Jack shivered – she knew how sensitive his ears were. “I’ll call them tomorrow. But until then …” He smiled, wrapped his arms around her waist, and began to sway with her. “I think we have a Valentine’s Day to celebrate.”
“Yes we do,” she replied softly, swaying with him to some invisible music. Separating the space between them, she rested her body against his chest and closed her eyes. “I love you…so much..” she whispered, knowing that no matter what, there in his arms was where she wanted to be forever.
Tag: end
He chuckled a little at that, and got back to his feet. “She’ll just have to be patient, then.” He rubbed his wife’s stomach soothingly, knowing the aches and kicks weren’t easy on her.
Standing up on her tip-toes, she kissed his chin and smiled. “As will we. But least she’s healthy and happy. Let’s keep working on the room together before we eat something. She’s making me build up quite an appetite.”
“Mm, fine with me.” He stroked her cheek softly, and gave her a quick, sweet kiss. He loved the child who was soon to be born, but he also loved the woman who carried her, and wanted to be sure she knew it. “Come on, let’s go see if the canvas is dry."
And, taking her hand, he escorted her back to the studio.
Resolution
“I don’t know much about hair,” Harrison said bluntly, “being that I have none of it myself. But I always have plenty of opinions.” And he shrugged at the blue man across from him.
They certainly weren’t going to be BFFs any time soon. But Harrison had discovered a side of the blue artist that was certainly tolerable, if not a little bit enjoyable.
While they could have stayed and talked some more, Jack had a feeling it was better to end things now. He’d said what he had to say, and if he was reading Harrison right, he’d managed to improve the other man’s opinion of him, at least a little.
“And I’d be glad to hear more of them, but I probably shouldn’t keep you any longer,” he said, with a small smile. “We can talk some more when you come visit. Just let Katelynn and I know when a good time is, and we’ll be happy to have you.”
“Yes, yes, I must get back to the office,” Harrison agreed, happy to keep this visit short. “Business won’t run itself. But I’ll be in touch,” he said as he stood and buttoned his coat. For Katelynn’s sake, he thought.
The Day We Met
Pushing play, she rested her head upon his chest and just nuzzled into him. It was strange yet amazing at the same time because he smelled so fruity yet was so warm that she couldn’t help latching on closer.
“First anniversary of many, right love?” she inquired, knowing the answer already but still wishing to hear him say it. Perhaps it stemmed from old insecurities but she knew Jack, who had stayed by her side through it all, wouldn’t be like the others.
With Katelynn cuddling him like that, her hair warm and soft and tickling slightly, Jack soon forgot about the paint. He wrapped his arms around her, cradling her close. As the movie began to play, he thought of this time last year; how nervous he’d been, how attracted he’d been to her even if he’d been afraid to say it. Well, he wasn’t afraid to say it anymore.
“The first of a lifetime,” he whispered back. And he reached down, brushed Katelynn’s hair aside with a gentle touch, and kissed her forehead.
“Next year I’ll make it even more special,” she promised, her mind filled with thoughts of him instead of giving the movie much attention.
Because it had definitely been a crazy year for them with everything she had done that she was sure they deserved happiness now. This year she would do things right – plan the wedding, marry the man who was cradling her in his arms and live happily ever after.
It was what Jack deserved for being so wonderful.
If You Love Something…
Her eyes widened as if swearing she could hear the words but just as quickly as the thought came, it left as an orgasm began rocking her body. She clenched around Jack so tightly and held into him her nails slightly dug into him. The sensation was so incredible, knowing she was doing this with the man she moved above all else that spots appeared behind her eyes.
She thought of nothing, felt nothing but him and his love as she cried out, her head thrown back and riding out her orgasm as her hips thruster back against him erratically.
“Aa-aaahhh…!”
His cry joined hers as his own orgasm hit less than a heartbeat later. Jack thrust as deeply as he could, feeling as if he were losing himself in her completely, white-hot bliss flooding his mind and body and drowning out everything except the two of them. His fingers dug into Katelynn’s hips, holding her tight against him as he came inside her in a heated gush. It always felt amazing when they made love, but there was still something special about not having a barrier between them.
