As I wrap my arms around him, initially, he resists. He is so used to hiding behind his tough strong image, he doesn’t know when to let go.
“Please let me help you. I love you, Luke. All of you.” He gives into my embrace, wrapping his arms around me, burying his face in my neck. I can feel his heart racing and hear his shortness of breath.
I hold him tighter, trying to calm him down with what I hope are words of comfort. “Luke, I’m here with you, and I’m not going to let you go. You’re not alone anymore.”
Slowly I feel him relax against me. His heart rate and breathing seem to be returning to normal.
Luke raises his head shortly after and, staring into my eyes, says simply, “Thank you.”
Tears still fill his eyes as I ease him back down under the covers. Wrapping my arms around him again I hold him tight, trailing gentle kisses across his cheeks and his lips as I tell him over and over how much I love him.
Slowly his eyes drift closed again, and he falls back asleep. This time peacefully. I keep him in my arms, hoping this will hold off any further nightmares, and slowly slip back into sleep myself.
Filtered sunlight peeks through the curtains bringing me out of my dreams. Reluctantly I open my eyes wider. Luke is awake, right there facing me, his piercing eyes, more stormier gray than blue this morning.
“Hey, are you okay?” I need to ask as he rubs the back of his neck.
“Did I scare you last night?” he asks brusquely.
“No, not at all. I was worried about you.”
“I’m sorry you had to see me like that, Cassie.”
“Stop apologizing to me. You have no control over your nightmares, so you have nothing to apologize for. You know what… I hated seeing you suffer through a nightmare, but I’m glad I was there last night beside you. I’m glad I could hold you and help you. Now I feel I understand better. Luke, I love all of you. The good bits and damaged bits. Please accept my love is total and unconditional.”
He reaches for me, saying simply, "Thank you for loving me back."
We lie in each other’s arms silently for a few moments. Before he pulls back, looking into my eyes.
“Sorry, and it’s not meant as an apology for my nightmares. I mean, I’m sorry for my reaction.” Taking a deep breath, he continues, “You’re right. I should be glad you were with me last night because you did help me. I can’t usually fall back to sleep after a nightmare, but last night in your arms, I did. You did the impossible. I guess you made me feel safe. I don’t know what I did right to have your love, but I’m glad I do. Thank you for accepting and loving all of me.”
We lean in together at the same time. Coming together equally. Our lips sealing this new deeper understanding.
Luke smiles. “So, what exactly do you consider the good bits of me are?”
Laughing, I say, “Are you wanting to stroke your ego again? Fine, I will play your game, you have lots of good bits.”
“Go on,” he encourages.
“Okay, give me a chance, I’m thinking.” Teasing him is so much fun.
“Do you need me to remind you, Cass?” he asks as he pulls me fully into his arms, aligning our hips, his shaft fitting perfectly between my thighs. I well and truly know all Luke’s good bits and his hard cock, currently nudging me below the sheets, is one of my favorite good bits.
“Maybe I do need a reminder as I can’t think of one specific good bit right now. I know there are definitely good bits.”
“Oh, I’ll remind you all right, starting now,” he promises, and I am so ready to be reminded.
I giggle as he rolls me onto my back and starts showing me exactly how fantastically good his good bit can feel as he slides into my wet heat.
Lying sated in Luke’s arms again, I know this is where I belong, right here. Luke was meant to be the love of my life. My one and only.
It turns out all those years ago, it wasn’t that he wasn’t the one, it was only it wasn’t the right time. We both needed to grow up. See something of the world, and then the time would be right.
Now is the right time for us.
Epilogue Cassie
Two Months Later
