Chapter 10
Winds of Change

Feeling completely relaxed in the warm, tingly afterglow of the best orgasm experience in her life, Jean felt different. The fog of satisfaction coated a dull but persistent feeling that something was different. It was easy to ignore however and shifted her attention back on the pictures and video Ben took of her. She felt like an exotic creature of the woods. Lying on the ground naked in the forest, her senses heightened, the mental wash of the high energy level of ecstasy experienced and the tingling throb between her thighs told her she lived out her fantasy of fantasies. She languished in her surreal state of mind not wishing to come out of it just yet. Thoughts of the storyline danced in her mind and she played it out from one scene to another. She started with her carefree walk in the forest. The sighting of a man and his sighting her. Her attempt to escape knowing what would happen if he caught her. The chase that ended in a kiss and a claim of her and the incredible, mind numbing experience of being taken and pleasured.

Ben heard her sigh and looked over as she stared up into the trees. He smiled liking that little noise she made when she sighed like that. He was exhausted too but not so much as she, he knew. They had been laying there for nearly two hours now just enjoying doing nothing at all. They held hands and kissed now and then but nothing overtly sexual. That had been expended beyond their limits and now enjoyed the rest of the day without a care in the world. Or so she wanted to believe. Something was still tugging at her through the fog of the afterglow. She put it out of her mind again and promptly forgot it again. The day grew warmer and a gentle breeze wafted through the trees occasionally to cool their moist skin.

"Ben, sweetheart?" she called softly to him in a dreamy tone. She raised a hand and twirled a lock of hair around her finger as her daydream continued to repeat itself in her mind.

"Yes hon." He said in soft low tone. He noted her playing with her hair.

"Are you hungry?" she said. He wasn't sure of the context of the question and feeling as tired as he was and seeing her in that dreamy distracted state wasn't helping him any. He rolled onto his side and propped up on an elbow to look at her. She turned and gazed into his eyes and smiled warmly.

"Where would you like to go?" he inquired. He hoped the question was ambiguous enough that her answer would give him a clue as to which direction she was thinking about. Without any hesitation, she gave her answer.

"Home." She said simply. This wasn't exactly what he expected and tried again.

"You want to go back to the cottage and get something to eat?" he asked. Again hoping for a more definite answer. He got one.

"Sure. I'd like to get back and fix something for us." She said. She perked up a little and looked over at him. "I know you're hungry." As if on cue, his stomach rumbled. She laughed that special laugh she had only for him.

"See? I told you!" she grinned sitting and pointing to his stomach giggling. He conceded that he was. They got their things packed up and headed back to the cottage, arm in arm. They still hadn't gotten around to putting on clothing.

After arriving back at the cottage, Jean said she wanted to fix up something before she showered. She admitted to being a little naughty with wanting to feel the remnants of their encounter a little longer. She kissed him and said he should go ahead and shower first and his meal would be ready when he got out. She went to the sink and washed only her hands before fixing their meal.

When Ben finished his shower, he came out to the kitchen with a towel wrapped around his waist. "What do you want to drink hon?" he asked. He turned and looked her way. Her mouth full, she raised her bottle of wine cooler and winked at him. He winked back and grabbed a beer for himself and sat down at the table to eat.

They ate without speaking for a few minutes until a loud 'BLEEP' sounded from a radio on the breakfast bar. Jean jumped which he'd never seen her do before and figured she was lost in thought over her fantasy.

"Have you been sneaking around my back about something?" Ben teased. Jean smiled an impish smile.

She giggled. Ben looked at her with a raised eyebrow then gave a little 'pop' on her ass with his hand. Her mouth dropped open and then gave him a seductive pout.

"You never fed me before, naked." He said dropping his gaze, eyeing her breasts with a lusty grin. She brought the sandwich to his mouth for another bite. As soon as he opened it, she stuffed it in, jumped up and laughing, ran for the bathroom and a shower. Ben recovered from the surprise of her unexpected retort too late to snag her and paddle her over his knee for it even though he was laughing himself with a mouthful of sandwich.

After Jean finished her shower, she felt refreshed and energized now that she had the package to look forward to up at the house. She got dressed in her safari get-up and told Ben she had to go out and get a couple of things at the store before she came back. Ben offered to go with her and she said she could manage and asked if he’d be okay by himself.

"I suppose I'll survive well enough. At least I won't starve." He said sarcastically but smiled while he said it. She gave him a little punch in the gut for the effort.

"Alright then. Is there anything you want me to get while I'm out?" she asked putting her arms around his middle. He kissed the top of her head as he enveloped her in his arms.

"More wine coolers. We're down to two." He said. She turned her face up to his and they kissed. Pulling away, Jean stepped back, took a deep breath and turned to leave. He leaned against the wall and watched her get her things together to head back up to the house. Grabbing her shotgun last, she turned and pursed her lips in an air kiss to him and headed out to the old converted Baja racer. He followed her out onto the front porch and called to her.