Finally, after a few more weak thrusts, Jack’s lean body relaxed against her. He hugged her close, hiding his face against her shoulder. With how wet the two of them were from the shower, the blue man hoped Katelynn wouldn’t feel his tears on her skin – he wasn’t normally the type of guy who got weepy after sex, but after this, after finally having his love back when he’d been so afraid she’d never want him again, he couldn’t help crying a little from happiness. As long as he stayed quiet, he could probably hide it from her.
It was definitely hard to distinguish at first with the after glow remaining in Katelynn, but with how he hugged her and her senses tuned into him, she turned her head in concern. Unsure of how she knew and not really dwelling on it, she brought her legs down to keep weight off him, hands sliding up and down his back in a soothing motion.
“I love you…” She whispered to his ear, hoping to bring a sense of calm to his mind. Was he shaking? “I’m so sorry for causing you pain…but I do love you…so much..like you wouldn’t believe..”
It would probably take time, she figured, for things to go completely back to normal, and she had much to answer for, but she never wanted to lose this man again. Never. He was so selfless, loving her, letting her go. Like the saying went: if you love something, let it go. If it comes back it’s yours. Perhaps there had been a time where she thought she wouldn’t come back, thinking he deserved more than her but she had wanted to make sure.
And seen how much he loved her.
With a gentle smile, she pulled away and gave his lips a soft kiss as her thumb stroked his cheeks. “Let’s get cleaned up and watch Nightmare Before Christmas? We can just relax and be together..”
His tears faded almost instantly as she kissed him. All that remained was the warmth and love he felt for her, fueled still more by the languid heat of his own afterglow. With a soft smile, he reached up and brushed some of her wet hair back from her face. "I love you too, Katelynn. Please, don’t ever doubt that.“
Jack kissed her one last time, then reached out and grabbed one of the big, fluffy bathroom towels. He playfully wrapped it around the two of them like a blanket, and gave Katelynn an affectionate rub. "A movie sounds great. Anything you like. I’ll be happy as long as I’m with you.” He grinned. “And I still want to hear about how you rescued Grace!”
Like Katelynn, Jack knew it would take time for things to truly go back to normal between them. Even then, they might never be exactly they had been before. But perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing. They’d been through a terrible trial, worse than many couples ever went through, but they’d still found their way back to each other.
And if we can get through this, we can get through anything the future might hold.
Medusa
“It was still me..” she whispered with such a dead pan voice – trying to block out her feelings. It was too hard, much too hard having to deal with their pleading. She felt like she was letting them down.
When she had let herself down.
“It doesn’t matter..w-what you say..I should have stopped it..I-I…I’m sorry..I..have to go.”
How badly she just wanted to turn around, wanted to jump into Jack’s arms and let him shield the world for her. But she couldn’t. She had to deal with this.
“I..I do still love you Jack..I’m s-so sorry…”
And she ran, giving them a whispered “Goodbye…” as her bottom lip trembled, hoping Jack wouldn’t follow her.
She wasn’t sure if she could stand it if he did.
Oh, he wanted to follow her. He knew he should, and later on, he would rage at himself inside for not doing so. He was weak, just like he’d always hated and feared – he couldn’t even chase after the love of his life when she needed him most.
But right now, in the moment, Jack was too stunned, and broken by Katelynn’s confession. He watched her disappear through the museum doors, unable to speak, or even breathe for a few moments.
It was only when she was gone that he finally found his voice. “Sh-she … she can’t … no …” Hugging himself, Jack leaned against the wall, silent tears running down his face. His voice was a weak, choked whisper. “What am I going to do now?”
Bernard froze in shock, not wanting to believe his ears. Even when he could see the truth into her eyes. Katelynn never would lie to them. But before he could do anything, she already had left.
“SHIT!” he exclaimed angrily, punching the wall. It hurt, but his heart ached so much more. For Katelynn, for Jack, but especially for her. What kind of friend he was, if he couldn’t save her?
It’s just like Rapunzel, again...
