Whatever It Takes (11 page)

I pull back as to not give in to my urges. My eyes absorb the desire shooting from Jake's.

“
We can't.”

“
I know.”

I ache to feel his weight on me. It has been so long and I miss him terribly.

“
Anyone at your house?”

Jake smirks and I can tell that he knows I'm weak. He takes my hand and walks me down the hallway. In the floor of the living room, my father and Drake are playing Monopoly.

“
We're going to run to my house to get some more games,” Jake calls over his shoulder.

Jake pulls me out of the house and to his car. Minutes later, we're at his house and fumbling through the entrance. Wasting no time, we head to Jake's room.

My back is against the door as Jake kisses my neck. I push him backwards towards the bed, burning with need. Toppling onto the sheets, Jake towers over me. He lifts his shirt off and tosses it to the side then removes my shirt in seconds. I feel myself melting as Jake's hands travel over my hot skin.

Jake slides off my pants and underwear. Arousal is clear in his eyes as they take in my glistening state. There's a bulge forming in Jake's pants and I sit up to unzip them. Soon, Jake and all of his hard glory are free of restraining clothes. No time for foreplay. The need to connect with one another is too strong to deny any longer.

My breath hitches as Jake's length enters me and my back arches against him. His mouth lights a fire from my mouth down my jawline and to my neck. My nails dig into his shoulders as I feel him thrusting.

With each driving force, I rise and rise until I’m writhing in pleasure and sweat. Lying in his arms, I don't ever want to leave. Lips kiss the top of my head and I can't help but think of how much I love this man.

Love can either heal or destroy. Love is so powerful that it can sweep you up like a leaf in the wind. Up and down, twirling here and there. Hitting objects that stand in the way, making you stronger. And sometimes a hand catches the fragile leaf and crushes it. Love is beautiful as well. That hand could catch that leaf and hold it like a baby bird. Stroke it with care. Love is powerful. A lesson I will never ever forget.

12

Jake

Driving home, I gently squeeze her hand in reassurance and as a reminder that I'm here. Sweetness' hand is idle in mine. It's times like these that I need to know what she is thinking. If I knew, then I would know if everything would be alright. However, Emily isn't sending out any signals.

She must be exhausted and ready for sleep. Sweetness will get the rest she needs and anything else she wants. It is the least I can to do to make the love of my life happy. Nothing else matters to me, but her happiness.

It's odd how a mere coincidence can change someone's life. Getting paired in a class or meeting someone by pure chance can turn a world upside down and inside out. Emily did that to me. Because of my dad, I didn't think a relationship was possible, but Emily changed all of that. She showed me that some things are worth fighting for even if you aren't sure why yet. That's something that we need to remember.

We are worth fighting for no matter what.

We eat pork-chops, french fries, and mac-and-cheese before Dad comes to get Drake. Emily is oddly quiet. It takes her five minutes to fall asleep.

Laying on my back, Emily is cuddled up against me with her head resting on my chest. I don't want to wake her, but I can't resist running my fingers through her soft hair. I realize my shirt is wet.

“
Sweetness?”

No response. Shaking her shoulder lightly, I wake her up. Sleepy, red, puffy eyes look up at me. My arms wrap themselves around her before I can even think to do so.

“
Another nightmare?”

“
Yeah,” she whispers.

“
Do you want to talk about it?”

“
No.”

“
Sweetness. It'll get better. I promise. Don't forget. I'm always here for you.”

“
I know.”

Her voice says she believes me, but it lacks confidence. Is it confidence in my ability to help or is it confidence in herself? Either way I need to show her it is there.

I hold Sweetness in my arms until she falls into a peaceful sleep. Hours later the sound of Drake's voice wakes me. Dad must have dropped him off this morning.

“
Dad has been taking me to lessons so I can play hockey. I hope to get as good as Jake one day. Maybe even play in the NHL. How cool would that be? If I'm good enough, people would be coming to watch
me
play.”

Rolling out of bed, I leave Emily and Drake to catch up. In the kitchen, Dad and Mike are sitting at the round wooden table drinking coffee. I take a seat and run my hands over my face. I feel as if I didn't get any sleep at all.

“
You alright son?”

“
Yeah, just tired. I feel as if Emily and I need to get away for the weekend again.”

“
Again?” Mike looks over curiously.

Oops. “Yeah,” is all I say. The more I think about it, the better it sounds. Sadly, I have a feeling Emily wouldn't be up for it. A few days at home is probably exactly what she wants. I will have to find out.