"Jean. Take the old driveway to the road." He said.

"The driveway entrance wasn't put back in, remember?" she said as she put her things into the Puma.

"When I was walking around by the shoulder, I saw a small gravel maintenance access ramp that will let you get back on the road. I think it was left over to get the construction equipment in and out from down where the bridge work was done. As you get to the end of the driveway, turn left and you'll see the ground ramp up about two hundred feet from there." He explained. Jean nodded and hopped in the Puma, harnessed herself in, turned the key and with a blown kiss to him, gunned it and took off flying down the old driveway. He stood there until she disappeared from view and the whine of the electric motor faded among the trees.

Going back inside, Ben went to the bedroom and took off the towel. He put on a pair of gym shorts and his favorite 'T' with a picture of a vintage 19th century steam locomotive still operating in the Rocky Mountains of western Colorado as a tourist attraction. The shorts were comfortably loose but not baggy. The shirt was a little bit more snug around the chest and arms than the last time he wore it. He remembered when he first received it as a present from his mother. He went into the bathroom, brushed his teeth of the bits of his meal and took a look at himself in the mirror realizing he was more muscular than he was back then due to his working out since being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. He was trying to take care of himself and the fact that he was getting better at it showed. It's been said that keeping a regimen is easier with a partner than by yourself. Jean having her own regimen to follow did make it easier.

Back into the living room with his laptop bag he went and sat it down on the couch. He pulled the lap-desk from under the straps and set it on a cushion. Next he pulled the power supply out and found an outlet behind the end table and plugged it in. After getting situated on the couch he plugged in the cord to the rear of the laptop, opened up the lid, turned it on then waited. While waiting for it to boot, he reached into his bag to get his phone and when he couldn’t find it where he usually kept it, rummaged through the bag for a time. Satisfied it wasn't there, he set aside the laptop and got up to search his large pack, small pack and his duffle in the bedroom. Remembering that he left it in his room up at the house and not in the cottage, he went to the kitchen and called Jean over the radio. She answered a few seconds later.

up? Miss me already?" 'blip', she teased. He smiled and pressed the transmit button.

"Of course!" he said cheerily then continued. "Actually, I left my phone on the nightstand in my room. Would you mind snagging it for me please?" />
"You big tease. You putting your phone higher than me on your list of things to snag now?" 'blip', she said trying to sound hurt.

"Only until I can hold you again. Can't make love to a phone you know." 'blip', he said.

"Hmmm. You'd be surprised but I guess that's a good enough reason. No problem. I'll be sure to get it. Do you have the charger there with you?" 'blip', she asked.

"I think it's still on the charger so please bring that too if you don’t mind." 'blip', he said.

you give me for it?" 'blip', she asked.

"How about settling for a night out on the town Friday." 'blip', he said. The pause was longer this time.

"I'm back at the house. I think that would be fun! Friday it is then. See you when I get back." />
He put the radio on the end table and sat back down on the couch and retrieved the laptop. Logging in and connecting to the internet with his air-card, he got started on the two weeks of neglected email and the investment portfolio.

After getting through most of the junk mail, he settled in to read the more important ones. One from a carrier he was contracted with offered a month long dedicated contract haul between Charlotte, NC and Denver, CO. That was a good run by itself and quite a bit better if dedicated. He replied that he would have to pass on this offer as urgent family matters currently had him delayed from returning just yet. Giving his thanks, he signed it and sent it on its way and opened another regarding a land investment opportunity. This went on for nearly a half hour when a high pitched short scream pierced his thoughts like a dagger. He looked up and through the translucent curtains made out a person in the creek and appeared to be looking down at something. 'When did Jean get back?' he asked himself trying to figure out how he didn't see or hear her come back to the cottage.

Ben quickly put the laptop aside, slipped into his shoes and ran outside to see what was happening. As he got closer, a most exquisite looking dark-red haired woman was bending over in the middle of the creek looking at her right foot.

