Page 32 of Abigail
“Well, I’ll never tell,” Abigail replies, allowing her voice to drop provocatively. Charlotte’s squeal could clearly be heard by Robert. He stills in his efforts to get dressed and looks over at her sitting in their rumpled bed. As if he can read minds and knows the entirety of their conversation, he grins wickedly. Apparently he doesn’t mind knowing the women were hinting at their sexual activity of the night. “Let me ask Robert what his plans are for the day, but I’m sure we can meet you all for breakfast. What time?” The women finalize their breakfast plans. Abigail talks to Ellie for a few minutes. The child is surprisingly exuberant, despite having been awake all night. She chatters on and on about all the fun she’s had with her friends during the night. Evidently Ace and Hawk had dozed off at some point during the night, and the kids had painted their finger nails. Abigail could hear a male voice cursing in the background, causing her to laugh some more. She’s very thankful that Charlotte and Daisy would be dealing with the fallout from that situation. She finally gets Ellie to end the call so she can get ready to meet them for breakfast.
When she gets off the phone, Robert is climbing back into the bed with her. They don’t really have a lot of time, but she won’t deny him, deny herself some mind-blowing pleasure. Charlotte will understand if they’re a little late. Abigail can feel the chemistry between Charlotte and Hawk, too. She’s pretty sure the woman knows just what Abigail is feeling and has experienced in the last few hours.
Robert crawls across the bed toward her. She watches him closely, enjoying how his muscles move and flex as he positions himself over her. She falls back grinning up at him. He leans over her to kiss her stupid. He takes his time and she’s loving it. Their tongues dancing in a sensual rhythm. He pulls back to look down at her.
“So, what’s Charlotte’s big idea for today?” Robert asks. “Some big plan to get us married?” Abigail’s eyes bug out. That’s the last thing she’d expected him to ask.
“Umm…” Abigail is at a loss. She doesn’t have a response to that. Robert’s chuckle comes up warm and rich from his chest.
“I’m joking, baby,” Robert assures her, grinning like a fool. “Charlotte loves to meddle, even though she means well. We both know the slumber party was her idea so you and I could have some alone time. She’s determined that we move our relationship to the physical aspect sooner rather than later. She’s a hopeless romantic. She wants everyone to be as happy as she and Hawk are, and I’m thankful for that, but she can be a bit much sometimes in her zeal to get us all paired up.” Abigail lets his words sink in as he speaks. Does that mean they’ve just been a pawn in Charlotte’s plan? Does Robert even feel what she feels? Again, seemly to read her mind, he instantly relieves her fears. “Don’t think I’m not grateful she gave us last night. I wanted to be with you so damn much, but I wouldn’t have pushed for it. I never want to make you feel like you need to choose between me and Ellie. I know you’re her mother, and Ellie’s needs will always come first. Just as they should.” Abigail nods at his words. So happy and thankful that he understands just how important her daughter is to her. She shouldn’t have doubted it though. He’d been there when her mother forfeited her life in an effort to save them from the bullets flying around them. Robert may not have had a mother who was willing to do the same, but he knows how important keeping Ellie happy and safe is to her.
“Ellie is wanting us to have breakfast with them,” Abigail informs him of her conversation with Charlotte. He listens, but he clearly has other things on his mind. He trails kisses down her neck, over her collar bone and down to her peaked breasts. He sucks her left nipple into his mouth flicking it with his tongue, suckling, and then biting down just enough to draw a moan from her. “Robert,” she breaths. “We don’t have time for this. They’re waiting…” She trails off as all coherent though eludes her and he takes command of her body.
“Well then, we need to multitask,” Robert replies huskily, licking his way to her other breast. She can’t fathom what he’s talking about as lust muddles her brain. All she can think about is getting his cock in her aching pussy. She needs him. It’s barely been a few hours since he’d fucked her last, but she’s already a needy mess. This is going to complicate things immensely. How is she supposed to go about her daily life without having him every day? He’s in the service, so she knows that even if she manages to move close to him, he’ll still have work obligations that will take him away from her from time to time. Deployments can be months at a time. Robert nips her breast enough to draw her out of the dark turn her thoughts have taken and back into the present. “Shower,” he says, pulling back to stand beside the bed. He holds out a hand to haul her to her feet before leading her to the bathroom.
Robert showers with her, washing her body and hair himself. It is without a doubt the most intimate thing she’s ever experienced. She returns the favor, savoring the feel of her hands running over his strong well-defined muscles. When they are clean, he kneels in front of her, taking her left leg and throwing it over his shoulder. His mouth diving into her sex has her moaning, throwing her head back in ecstasy. He eats her like a starving man at a buffet. Her right leg nearly gives away when her orgasm hits her. She shakes all over as wave after wave of pleasure washes over her, much like the warm water cascading down around them. As it wanes, he lowers her leg and stands up, a smug grin on his face. He kisses her like it will be their last, until she is clinging to him to hold herself up. Finally he frees her mouth and shuts off the water. Wrapping her in a towel, he lifts her into his arms carrying her to the bed.
