Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 93284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“Ok.” I whispered “But you are stuck with me forever, you are never getting rid of me. I will make your life a living hell if you ever try to leave me.”
“I would expect nothing less. I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth.” He said as he slipped the ring on my ring finger and kissed me, hugging me so tightly the air squeezed out of my lungs.
We made slow sweet love, and fell asleep with me splayed on top of him. I was on top of the world; I didn’t think anything could bring me down. I was wrong.
One phone call made the world shift on its axis.
Chapter 9
Two weeks passed in a flurry. There were no notes, or any used to be moms trying to take back kids. The only downside to the past few weeks was not hearing from James. Sam explained to me why there was no communication during a black out, but it still didn't make it any easier.
My finals were this past week, and I passed all of them with flying colors. I was just finishing my last one when I headed to Free and my new home.
I glanced down at my ring, and I couldn't help a happy little squeal.
I called my mom the night that Sam proposed, and my mom seemed to be as ecstatic as I was. She had met and fell in love with my dad within two weeks, then married him 2 weeks later before his leave was up. So she was the last person who would question how fast we were moving.
She somehow anticipated my thoughts and said, "Listen honey, when I met your father, I had the same doubts as you did at first. I quickly realized how unwarranted those thoughts were. I loved your father with all of my heart, and my body knew before my mind that we belonged together. Don't second guess yourself, life is so short. You need to live it, do what makes you happy, and be with those you love. It could all be over tomorrow, so don't let your fears ruin this for you. If y'all think this is right, then this is right. I love you honey, your father would be proud."
By the end of our conversation I was bawling. Sam had taken the phone from me and spoke with my mother for a short time then hung up. He gathered me in my arms and rocked me for long minutes, whispering soft words into my hair.
After I collected myself, I called Ember to let her know.
Her response was, "You're shitting me!"
Yes that's my Ember.
"Nope, I'm not. I just sent you a pic. You’re the second to know."
The conversation then turned to wedding plans and dates.
Everyone was super excited, and every time I glanced at my ring I wanted to do a little dance.
Parking in the lot in front of the house, I noticed that I hadn't seen Sam’s bike up front or back here, so I pulled my phone out to call him. He answered in the first ring.
"Yes ma'am?" He said.
"Hey big boy! I haven't gotten Janie yet. I was hoping to be alone with you for a little bit, but you're not here. Will you be here soon?" I asked sweetly.
"Actually I won't be home for another couple of hours. I'm meeting with a client right now. Was it something important, or do you need me now?" He asked.
"Oh, no. I just hoped to have you to myself for an hour."
"Damn. I wish I could baby, but this is a big project. We are building this bike for the battered women's shelter auction, and need to get the specifics down before next week. I'm sorry. “He said, sounding genuinely disappointed.
"It's ok. I just took my last final. I'm going to do some quick cleaning before I go get her." I said to him.
"I'll go get her. I'm in my Suburban today.” He said
"Okay, sounds good. Just let me know if you need me to pick her up. See you in a little bit!"
We hung up with each other, and I started doing all the chores that needed to be done. I tackled the clothes first. Neither Sam nor I seemed to have the cleaning bug, so everything got done when we were in desperate need of something. There was a large pile of clothes in the corner so I scooped them up and carried them to the laundry room, loading the washer and pulling the cold clothes out of the dryer that had been in there for over a week. Folding the clothes and putting them away, I started on the kitchen. Out of all the things I hated doing, the kitchen was the worst.
The rest of the afternoon was spent on tidying up and folding laundry. I took a quick shower, slipped on some yoga pants and a cami, and then headed for my room. I was about to start putting clothes away when I decided to flop down on the bed instead. I laid down on the bed, just for a wee rest, but couldn't stop my eyes from closing.
"Hey, sleepyhead. I almost didn't wake you, but I decided to anyway because I knew you probably hadn't eaten.
I woke up to rough fingers traveling up the back of my arm. The fingers felt great, the waking up did not. His fingers shifted to run lightly over my bare back making me shiver.
“Harder.” I whispered. He chuckled but started scratching my back in earnest now. His fingernails weren’t very long, but there were still enough of them to make me sigh in pleasure. Man, I loved back scratches. I loved when my mom scratched my back, and now that I knew Sam would do it, I’d probably ask him all the time.
“You are in for it now. I had known you would sit here and do this, I would have asked you to do it a long time ago.” I said to him.
“I’ll do it for you anytime you want; all you have to do is ask.” He said, smacking my butt hard enough to make it sting.