"Hello there!" Ben called out not wanting to frighten the woman. He slowed to a careful walk as he stepped into the water so as not to splash her with each step. When she looked up to see who called out, she reached her right hand out to him. He glanced at it then looked to her right foot held by her left hand. He could see a thin red line and some blood. He reached out with his right hand thinking she was going to fall over but it was toward him, palm down, fingers spread. His fingers slid against hers, fingertip to fingertip. In that instant, he felt a kind of electric shock pass between them. It was a feeling he'd felt only once before in his life. Their eyes met for the first time and time seemed to slow. Without breaking eye contact with her, the image of this woman was instantly burned into his mind. Every detail of her oval face was in perfect clarity from her dark redish brown hair to those incredibly beautiful green eyes to her red generous lips and every other detail in between. She seemed to glow and for an instant, every sound, every color every movement was vibrant and alive. Then the dream streaked through his memory and the face he saw for only a fraction of a second. As the realization slammed into him in that instant time returned to normal in a rush. He felt dazed. Still looking at her, she seemed to be also and thought she might be going to faint. Without another moment's hesitation, he slid to her left side, leaned down and swept her off her feet lifting her into his arms to carry her. She reached instinctively around his neck for support as he carried her to the cottage. He was careful to watch where he was going but was also aware she was staring at him, her gaze never leaving his face. She didn’t speak a word until he carried her into the living room and gently laid her on the couch. He looked up as she let go of her hold around his neck and he saw her smiling a warm, gentle smile with eyes that sparkled like stars in the night sky. He paused as his brain tried to understand what was happening. Something felt familiar about those eyes but why eluded him. She had on a gentle smile that filled him with a warm feeling inside. He stood up slowly, somewhat embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. I couldn’t help staring. I haven't s…" he said cutting himself off before he would say something stupid then started again. "You're hurt. May I take a look at it?" he said in a soft gentle tone. She nodded as her smile faded to parted lips as she looked down and extended her leg bringing her right foot up for him to see.

Ben knelt, water dripped from both of them onto the floor but he didn't care. He gingerly removed her flip-flop from her small foot. He gently, almost reverently, held her small foot in both his large hands to examine it. He saw a narrow cut on the inside, just above her arch and made a red line toward the ankle bone. It wasn’t bad but it had bled. He let go of her foot and looked up to her.

"It needs to be cleaned. I'll get something for it." He said. She nodded and crossed her legs keeping her injured foot off the floor. He turned, heading to the bathroom.

The woman watched Ben go. She didn't look anywhere but the back of his head, hoping he would turn around. If he did, she would see his face and the fluttering in her stomach could start again. She reflected the moment they touched and she'd felt something akin to an electric shock. She had an instant clarity of his face and a dazed feeling a moment later from a memory….no, a realization she'd seen him before. She felt herself swept up into his arms and she remembered just reaching around his neck to keep from falling. She puzzled at why he would carry her. Did he think she was so injured she couldn't walk? It stung to be sure but she didn't have to be carried. The thought almost bred an indignant attitude when he came back out of, what she assumed was the bathroom, and the makings of that attitude vanished like vapor.

Ben went to the woman’s left side as she had now crossed her right leg over her left to keep her foot off the floor. He took one folded towel and dropped it in front of him then knelt on it. He took a second towel and laid it down, reached over and gently lifted her left foot to slip the flip-flop off it. Holding it and the weight of her right leg on top was awkward but he managed to slip the second towel under it and set it carefully down onto the towel. He twisted and retrieved a shoebox and the damp washcloth to his left in easy reach. Taking the damp cloth, he placed his hand, palm up under her right foot and gently pulled it toward him. His senses were again heightened with the touch and he could barely make out the ghosting of blue veins underneath the woman’s slightly tanned creamy skin. He examined the cut and gently wiped the top of her foot starting at the outside of her ankle. In small, gentle wiping motions, he cleaned the sand that stuck to her skin. As he did, some of the particles stuck to the cloth and some fell to the towel beneath. He wiped the sole of her foot and she gasped and flinched. Her toes curled under and she drew her foot up slightly. He looked up with a concerned look and saw her smiling with her right hand in a fist pressing to her lips to stifle a laugh. Instead she giggled.

"I am sorry Mr…" she paused waiting for him to give his name. He detected an accent.

"Ben. Benjamin Alexander Logan at your service." He said. He smiled up at her and she smiled back each looking into the others eyes.

"I am sorry Mr. Logan." She began again. Her words came with a light Russian accent. "I did not mean to startle you. You discovered I am tickled there." She smiled warmly. "My name is Alexandra Ivonivan Petrovicha." [Pronounced: Alex-an-drah, Ivon-i-van, Pe-troe-vika]

Ben smiled at the missed word usage but didn't correct her. (Your English is quite good.) He said in Russian. Her eyebrows went up and her mouth opened in surprise.

на (You know Russian?) she asked.

(Only a little.) he replied. She sat back and stared down at him slowly shaking her head from side to side in unabashed astonishment. Ben gave her a half smile and returned his attentions to her injured foot.

The cleaning done, he sprayed an antiseptic over the wound catching the excess that dripped from her foot onto the towel below. Cradling her foot in both hands as if it were made of glass, he gently blew on the wound with a long slow breath to dry the moisture so he could use the liquid band aid. He felt her shiver slightly and looked up to see her eyes closed. He blew on her foot again and turned his head slightly to direct the stream of air along her arch from ball to heel. This got a stronger shiver. Really more like a shudder. He looked up again and saw goose bumps had appeared all over. Her lips were parted and head tilted back slightly. He did it again. This time purely out of curiosity and watched her shudder slightly again. He was enthralled that she was enraptured with this form of touching. It seemed all too clear to him this was a sensuous woman with an erogenous zone there and this action was quite inappropriate.