“I know we don’t have much time, but I need to be inside you again, yeah?” he questions. She nods happily. “I’m so fucking hard. I’m not going to last long so you need to get there with me, baby.” Robert grabs another condom from the bedside table, sheaths himself, and buries himself balls deep in no time at all. He has her sprawled on the bed at the edge. He stands next to the bed and fucks her from the edge. The bed is just the right height for him to pound her relentlessly. It isn’t long before he begins stoking her clit with his thumb. “I’m fucking close, baby. I need you to come for me.” Robert’s gruff plea as he fucks her sets her on fire. A few more strokes and she is gone, tumbling over the edge into complete and total bliss. He continues to pump himself inside her a few more times. Then, he too is screaming her name as he empties himself in the condom buried deep in her hot sex. They are both breathless when they’re finished. He bends over her catching his breath, before kissing her sweetly.
“Damn, sweetheart,” Robert mumbles between breaths. “I’ve gotten you all messy again.” Abigail just grins at him, feeling so thoroughly sated and happy.
“I don’t mind, Robert.” Abigail runs her hands through his hair as his head rests on her chest. They stay like that for a few moments. He pulls out of her, washes her off again, and then they dress before heading down to breakfast. Ellie chatters happily when she sees them, jumping into Abigail’s arms. Tank joins them a few minutes later. Ellie scrambles out of Abigail’s lap and runs to the big man, throwing her arms around his legs. He laughs as he grabs her and swings her up into his embrace. Abigail marvels that Ellie is so comfortable with Tank. He definitely lives up to his name. The man is huge. At 6’ 6”, hitting near three hundred pounds, he is an impressive man. Not to mention the scars he has scattered on his face and his almost constant grimace. He is perpetually serious, constantly on alert. Only when he’s with Ellie does he seem to let go of the tough man attitude. Robert wraps his arm around her shoulders and smiles down at her.
“I don’t know how she does it,” Robert comments as he watches Ellie with Tank. “He just seems to melt around her.” Abigail nods. She’s noticed it too. “He’s been around kids for years now, but there’s something about Ellie that just gets to him. I wonder…” Robert trails off, pinching his lips together in thought.
“You wonder what?” Abigail asks. He glances back at her for a moment. He seems to be thinking on something hard, like he isn’t sure he should share what he’s thinking. Resolve comes over his expression as he leans in close so no one else will hear what he’s saying.
“I was just wondering if Ellie reminds him of his sister,” Robert replies thoughtfully. “She died when he was just a kid. He might not even remember her, but it makes me wonder. I’ve known him all my life, and I’ve never known him to interact with a child the way he does with Ellie.” Abigail looks over at them. Her daughter is talking non-stop as is her usual self, while the big man is listening with rapt attention. Abigail can see that he’s truly listening, not just pretending. Tank laughs at something Ellie tells him, and the change in his features is amazing. She smiles to herself, happy that her daughter can touch the big stoic man. Abigail thinks to herself that some woman is going to be a very lucky lady when she catches Tank’s attention. He’s a handsome man. He’s not nearly as handsome has her Robert, but still, he will drive someone just as crazy as Robert does her. She can feel that it’s true. Robert’s words sinking in about Tank’s sister.
“What happened to his sister?” Abigail asks, thinking how terrible for a child to die. Robert looks over at his friend as he answers.
“It was long before I met him, but his family was in a car accident,” Robert answers. He looks over at Abigail. “He lost his parents and his sister in that accident. That’s where his face got all scarred up. He was hurt pretty bad too, but he lived, the only one that survived the crash. They were hit head-on by a drunk driver. Tank’s grandparents raised him after the accident. Then they took me in when I was twelve. Even though they were in their sixties at the time, they managed to keep two rowdy boys straight until we were old enough to finish high school and join the Marines. Tank’s a couple years older than me, but we became friends when we were just in grade school playing on the same basketball team. When my grandmother passed away, I would have been back in foster care with strangers if it hadn’t been for them. I’ll always be in debt to them for making sure I got a good start in life. We still go visit them every few months.”
“I love that,” Abigail smiles. “That you both still have a parent figure in your life.” She thinks about the messed-up parents she’d had, her mother dying so young and her father’s abuse and criminal activity. She hasn’t seen her father in years, long before Ellie was even born. She isn’t sure he’s even still alive. The life he’d lived didn’t speak to longevity, but he’d always had a knack for escaping the grim reaper just like when her mom died. He would happily sacrifice another person to save himself. He cared for no one but himself. Abigail has a lot of regrets about her past but losing contact with her only remaining parent isn’t one of them.
“I’ll introduce you to them when we get back to Jacksonville,” Robert tells her as they continue to watch Tank’s interaction with Ellie. Abigail smiles up at him.
