Page 71 of Candygrams

Our kisses turn urgent and needy. My body goes hot and liquid as he picks me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. For the first time since learning I’m pregnant, I feel like the world isn’t spinning out of control and everything is falling apart around me. I feel like I have something to hold on to and someone who will keep me, and our baby, safe. For the first time since running away from Ander, I feel like I have hope for the future, like I have a partner for life that will treat me the way I've always wanted to be treated. For the first time, I have the kind of love you could spend your whole life looking for...right here, in my arms.

Epilogue I

Ander

One Week Later

I make sure to be right where I need to be when my sweet wife wakes up, which is right by her side. I watch as she reaches out for me, her eyes popping open when she doesn’t find me. She quickly tracks my movement though and gives me a sleepy, happy smile.

“Hi, handsome. How long have you been up?”

“Long enough to step out and bring these back to you.” I hold the bag up. Her eyes light up as she pushes herself up against the headboard and pillows slowly. My angel has some rough morning sickness and going slow is the only way she can try to combat it. She takes the bag from me and opens it, moaning once the scent of maple bacon caramel doughnut hits her nose.

“Oh my God! How did you know? This is exactly what I need.”

I chuckle as I watch her pull the large, round…creation from the bag. I know because it has become her favorite thing to eat -and not just in the mornings. I know because my sweet Lilly has told me, more than a couple of times, she wanted one and I’ve gone out to find it for her. Thank God, Bonny's been helping me snag a few from the girls' shop.

We didn’t take a honeymoon after we married because Lilly didn’t want to leave Candy all alone with the work in the shop since Bonny would be gone on her honeymoon. I was fine with that as long as I got the weekend with her where we didn’t do anything but love one another. When Bonny and Gray come back, we’ll think about taking one then but not far because I worry about Lilly traveling with how sick she tends to be. I want her close to the doctor we picked out and already talked to.

Bonny did stay the extra day for us so she could be one of Lilly’s bride’s maids. Candy being the other of course. I’ve spoken to Gray and Storm quite a few times and when Gray gets back, we’ve planned a cookout so everyone can get together and talk and relax at his and Bonny’s place. Storm is very interested in the plans I have for the new house. He’s given me some good suggestions that I’ve woven into the design. It’s also nice that we all have pregnant wives we are crazy about at the same time, if for nothing else, moral support.

My wife takes her first bite with eyes closed and a deep moan falls from her lips. I kick my shoes off and crawl on the bed beside her watching her devour the savory sweet treat. When she’s on her last bite, I start unbuttoning her nightdress. Her eyes meet mine and a smile comes to her lips.

“What do you think you are doing?”

I give her a look that feigns innocence, and she gives me a laugh that makes my heart float. “Well,” I peel the edges of her gown back exposing the beautiful sight that is my wife’s perfect breasts, “I figure you got your sweet breakfast first and I thought maybe I would get my breakfast now.”

“Oh, really?”

I nod. “Just a little nibble before we have to meet Candy and Storm.”

“What if I want to serve you the whole dessert? What if I want you to have more than just a nibble?”

“Oh, sweetheart, as your loving husband I would have to make sure I do what makes you happy. I wouldn’t want you to think I didn’t want the whole cupcake when it’s all that’s on my mind. In fact, I think it would only be my right and duty to make sure I take care of every delicious morsel… with my mouth.”

I pull her down gently as she laughs, and our lips come together. Nothing is sweeter than the creamy sugar Lilly gives me. Nothing at all.

Epilogue II

Lolly

Twenty Years Later

I watch as kids run out the door of the shop after we’ve all put something sweet into their little Halloween bags and remember when mine were that tiny.

“Those better be happy tears, my love.”

My best friends all have a smile ready for the big lug I married so long ago but still makes my heart hammer in my chest as fast as the day I fell in love with him.

“They’re sentimental tears. Do you remember when the kids were that small?”

“Oh yeah. You remember when Penny crapped all down the front of my costume and I didn’t realize it. I walked around all night long with poo on me.”

The girls laugh but I can’t help but cackle harder. That was only one of the funny times we’ve all shared.

“You remember when the kids were all teenagers and we decided to do that haunted house in the barn at the old farmhouse and you and Gray almost fell from the hayloft and nearly broke yourselves.” This time Bonbon is the one who cackles.

“Oh, that reminds me of the cookout when we all camped out at those cabins and the three guys almost set the roof on fire.” Candy starts to laugh harder too and before I know it all four of us are fighting back the tears.

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