The sound of my chair scraping the floor echos in the room as I leave them in the kitchen. Drake is still talking a mile a minute.

“
Drake, get out for a sec. I need to talk to Emily.”

“
Okay,” he sighs, scooting off of the bed.

Once he's out of ear shot, I sit on the edge of the bed and look at Emily. She's practically glowing and it's thanks to my little brother. I'll have to remember to thank him.

“
Remember when we went away to the cabin for the weekend?”

Emily nods.

“
How does that sound right about now?”

“
You want to go away again?”

I nod.

“
I'd love to, but don't you think we should spend time with our families while we are here. I know that we haven't spent much time together lately, but once break is over...” Emily's voice trails off.

“
Okay. I was just thinking how it would be nice to get away for a bit.”

Leaning forward, I place a kiss on her forehead.

“
I love you.”

“
I love you too.”

I leave Emily's room with an urge to go out into the world with Drake and have fun. Drake is ecstatic with the idea, but asks if a girl can come along. Apparently, he has himself a girlfriend. I ask Emily if she would like to come as well.

Of course, she says yes. We gather into my car and leave to pick up Drake's girlfriend Becky. She seems like a nice little girl. I can't tell anything else about her though because Drake talks nonstop to her. Glancing over at Emily, she smiles at me.

“
Drake,” she begins. “Why don't you give Becky the chance to reply?”

“
Oh,” he says. “Sorry Becky.”

“
It's okay. I like listening to you talk.”

From then on out, Drake takes little pauses in-between subjects to allow Becky to respond. Once Becky starts talking, she is as talkative as Drake. Sometimes, they are even speaking over one another. Emily reaches over and intertwines our fingers. We are going out for ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery.

Once we arrive, order, and take our seats, Emily gets a chance to talk with Becky. She seems happy to talk about herself. Drake listens intently. I don't believe I've ever seen him listen so well before.

My chocolate ice cream tastes delicious as I listen to the conversation. When we are all finished, Emily suggests that we go to the movies. So we do. Emily and I sit a few rows back from the kids to give them some time to themselves.

Emily hugs my arm to her chest and rests her head on my shoulder throughout the movie. I am so happy to have her back. My love for her is so strong.

Love is putting another person before yourself. Love means doing what's best for the other person, no matter what it means for you. Love is always there. Time can only strengthen love. You can only love someone else if they allow you to and it applies to yourself. To be loved, you must place trust in another person.

13

Emily

The big day is finally here and the house is filled with a delicious aroma. Turkey is cooking in the oven. Deviled eggs, corn, green beans, sweet potatoes, and so much more is being prepared for the five of us.

“
I'm thankful for all you do, Dad. Let Jake and I take care of the cooking.”

And so we are. Magic is in the air as Jake and I bustle around the kitchen getting everything ready for the feast.

“
Oh man. This food smells so good. I'm going to gain ten pounds!”

“
You'll still be beautiful,” Jake says with a kiss on the lips.

I grin even though I don't buy it. In his eyes, I may be beautiful ten pounds heavier, but in my eyes? Negative. An extra ten pounds is ten too many. Stirring the veggies one last time, I ask Jake to check on the turkey.

“
All done,” he states proudly as he pulls it out of the oven.

We start setting the table and call the gang into the kitchen. Everyone flops into their respective seat and Dad sits straight in a way
that demands attention.

“
As per our tradition, we will go around the table and name five things for which we are thankful. I'll go first. I'm thankful for Jake and Drake for all they have done for Emily. I'm thankful for my health, Emily, my job, and to be here with each of you today.”

Dad turns his attention to his left where Mr. Benson is sitting.

“
I'm thankful for my sons and to Emily for helping Jake in his forgiveness. I'm thankful for my health and job as well. Last but certainly not least, I'm thankful my boys are healthy.”

Drake is next.

“
I'm thankful for everyone here. Hmm.” He places a finger on his chin and contemplates.

“
I'm thankful for hockey and the NHL. I'm thankful to have all the things that I need and the extra stuff that I just want. Um...I'm thankful that Emily can make my brother smile.”

Aw. That is so sweet. I tell Drake so and he grins a toothy smile. Next, it is my turn.

“
I'm thankful for my father, my health, and Jake's family. I'm thankful for Jake and all he has done for me.” I look over at Jake with sheepish eyes. “I honestly don't know where I would be if it wasn't for that day.”