Page 87 of Beautiful Small Things

She vaults into my arms and wraps her legs around me, placing quick kisses all over my face.

“I missed you so much!” she says between kisses.

I walk us backward and set her on the counter, stepping between her legs.

“I missed you so damn much, Baby,” I tell her, kissing her with more heat. “The last couple of weeks have been crap without you.”

“I know,” she agrees, placing her forehead against mine. “This one was hard, right?”

“It really was,” I say. “Especially with me working so much. I can’t believe we’ve been apart for almost three weeks.”

“I’m so glad to be home, Marcus,” James says, meeting my eyes.

I grind against her and squeeze her ass in my hands, causing her to giggle.

“So, Mrs. Sinclair, I bought stuff to make you a lovely dinner. The only question is, do you want dessert first?” I ask, wiggling my eyebrows.

“Definitely dessert first,” she says with a giggle.

So right there, in the very same place that was the background of our breakup all those years ago, I make love to my wife. Well, that’s not entirely true. First, I fuck her into the counter so hard we may need new marble. Then I make love to her.

We’re at the table later that evening, eating Chicken Marsala and drinking wine, smiling at one another between bites.

“I’m so proud of you,” I tell her. “I know you’ve heard this before, but not everyone can take something they love and figure out a way to incorporate it into their lives without ruining it.”

“Thank you, Babe,” she says sincerely. “Your support means everything to me.” She takes a sip of wine before continuing. “How’s Iris been?”

“She’s been great. Just on her little fact-finding assignment,” I laugh.

“I know!” She exclaims. “It’s brought up so many memories from when she was little. When we were all so young.”

“Be honest,” I tell her. “Did you ever think we’d be here all these years later?”

She thinks thoughtfully for a moment before answering. “Once I came back and saw you, I knew. It’s like you and I have always been tethered by some invisible string.”

I reach over and grab her hand. She spins my wedding around on my finger, a little habit she’s picked up over the years. “I love you, BJ,” I tell her, kissing her knuckles.

“I love you more, Dickwad,” she laughs. And it’s perfect because it’s just so us.

Chapter thirty-five

The Celebration

Iris

“Hey everyone,” I call, clinking a spoon against my glass to get my family’s attention. It’s a truly annoying sound but ultimately effective.

I look around the room at everyone in attendance. Both sides of my family are here to celebrate the opening of Jem’s new studio.

All of the grandparents, including Uncle Callan’s, are holed up by the bar, which is not surprising. The rest of his family is standing together, my younger cousins making mean faces at one another while Orion watches me with loving eyes.

Jem and my Dad stand together, his arm possessively wrapped around her waist and her head resting on his chest as they watch me.

“I don’t enjoy speaking in front of people, as you well know,” I start and hear snickers from the crowd. “But this is a special occasion. We’re here to celebrate the opening of Jem’s new studio and my father’s candidacy for the prestigious Lochner Award. As you know, I’ve been asked to write a recommendation letter on my dad’s behalf. It was an undertaking that initially seemed tedious but became fascinating and helpful to my growth.”

Papa Parker’s eyebrows arch in interest at my words as Orion smiles knowingly.

“I started this endeavor wanting to know what makes my dad tick,” I begin before Uncle Callan yells out, “Alcohol!” and everyone laughs.