Chapter 18
Dakota
This morning was a whirlwind of chaos at its finest. It was the first day of school for Jack, and he was equally nervous and excited. I heard him talking to himself last night after he went to bed. I don’t know if he was trying to calm himself or convince himself that everything would be great, or what. It’s a big year for him, and I’m both happy and sad. He’s finishing up elementary school this year, and although I’m happy for him to be big man on campus, I’m also sad that things like picnics with Mom and field days will be ending. Going off to middle school is a big change, and even though he's ready, this momma is not so much.
When the alarm went off this morning, I got up and cooked Jack breakfast. Hank came down to wish him luck, and after hugs at the door, he walked down the long drive to wait for the bus. He made me promise that I’d stay inside until after he left, but he did give me a wave when he climbed on.
“You gonna be ok?” Hank wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
“I’m fine. I do this every year.” I laughed as I wiped the tears from my eyes. “I just need to stay busy for a bit, and then the time will fly by.” I gave a half smile as I started to move into the kitchen. I started wiping the counters, when Hank stepped up behind me.
“I can think of other ways to pass the time.” He kissed my neck. “I’m off today.” His arms wrapped around my middle, and he pressed his chest to my back.
“How’d you manage that?” I shivered as he moved to the top of my shoulder.
“I knew he was starting school today. I thought you might need some comforting.” His voice was a deep whisper. “Thought I’d try and give you something else to think about.” His palms slipped under the edge of my tee and began gliding up my stomach. My head tilted back and rested against his chest as a moan slipped out. It was the first time we’d been alone in the house and didn’t have to worry about Jack walking in on us. It didn’t escape me either that I didn’t have to be quiet right now.
“I like your idea better than cleaning.” I sighed.
“Just better than cleaning? I think I can do better than that.” He chuckled before grabbing the waistband of my yoga pants and shoving them down. He spun me around and then lifted me onto the kitchen island. I yelped as the cold granite touched my thighs. His hand grabbed the soft fabric of my pants and finished pulling them off my legs, tossing them to the side.
“We won’t need these.” He grinned. I reached for him, but he shook his head.
“I’m here to take care of you.” He winked before grabbing my panties and giving them a yank. “I’ll buy you more.” He nodded before one hand landed on each knee. He pushed them apart, and then squatted in front of me. He lifted each leg and draped them over his shoulders, causing me to lean back. I rested my elbows on the counter behind me, and before I knew it, his mouth was on me. My head dropped back as his tongue separated me.
“Oh, shit.” I sighed when he sucked against the swollen flesh. My legs started to tremble, and I found myself grinding into his face. He snickered at my reaction and the vibrations climbed my body, starting at its core. Masculine hands held me still as he devoured me, and at one point I don’t even know what I was saying. When I came down from the high, he was unbuckling his belt. He shoved his jeans over his hips and pulled his cock out. I slid off the island, and reached for him, but again he denied me. He spun me around and moved behind me. In one quick thrust, he entered me, and we both groaned in satisfaction. “This is so much better than cleaning.” I moaned.
“All you’re gonna think about right now is me, inside you, making love to you until you can’t walk.” He grunted as his hips thrust against me. I leaned forward and used the counter to brace myself.
“Harder,” I begged. His rhythm faltered for a moment, but then he began pounding against me. Just when I thought I couldn’t release again, we both came roaring over the edge together. He collapsed against me and draped his chest and arms over my back. We were panting in tandem as we came down from our highs together.
“Still feel like cleaning?” he mused as he stood and pulled his jeans up over his hips. I turned around and watched as deft fingers manipulated the zipper and button. “Well?” He grinned as he finished.
“Well, what?” I glanced up just as he placed his hands on the edge of the counter, caging me in. He leaned in and placed a kiss to the tip of my nose.
“Did I make you forget what you were doing?” His head tipped to the side and a sly grin spread further across this face. He nodded approvingly as he stepped back. “I still have it.” He sauntered over to the fridge and grabbed the carton of juice.
“Please,” I teased. “It was ok.” I grabbed my yoga pants and torn panties and started to head to the bedroom. Right when I rounded the hallway, I heard him put the juice back.
“If that was just ok, then I think we need to try again,” he called before waltzing down the hall after me.
“I have things to do today,” I rebutted weakly. The idea of spending the day in bed with Hank was very appealing, but I couldn’t let him know I felt that way. I needed to keep some control here.
