Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t. – Rikki RogersNeo parked his bike and went inside the hospital. It didn’t take him long to make his way to the CCU ward. As he approached, he received a text from Reese telling him that Jolene had been moved to a regular room. He muttered under his breath as a second text popped up with the new room number. Quickly he headed for the stairs and called Shelby. “Hey, boss man, Reese just called and said that Jolene was moved. When I told him you were on your way there, he said he’d text you.”“He did. Did you-.”“Already sent updates. And the termites are gone, but so is your foundation.”“Son of a bitch.”“Four more weeks. You should be home just after the new year.”“Great.” He growled and she laughed. “Don’t you dare say it.”“I’ll just let-““Trust me,” he gave a small laugh, “Reese will say it.”“Crandall asked me to tell you that the other house is done.”“That’s good n
She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walked with the Universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings. – ArianaIt had been just over two weeks since the attack. Jolene was doing better and could whisper for a few minutes each day. The women in Reese’s family had worked out a schedule so that someone was always with her. The single women and teens flirted with the guards. If Neo and Reese were not around, they flirted back.On Monday, Helen would return to work. Frank had tried to convince her to take more time. But she knew that her daughter was tired of always being watched. JD and Jaxon took turns staying overnight with her. The nightmares were still strong and suffocating. One night she was woken up with JD carefully crawling into the hospital bed with her. “I’m here. He’s not going to touch you. Ever. Again.” He had stayed there all night, wiping away her tears and reminding her that she was loved. Ty even stayed one night. He was not a
Do what you can with what you have where you are. – Theodore RooseveltJolene was doing better and would be moving to the rehab floor today. It would be a while before she could walk on her own. Colleen had already had a therapist in to evaluate her. Both ankles were looking better her knee was healing after surgery.Her wrist was still in a cast and arm in a sling. She would try to push through the pain but Bonnie, her therapist, stopped her.“Sweetie, if you push yourself too much, you’ll do more damage.” Bonnie told her gently. “Listen to me and your body.”“And don’t skip your meds.” Colleen advised. “It’s not just for pain but also for the inflammation.”“That’s true” Bonnie agreed.Jolene looked back and forth between the two women. Colleen was tall and slender with black hair. Her hair was cut perfectly to easily be put up out of her way. And to show off the bright blue under color. Today she wore blue slacks, a cream-colored cable knit sweater and hot pink tennis shoes. She s
The secret of change is to focus all of energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. – SocratesReese climbed into the hotel bed next to Helen and pulled her in close to his side. Keeping his arm around her, he kissed the top of her head. It was late at night, and he had just finished up with the meeting at Medford Crossing. He had been glad to see Darby and she helped calm several other patrons.But now, he wasn’t thinking about Medford Crossing. He was thinking about the woman that was laying in the hotel bed. With Helen having gone back to work today, the kids back in school and Jolene doing better, it was time to go home.“Baby, we need to talk.” Her shoulders slumped as she feared what was coming. “I want you to move in with me.”This was not what she was expecting and looked up at him in surprise. “What about JD?”She rolled over and sat up. He sat up also and leaned against the plush velvet headboard. “He can move into the guest room in Mary’s house. He’d be in
Aging is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been. – David Bowie“God, you are fucking drenched.” Reese could feel himself straining against the pajama pants he was wearing. As he took a deep breath, drawing in the sweet scent of her, he pushed the material down his legs. “Fuck, baby.”Now that they were both naked, he settled between her legs where he planned to stay for a while. The plan had been to build up her want and need until she was desperate for release. With just a little nipple play and some dirty talk, she was already squirming.With a hand on each leg, he spread her open wide. To say that he was surprised that she was waxed was an understatement. But all she had was a small well-trimmed heart just above her slit.“What did we do down here?” he asked kissing the heart.“I read that men like it like that.”“A bare pussy.” Reese slid his tongue along the outside of her lips and then back up the other side. “Say it.”“My bare pussy i
She is delightfully chaotic; a beautiful mess. Loving her is a splendid adventure. – Steve MaraboliIt did not take long to pack up the small apartment. The majority of everything was going into storage. Pictures, nick knacks, clothes and other personal items went to the houses. A moving company was hired for everything else, and it was stored away in an indoor climate-controlled storage facility. Reese and JD were carrying boxes into his new room. It had a queen size four poster bed with matching bedside tables and a highboy dresser. There was a full bath with walk-in closet accessible from both the bathroom and bedroom. A large flat screen TV hung on the wall opposite the bed.Reese sat the box he carried onto the bed. Waiting until the teen was in the room, he walked over and closed the door. JD looked at him with a cocked eyebrow and smirk. “We’re going to have that talk now.” Reese crossed the room and sat in the armchair in the far corner. JD sat on the edge of the bed facing