The antiseptic was dry now. "Ahem." He cleared his throat softly and as polite as possible. She flinched and sucked in a breath. He waited until he could see in his peripheral vision that she was looking at him again before he looked up and saw those gorgeous green eyes again.

"It will be fine." He said, in English. "All I need to do is apply the liquid band-aid and wait for it to set."

"You have to blow on it to dry, yes?" she asked with the slight expression of fear and expectation. Ben nodded then looked beside him to reach for the tube.

He opened it and between thumb and forefinger of his left hand and pinched the wound closed, though it really needn't be done. He felt compelled to do everything perfect for this woman. Applying the liquid, Ben drew two lines on either side of the cut then down the length of the cut itself. He hoped this would make it flexible enough so it wouldn’t break open later. He paused and looked up at her face. She was sitting back with her jaw muscles taut and eyes closed. He wasn't sure if she was in pain or steeling herself for a more controlled reaction to his touch on her foot.

He blew on it but did not run the air stream up and down her arch. He blew at the liquid band aid four times slowly. Her little shiver betrayed her sensuous nature. He let go of her beautiful small foot and felt a kind of loss from not touching her as he sat back on his heels kneeling before her. He slid to her right and reached out to lift her left foot still with her right leg crossed over. Gently lifting and straightening her leg, he picked up the damp cloth and wiped her foot in the same gentle, almost reverent manner as he did the right one. He felt compelled to take care of this woman.

Still holding her foot, he folded the towel he had placed under it to make a clean spot for him to set it back down on. He knew she was looking at him and didn’t look up.

Alexandra watched as he cleaned her left foot with the same care and attention as the other. She enjoyed this man’s careful handling of her and the respect he gave. She wished she needed to be tended just to feel his breath on her foot. She had no idea she reacted this way. It was a most delicious feeling that sent shivers through her. She couldn’t help it even when she knew he would do it again for the band aid he blew on.

Ben said laying her foot down gently on the towel. Her legs still crossed as he looked up at her. All he could focus on was her face. He didn’t want to look anywhere else. He felt he could live within the depth of those eyes and on the images of her face burned into his mind for the rest of his life. This he hadn’t ever felt before. Not even with his late wife when they fell in love or with Jean.

Alexandra looked at him mentally noting that he never sat directly in front of her and always seem to watch her face. She noted too the significance of this as she uncrossed her legs, on purpose, and placed her right foot down gingerly on the towel he placed there for her as if she were something special. As she re-crossed her legs, left over right, his gaze never strayed. He looked to have something around him when she looked into his eyes. She couldn’t look directly at it. She could only sense something in her periphery. It was white. Her eyes grew wide and her mouth fell open. She realized his were growing too and abruptly shut her mouth and looked away. 'Is he frightened or concerned or offended?' she thought. He looked down and stared at her injured foot.

Ben saw her eyes widen as she gazed into his and thought maybe he'd done something inappropriate or maybe she broke the cut open when she re-crossed her legs. His eyes grew wide in fear of those and looked at her foot to make sure of at least one of those concerns. He saw no blood and it was only a little pink around the edges but otherwise looked fine. He sighed silently.

"Can I get you something to drink perhaps?" he said looking up. "I have beer, wine coolers, diet soda and ice water as well as some orange juice."

"I would like to try a wine cooler if you do not mind." She said. Her accent was music in his ears. He stood from his kneeling position thankful she wasn't angry with him for anything and went into the kitchen to get her a wine cooler.

Ben popped the tops off the bottles, took a deep breath and headed back to the living room. He looked at her again as she looked up and the same interest was there in her eyes. 'Those eyes.' He thought. Her hair was a radiant dark redish brown that did not contrast so sharply with her skin as he thought it would. Her skin was a bit more olive like an Italian than what he thought anyone from Russia would typically have. He handed her a bottle and just kept looking at her facial features as he saw that she did as well.

"So Alexandra." Ben began. "I take it you are from the house up on the hill?" he said and looked out the window. She looked too see what he saw and smiled.

"Yes. As much as I wish not to admit to it." She said while still looking out the window, a little sadness shadowed her features.

"Why would you hate to admit that? Looks like it would have a really nice view from the deck." He said taking a swallow of the cool drink. Alexandra looked back at him.

"Oh. Do not get me wrong." She said. "I do love the view from there. It reminds me of my home when I was a little girl in the Ukraine at times. There was a meadow like the one here but much, much larger. When I went into it, I could imagine it went on to the horizon." She said with a bit of a wistful look from the memories. Ben could imagine that as well like he did when he was at the beach or alone in the Rockies. When alone he could imagine he was the only one on Earth.

"I feel a little like that sometimes myself when I think of the mountains I grew up in." He admitted.

"Where do you live Benjamin?" Alexandra asked taking a sip of her drink.

"I'm living in North Carolina but I'm from Colorado originally."

