Page 86 of Tony

Two weeks later, Sherrie Mullins became Mrs. Tony Alvarez. Tony had insisted that they marry as soon as possible and showed her the ring that he had bought, but had been waiting for just the right time to give her. She insisted that she did not want a large wedding—just Tony’s father and friends. And Bernard to give her away.

Bernard had been shot in the side of his chest, the bullet just passing through muscle. Within two weeks he was ready to walk Sherrie down the aisle, although with the injuries to her feet, they made a slow pair moving toward Tony.

Standing in what was now their living room with the minister before them in front of the fireplace, they said their vows. Their friends sat in chairs moved in just for the occasion, with the dining room table loaded down with food for the reception.

Sherrie, overflowing with happiness, looked into the caramel eyes gazing back at her. Dressed in a flowing, ivory, knee-length dress, her blonde hair streaming down her back with Baby’s Breath interwoven throughout, she looked like the princess he thought she was. The news they were having a baby had stunned her, but like Tony, she was ready to begin their lives together. No waiting. No second thoughts. Smiling, she pledged her life to him.

Tony, resplendent in a dark suit, kept his eyes locked on the beautiful woman at his side. He had a second chance at love and planned on making every moment count.

His father, standing next to him, glanced at the mantle noticing the small, framed picture of a smiling Tony with Marla and newborn baby Sofia.Sherrie did that,he knew. She had brought Tony out of the past while still celebrating all of life. Next to it was another framed snapshot, this one of Tony and Sherrie in the snow with the frozen lake behind them. And the two pictures looked perfect side by side. He knew that the mantle would soon be full of other pictures of them. Now, and later with children.Life goes on,he thought.And thank God it does.

Tony kissed his bride with all the love and passion he had for her, holding her tight as he handed her an envelope. Turning to the gathering, he proclaimed, “I have a gift for my new bride. One that holds a special meaning to us.”

She looked up in confusion, her hand holding the plain envelope. “What is this?”

“Open it, baby,” he said gently.

Licking her lips nervously, she opened the envelope and pulled out the sheaf of papers.A deed?“Oh my God!” she shouted, throwing her arms around his neck. Looking at the questioning gazes of their friends, he explained. “Mr. Marks sold the mountain cabin to us.”

The laughter rang out in the room as his wife’s tearful smile filled his vision.Yeah, life goes on.

26

Waking up in the cabin several months later, Tony looked over at his wife. Her cherubic face with the mass of blonde hair spilling on the pillow had him holding his breath for fear of disturbing her. She opened her eyes, blinking at the light. Focusing on him, she smiled.

“Hey, you,” she said softly.

“Hey back,” he answered.

Leaning in to kiss her, he then pulled back and lifted an eyebrow.

She huffed as she said, “Yes, of course,” and moved to get out of bed. Returning a few minutes later, she climbed back under the covers. “It cuts down on the spontaneity when this baby is sitting on my bladder,” she groused.

Chuckling, he kissed her again before turning her over and pulling her back to his front. Reaching down, he noticed her lack of panties. “Ummmm, you are ready,” he murmured in her ear.

“Always for you,” she whispered back.

Sliding into her, he curled one arm under her neck with one hand down cupping her swollen breasts while the other rested on her protruding belly. Slowly and deliberately he moved in and out, not willing to hurry the process.

It did not take long for the delicious friction to build and she began to pant as she climbed toward ecstasy. His cock was touching so deep within her, she could feel the tingles as her inner walls began to convulse, grabbing tighter to him as she flew over the edge. Screaming out his name, her orgasm rushed over her as she squeezed her eyes tightly, the electricity sending jolts to her whole body.

With only a few more strokes, his neck corded as the veins stood out, grimacing through his release. He felt his child kick and he could not help but chuckle.

“Mmmm, you woke the baby,” she said, pretending to grumble. He nuzzled her neck as they panted their way down from shared breathlessness.

“I love you, Mrs. Alvarez.”

She rolled over to face him, placing her hand on his jaw. “And I love you, Mr. Alvarez.”

Later that day, they walked to the pier and sat on the edge, feet dangling in the water. “This will be such an amazing place to bring our kids for vacations,” she said.

“We’ll need to add a bit to it,” Tony said, looking back at the small cabin.

“It was big enough for the Marks and they had two kids.”

“Yes, but we need a bedroom off to ourselves. One where when you scream out my name, the kids can’t hear.”

Giggling, she playfully slapped his arm. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes. She turned toward him and looked into his warm eyes, handsome with the little laugh crinkles out from the sides. “Are you glad you followed me to this cabin in the storm?”

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