Don’t take revenge. Let karma do all the work. – Lisa MorfittSunday dinner was being held in the hospital cafeteria for the foreseeable future. An invitation had been extended to all of Reese’s sisters, but so far only Michelle had joined them. Today Bunny was craving pepperoni pizza with heavy sauce and extra cheese. This simplified everything since Helen and JD had moved just yesterday.They were sitting around waiting for the pizza delivery, when Jolene got Reese’s attention.“What do you need, Princess?” He asked as he sat in the chair with his arm around Helen. Reese wore a tight Dean’s List t-shirt that clung to his muscles. Jolene smiled at him as she adjusted her loose skirt covering her legs. “I was told to ask about Perkins Place.” She said hoarsely.Dean sat up and clapped her hands excitedly. “Oh! I love this story!”Reese shook his head as he grinned at his niece. “There’s no special effects in this movie.”“No, just sweet revenge.”Chuckling, he pressed a kiss to Helen
A strong woman won’t go back to the person who broke her heart because she understands that she can’t get happiness from the same place she lost it. – Rayi NoormegaTuesday morning Bunny walked into Jolene’s hospital room with a small backpack in one hand and her work bag in the other. She wore a hunter green sweater dress and burgundy leggings. Her knee-high dark brown boots matched the decorative buttons on her dress almost perfectly. There was a slight baby bump that was showing.Jolene smiled at her from her hospital bed. Daphne had brought her several day dresses and sun dresses that made it easier for her. Today’s dress was long, black and had skeletons dancing around the bottom. It did not take her long to get rid of the pinks and pastels that Hank preferred. Now she wore the darker colors with a goth vibe that she liked.“You’re not in high school anymore.” Hank would tell her. “It’s time to dress like an adult.”When she had said something to Neo about it, he simply laughed.
There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. – George SandWhen Dean had shown them the walk-in closet of wedding dresses, Bunny had fallen in love with the dress that they dubbed the *Big Fat Greek Wedding* Dress. The skirt was so large that her arms couldn’t go down straight by her sides.Smirking, Deam had pointed out that her arms weren’t the only things that would not be straight at the wedding. When she had quit laughing, Bunny threatened to put the teen in pink. They both knew it was an empty threat.Two days before the wedding, Helen had shown up at the two-story house with a new set of petticoats. Even though they would not be seen during the ceremony, it still meant a lot to the three of them. Especially for Jaxon.Although they all knew that Helen accepted Jaxon and his partners, the gift of the rainbow-colored petticoats solidified it. It meant even more to learn that Daphne had helped Helen
I have never met a vampire personally, but I don’t know what might happen tomorrow. – Bela LugosiJD walked up behind Dean and wrapped his arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck as she made herself a sandwich. “How are you going to eat that?”“One bite at a time.” She replied as she sliced the tomato.“Smart ass.” He chuckled.“You want one?”Kissing her cheek, he smiled at her before turning and looking at the sandwich. There needed to be a different word for this … monstrosity. Rye bread with mayonnaise and mustard. Three types of cheeses. Five types of deli sliced meat. Romaine and iceberg lettuce. Sliced tomato, pickles, cucumbers, bell peppers, banana peppers and black olives.“Yeah.” He answered with a soft chuckle.She gave a small laugh as she finished her sandwich and pushed the plate away before grabbing another paper plate leftover from the
As your kids grow they may forget what you said, but won’t forget how you made them feel. – Kevin HeathIt had been a long weekend, starting with Dean’s graduation on Friday night and ending with the babies’ first birthday party today. After the party had broken up, several people had stayed just to play in the pool. Ariel, true to her namesake, loved being in the water and was upset when they finally got out of the pool.She had started to cry, but Ty and Jaxon were there with cuddles. If there was any doubt about her being daddy’s girl, it would only be because the doubter had never seen her light up when either of them came into view.Her favorite place was between her two fathers. She definitely took after her mother in that regard. Most nights she would fall asleep on Bunny’s lap or shoulder, a hand or foot on each of the men.Currently, she lay on Bunny’s shoulder, her hand tightly gripping Jaxon&rs
