I knew when she arrived she’d be upset. I also knew she’d be more upset than she would let on. It was one of the traits of hers I loved—her strength and her need to handle things on her own. I also knew that she would let me help her, as long as I was subtle about it. Dinner was easy; it wasn’t even my idea. I had my mother to thank for that. Ella and I both knew I couldn’t cook, but I could offer her a little peace and comfort with a bath.
All those years ago when I’d built this house, designed it from the ground up, I never knew I’d been building it for her. What did I need a giant jetted tub for? Nothing. I hadn’t even necessarily wanted one, but somewhere inside me I guess I knew that someday she’d like to have one. It was moments like this I was glad I’d listened to that little voice in my heart that whispered someday, even when my mind said never.
I placed candles around the ledge of the window that was dark now, but usually had a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. I placed candles on the counter and a few in the bedroom as well, then I lit them all and began to fill the tub. I found her favorite bubble bath that smelled of vanilla and poured it in, watching the froth of the soap build, smelling the scent that always brought me back to her. When the tub was filled with hot water and bubbles, I turned the faucet off.
In the bedroom I turned on some low music, just wanting to fill the silence. I knew it was in the silence where her mind took her away to the places that troubled her. I didn’t want to overwhelm her, but the distraction of the soft piano music would hopefully be enough to keep her away from the darkness.
After a few minutes, I heard her coming up the stairs and watched as she walked into the bedroom, a smile gracing her face. Her resiliency took my breath away. There were so many times I wanted to wrap her in my arms and make all her fears disappear, but I knew that wasn’t what she needed. She needed me to support her, to love her, and to be present—to listen when she wanted to talk and to hold her when she needed comfort. But she didn’t need saving, even if I longed to do just that. Together we’d been through enough, but on her own she’d battled the worst demons and won every fight. I was so proud that she was mine and that she fought so hard to come back to me.
“Feeling better?”
“Your mother’s cooking always makes me feel better,” she said with a sleepy grin.
“Come here,” I motioned for her to stand in front of me as I sat on the bed. When she made it to me, I reached out and started unbuttoning her jeans. She toed off her shoes and kicked them to the side, her eyes never leaving mine. I slid her pants down her legs, my hands grazing over the smooth skin of her thighs. She stepped out of them while placing her hands on my shoulders for balance. I grabbed the bottom of her sweater and pulled it over her head, her blonde hair falling softly back to her shoulders, mussed in the sexiest of ways. She stood before me in just her bra and panties, looking so much like an angel, her blue eyes sparkling at me. I leaned forward and placed a small kiss on her stomach.
“You really think there’s a baby in there?” She whispered, sounding hopeful.
“I think there’s a good chance.”
She smiled at me, her eyes even brighter.
“Let’s get in the bath,” I said, standing and reaching behind her to unclasp her bra.
“You’re coming with me?” She asked as she piled her hair on top of her head and secured it with a hair tie.
“If that’s ok.” I pulled the straps off her shoulders, the bra falling away to the floor leaving her bare to me. She placed her hands on my chest and pressed a kiss to my chin.
“Of course it’s ok.” Her hands found her panties and she slipped them over her bottom and walked towards the bathroom, leaving me to watch her beautiful, naked silhouette. I quickly shed my clothes and followed her. She sat in the middle of the tub, her knees drawn up to her chest, her hair piled on top of her head in a messy knot, waiting for me. I climbed in behind her and stretched my legs on either side of her, sighing as she leaned back into me.
The water sloshed around us until we settled, her head resting back against my shoulder, the steaming water coming up just far enough to cover her pretty, pink nipples. I saw flashes of them peeking through the bubbles and had to remind myself why we were here; to help her, not to seduce her—yet.
“How was the drive?” I asked her again, looking for a different answer this time and she knew it.
“Same as before. I panicked as I got closer to the street. I kept telling myself I wasn’t going to look, but then, of course, I did.”
“Did you have to pull over?” She had to in the past. She panicked so much that she wasn’t able to drive, nearly fainting. Thankfully, she never wrecked.