“Yeah, things like me.” He grabbed the clothes from my hand and tossed them to the side. “We won’t need these, or this for that matter.” He tugged the hem of my tee.
I’d like to say that I got some cleaning done today, but nope. Hank managed to monopolize my entire day, not that I was complaining. We spent most of the day in bed with the exception of taking a fuel break to grab lunch. When the sound of the air brakes on the bus alerted us to Jack’s return, I rushed to put on clothes, and Hank and I burst into laughter. There were distant memories of doing the same thing, only it was sounds of the tractor coming back to the barn back then.
“You wanna stay for dinner?” I smiled as I opened the bedroom door and tried to act like I hadn’t been blowing off the day having sex.
“Only if I can have you for dessert.” He smirked as he righted his shirt.
“How do you have anything left?” I gasped.
“I’ve been waiting for years to get you back. Now, I’m never lettin’ you go.” He leaned his shoulder against the wall. “We always were fire together.”
*****
When Jack came bounding through the door, I couldn’t help but smile. He tossed his backpack on the table and went straight for the fridge.
“How was your day?” I grabbed a glass for him and set it on the counter.
“It was great!” He grinned as he pulled the juice out. “Amy is in the class next to mine. We have recess at the same time. She introduced me to people.” He poured some juice and climbed up on a barstool at the counter.
“That was nice,” I mused. Living in a smaller community, there were less schools. All three of the surrounding towns filtered into one district. I was thankful Jack knew someone, and it seemed like he fit right in. “So you made some new friends?”
“Yeah, there’s this boy in my class. His name is Kasen. He rides my bus, too. He’s pretty cool.” Jack chattered on about his new friends. He also mentioned some kid named Ryan who he didn’t like. I let it go. It was the first day, and I didn’t want to be ‘that mom’. “So, what are we having for dinner?” He finished his juice and set the glass in the sink.
“I’m not sure yet. Do you have any requests?” I followed him over to where he’d left his backpack.
“No.” He shrugged. “Grandma asked me if I wanted her to cook a special dinner tonight, and I told her I needed to see what you were cooking, and I’d let her know.” He laughed.
“So, you thought you’d pick the better meal, huh?” I teased. “What’s Grandma making?” “Stew.” He made a yuck face as he said it.
“And you don’t want that?” I laughed again.
“Ew, no.” He shook his head.
“It’s a nice day. Why don’t we make sandwiches and go to the creek for a picnic?” Hank suggested.
“Can we, Mom?” Jack’s face lit up.
“I’m ok with that. You can help make them.”
“Yes! This is the best day.” Jack pulled a folder from his backpack. “I have a bunch of stuff for you to sign.” He handed me the folder. “I’ll make the sandwiches while you look at all that.” He waved his finger at the folder as I held it.
“Sounds like a plan.” I opened the folder and started reading through the pile of papers. It was all the standard forms for the beginning of the year. Permissions for photo, medical treatment, lists of who can pick up early, emergency contacts, all the stuff that they ask every year that doesn’t really change. This year would be the exception for us. Jack had a whole new life now, and I hoped that the rest of his school days would be here.
“Turkey or ham?” Jack called from where he was assembling sandwiches.
“You can pick. It doesn’t matter to me.” I waved him off as I filled out yet another form with our address and phone number. “Next year, I’m getting stickers with all this info on them so I can just stick them to the form,” I grumbled.
“I can help,” Hank offered. It was sweet, but he doesn’t know all the details yet.
“Thanks, but I’m almost finished. Why don’t you pack the picnic basket?” I motioned to the kitchen where Jack was pulling out bags of chips. “There’s fruit in the fridge you can put in there, too.”
“Blueberries?” Jack’s eyes went wide. They were his favorite.
“You bet.” I grinned as he rushed over and I heard the sound of the crisper drawer opening.
“Yes!” He fist-pumped.
After finishing packing the basket, I grabbed our bag of towels and went to change into a swimsuit.
“I’ll grab some drinks,” Hank called as I disappeared down the hall.
“Thanks!” I yelled. “We’ll meet you outside.” I knew Hank needed to go get his trunks.
After changing, I stood in the middle of my room just processing all of it. This felt like a family. It felt a lot like what I’d lost over the last year. Jack seemed truly happy, and it really meant a lot to me that he was so accepting of Hank.