"You are here on holiday, yes?" she asked. He looked to her and saw a more interested look than inquisitive. He swallowed, trying to keep the butterflies in his stomach from getting too active again. 'What the hell is wrong with me?' he asked in his mind as he felt like a bashful school boy. He smiled.

"I'm here visiting for a bit. I'd like to hang up the keys and quit driving so I decided to come here and look around for He said casually.

"Hang up the keys?" she inquired. Realization dawned. "Ah! You drive a truck, yes?" She said then turned to look at him again.

"Yes. And you?" Ben asked. "What do you do?"

She settled a little deeper in the couch but her expression was a bit on the tense side as he saw her jaw muscles tense. He wondered if he went too far. "I am a property developer. I build multi-family housing units in the mid and upscale range as well as long term occupancy suites. My ex-husband and I built the house about three years ago when we were still married. We too were looking at a very good opportunity here." She said. Ben nodding showing he understood. "He was a mean person and sometimes cruel. The lady that lives in the house behind this one received a few of his letters demanding she remove 'her' power line to this house. No doubt she believes I am guilty. I doubt too that she will ever come to visit because of it." Alexandra said, her expression deteriorating into a little sadness as she looked down into her wine cooler bottle and fidgeted.

"I don't believe she'll hold it against you if I'm any judge of character." He offered. Alexandra looked up without expression.

"How do you know this?" she asked, and there it was. The answer he gave severed his secret relationship with Jean. Forever. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep it a secret knowing Jean and Alexandra surely would become good friends due to their common interests in building things.

"She's my Aunt." He said. Alexandra looked a little surprised. He nodded and she smiled broadly.

"I see." She said. He saw her right eyebrow quirk slightly and her expression change to doubt then confusion and finally interest again when she looked back up at him.

"How is your foot feeling Alexandra?" he said softly. She nodded slowly.

"I believe you are a good nurse."

"Actually, Aunt Jean is a nurse. I learned a little first aid but nothing beyond that. So count yourself fortunate you aren't at the mercy of anything more disastrous than a small cut." He said. He felt the butterflies disintegrate and felt the taste of ashes in his mouth all of the sudden as his stomach sank.

"Are you alright Benjamin?" she asked him in a quiet tone. Her change in demeanor as she asked the question jolted him out of his thoughts.

"Oh. Yes. I'm fine. Just a few things on my mind is all." He said then diverted the discussion back to her profession. "So you build apartments, condominiums and townhouses?" he asked trying to sound more cheery. She brightened at his inquiry.

"Yes! I am in the process of working out a plan to build one near the auto factory." She said.

"The one on the Interstate?" he said. She nodded. "So corporate VIP's can visit the plant and not have to stay too far away then. Sounds like a good idea. Just add a company shuttle, let the tours begin and watch the money start rolling in!" he said with a chuckle. She laughed too and took another drink of her wine cooler.

Just then, the whine of an electric motor and gravel crunching came to their ears. Alexandra looked out the large window at the front of the house then looked at Ben. Ben smiled.

"Aunt Jean has returned." He said. Standing, he hid his discomfort in his stomach from Alexandra as he went to the door. Setting his drink down on the table next to an overstuffed chair, he walked outside to greet Jean.

Jean saw him come out, smiled and waved. "Hi ya babe!" she said in a little coquettish tone. He smiled then went to her. When he was close enough, he stopped a pace from her and she closed the distance. They hugged and he kissed her cheek. When he pulled away, a little sad smile came across his face. When she saw this, she suddenly felt a heavy load hit her stomach.

"We have a visitor. Come. I'll introduce you to her." He said as he picked up the two bags of stuff from the passenger's side seat. She stood there and felt she now knew the answer to that nagging discomfort she'd felt since their fantasy earlier in the woods. She took her pack off the roof of the Puma and followed him into the cottage.

He held the door open for her and she stepped in. She saw Alexandra sitting on the couch with legs crossed and sitting up straight.

"You remember Alexandra Petrovicha, your neighbor on the hill?" he said trying to disguise his need to say more. When she didn't react, he added, "You know. Her husband sent you some letters about the power line two years ago before they divorced?" he emphasized the word "two" a little. Understanding dawned and she smiled warmly stepping toward Alexandra. Alexandra stood, still favoring her right foot and offered a handshake greeting. Jean took it and they shook hands then pulled Alexandra into a quick little hug.

"So nice to finally meet you!" Jean said happily. Ben watched Alexandra as she smiled and returned the greeting as if they had been old friends reunited. He took the bags into the kitchen and began to empty them, putting the drinks into the refrigerator. Forgetting his wine cooler, he popped a beer and a wine cooler and brought them to the living room where he picked up their conversation.

"So Ben fixed you up." Jean said. Alexandra nodded.

"Yes he did. Your nephew did a good job." Alexandra said. Jean's stomach dropped when she heard her refer to Ben as her She tried hard not to let it show.

