Dr. Bowen cleared me to go home and it feels good to be in my own bed again. I just need a few more days of rest and I’ll be back to my old self. Jackson has been wonderful. He’s been here every day, and he’s decided to move closer to me. Every time he’s in his living room, he has flashbacks of the shooting, so moving was an easy decision to make. The love I have for this man is more than I’ve ever thought I would have in my life. We all make mistakes and you don’t give up on a person just because of their mistakes. It’s okay to forgive and allow love to heal you. I’m not saying not to be cautious and guard your heart. It just feels good to be open to love conquering all, paving the way to redemption and forgiveness. Sometimes things may not work out, and that’s okay too. Life is full of windy roads and sometimes it can be difficult to navigate. You just have to know what you want and be bold enough to go for it.
Jackson comes into the room interrupting my thoughts.
“Hi, baby, what do you want to eat for dinner? I was thinking we could have grilled fish with roasted vegetables.”
“That sounds wonderful. Have I told you how much I love you lately?”
Coming over to the bed, he lays down next to me and kisses me. I will never get enough of those body melting kisses.
“Yes, you told me several times today and I love hearing you say it. I can’t wait to show you how much I love you.”
My body responds to his words and I lose all my senses.
“I can’t wait either. You know, I am feeling a little frisky and Dr. Bowen didn’t say we couldn’t make love.”
I start unbuttoning his shirt and he grabs my hands.
“Oh no you don’t, we’re not doing anything until you are one hundred percent healed, but what I can do is give you a little preview.”
He moves in closer, careful not to put any pressure on my belly and once again his lips are on mine. I just can’t get enough of the feel of him. Moving slowly down my body, he lifts my tank and runs his tongue all around my nipple and then takes it into his mouth. I instinctively squeeze the other as his hands slip into my panties and into my pussy.
“You’re already so wet for me,” he says.
“Always for you, Jackson.”
He slowly pumps his fingers in and out then takes them out and tease my clit with my wetness. He repeats this over and over again while sucking my nipple. I’m panting so hard and I’m very close to coming. He must know this because he removes his fingers and focus solely on my clit. I explode! Streams of white light dance behind my closed eyes and it seems to go on and on.
“Fuck, baby, you’re so damn beautiful when you come.”
“You always say the sweetest things.”
We both laugh as he helps put me back together and tucks me in.
“That was some preview, Mr. Barnes. I can’t wait for you to show me more.”
“I can’t wait either and trust me, there’s so much more that I want to show you, Ms. Stephens, but right now you need to rest. I’ll stay right here until you fall asleep.”
“You’re so good to me Jackson. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“Me neither, baby. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too.”
Epilogue I
The Next Day
Crystal
The airport is busy as usual. Jackson and I wait at the baggage claim for my parents. I haven’t seen them in so long and I’m nervous that Jackson is meeting them. I’ve never introduced them to a guy that I’m dating, because none of my relationships were that serious. Now, things are very serious between us and I feel like he is the man I will spend the rest of my life with. I look up and see mom and dad coming right for us. Jim and Elaina Stephens married thirty years and counting. I can only hope to have the kind of marriage that they have. They’ve always been so loving toward one another and admire them so much. My mother has tears her in her eyes as she grabs me up in a hug.
“Oh, sweetheart it’s so good to see you,” Mom says.
“Hi Mom, it’s good to see you too!”
It feels so good to be in her embrace, that I hold on a little longer and burrow myself into her more. There’s nothing like being in your mother’s arms, especially after you’ve been through what I have in the last few weeks. Behind me, I can hear my dad introduce himself to Jackson.
“You must be Jackson?”
“Yes Sir, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
I turn around to introduce my mom to Jackson and he’s down on one knee with the most beautiful princess cut, diamond ring that I’ve ever seen. I stare at him in shock because I have no idea what I think let alone what my parents are thinking. When he begins to speak, the tears spill over and I can no longer hold in my emotions.
“Crystal, you literally fell into my life at a time that I didn’t believe in love. I said that I would never again, give my heart to anyone, but you changed that for me. You changed the dynamic of my life and I’m a better man because of it. No one has ever loved me the way that you do, and I feel your love every day. You’re it for me and I can’t imagine a life without you in it. So, Crystal Amelia Stephens, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
I look at my parents and my mom is crying just as much as I am. My dad looks emotional, but he gives me a nod. I turn back to Jackson and I give him my answer.
“A thousand times yes!”
He slips the ring on my finger just as a thunderous applause erupts around us. I see April and Chassity burst from the crowd, running towards us.
“Did you guys know about this?” I ask.
“Of course, we did, who do you think helped him pick out the ring, Chas says.”
I hug them both and Jackson is shaking my Dad’s hand when he laughs and says.
“I’ve been talking to your Father all week about this. I wasn’t going to ask you without his blessing and I finally convinced him.”
Turning to my parents, I chide,
“You guys knew about this and didn’t say anything!”
My dad laughs and says,
“We didn’t want to ruin the surprise sweetheart. Jackson here, is a fine young man and we’d be honored to have him as a part of our family.”
Jackson picks me up and spins me around. When he sets me back on my feet, he kisses me and not just any kiss. This kiss is filled with love and a promise of forever. The End…
Epilogue II
An introduction to April & Javier
Looking across the room, I see Jackson kissing who I assume is Crystal. He’s already whipped and hasn’t even had a date with her yet. I quickly scan the rest of the crowd gathered around Lance Jones, owner of Pure Sin. I do a double take as my eyes fall on a petite red head with the thickest waves, a small, but curvy body, and a gorgeous smile. I just want to wrap her hair around my fist and kiss that luscious mouth. I have to know who this woman is, so I make my way over and I have my eyes set on one person.
“Jackson aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?” I say.
He looks at me weird because he knows when I work a job, I’m always focused, and I don’t fuck around. I know I’m being rude, but I can’t help myself. I turn to my dream woman and speak only to her.