Chapter Two #2
Pulling into the garage, Alex asked, “Can you walk, or would you like for me to carry you?” Not a, tell me you can walk so I don’t have to carry you. Not my Alex, he’d do whatever it took to get me safely inside without complaint.
“I’m good, thanks.” But as soon as we were inside, I practically melted into the couch cushions with no desire to move.
“Do you want to go through the packet they sent home with us?” Alex asked, taking a seat beside me.
“I guess we better, it looks like I have a funeral to plan.” I sat up on the couch and reached for the packet, along with the bag of my father’s personal belongings, that Alex had placed on the coffee table beside us.
“We have a funeral to plan, my love. You aren’t in this alone,” he reminded me and while I knew that he was right, knowing Dad was my last remaining blood relative it left me with an empty feeling.
I leaned into his shoulder, and we went through the packet together.
Inside were the police report, which stated there was no foul play, and the death certificate listed the cause of death as heart failure.
It also said that his body was discovered by a pair of morning joggers who frequent the park.
Included was a list of mortuaries and a checklist of tasks including obtaining additional copies of the death certificate.
Lastly, there was a sheet of grief counselors they recommended.
This was far too surreal, like reliving a nightmare.
It hadn’t been that long since we’d buried my grandmother.
“I don’t know if I’m strong enough for this.” It took a lot to admit that. When it came to Alex and my relationship, being in charge came naturally. But this. This was too damn much, and I’d really reached my limit.
“I’ll handle making the arrangements.” He grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch and covered me, then tilted my head up and kissed me. “I love you, Charlie. I’ll always be here for you.”
“I know. You’ve been the one constant in my life, always there for me. I love you, more than you’ll ever know.” As soon as the words were out, the waterworks hit which is how I remained until I finally dozed off.
A couple hours later, I woke when Alex lifted my head and laid it on his lap, running his fingers through my hair. “I called my parents and let them know what happened. They said to give you a big hug and remind you that they are there for you however you need them to be.”
Alex’s family had always treated me like blood. “How did I get so lucky to find you and your family?”
He chuckled, “I don’t know if it’s luck, but you’re stuck with us now.
” Felt good to smile. “I also took the week off, set up the services at the same place as your Grandmother’s was, and had your father’s body transported there.
I hate to ask this question, Charlie, but do you know if he wanted to be cremated? ”
“I don’t believe so. I think he planned to be buried next to my mother.
He had his name and birthdate put on the headstone already.
” Even though my mother had been gone for most of my life, I still felt the loss whenever she came to mind.
The memories I had of her were few and far between, but I did cherish every one of them.
“Okay, I’ll call them back and let them know the burial will take place at Abbey View Memorial Park after I call the cemetery and get the plot information.”
“Alex, would you call my boss and let him know what’s going on and that I’ll be taking a leave of absence?”
“Already done, and he passed along his condolences.”
The next few days went by in a haze and before I knew it, the day of my father’s funeral had arrived.
He didn’t have any friends that I knew of and was an only child, so attendance was low.
Alex’s family were there, which meant more to me than they’d ever know.
As everyone said their goodbyes, I sat beside my father’s grave and watched as they lowered the casket.
Once it was in place, I grabbed a handful of dirt and tossed it onto the casket.
“Say hi to mom for me. I love you both.” Hopefully they were together now in the afterlife, whatever that may be.
“Charlie, who’s that man standing by the cars?” Alex asked and I glanced up.
“Not sure, let’s go see.” As we neared he walked toward us.
“Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt, but are you Charles DuBois?” he asked. Before I could respond, he continued. “I’m Abel Gunderson, your father’s attorney.” He held his hand out to me.
“Please, call me Charlie. This is my partner, Alex.” They shook hands after we did. “I didn’t know my father had need for an attorney. How can we help you, Mr. Gunderson?”
“Charlie, I need to meet with you and go over your father’s will. Would you be available to come to my office Monday morning, say ten a.m.?”
I glanced at Alex and he nodded. “Yes, we can do that.”
He handed me his business card, shared his condolences, and then left as promptly as he came, leaving Alex and me in a state of shock. Not that were weren’t already.
“Ready to go, love?” Alex asked, extending his hand to me.