Some students go an entire day at school without anyone saying their name. be the adult who speaks to each student by name. Everyone loves to hear their name. – Educator Justin TarteEvery night, Jolene sat between Neo’s legs and would read to him. Some nights the passages were nothing more than written porn. Other nights, they were sweet, or amusing. After the first few nights of carefully curated smut scenes, he chose a book, and they would read a few chapters each night.They were on book three of a series of five tonight and she was having a hard time concentrating. The light touch of his calloused hands under her shirt did not help her concentration. Nor did his mouth on her neck.Certainly, the bulge at her lower back was a bit distracting.“Something’s on your mind.” He whispered and then lightly bit her earlobe.“No…” she tried to brush off his observation and he simply chuckled
Because he wants to create a stable, lasting relationship with one person. Brad, believe me, there is nothing in this world so wonderful, so fulfilling, as coming home to the same woman every night. – Tony Randall as Jonathon Forbes in Pillow Talk 1959Cheryl snuggled against Waylon’s chest as they lay in the new bed at their new house. She wore a large National Fire Academy T-shirt that was stretched tight across her large belly. He wore a pair of boxers and kept squirming seeking a more comfortable position between the rough, stiff cotton sheets.The guys from the fire department had helped them move early Saturday morning. She and Waylon left the guys putting together furniture when they went to the unveiling of Dean’s mural.When they returned to the house with pizzas and beers, they found the six men sitting on the back patio with their feet up. On furniture that Cheryl adored but did not remember getting.“I
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. – Johann Wolfgang von GoetheReese had told Helen that there was a second restaurant at the Private Club that he wanted to eat at. She knew about the other restaurant. When they had all met for lunch last, Marnie had taken Helen over and showed her the other restaurant. The one with low cushioned tables and pillows on the floor.The lights were up during the day, but for meals, they would be lowered. Lights would shine out from inside the tables, illuminating the sub on display. There were cushions that could be moved to accommodate the person on the table. One under the knees, a small one under the lower back and one to support the neck and head.Marnie had told the older woman that she loved the other restaurant. The meals were finger foods that were served on the sub. Helen had looked at the Brat who smiled at her.“On the sub.” Marnie said again. “Steve
Most of our childhood is stored not in photos, but in certain biscuits, lights of day, smells, textures of carpet. – Alain de BottonReese sat on the outdoor couch on the lower deck watching the girls in the pool with the babies. Cheryl, Bunny, Dean and Allison, the only female Seabee that came with JD, each had a baby in their arms as they bounced and spun. Watching her children and grandchild smile and laugh, Helen snuggled into his side, and he pulled her into his lap.She had lost most of her baby weight, and currently had made her way back into size eighteen dresses, which she was quite proud of. Today she wore the dress that Reese had bought her specifically for the birthday party. A pink satin shift with a cream-colored mesh overdress with pink and blue flowers embroidered on it.Earlier in the day she had also been in the pool in a pink swimsuit with a sheer fish scale skirt that Reese had a hard time looking away from. He had p
Art and love are the same thing: It’s the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you. – Chuck KlostermanThere was a rather large gathering in the closed parking lot across the street from the mural. About half of them were part of the Princess Club and extended family. The large white canvas tarp that covered the wall billowed in the midmorning breeze. JD wrapped his arm around Dean’s waist and pulled her to his side.She wore a knee length black skirt and matching jacket with a white lace shirt underneath. Her hair was pulled up in a tight twist in an effort to keep it contained in the wind. She wore sapphire and silver teardrop earrings that matched her shoes.The leg of JD’s course BDU uniform brushed up against her bare leg as she moved in closer to him. Curling into his chest, she smiled as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Nervous?” he asked quietly.She nodded. “Yes. It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done for so many people to see. What if no one likes it?”
I’m the big sister. I want to make sure she has everything, even if I don’t have anything. It’s hard. I love her too much. That’s what counts. – Venus WilliamsLast night, Dean graduated from high school with a large cheering section made up of her family, friends and a small contingent of Seabees. And a cardboard cutout of her mom. This afternoon, they were having her graduation party. It was shaping up to be one hell of a party. JD was home until Wednesday but would be back a week and half later for his brother’s commitment ceremony to Bunny and Ty. The other Seabees would leave tomorrow, only a few planned to stay for the birthday party for the four babies. Although they had all been invited.All the princess club and their families would be there.They had all been upset when they learned that she had got married without them. But then the newlywed couple promised to have a real wedding on their one-year anniversary.Deon and Craig were both home for summer and t