Page 56 of Atlas
“I’m coming home.” I state a matter of fact. “You’ve spent all of this time showing me how much I mean to you, how worthy I am. Now, it’s my turn to show you. I’ll be home soon.” And withthat, I end the call and grab the rest of my stuff, determined to ensure that Atlas never feels unloved or unwanted ever again.
As I walk outof my elevator, Atlas is standing in the doorway to greet me. He wraps his arms around my waist and hugs me tightly before falling to his knees and pressing his face against my stomach. “I’m so sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.” He chokes out as he grips my hips.
“Let’s go inside and talk.” I whisper as I lead him to the door. We are in the living room and I’m about to ask what all the papers are that he has scattered everywhere when he turns and kisses me deeply. I drop Bruno’s leash and wrap my arms around his neck as he presses me against the wall.
I groan as he grinds against me, but quickly shake my head. “Not now.” I whisper, and he looks at me, rejected. “I am not a ‘sex to make up’ kind of person, Atlas. Please?”
He nods and backs away. “I understand Princess and again, I am so sorry.”
“I know you are. And I forgive you, I just, not today. Now, why don’t you explain what all of this is.” Atlas rubs the back of his neck and groans.
“Yeah, that would be me trying to figure out Howard’s funeral arrangements because his kids want nothing to do with him. I thought everything was done, but I need to call the funeral home, order a casket, and everything is supposedly in these papers and they aren’t organized and I can’t read them and I’m just overwhelmed.”
Nodding slowly, I look from the papers back to him. “Well, lucky for you, I know someone who is very good at organizing tasks and making lists.” I smile softly as I kiss his cheek before grabbing a pile of paper to begin this painful task.
Chapter 24
Atlas
Is it just me, or does it seem to always rain at funerals? When Tony died, there was a terrible drought, but it rained hard that day. But only that day. And here I am at the grave site under umbrellas as I stand around Howard’s matte black coffin. I glance over at Ren, she’s red-rimmed and sniffling as she holds my hand, our fingers intertwined. Looking around, I see several of the staff from the nursing home, Betty and a couple orderlies. But no family and no friends. Betty had said Howard’s family wanted nothing to do with planning his funeral, so I spent the time doing it, and when Ren came home, she was an angel and helped me figure out what I needed to do to make sure he got a proper send off.
Looking at the headstone,I see the quote written above their names–
“In every life, it will be you.”
Howard’s words from the last time we were here still ring in my ears.
“I can’t wait to see you again, and I can’t wait to make you fall in love with me all over again in the next life.”
That’s all I want with Ren, I want to make her fall in love with me a little more each day.
As the minister finishes his sermon, and every one departs, Ren and I stay still.
“He’s so lucky.” I whisper as I stare at the black coffin. “To believe so deeply that you’ve not only found your person in this life, but in every life you may have, I’m envious of being able to love someone that openly.” I remove my hand from Ren’s as I walk over and place it on the coffin.
“I already miss you, you old bastard. We didn’t know each other long enough, Howard, but I felt a connection with you that I had been searching for… forever. I didn’t have to be a goofy idiot with you or some kind of Casanova. You were just happy busting my balls and playing gin. In the months that I’ve known you, you were more of a parental figure to me than my own parents, and I thank you for it.” I take a shaky breath as I try to hold myself together. “I hope you’ve found Clara and you two are happy. I’m going to miss our talks.” My voice cracks at the end and I instantly feel Ren’s hands on my biceps. My initial reaction is to push her back, to not have her near me while I’m this broken. But I shove that feeling to the side, and turn around and hug her to my chest as we both cry in each other’s arms.
“Why don’tyou go take a shower, Princess.” I sigh as Bruno bumps me with his nose. “I’ll go take Bruno out.”
“Are you sure?” She asks as she places a hand on my face. God, she’s so sweet. Leaning into her caress, I kiss the inside of her palm. “Yeah baby, I’ll be back in a few.” Ren nods before dropping her hand and heading down the hall.
“Alright Bruno, come on bud.”
Once back fromour thankfully quick walk thanks to Bruno hating the rain, I head into Ren’s bedroom to check on her. I smile softly at the sight of her sitting in the middle of her bed, highlighting something on her tablet.
“What are you doing, pretty girl?” I ask as I loosen the knot on my tie, I need to get out of these funeral clothes and a shower.
“Hm? Oh, I’m highlighting different characters in this story so I know which voice to use for the next reading.”
I raise my brow as I remove both my button-down and under shirt. “Are you going back to the nursing home?”
Ren looks up from her tablet, and I hear the sharp intake of breath. “Y-yes…”
I smirk as I watch her eyes scan over my naked torso. I flex my pecs and laugh as her eyes dart away and her cheeks begin to redden. “You enjoying the view, Princess?”
Ren huffs as her face goes redder. “Shut up. Just go shower.”
I nod as I walk up to the bed, unbuckling my belt and pulling it through the loops. “Better idea,” I drag my belt up her thigh while bending over to meet her face. “How about you come shower with me?” I bite her bottom lip and she releases a moan. I see it in her eyes. The hesitance and as I’m just about to tellher it’s okay, I’m only playing, but she forms a small, shy smile before nodding her head.
