40. Beck
CHAPTER 40
Beck
“That doesn't look good,” Alice complained from where she stood two feet away from the planter.
As soon as Alice had come home from school an hour ago, Luna stopped by with a bag full of goodies declaring it time to build the fairy garden.
Alice squealed so loud my ears were still ringing. She immediately changed out of her school clothes and into something more “garden appropriate”—her words, not mine—before grabbing a bag from Luna and running next door.
I observed from afar as my daughter proceeded to unpack all the items from their packaging and began laying things out in Luna's yard like she owned it. Luna kept throwing me looks of pure amusement after each new delightful demand from my daughter.
“This is my first fairy garden, so I'm trusting you to make it look good,” Luna had told Alice who was taking that comment and running with it.
Luna moved the fairy door for the fifth time. “How about this?”
My daughter clicked her tongue. “The door is the centerpiece; it needs to be perfect.”
Luna stood up, dusting off the jeans that sinfully wrapped around her legs. “Maybe you can move it?” she suggested.
With an eye roll, my daughter bent down and started adjusting the bright yellow door that would sit at the base of the large tree that ensconced the backyard.
When she finally found the exact spot she wanted, Alice did her best Vanna White impression. “See? So much better.”
Luna and I nodded in unison. I for one, couldn't tell Alice had adjusted it at all, but I was smart enough to keep my mouth shut.
Alice impatiently waved at Luna. “Come on, we gotta finish the cobblestone path leading to the swimming pond.”
Luna crouched back down, whispering with Alice while she worked. Alice wore a perpetual smile as they worked together. The indomitable team.
I managed a few emails while they continued until the alarm on Luna's phone went off.
She stood, brushing off the debris from her shins. “I'm sorry, Alice, but I need to head to work.”
My daughter immediately abandoned her spot to protest. “But I was hoping you could do movie night with us.”
Alice glanced back at me as if looking for backup. “Al, she has to go to work.” Then my eyes found Luna's. “But maybe we can find another night this week to watch a movie together.”
Luna squeezed my daughter. “I would love that, as long as we can be extra cozy.”
Alice straightened her arms to get a better look at Luna. “I like being cozy.”
Luna grinned. “Who doesn't?”
“And can we get pizza and ice cream?” Alice asked Luna before quickly facing me, hoping for an answer.
I stood and pocketed my phone. “I'll order whatever food you decide on.”
Alice launched into Luna again, throwing her off balance. I stepped in to brace them both before anyone crashed.
Luna mouthed a silent “thank you” before saying good night to Alice and heading inside.
When all I wanted her to do was stay.
* * *
Alice and I were cuddled on the couch watching Encanto for the millionth time after Luna left for work.
We were munching on popcorn and singing every chance we got. I loved this time with her. Friday nights were for us. At the end of the long week, I insisted on picking her up from school, making her dinner, and then doing an activity of her choosing. More often than not it entailed movie nights, which suited me just fine.
The unexpected visit from Luna was a bonus. Icing on top of the cake.
During one of the sadder songs, I got up and poured myself a scotch then checked my phone for notifications from Luna. She’d left for Club Deux hours ago and things were probably quiet at the club since it was only eight.
Once I refilled Alice’s water, I sat back down, and she immediately crawled next to me, cuddling close. Sometimes she was still my little baby, and I knew any day now she'd be too cool to spend Friday nights with her dad.
“Did you check on Luna yet?” Alice asked, not bothering to take her eyes off the television.
“Huh?”
“Luna. I know you worry more when she's gone.”
When did my daughter get so observant?
“She's busy working,” I explained.
“Otherwise, she'd be here with us, right, Dad?”
I absently rubbed the spot on my chest over my heart. “Yes, sweetheart. If she wasn't working tonight, I would invite her over.”
Alice finished chewing. “That's good.”
I turned to face her. “Is it? Do you like it when Luna’s here?”
Finally, Alice peeled her attention away from the TV. “I like her, Daddy. She's nice, and she has the coolest outfits.”
