Epilogue 2 - Elden
Ten years later
I stand up and stretch, my back slightly achy after so much time sitting down.
Outside the window, the snow is falling.
Looks like Carl the weather-predicting guy who always sits in Friar’s Bar has it right; we’re in for some intense weather.
There’s a week to go before Christmas and I hope it doesn’t affect our sales too much.
Although we’ll weather the storm; we’ve had our best couple of months to date.
Doing the accounts is my least favorite job. Neva’s right, we should get someone in to help me. I always think I can handle it all myself, but I’m still learning how to delegate. Neva’s taught me a lot about myself; not in a preachy way, just observing patterns and discussing them with me.
I’ve had to be more patient, particularly with three kids.
We had a big gap between Stella and the twins, partly because life got in the way.
We had an offer to open a new department store in Newhope, a town around an hour from Snowflake.
So I was driving back and forth, then we all moved there for a couple of years while we set it up.
Stella had some problems at school, but after she was diagnosed with ADHD, things got better.
We understood why things were hard for her and learned to make some adaptations to find out what suited her best. She’s the funniest, quirkiest kid and she makes us laugh all the time.
This is her favorite time of year, too, since Christmas and her birthday are on the same day.
My cell rings and I pick it up.
“Bro! I can’t get used to you being back in Snowflake. It’s great to have you so close. Neva dropped off the kids about twenty minutes ago, so she’ll be getting to you soon.” Tannen’s voice is barely audible over the sound of children shouting.
“Sounds like a madhouse there. Are you and Hollee okay? Should I send the army in?” I ask.
Tannen laughs. “With your three and our two, we have a full house. I’m going to put Elf on, hopefully, things will get a bit less rowdy. They’re just over-excited, I think.”
“We owe you. So we’ll have them on New Year’s Eve and you two can celebrate in style. How’s business?” I say.
“Crazy. We haven’t stopped, but taking on those extra guys really helped. I’m looking forward to not seeing any trees for a few months. Hollee keeps brushing pine needles out of my hair.” Tannen sighs. “How about you?”
“Feels good to be back home again. There’s no Christmas like a Snowflake Christmas if you know what I mean?
But two sets of accounts are getting on my nerves.
The administrative side of things is never my favorite part.
But it’s worth it, business is good. The manager in Newhope is handling things well.
I’m just a control freak, you know?” I move away from the window and back to the desk.
Tannen laughs again. “Don’t I know it? Mom used to say we were like chalk and cheese, remember? I couldn’t do the store stuff, I’d go crazy stuck inside all day. And you’d be pulling your hair out juggling trees. And dealing with Rick’s doughnut addiction.”
I laugh. “Rick would definitely test my patience.”
There’s the sound of crying in the background. “Oh shit, gotta go. Speak later, El.”
My desk phone rings and I pick it up.
“All clear downstairs, Mr. Brock. Are you locking up tonight? The guard comes on shift in a couple of hours. I let your wife inside.” It’s Derek, the store’s day manager.
“Yes. Great, thank you. See you tomorrow.” I put the phone down. I finish the accounts and stand up to stretch again. My phone beeps. It’s Neva.
I let myself in but seem to have a problem in the elevator. Can you come and rescue me?
My cock hardens and I’m out of the door like a shot. I make my way to the hallway. The elevator doors ping open and Neva’s sitting on the seat inside. She’s wearing a big puffy coat and boots, which she opens to reveal the sexiest set of lacy red lingerie.
“Ah, my rescuer has arrived. I think you should come inside…” She drapes her leg over the seat.
I step inside the elevator. “Remind me to erase the security footage, otherwise the new security guy is in for an interesting night.”
She laughs. “You better.”
I press the button and the elevator starts to descend, but then I hit the emergency stop button and it grinds to a halt. I reach for Neva, my hands diving under her coat and tearing it off.
She gasps as my hands explore her soft skin, her hair tumbling down around her shoulders. I lower my head and suck on her nipples through the lacy lingerie, then rip it off in my haste to get close to her.
The frustration of the accounts, and the concerns about the business all fade away as I inhale her scent, kissing her neck as I palm her breasts. She grinds down on my lap, my cock chafing at my pants. Her hands deftly undo the button and the zip, pulling them around my legs.
The need for her is fierce and I pick her up, tearing off her panties and wrapping her legs around my waist. She’s wet already as my fingers stroke her clit and she arches her back against the wall.
I line myself up with her entrance and then plunge my cock inside her, her warm wetness almost bringing me over the edge.
Her hands run through my hair and grip the back of my neck as I thrust into her, her breasts jiggling up and down in a maddening rhythm.
I’m driven by the desire to claim her, thrusting harder and faster in and out of her slick pussy.
Her thighs tremble and her legs grip me harder as she calls out my name, coming against my cock again and again.
I thrust harder and faster as waves of pleasure overtake me, and I come hard, my hands squeezing her curvy hips.
Neva’s pressed against my body and the wall, her breathing ragged. I hold her until both our breathing has slowed and then set her down.
She laughs.”You owe me some new lingerie, babe.”
I smile.
“Good thing Christmas is coming…”