to cry. She patted Blake’s cheek.

“You did good, son. Come on you two, let’s go sit and talk.” She led us to the sitting area, and I almost felt like I shouldn’t sit on the furniture because it was all so beautiful. I was used to chilling out on some used furniture, but this set looked like it rarely was used.

“Where’s Brandon?” Blake asked when we sat down.

“Oh you know him dear, couldn’t stay with his mother that long, so he took off a couple days ago. Said he was going to hang out with a friend back at the school.” She turned to me and her eyes landed on the ring on my right hand. “Ok, first thing’s first. Let me see that ring my son was telling me he was designing for you.” I smiled at Blake, and held out my hand so she could examine the exquisite ring he created for me. She examined it with a smile, and looked up at me.

“Isn’t he just amazing?” she asked. “You must be somethin’ really special to him,” she said thoughtfully. She had a much more prominent twang than Blake did, and I loved listening to her talk. Blake hid his accent really well, but there were some moments that I would catch him using it, usually when he would get angry or when we were wrapped up in a passionate moment.

We sat and talked for a few minutes. She asked about my major, and she asked me questions about my life. She seemed to hang on to every word that I told her, and I enjoyed the conversation. She had just started asking Blake about how he was doing with the start of his business, when a beautiful, tall, long legged blonde came walking in.  She was stunning. Like, model stunning.

“I
thought
I heard your sexy voice, Blake, but I had to come out here to see for myself!” She said to him with a strong southern drawl. Blake gave me a smile before he got up and gave her a big hug. They must have known each other well, because that wasn’t the type of hug you just give to just anyone. I could feel a bit of jealousy sparking to life when I saw her touch my man. She finally spared me a glance, and walked over to me with her hand outstretched.

“I’m Alice Cornwell, and you
are?
” she asked, emphasizing the ‘are’ as if I shouldn’t be sitting in this home.

“I’m Josie Sommers. Blake’s girlfriend,” I replied sticking my hand in hers. I looked her straight in the eyes when I said it, because I didn’t want there to be any mistake about who he belonged to. I could see the challenge in her eyes, but she shook it off before anyone else could see. She gave me a big smile and turned to Blake.