It was them when he listened Jack’s whimpers. At that moment, Bernard felt something insiode him explode. No. He wasn’t going to give up, much less het himself drown in the fear.
“What are you going to do? WHAT ARE GOING YOU TO DO?” he turned around, and grabbed him by the shoulders. “I’ll tell you what we are going to do! WE’RE GOING OUT THERE, AND WE’RE GOING TO FIND HER, OR MY NAME ISN’T BERNARD JONES!!!” he practically screamed, he couldn’t help it. Right now, finding Katelynn was his first priority. Finding her, they might find clues about Grace, too. At least they knew one thing, Katelynn was wearing his jacket.
Letting Jack go, he walked to the door, and took out the keys from his pocket tho close the Museum. This building already had seen enough violence.
“C’mon, Jack! We have to find her!”
But Jack didn’t follow him.
His heart and nerves had already been weakened by days of loneliness and fear. Katelynn’s rejection now had weakened him even more, and Bernard shaking and yelling at him was the last straw. It was exactly the wrong way to handle someone like Jack Maple – with a quiet sob, the blue man sank to his knees.
None of it mattered.
I found her again, I tried to bring her back, and it still wasn’t enough.
I couldn’t save her.
He wasn’t crying anymore. There was nothing left to cry out. He could only stare blankly out the glass doors, at the darkening city outside.
I’m sorry, Katelynn.
-blushes and cuddles against his chest, kissing his neck- “You’re really romantic when you don’t even try, love. Turning something like love making into poetry.”
[Shivers as his sensitive neck is kissed. He hugs her close, deeply touched – and a bit embarrassed – by what she’s saying.] If I’m any good at that, it’s because you inspire me so much. [Nuzzles her hair] You know, we really could get black satin sheets for the bed. [They’re expensive, yes, but it would be worth it]
-Giggles and nuzzles back against him- “Seems I’ve inspired something? Hmmm I would love black satin sheets. They’ll feel really nice to sleep in. Let’s go buy some?”
[Kisses her] Sure. We can go to the m-mall and see what they have. Maybe we can get s-some space posters, too. [The thought of shopping makes him a little nervous, but he knows it’ll be worth it, and so the two of them head out]
Bye Bye Butterfly
Standing there watching him break; it was both a pleasure and a pain mixed into one. She wanted to relish in it, to continue seeing him snivel but just as with Grace as she could do was stand there and watch him cry. It rooted her, a twinge in her cheeks from muscles that were taut and ready for action but a brain that wasn’t telling her what to do.
Time ticked a bit as she stared him down before she tutted and looked away from him. Why she would go into these situations, look forward to them and then realize it was no longer fun?
“Sorry blue man but you no longer amuse me. Locking yourself up here in this fucking apartment like a loser? I’m going to go look for someone who can entertain me.”
Picking up a leg she kicked over some paintings, not to destroy them but just to make a mess and then made her way past him to the door.
Jack tried to reach out for her, but she brushed past him without even a second glance.
With a heartbroken whimper, the blue man slowly sank to his knees, hugging himself tightly as he silently cried. The wrecked paintings meant nothing. Katelynn had cut in and attacked his deepest insecurities – all the things he most hated about himself. He wanted to argue with her, to demand to know what had happened, to grab her and force her to stay so they could talk this out … but he couldn’t even move. His legs felt weak as water. His chest felt as if a giant, icy hand had squeezed his heart – it hurt to even breathe.
“K-Katelynn,” he managed to whisper one last time, “please … you’re everything to me …”
She stopped at the door when he whispered, once again rooted not only by his words but by the prickling that was a constant ache in her head. Hopefully once she left him behind it would stop. Or she could ask her master for more drugs to push it away.
Or kill it completely.
“Well isn’t that just sad,” she informed him, not even turning to look at him. “To leave everything to a worthless love that wasn’t meant to be. Maybe the next bitch can give you everything you need or put up with you but you’re not getting it from me.”
Turning her head to look back at him, she smiled and sauntered off. “Goodbye loser.”
And, helpless, Jack watched her go.