I suppressed a laugh. “You like Luna because of her clothes…”
My seven-year-old rolled her eyes. “That's not the only reason.”
“Then tell me the other reasons,” I prodded.
“I like Luna because you smile more when she's around,” Alice said with the confidence and knowing of someone thrice her age. “Except when you guys are fighting. But part of me thinks you like that. It must be some weird grown-up thing.”
I chuckled. “You certainly have that right.”
Alice reached for the remote and paused the movie. “Are you going to marry her?”
My heart caught in my throat. I'd been dragging my heels on talking to Luna and maybe it was because I needed to have this conversation first.
“If you marry her, will she become my mom?” Alice's face filled with hope.
I swallowed. “If that's what you want and what she wants. But I haven't talked to her about that yet. I would never talk to her about marriage without talking to you about it first.”
Alice raised a brow. “That's why we're talking about it now, duh.”
I went in for a tactical tickle. “Let's not use the word duh, it's not nice.”
She squealed. “No tickles.”
I stopped immediately. “No tickles and no ‘duhs,’ got it?”
She sighed as if this was a major concession. “Fine.”
“But seriously, would you be okay if I asked Luna to move in with us?”
“She already lives next door, and she's here most nights.”
I dragged a hand through my hair. “That's true.”
“If she wants to live with us, she should.” Then Alice grabbed another handful of the buttery popcorn and turned the movie back on.
My jaw dropped. “So, I guess we’re done talking now.”
“Shhh, Dad. The movie's on.”
I stifled a laugh and shut my mouth.
* * *
I fell asleep on the couch after putting Alice to bed, waking frequently to make sure I didn't miss any notifications from Luna. I wanted to make sure she got home safe.
When I hadn’t heard from her by two, my willpower ran out, so I texted her.
Beck
I miss you. Is Darnell driving you home from the club tonight?
While I waited for a reply, I cleaned up the kitchen and put some water in the electric kettle so that Luna could have a cup of herbal tea when she came over tonight.
I assumed she planned to come over.
Beck
The kettle is hot. The tea bag is in the cup.
Luna
I’m really hoping that's a euphemism for something.
I smiled, happy to get a response.
Beck
Let's explore that.
Luna
You figure it out while I finish up here. Just making one more loop to check on the team.
Luna
I think Monroe likes the responsibility. She’s trying to kick me out.
Beck
That's good. You've talked about her a lot. She's helping to hold down the fort when you're at The Chateau.
Luna
It's been nice having her to lean on.
Luna’s migraines had reduced significantly when she leaned into good supports. I'd like to count myself as one of them.
Between Monroe, Parvati, and Faith, Luna had built quite the support system.
Luna
And yes, Darnell is on standby. I'll see you at home.
Beck
I'll make sure to reheat the kettle.
* * *
The alert woke me up.
Luna was finally home.
I’d tossed and turned the last couple of hours, jolting myself awake like I was about to miss an early morning flight.
With heavy feet, I padded down the stairs and restarted the kettle, leaning against the counter top, eyes trained on the door to the backyard.
When the kettle whistled, I lifted it off the stand and poured Luna her chamomile tea. Just then, movement drew my attention.
In slipped Luna wearing her quintessential silk robe. My body relaxed now that she was here , at home , with me .
Exactly where she should be.
I quickly swallowed the distance between us, threading my hands through her hair so I could draw her close. Our lips met in an instant.
Her hungry tongue flicked out, seeking mine, claiming me as much as I claimed her.
Desperate for more, I walked forward until her back was pressed against the wall.
On instinct, she jumped into my arms, legs wrapping around my waist.
With one hand behind her back, I let my other hand wander under the bottom of her robe and hissed. “You don't have anything underneath.”
My cock twitched in excitement.
“I didn't want anything to get in the way of this,” she said, with a hand caressing the stubble of my jaw between kisses.
I swiped a finger through her sex, sliding in easily. “Are you ready for me, baby? You feel fucking ready.”