“Thanks, Robert. I’d like that.” Abigail’s attention is drawn back to the children as they descend on Tank and Ellie. Tank’s whole demeanor softens around the child. Ellie, true to her nature, has engaged Tank with the other children too. Lilly has crawled over to him and pulled up on his leg. To everyone’s surprise he picks up the little girl and sets her on his lap. She doesn’t seem to be afraid of the big man either. She pats his rough face with her little hand and babbles incoherently ending with a coo. The site is heartwarming. The waitress walks by about that time, and Abigail can see the woman’s heart melting at the scene. The big strong man made into mush by a toddler. It is priceless. Abigail looks over at Charlotte and Hawk. They are watching the scene too. Charlotte has big tears welled up in her eyes. She sniffs, and Hawk looks at her with concern. He leans in close to her to whisper something in her ear. When she blinks several times, nodding at whatever he said, the big tears roll down her face. When Hawk pulls back from her, he sees the tears. He then takes Charlotte’s face in his big hands swiping the tears away with his thumbs. Then he kisses her ever so gently. Abigail has to look away. It’s such an intimate moment between the couple but only seals Abigail’s belief that the two are truly deeply in love, and Hawk would do anything to make sure his wife is safe and happy.
The other children have noticed all the attention Tank is giving the girls. Not wanting to be left out, Jessie and Joshua are also vying for his attention. Tank seems to be taking it all in stride, giving each child his full attention, as best he can with so many of them clamoring on him at once. It’s almost comical the scene playing out. Deadeye and Elise’s children have picked up on it and even though they are older, they seem to want Tank’s attention, too.
The pre-teens are lingering nearby, and Tanks seems to notice them suddenly. He reaches out his big hand to encourage them to join the fray. Within a few minutes, all the kids, even Ace and Daisy’s little one, are hanging on Tank, chatting away. It’s such a sweet moment. Abigail suddenly realizes this is what her life is going to be like from now on, when she moves to North Carolina with Robert. When she moves home. It sounds right, perfect. Abigail can’t wait to get packed up so she and Ellie can begin their new life. Their future.
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
Straw is feeling high on life. It’s been almost eleven months since they returned home from their trip to California where he found the love of his life and managed to convince her to come home with him. They’ve settled into a comfortable routine, but it has taken a little while to get there. However, it’s been well worth everything they’ve been through. He wouldn’t trade a thing for the life they’ve built.
Abigail had given her resignation to a bewildered Brent on the Monday morning after meeting with the admiral at the park. Within just a couple of days, they had gotten her things packed up, which to Straw’s dismay wasn’t a lot. The majority of the boxes were Ellie’s toys and books. Abigail’s furniture was donated to GoodWill, and Straw finally convinced her to sell the old Nissan she’d been driving. That had taken some heated discussions, but she’d finally relented. Straw had just calmly explained that both he and Tank had their own vehicles, and they live in a nice large house together, so she could drive his vehicle until they get her a new one, and he would ride to base with Tank. For Straw, it is a no brainer, but Abigail isn’t used to being taken care of, and she’s had a hard time letting go of some of her independence.
The biggest disagreement had been when he’d told her he didn’t want her worrying about finding a job right away. Straw didn’t care if she got a job or not, but he’d wanted her to have time to get settled and not feel stressed about working, apartment hunting, and looking for a good daycare. His biggest goal had been to get her to move into the home with him and Tank. He’d wanted Ellie to have a yard to play in. A nice home, her own room, but mostly he’d wanted them in his home, close to him always.
Abigail had been stubborn about that too. Charlotte and Hawk had taken Abigail and Ellie home with them when they’d first arrived in Jacksonville. The admiral had wanted them to stay with him and Marla, his wife, but their home is small and Abigail hadn’t wanted to put them out. Hawk and Charlotte have a huge home with plenty of spare bedrooms. Abigail had lived with them for three months while Straw had dated and wooed her.
Now, life is good. Abigail has gotten a job. Ellie is in school with the twins, and they have settled into a comfortable routine. Tank and Straw leave in the early morning hours to head to base for physical training. Abigail and Ellie leave a few hours later. Abigail picks up the twins for Charlotte, and drops the three children off at the school, and then heads to her job at a local homeless shelter. Abigail is loving her job, and while it doesn’t pay much, it doesn’t really matter. Straw has been frugal over the years. He and Tank have made some good investments and neither of them are hurting for money.
The admiral has become a frequent visitor at their home, bringing his wife, Marla with him. They have even taken Ellie out to the movies, for dinner, and trips to the park. The little girl is thriving with all the attention she’s been getting from all her new found family and friends. The admiral and Marla are planning to take Ellie for a sleep over this weekend. Abigail is worried sick. She hasn’t allowed Ellie a night away from her since the night at the hotel, but she’s trying to not let it show. Straw has come to know his woman well, though, over the last eleven months and he can see her worry plain as day.
“Sweetheart, stop worrying,” Straw admonishes her as she’s repacking Ellie’s overnight bag for the third time. She looks up at him, opening her mouth to protest, but he holds up a hand. “Abi, I can see the worry in your eyes, and that’s the third time you’ve gone through and repacked her bag.” A sheepish look comes over her face. Her cheeks flushing slightly.