*****
Hank
It seemed like more than the few minutes it took for them to come outside. I’d been on cloud nine all day, and part of me was afraid to let Codie out of my sight. The day had been dreamlike for me, and I was afraid it would all go away if I blinked.
We walked together down the path to the small bank where we always stopped to swim. Jeff had told me he’d keep the guys away so we could enjoy the afternoon. Codie spread out a blanket and we set the picnic basket in the middle. Then we stripped out of our clothes and waded into the cool water. Jack flopped down, submerging himself under the water and then demonstrated how well he was doing with his swimming.
“Come and get me!” He splashed at me. When Codie nodded that she understood, I stomped through the water on a mission to dunk him. We splashed around for the next hour until I needed a break.
“I think your mom might want some company. Why don’t we take a break and eat our picnic?” I held out my hand and he gave me five.
“Deal. Let’s eat.” We trudged through the water, and up onto the bank, plopping down on the blanket.
“You boys have fun out there?” She smiled, and my heart squeezed. How did I get so lucky?
“The best.” Jack reached for his sandwich. He took a giant bite and sighed. I don’t think he wanted to admit that he was starving. Water play is hard work.
“I think I’m going to float on a tube after and just relax,” he mumbled around a bite of food.
“That sounds nice.” Codie smiled sweetly as she licked her fingers clean.
*****
Dakota
“Thank you.” I looked over at Hank.
“For?” He seemed confused.
“For being you. You’ve been so patient with me and accepting of Jack. When I came back here, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but you’ve been so great about all of it.” I reached over and squeezed his hand.
“I’ve always loved you. That’s never changed.” He shrugged. “And Jack is easy to love too.”
“He is, isn’t he?” I lifted my chin and nodded in the direction of the creek. Jack was sprawled across a tube, just floating in the water.
Hank moved closer. “I was wondering… what do you think about getting married?”
I was shocked. “I’ve only been back a few months.”
“I know, but we already know each other. I love you, you love me. Why wait? What would that do for us?” He scooted even closer. “Waiting would just delay the inevitable. Make me an honest man. Say yes.” He leaned in and kissed me.
“I…” I couldn’t really think of a reason to tell him no. I mean, he had a point. “Ok.” I slowly nodded as I attempted to process what was happening.
“Are you saying yes?” He tipped his head and looked right into my eyes. “Codie? Is this a yes?” I pressed my lips together and nodded.
“It’s a yes, I think.” I was confused. I was afraid to be happy. I was afraid to go all in. The last time I went all in with someone, it ended in tragedy. Could I do this again?
“You think?” He moved into my sightline. “What’s holding you back here?”
“Fear, I guess,” I murmured.
“Of what?” He squeezed my hands.
“Of something happening to you.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to me. I’m healthy, and about to be really happy when you realize that I’m your future.”
I closed my eyes. I tried to picture a life with Hank. Living here on the farm. Having him come home each day to Jack and myself. Maybe adding to the family one day. “Ok.” I opened my eyes and slowly nodded. “Ok, yes.”
“Woo hoo!” Hank shouted as he stood and pulled me up. He lifted me in the air over his shoulder and spun around, hooting loudly before setting me back on the ground in front of him.
“What are you doing?” Jack climbed off the tube and stood in the water, looking at us like we were crazy.
“Your mom and I are getting married.” Hank threw his hands in the air in celebration.
“Finally!” Jack made an exasperated expression. “I feel like I’ve been waiting forever.”
“You’re happy?” I looked at him, surprised by this reaction.
Jack stomped through the water, dragging the tube, climbed out, and walked over. “If I could pick someone to be my dad, it would be him.” He pointed at Hank. “He doesn’t treat me like a baby, and he teaches me stuff.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
My chest squeezed as I listened to him. He was probably the one I was most worried about with all of this. I wasn’t just doing things for me, all of my decisions affected him and part of me questioned if my choices were the right ones.
“Ok, then.” I laughed.
“So it’s settled. We’re going to be a family.” Hank fist-bumped Jack.
“When?” Jack watched with curious eyes as we both looked at each other.
“Next week?” Hank suggested. “We can do something small here at the farm.”
“What’s Grandma gonna say?” Jack mused.
“Let me talk to Grandma. This will be our secret for now,” I warned.
“Ok,” He shrugged as he turned to go back to the water. “You aren’t gonna do gross stuff like kiss each other now, are you?” When he turned around to look at us, Hank had already planted one on me, and Jack made a gagging noise. When we broke apart, we both burst into laughter.