"I saw someone was here and wanted to make a new acquaintance. I have not seen anyone living here and thought someone moved in. I saw your buggy out front and thought I would come down to meet you." Alexandra said. Not entirely true but it was sufficient for the both of them. "Benjamin came out to see what had happened and brought me here. I hope you do not mind Ms. Logan." She said, a little anguished.

Jean waved her hand dismissing the thought and forced a smile. "Not at all. I can't imagine how much more injured you would have been if you had to go back up that hill if Ben hadn't been here. And, please, call me Jean."

"Thank you Jean. Please call me Alexandra." She said. They both looked up and Ben handed a wine cooler to Jean. She could tell he could see anguish in her eyes. He winked at her knowingly then smiled and gave a quick nod as he took a seat in the overstuffed chair.

"So Alexandra." Jean began. "Would you stay for supper? I've already got a cooked meal that Ben and I couldn't possibly finish." Jean said expectantly. Alexandra smiled and shook her head.

"I would like to but I too have something in the oven that must be looked after. Perhaps another time?" she said.

"That would be okay. Ben? Okay with you she come by later?" jean asked looking over to Ben sitting in the overstuffed chair. Ben was taking a swallow of beer then choked when she directed the question at him. His eyes opened wide as he tried to get his breath, coughing. Both of the women looked concerned and leaned forward toward him at the same time. Jean noticed Alexandra and sat back to watch the two of them.

"Are you alright Ben?" Alexandra asked as she rose from the sofa and moved to him, concern in her voice. Ben nodded as he caught his breath and held up a hand to let her know he didn't need any help. She ignored it and stood next to him and patted his back. He looked up and saw Alexandra's expression. He smiled and coughed once more. Jean watched as her stomach started churning and rolling after noting Alexandra's use of his nickname.

"Yes. I'm alright." He said nodding. Jean saw the way he looked at Alexandra and what his body language suggested. To her surprise, Alexandra did not relax until Ben stood.

"Um. If you'll excuse me, I'll need to change my shirt. I'm not used to wearing my favorite ale." He said looking at Alexandra smiling. Jean noted that and felt her stomach drop again. Ben looked to her and touched her shoulder giving it a little squeeze on his way to the bedroom. She relaxed a little but the lead ball in her stomach didn't feel any lighter.

"So Alexandra started as she returned to the sofa. Jean turned her attention and put on a smile. "What do you do for a living. Ben said something about accounting and design?"

Jean nodded and figured Alexandra had to have been there a while before returning to the cottage. "Yes. I own the local CPA office and do a little architectural design more as a hobby than a profession." She said.

"You do architectural design for Alexandra said raising her eyebrows a little. Jean nodded then blushed.

"I've always liked to make buildings look more than just a big box with windows and doors." She said.

"You have built one or two, yes?" Alexandra inquired. Her expression was more serious now. Even expectant.

Jean blushed a little harder. "Well." She began. "One of my drawings came to the attention of a builder and he wanted to use it for a retirement home for people needing assisted living." She said feeling her ears heat up.

"Do not be embarrassed Jean! That is a wonderful Alexandra said in a rush. "You must let me see it!"

Taken aback, Jean started nodding. "Okay. If you feel that />
"Oh please. I forget myself. I am very interested in your designing talent. Perhaps we may collaborate on a project in the future, yes?" Alexandra said, eyes lit up. Jean was just about to answer when Ben entered the room.

"Why are you interested in any of my work?" Jean asked ignoring Ben standing behind her.

"Because Alexandra builds hotels." Ben said. 'A little too proudly.' Jean thought. She turned in surprise and looked up at him. He smiled and bent over, giving her a light kiss on her cheek.

Jean turned back to Alexandra. "You do?!" It was Alexandra's turn to blush a bright shade of red. She nodded.

"Benjamin is correct. I also build mid to upper scale apartments, condominiums and townhomes. Multi-family units are my specialty." She said.

"On top of that, she's working on the hotel near the auto plant with full suites for the corporate bunch that come to town." Ben said. Jean was amazed. Nobody came here to build anything. Not since the cotton mills closed. Jean had a new found respect for this woman. She was a professional and an accomplished woman with higher education. Knowing this gave her a sense of confidence and a type of camaraderie she'd wanted with other successful women but never had.

Ben still stood behind Jean drinking a freshly opened beer while the women talked. Alexandra would glance at him as he watched her, fascinated. He felt a hand on his as Jean took it to get his attention. He looked down.

"Hmmm?" he said.

"I said would it be too much trouble to take Alexandra home. You know, her foot and all." Jean repeated.

"Oh! No. Not at all." He said. He put his drink down on the breakfast counter then came over to Alexandra. She stood and he simply went to her and scooped her up in his arms like a princess. She wrapped her arms around his neck instinctively.

