“Yes, Tim. I’ll marry you.”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her taut against his chest, their two hearts finally beating as one.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jessica looked out the giant window at the impressive view of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the vibrant fall leaves striking against the backdrop of the California sky. It had been exactly three months to the day of the storm that had forever changed the trajectory of her life—three months to the day when her entire world pined for a beast of a man she almost lost.
Looking down at her sparkling engagement ring, her mind was flooded with snapshots from the past few months during Tim’s recovery, the most memorable being the night he proposed. The piece of paper colored with pink and red hearts with the simple question, “marry me?” was safely tucked in a box, awaiting the perfect frame before being hung on the wall in their new home in Atlanta. He had told her later that Tabitha had been instrumental in helping him secure the diamond engagement ring she now wore. It was a family heirloom. It was the ring his late father had given to his late mother many moons ago.
They had decided to rebuild in the country club neighborhood where they met. It was close to good schools and convenient to all the necessary freeways one needed to navigate the city. It was also the only place her children had ever known. Friends and neighbors had rallied in the subdivision after the storm, coming together after the tragic event. There was something about a community that came together in times of devastation and celebration that made Jessica want to stay. That and the fact her best friend Elizabeth would kill her if she moved away. Tim was ecstatic with their decision, ready to move on with his life in the south and start anew with his beautiful Southern belle and her four daughters. There would be no more secrets and no hiding from the world, their love story a beautiful testament to the odds that had been against them.
They watched as the bulldozer came and demolished what was left of the Kaufman home, the last pile of rubble topped off with the remnants of a pink feather boa that appeared out of nowhere, drifting in the late summer wind and landing in a whisper atop. Moving forward, they were eager to design and build the perfect home for their new family, one that included a bigger pool, a home gym, and a state-of-the-art storm shelter. With that decision made, Jessica could concentrate on taking care of Tim as he continued to recover and of course, plan her wedding.
They wanted a spring wedding with the girls involved and lots of beautiful roses from Mrs. McDonald’s garden. It would be a small ceremony with only close family and friends. They hadn’t set a date or decided on a place yet. They chose to honeymoon with the girls at Disneyworld, the all-inclusive vacation Tim won at the silent auction the night of the storm a total surprise. She was also surprised when he told her he wanted another baby; a child from his bloodline. At first, she was shocked and couldn’t fathom being a mother to five children. But the idea grew on her. Tim was incredible with her girls and having his child would be special. She was eager for this next chapter, but for now, they were reveling in being newly engaged; Tim finally on the cusp of some much-needed closure.
The diamond on her hand sparkled in the early morning light. The time change was a bit of an adjustment, and they had awakened in the five-star hotel very early according to the clock on the bedside table. Tim suggested room service and they enjoyed a spread of chorizo, black beans, sunny-side-up eggs, avocado and salsa near the windows of the expansive seven-hundred square foot suite. The San Francisco 49ers owner, Stuart Harding, had put them up in the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel in Silicon Valley. They had flown in the day before on his private jet, Stu insisting they would be out of the media attention not traveling commercial. He was right. When they landed, they were whisked away in a private car from the San Francisco Airport to the ultra-contemporary hotel without so much as one flashbulb from the paparazzi. The hotel was twenty minutes from Levi Stadium, home of the NFL franchise, the San Francisco 49ers. Tonight was the long-awaited ceremony to retire former quarterback Tim Ryan’s jersey.
“Did you get enough to eat?”
Tim’s question startled Jessica out of her thoughts as he wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned his chin on her shoulder. She covered his hands with hers and squeezed.
“Yes. It was delicious. Did you take your meds?”
“Mmhmm,” he muttered, placing innocent kisses across her earlobe.
Jessica turned around and looked up at her handsome lover, his emerald eyes glowing with intensity. He kept his face shaved and his hair had grown out significantly, his handsome looks resembling that of a California surfer rustled from his bed. His latest battle scar was hidden, and all traces of the scariest night of their lives gone. Dr. Olson had given him the green light to travel, workout and have sex, much to Tim’s delight. The fact that they were alone in a hotel room, far, far away from the children, was an invitation to ecstasy.
Gripping the lapels of her white, complimentary hotel robe, Tim yanked them to the side, exposing Jessica’s breasts in the light.
“What are you up to, Mr. Ryan?” she giggled.
“You know damn well what I’m up to. We aren’t leaving this room for hours. You’re all mine, baby.”
His mouth made a trail of kisses from her neck, across her collarbone down to her breasts. Jessica rolled her head back and closed her eyes, relishing the pleasure he was giving. His other hand ran down her belly, his middle finger curling through her soft mound and flicking her wet nub. She felt him smile against her chest as if satisfied he could induce the surge of warmth that penetrated her inner thighs.
“Tell me you want me,” he whispered hoarsely, the stroke of his finger moving faster.
“Yes…yes, I want you.”
Tim pulled back and stripped her of the robe before struggling out of his own. His Phoenix tattoo stood out on his flexed arm, a reminder of what he had survived. He had risen from the ashes of defeat and was strong and thriving once again.
He guided her to the king-sized bed where she lay and looked up at him with anticipation. Grabbing his cock, he positioned himself at her opening but stopped and leaned down to her ear. His voice was gravely and low.
“I’m not using any protection this time. I want to get started on our baby.”
Before Jessica could object, he thrust himself inside her wet folds, the exquisite pressure thick and hot, causing the blood to pound in her ears. He was in total control, his massive hands gripping her hips as he made powerful love to her. She worried for a moment that it was too intense; that he could hurt himself pushing so hard. But her thoughts were quickly dashed as he moved faster and faster, his engorged cock hitting her pleasure center, the build-up intense and blinding.
“I’m about to come,” he roared, the hard planes of his chiseled chest slick with sweat. Tim had no control over his orgasms that had come fast and hard since he was given the green light to have sex. They had gone so long without, and he needed time to build up his incredible endurance.
“Yes,” she screamed as the orgasm ripped through her. Every last sense was heightened at the moment as he poured into her and screamed her name.
She knew Tim was going to be pleased with her news. She would tell him before the televised ceremony at the stadium. It happened before the storm. Tim’s recovery and her children had been her only focus those long weeks afterward. She thought she was overdoing things, her appetite and energy waning, the ongoing nausea intense. It wasn’t like the other four times.
Jessica was already pregnant—and she was having his son.
***
Surrounded by bodyguards, 49ers fans recognized Tim immediately in the crowded passageways of Levi Stadium. He clutched Jessica’s hand, waving and nodding at the exuberant folks who were shouting, “We love you!” and “Welcome home!” The sights and smells took him back to a time when he was on top of his career. The 68,500 open seat stadium lit up in the night sky and he was told it was a sold out game, the 49ers playing the Chicago Bears. The ceremony would take place during half-time which seemed eons away. Jessica looked up into his face, the familiar crease on her forehead indicating her worry.