I glanced back toward the burial site. I’d already said my goodbyes and honestly, today had been more than enough.
“My parents invited us over for dinner. I told them I wasn’t sure if you were up for it. Do you want to go, or would you rather stay home?”
I wasn’t in the mood for company and the last thing I wanted to do was offend Alex or his family.
“Would it be alright if we stayed home and ordered take-out? I’d rather tonight be just the two of us, if that’s okay?
” I hopped into the passenger seat, hoping they understood.
Given my current state of mind, I wasn’t the best dinner guest to be around right now.
“Of course it is,” he squeezed my knee and put the truck in drive.
I stared out the window, mentally saying a final goodbye to my family as their gravesites faded out of view.
At that moment, spending a Saturday night at home curled up with Alex watching hours of mindless TV sounded like heaven to me.
As soon as we changed, I plopped down on the couch and flipped through the channels while he ordered dinner.
At some point, I must have dozed off because it was dark when Alex woke me and carried me upstairs and laid me down.
“Ugh, I need to wash today off me.” I felt yucky, just blah. There really wasn’t any other way to put it and I had the overwhelming urge to wash the painful memories away. Not that it actually removed them, but standing under the hot spray sounded wonderful.
“Get undressed and I’ll start the shower.” Alex took off his shirt and tossed it into the laundry basked as he passed it.
No matter how many times he took care of me, having him wash me was one of the best feelings in the world.
More than anything, I wanted to forget today and feeling him inside me would do just that.
If only temporarily. Once he’d dried me, I laid down and waited for him to finish up.
I lay on the bed, stroking myself, knowing I’d be the first thing he saw when he stepped out of the bathroom.
One glimpse, and I knew I had him. “Alex, I need you.”
He grabbed the lube from the bedside drawer and tossed it on the bed. “Prep yourself.” As much as he enjoyed doing that himself, he enjoyed watching me do it even more.
I held his gaze as I picked up the bottle and spread my legs, a single lubed finger teased my entrance. Alex’s pupils dilated as he stroked himself.
“Alex.” I ground down, now three fingers deep. “Own me. Tell me you’ll never leave me.” A tear slid down my cheeks. I’d lost so much already and at such a young age. I couldn’t lose Alex. Feeling him inside me, knowing he was here, I craved more than anything right now.
Hard and fast. He always knew just what I needed.
Huskily, he growled as he lubed his cock, “Up on all fours.”
As I flipped over, he smacked my ass hard enough to leave a mark, and I freaking loved that. He lined up, the tip of his cock teased my hole before he pushed inside in a single thrust. He grabbed my hair and pulled my head back, fucking me as hard as I’d craved.
“Fuck. Right there. Fuck, Alex… Harder,” I panted, pushing my ass back against him when he hit my prostate. With every thrust he hit it, the impending orgasm having strengthened to levels I hadn’t felt before.
“Charlie, fuck. I can’t hang on…much longer,” Alex warned.
He hit my spot again and stars marred my vision. His fingers dug into my hips, I knew they’d leave bruises, but I didn’t give a shit. I’d never felt him this deep inside me before. I was receiving the thorough fucking I so desperately desired.
I felt Alex’s warmth fill me as he growled my name and drew me over the edge with him. Barreling head-first into the bed, my ass remained up in the air as I fought to breathe. Never had I come that hard before.
Alex pulled out, and we both collapsed into a sticky, motionless heap atop the sweat-soaked sheets. But unfortunately, my stomach met the wet spot on the bed and I squealed
Alex chuckled, rolled over and took me with him. “Fuck, babe.”
“Yeah. That was...” Breathless and out of words, that was all I had
He kissed my shoulder. “I love you, Charlie.”
“I love you too. Thank you,” I panted.
“For what?”
“For everything. For being beside me through this nightmare. For taking care of all the arrangements. For knowing my needs better than I ever could. For loving me, unconditionally.” I turned to face him and laid my head on his chest. “For being you.”
“Baby, you never need to thank me for doing my job as your partner.” The depth of the kiss we shared bared our hearts and souls. Words weren’t necessary, everything we did tonight had said it all. Alex pulled the blanket over us. Basking in the warmth of his embrace, I dozed right off.