"She can at least walk to the ATV you know." Jean chided. Ben only smiled and started for the door. Jean got up quickly and opened the screen door for them and watched him carry Alexandra to the ATV. She thought a moment and saw a pair of green flip flops by the door and figured them to be Alexandra's. She picked them up and brought them over.

"Here's your flip flops Alexandra." Jean said handing them to her once Ben set her into the seat and fastened the harness. Alexandra smiled and gave a thank you before slipping them on her small feet. Jean was amazed at how clear her complexion was given she was a redhead. She was a beautiful woman. Thinking that, she stepped back right into Ben. His arms closed around her when she turned and kissed her cheek. She kissed him back and hugged him tight. She let go after a moment and stepped back. His eyes told her she couldn’t hide her distress but they also told her not to worry.

"I'll have supper waiting when you get back." She said and stepped back up onto the porch. Ben smiled and moved to enter the driver's side. Once harnessed in, he turned the ATV power on and with a wave, headed down the old driveway. Jean waved back as Alexandra threw her a wave as well. She stood on the porch until they were out of view. Sighing, she went in the cottage to get supper ready. She never did open the package she'd been waiting for.

 
Chapter 11
Foreign Affairs

Ben turned the ATV to follow the utility road toward the creek. Once at the shoreline, he stopped and got out to inspect the creek bed.

"Where do you go?" Alexandra asked. Her Russian accent sent tingles through him. He turned to look at her.

"I'm just going to make sure there’s a safe path across the creek so we don’t get stuck." He said. She nodded knowingly and watched him turn and walk into the creek.

Ben walked through the cool water looking for anything that might cause tire damage or a hole deep enough to get the ATV stuck. Something caught his attention to his right and looked down. The water was much darker here and saw a fish lazily swimming against the current. He thought he would have to get a fishing rod and start fishing again now the he knew fish were here. He thought it odd too the fish swam where it was. Almost like there was a way upstream across this shallow portion like a sunken pipe or something.

Thinking about fishing, he didn't see the other hole. His left foot dropped into it, jammed hard and with his momentum, carried him forward as he twisted. He couldn't twist his body fast enough to be able to bend his left knee. Half way down, he heard the loud sickening pop and crunch. He went down on his back in the creek in a howl of agony.

Alexandra saw what happened and heard his yelled out curse. "Benjamin! Benjamin!" she called out. She struggled to get the harness undone and managed to release the catch. Throwing open the door, she climbed out and ignoring the slight pain in her foot, she ran to him. He was lying on his back, breathing heavily with the agony. The depth was a few inches but didn't cover his face. When she got to him, she saw his leg at the knee at a perfectly sickening angle to how he lay. She tried to lift his torso into a sitting position but as she did, he came aware and screamed out in pain.

"No!" he grunted trying to catch his breath. "Don't sit me up."

She squatted next to him and put a hand on his right shoulder as he lay back in the water. He was panting, trying to control his breathing and grimacing. Tears started to form as her vision became watery. 'I will not let him down!' she yelled at herself in her mind. 'I will not fail him! He is the one! Oh God, please give me the strength to help him.' Then her experience as a field nurse kicked in.

"Benjamin. Concentrate on slowing your breathing. You do not want to hyperventilate and pass out." she said, her voice carried an authority to it. I need to move you around to straighten your leg out. I will need you to help me move you over that way." She said pointing to his right. "I will lift you under your arms a little so get ready." Ben nodded.

"Okay." He said grimacing and nodding.

"Good. Now just lift yourself up a little with your hands while I get ready to move." She said. He was panting in great pain. She nodded to herself and moved over behind him bending over to run her hands under his arms.

"On the count of three, I will lift and pivot you around. and with that, she lifted and moved to her right lifting him up off his butt. He yelled out in agony again as she pivoted his body around his knee then she released the hold on him.

"Damn woman!" he said through gritted teeth. She felt bad thinking he was angry with her for pulling too hard. "You're a strong one! I think I can pull my leg free now." He said grimacing with excruciating pain. She relaxed when she realized it was a compliment. She went around in front of him and squatted to his left. He sat up and tried to lift his leg and extricate his foot from the hole. A hard grimace and a shout of pain came. He shook his head knowing he couldn't move it. He was breathing hard, trying to fight back the blackness that threatened to overtake him.

Alexandra put her right hand under his thigh and her left just below his calve above his ankle and started to lift. He realized what she was doing and leaned back to help her keep his knee bent at the same angle. This gave him a stronger sense of respect for her. Beautiful as she was, accomplished as she was, she demonstrated a compassion he'd not felt in a long time.

"You wouldn't happen to be a nurse would you?" he asked another grimace taking control of his speech and face. She didn't look at him but continued to tend to him as she attempted to find out if his knee could be straightened. Just then, she jerked his ankle, the sound of a sickening crunch was heard and stars filled his vision. He only just heard the scream before realizing it was his as he passed out. She hoped the action didn't damage any arteries.

