22
Beckett
I walk around Selah's living room, waiting for her to come out of her bathroom.
I knew that I wasn't anywhere near ready for our date to end, and even though talking wasn't honestly at the top of my list for what I'd like to be doing with her right now, leaving her was at the bottom.
I did really enjoy getting to know her better tonight. Although learning more about her family made my heart ache for her, it gave me better insight into who she is.
I look through her bookshelves, glancing over a few romance novels with covers that make me arch an eyebrow. I look on the next shelf and pause when I see something hidden behind a large Teacher's Guidebook. I push it aside and see a small, plush, Strawberry Shortcake doll smiling back at me.
I hear Selah's soft footsteps approaching on the wood floor and turn to face her. She slows her steps, then freezes in place when she sees the doll in my hands.
Her eyes dart between me and the doll, "I-I collected those when I was younger. I held on to a few of them just as keepsakes, you know? I figured that maybe one day I will give them to my daughter," she rambles, coming to take it from me.
I watch her as she puts it back carefully next to the Teacher's Guide. She runs her hand over the front of her hair, not meeting my eyes.
I step closer to her, and gently take her hand in mine. "I wasn't judging you, Selah. You can have whatever you like in your home, ok?" I say tenderly.
She glances up at me, still looking embarrassed. "Ok," she agrees quietly.
"Let's go sit down," I say, pulling her over to one of her couches.
She settles into a spot and gathers her legs under her. I look around until I find a throw blanket to cover her with, before sitting down next to her.
"Thank you," she says, moving the crochet blanket to cover my lap too.
I smile at her, playing with her hair. "Tell me why you wanted to become a teacher, angel."
She smiles softly, her shoulders relaxing again. "I've just always really loved working with kids. When I was younger I used to babysit to earn extra money. Then when I got to high school I started working in a daycare part time after school, helping kids in the after-school program with their homework. I loved the way their faces would light up when they finally understood a concept that they were struggling with. I knew after that experience that I wanted to help kids for my career," she explains.
I listen amazed like I always am by her kindness and desire to help other people. "I bet you've changed so many children's lives," I say, rubbing my thumb over the back of her hand.
"I hope I've made a difference in my students lives. Even if it's just a small positive affirmation I gave them that they'll carry with them, or a bit of confidence they have gained, that would make me feel like I've accomplished a lot. It isn't all about test scores, or grades, like a lot of the Administrators try to make it out to be now. For a lot of kids, school is like a second home."
I nod, thinking of how true that was for Edison. I can't imagine how long his life would have continued to go downhill if he hadn't had an observant teacher like Selah. Being in her class must have really felt like a safe haven 5 days a week for him.
"Do you want to have kids of your own?" I ask, running my hand up and down her bare arm.
She bites into her lip, "I do, yes. I'd really love to be a mom one day."
My eyes move down to her stomach, imagining her belly round and growing a baby that looks like the two of us, but hopefully mostly like her.
"I want that too," I say hoarsely, meeting her eyes.
"Really?" she asks sounding surprised. "You don't strike me as someone dying to have more little ones running around. I bet your work is very demanding, and now you have Edison to care for."
I shake my head. "I know I have a busy schedule, but I think the last few weeks have also taught me that I can stand to be more flexible with my time," I admit. "I'd definitely like to have more kids. I think I may have been a bit on the fence in the past, but Edison really has shown me how amazing it can be."
"He is an incredible child," she agrees, smiling fondly.
"He is. Lucky for him he seems to have more of his grandfather's blood than anything else," I mutter.
She sighs, not disputing my observation, but not voicing her agreement. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, looking into her eyes, "When do you want them?"
She furrows her eyebrows, "When do I want what?"
I lower my head to her ear, "Kids, angel. When do you want to have kids?" I whisper.
She shivers as my mouth glides over her ear. "I-I guess it all depends on when I'm in a serious relationship, and what my partner thinks. I'm 38, and I'd always hoped to have my first before I turned forty," she responds.
"When do you turn 39?" I ask.
"Oh, December 6th," she says. "When's your birthday?"
"November 30th," I respond absentmindedly, my thoughts drifting into planning mode.
I silently file the information she's giving me away in my mind, doing some quick calculations and thinking of my calendar for the next two years.
My mind snaps back to reality as I feel her finger tracing over the back of my hand. Her delicate touch follows the path of my tattoo and she smiles before looking up at me.
"Why did you get this tattoo?" she asks.
I look down at the anchor on the back of my left hand, "This one was for my father. He served in the Navy and after he passed I wanted to get a duplicate of the one he had," I explain watching her run her fingers over it. "He was also always my anchor in life. So it really has a double meaning for me."
She smiles up at me, "That is so beautiful, Beckett. And this one?"
I chuckle, as she takes my other hand in hers, "Are we doing a tattoo tour now, sweetheart?"
She smiles sheepishly at me, "If you don't mind."
"Of course I don't mind," I say.
I go over the tattoos on my hands, and then my arms, telling her the stories of how each of them came to adorn my skin. She listens transfixed, and I enjoy the feeling of her fingers on my skin as I show her all of them. Any touch from her feels like heaven.
"I think they're all really beautiful, Beckett," she says once I'm finished.
I cup her chin in my hand, "Not one of these is nearly as beautiful as you, Selah," I respond.
Her eyelids lower as my mouth descends on hers. The sweet taste of her lips invades my senses, and my other hand moves to wrap around her and pull her closer to me.
Ever since my mouth left hers outside of her door it's been craving another taste of her. I kiss her with all of the affection I feel for her, and her fingers cling to my shirt and pull me closer.
Mine move to her stomach caressing the soft skin there gently. A small whimper leaves her lips and my cock stirs, enjoying the sound of her pleasure.
I deepen the kiss, tangling my tongue with hers as she continues to press herself against me. I know that we are only moments from taking things to another level, and I remind myself that this doesn't need to be a race with her.
I release her, giving her a moment to catch her breath as I move my lips down to her neck, placing gentle kisses over her neck and shoulders, before looking her in the eyes again.
I take her hand in mine and kiss it, watching her chest rise and fall quickly as she tries to relax. The sexual tension is simmering between us as I try to calm things down.
This isn't going to be a temporary tryst between us. I'm locked in with her, and though I want her to know how much I desire her, I want her to also know that I don't only desire her body. Everything about her stimulates me in the most amazing way I've ever felt.
"Are you ok angel?" I rasp, as she scoots away from where she was practically sitting in my lap.
She runs a hand over her hair, "I'm good," she mumbles.
"I should get going. I know you have an early morning tomorrow. You need to get some rest, sweetheart," I say, getting up and pulling her to stand with me.
She nods, looking as flustered as I feel. "Right. Yes," she murmurs, looking up at me shyly.
I take her to the front door with me and put back on my shoes, then lean down to give her a chaste kiss and a hug. I try not to linger too long before we end up moving back to the couch again.
"Thank you for tonight, angel. Spending time with you was phenomenal," I say, kissing her on the forehead.
"Thank you too, Beckett. I had so much fun," she says smiling shyly. "It's been a long time since I had such an amazing date. Or.."
"Made out with someone?" I tease, stepping closer to her.
Her eyes spark and I lean down, giving her one more gentle kiss on the lips. I feel like I could stand here in her foyer forever giving her gentle kisses and telling her how amazing she is.
I don't know what's gotten into me, but I know it's only getting stronger every time we are together.
"It's been a long time for me too. But the wait was damn well worth it," I say, letting her go and heading outside to my car.