When the woman was out of sight, he sat down hard on the floor, hugging his knees to his chest and burying his face in them as he wept. God, he hated crying – hated how it reminded him how weak he was, just like she’d said.
Realizing that the fight had tied down, Roxy and Stella emerged from where they’d been cowering in the kitchen. The little black pug, seeing how distressed her master was, tried to cuddle against him with a whine. With a sob, Jack pulled her into his lap, stroking her silky fur.
Eventually the tears stopped. Jack drew in a few painful, hitching breaths, still hugging Roxy to him. It had been just the two of them in the beginning, and now … oh god, what was he going to do? All the dreams he’d had, the future he’d had a glimpse of …
A snort from Stella caught the blue man’s attention. The bulldog was snuffling at something on the floor. She wanted to pick it up, he realized, but her stubby mouth couldn’t get a good grip on it. Jack reached over … and his hand closed on the engagement ring.
Jack carefully picked up the sapphire ring, not caring how drooly it was. Katelynn had thrown it back at him …
… But she hadn’t been herself.
The dogs had growled at her.
Her eyes had been wrong – and the eyes never lied.
“… Something did happen to you,” Jack whispered. He clutched the ring to his chest like a promise. “And I’m going to find out."
Drinks at the Red Velvet
In his somewhat fuzzy state of mind, Jack could only nod. “Sure. That sounds wise.” He wanted to pay for his share, but it seemed the actor was determined to take care of things. Well, he’d try and make it up to him when they had him over for a visit.
“So … I enjoyed this,” he said with a smile as they made their way outside. “I really do need to get out more.”
The air outside was a nice contrast to the inside of the bar as Juniper let out a breath and raised his arms to call a taxi for Jack. “I’d be happy to take you out drinking more in the future. Also glad I was able to help you loosen up and get out more.”
When the taxi pulled up in front of them Juniper was already flashing the man a wad of cash with instructions to take care of his new friend. “Tell your fiancee I said hello and I hope we can hang out together soon.”
“I will. And I hope we can too; I’d like really like it.” Jack wasn’t really aware of it, but as relaxed as he was from the alcohol, his stutter was completely gone. He got into the taxi – a little unsteadily – and gave the driver his address.
“I’ll call you soon.” He hesitated for a moment, then gave a playful little wave as the taxi drove away.
Waving the young artist off as the taxi disappeared from sight, Juniper hailed his own, happy to have gotten to know one of the blue men and establish a friendship. He felt like he was even doing good by it – getting someone out of their shell and offering them a precious gift.
Not that it was some sort of charity work.
Once the taxi stopped in front of him he gave the driver instructions on where to go and called someone to pick up his car, feeling quite content over the day and looking forward to more.
Katelynn’s Superbly Touchable Butt
Even after all their time together and even having just made love in a sense Katelynn couldn’t fight the blush at his words as her fingers traced random circles and shapes along his skin.
“You’re even more wonderful..” she tried retaliating, unsure how she could even express how she felt for him with words. “You do know how much I love you right? How highly..I think of you..? How strong and brave I think you..are as well..? You have to know by now..”
If he didn’t she had no problem showing him again or telling him until it reached his brain and he believed it.
Oh, he couldn’t resist it any longer. Smiling down at her (and fighting back the embarrassing sting of happy tears in his eyes), Jack gently tilted Katelynn’s chin up and kissed her deeply. He gave a little groan as he tasted himself on her lips, and knew she could probably taste herself on him as well. He hoped she wouldn’t mind, because he needed this like he needed air to breathe.
“It’s b-because of you,” he said, gazing into her eyes as he broke the kiss. “You’re the one who makes me brave.”
She poured her heart out into the kiss, trying to translate the love she felt for him into it and didn’t mind at all that she could taste herself on him. His lips on hers just felt like a requirement for survival.
When he broke the kiss she stared at him for a moment as he spoke before her lips stretched into a smile. “If I make you brave then..I’ll..always be by your side to make you strong…always by your side..always.”
Nothing would keep her away from him anymore for as long as he needed and wanted her.
Jack Maple 