“Yes,” she said breathlessly. “Please, Beck. I've been counting the minutes to get home to you. Don't make me wait any longer.”
I withdrew my finger from her sex and pulled my dick out of my loose sweatpants.
My broad tip rested against her entrance, the feeling of her slickness sending me dangerously close to finishing before I even entered her.
The power this woman held over me.
Luna wiggled in frustration before reaching between us and driving me home. I slid in easily and watched Luna hold her breath as she adjusted to my size.
Our foreheads met.
“You okay there?” I asked.
She nodded, a hand wandering to my ass. Her nails dug in, encouraging me to move.
I met her demand. Thrusting hard to hit her in the place I know she liked so much, the one that would put her over the edge.
We were fast, hurried, and I loved every second of it. It wasn't long until her breathing changed, and her grip tightened. The second the orgasm began to rock Luna, I lost any semblance of holding it together. I immediately came, filling her with my cum.
Once we milked the last of our orgasms, I pulled out of her, and slowly let her feet drop to the floor.
“My feet are wobbly. There's a good chance I'll need you to carry?—”
I swept her into my arms before she could even finish her sentence. She laid her head in the crook of my neck. “Now I'm sleepy.”
“Let's get you cleaned up and then I'll bring up your tea.”
Luna yawned. “Sounds lovely.”
She nestled there and was asleep before I laid her on my bed.
With a warm towel, I cleaned her up and pulled the comforter over her lithe body. Then I climbed in after her and fell asleep, Luna’s tea long forgotten.
* * *
I awakened to fingers stroking my back. Luna must have stayed. I stretched, letting her fingers work their magic, and I suppressed a shiver.
“I know you're awake,” she said, her warm breath on the back of my ear. She began planting kisses there and hitched a leg over my body.
“I could get used to you being Big Spoon.”
Luna chuckled sleepily. “You wish. Special circumstances.”
She was right, and I took a minute to appreciate it. “You stayed the whole night.”
Luna nipped at my earlobe. “I did. By the way, you need to put a shirt on before you go downstairs. I may have been a little aggressive with these long fingernails while you were having your way with me last night.”
I turned around, so we faced each other, completely unbothered that she’d marked me up. I proudly took the claiming. Still . “Have my way with you? What is this, some regency romance?”
“God, I wish. You know I love me some Captain Wentworth.”
I tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “A second-chance romance. That does sound like something you'd appreciate.”
She gaped. “You know Persuasion ?”
I shrugged. “It's only my favorite Austen novel.”
“Since when do you know Austen?”
I loved that I could surprise her. “In the Marines, we didn't have a lot of books in the library. We did, however, have pristine copies of Austen’s novels. I must have read them each a half a dozen times.”
She shook her head into the pillow. “Wow, you really should have led with this information. I’d have slept over much sooner.”
I lifted her pillow out from under her.
She gasped in mock indignation. “No, you didn't.”
I propped myself up on my elbow. “Seems like I just did.”
Her mouth fell open, and her eyes lit with unfiltered joy as she, quick as a whip, grabbed my pillow out from underneath me and whacked me with it.
“No,” I cried, holding my hands up to block the second hit.
“Daddy?” Alice asked from the hall.
Luna and I both halted our movements mid-air. Her pillow fell to the floor, and she immediately reached for the tie on her robe as if Alice would just burst through the door at any second.
Which, fair . She was still naked under that thing.
“Meet me downstairs, Alice, and I'll start breakfast.”
“Can I watch cartoons?” Alice asked eagerly.
I smiled. “Sure.”
“And is Luna joining?” my daughter asked.
Luna looked terrified. I went over to give her a hug. “If she wants to, and I hope she does.”
Luna melted in my arms.
“I do,” she said.
And for a quick second my mind didn't compute the question, just the response and the spark of hope it ignited for our future.
I heard footsteps leading away from my room.
It was just the two of us again, with Luna looking curiously at me.
My hands found her lower back, and I pulled her close. “I love you.”