“I’m so happy you came,” Jake stops. He puts his hands on my hips, and I wrap mine around his neck.
“I missed you.” We sit down in the sand, and watch the seagulls resting on the sea surface. Families are walking past us, and some people are lying on the beach, reading. I lean into Jake’s chest and we enjoy the silence. I’m watching a young family play. The mother is lying on a big blanket with an infant, and the father and his little boy are kicking a ball around. When the boy kicks the ball awkwardly, it ends up at our feet. I lean over and hand it to the boy with a smile as he shyly approaches. He thanks me in his cute Italian accent and runs to his father.
“He’s having so much fun,” I break the comfortable silence, and point my head toward the little boy, kicking the ball. “Have you ever thought of starting a family some day?” Jake flinches at my question, and his grip on my body loosens.
“Not really. I don’t know if I even want children.” I look at him in surprise as he turns away. I’m shocked by his response. I think he’d make a great dad. Surely, he’ll change his mind in time. I know many people who at first didn’t want kids and are now happy, having a family of their own.
“I always dreamed of having three kids. Josh also wanted a big family, but it just wasn’t in the cards for us. But I would still like to have a little copy of myself, who loves me unconditionally, and who I mean the world to.” Jake becomes restless. “Hey,” I place my hands on his cheeks. “If you don’t want children, I’ll support your decision. I love you, Jake, I’d never want to pressure you.” He nods and kisses me gently.
“You already have someone who loves you unconditionally and who you mean the world to,” he whispers. “There`s not a thing I wouldn’t do for you.”
~ * ~
Jake continually races great and rides with such confidence one cannot help but to admire. The press loves him, and he’s truly adored by his fans. But the thing that attracts me the most is his big heart. He has a lot of money, but he doesn’t care. He gives a lot of it to charity, and helps a lot of people regain their hope in life. Jake is a wonderful person, and he is all mine. Only mine. A smile sneaks on my face. I’m still lying in bed, wrapped only in a sheet. As soon as we left Italy, we went back to Indianapolis, and straight to his house where we made love the whole night. Well, I can call it our house now. The majority of things are still back at my apartment, but we brought a few things here. The rest will slowly follow, but it’s a start. I’m in no hurry. I don’t even plan on selling my apartment soon. I still feel sore between my legs, partly because of his stubble while he was pleasuring me and arousing sensations in me I never thought I would feel, and partly because of our passionate lovemaking that took the longest of time. Jake’s taking a shower, washing our sweat off his glorious skin. He wanted me to join him, but I’m too tired to even stand up, so I wait for him on the bed. I take my phone and write Sophie a text, informing her Jake and I have returned home and that I have time for coffee as soon as I finish working this afternoon. I put the phone back on the nightstand as I hear the doorbell. I don’t know whether I should answer since I’m not completely at home here yet, and don’t want to let in somebody uninvited.
“Ella?” I hear Jake calling me from the bathroom. “Was that the doorbell? It’s probably the postman. Can you open the door, please?” I yell that it’s no problem, and he yells back.
“And please, wear something that covers you up. I don’t want anyone drooling all over you.” I smile and roll my eyes. The doorbell rings for the fourth time.
“I’m coming, I’m coming. It’s not like there’s a fire,” I yell, and wrap the sheets tightly around my body. As I open the door, I don’t see the postman, but a beautiful young woman. I look at her in surprise.
“Can I help you?” I ask. Her expression tells me she’s not happy to see me. Well, ‘not happy’ is an understatement; her eyes are shooting daggers at me.
“Who are you?” she demands. “Where’s Jake?” I extend my hand to introduce myself, as I don’t want to be rude.
“I’m Ella, Jake’s girlfriend.” She looks at my hand in disgust and turns away. “Can I help you? Where do you know Jake from?”
“Pft,” she huffs. “I should ask you that. I’m his wife.” The air is knocked out of my chest and my knees turn to jelly. Wife? How is this possible? We’re still standing where we were, when Jake calls out.