When Ben came to, she was kneeling with his head in her lap. She had pulled him to shore leaving his legs in the water. The bright light dimmed as she bent over to look at him as he stirred.

She shushed him quietly. "I pulled you to shore. Your legs are still in the water so the cool water will help the swelling." She said in a soft soothing voice. Her accent and tone did soothe him and he relaxed and looked up into her face.

"Thank you Alexandra. I don't know what I would've done if you weren't here." He said.

"You would not have been here if it were not for me Benjamin. I am so very sorry you are injured. It is my fault." She said. Her voice broke and tears began to flow. He reached up and gently cupped her face in his right hand. At the touch, she pushed into his palm and she calmed. He felt compassion and regret.

"It's alright Alexandra." He said softly. She loved how he said her name as the tears came to her.

"Say it again Benjamin." She said, />
"Say what?" he said.

"My name."

He said. She was silent, her eyes were closed and tears streamed down her cheeks, waiting to hear her name again. "Alexandra. Alexandra. Alexandra." He repeated. His palm still cradling her face, she sighed and calmed more. He felt the tension in her thigh muscles give way and soften.

"Thank you." She said in a near whisper and smiled. The tears had stopped and she made a little sniffle sound. She raised her right hand and placed it against the back of his then curled her fingers beneath his and pulled it away from her face.

"Yes. I was a field nurse." She said then paused. "In Kosovo." She looked directly into his eyes. She saw compassion. He saw steel now. A moment later she broke the silence. "Do you think you can stand or should I call an ambulance?" she said still holding his hand.

Ben took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I think I can stand but you’ll have to drive me back to the cottage.” She looked at him puzzled.

“Why the cottage? You need to go to the hospital.” She said. He shook his head. “Oh yes you do Mr. Logan and I am going to take you. Unless you would favor a ride in an ambulance?”

He frowned and tried to sit up. Grimacing, he did and took a look at his leg. It was swollen and puffy between rough splints. He sighed and nodded. “Okay. The EMS people won’t have as good a bedside manner as you anyway.” She smiled at that and stood. She found and handed him a stout branch to use as a walking stick/crutch. He thanked her.

“See? They probably wouldn’t have even thought of that.” He said, trying to smile.

“I can be just as accommodating as they.” She said in irritation. He knew she wasn’t happy with his choice to return to the cottage. She felt a hand on hers and she looked down.

"I trust you." He said as he gave her hand a squeeze. When he finally got to his feet and stood heavily on his right leg. She looked at him again looking for signs of dizziness. Inwardly, she was also looking for other things.

"I appreciate that Benjamin. But for now, you are my patient." She said firmly. "Two years in an infirmary in Kosovo gives me the authority.” She admitted.

He was impressed. She had the same training as Jean but under fire instead of a peaceful classroom. She helped him to the ATV and with some difficulty, got him in the passenger’s seat and strapped in.

After getting in the driver’s seat, Ben’s vision was again starting to get dark around the edges. He did his best not to yell out in pain but it was too much to bear. The last thing he heard was Alexandra calling for Jean on the radio.

Jean put the casserole in the oven and switched the oven on and setting it to 275 degrees to keep it warmed until Ben returned. She took the bottle of wine and poured herself another full glass and went into the living room to sit on the couch. Drinking the wine she’d brought down from the house tears had streaked her cheeks and her eyes reddened. She'd felt the heartache as soon as she entered the cottage and went straight for the wine bottle before she remembered their supper. Knees drawn up and feet propped on the edge of the sofa cushion, she stared out the front window and into space thinking about the last two weeks with Ben. She wanted to be angry at somebody. She wanted to hate Alexandra for coming into his life but she couldn't, especially when her own words came back to haunt her. Words she spoke only the day before. 'I can give you what you need but I can't give you what you want.' was how she remembered them. It felt like she’d stabbed her own heart.

A few minutes went by and her little pitty party had to come to an end she believed. Ben would be back soon and she didn't want him to know she’d been this upset at her interpretation of Alexandra's interest in Ben or his in Alexandra. She ultimately knew this day would come. "Fuck!" she shouted and dropped her forehead to her knees. "Why now?" she said aloud and the tears began again. The glass of wine slipped from her fingers and crashed to the floor splashing what little remained of its contents out. She gasped and immediately got up, avoiding the scattered broken glass to clean it up. She didn't want it to soak into the old wood flooring and stain it. She loved this place so. It had been her little haven from the world until the house on the hill was built. She could hate Alexandra for that trespass at least. It helped only a tiny bit.

After cleaning up, she decided to clean herself up and get a grip. She went to the bathroom and ran the water, splashing it on her face to cool it and wash away the tears. After drying, she used some eye drops to clear the redness and in no time, looked like her old self. She didn't feel like her old self though. She felt older.

'Old.' She thought. "Now there's a word you don't use very often." She said to the image in the mirror. She looked her body over and with the exception of touching up her mascara, she wasn't going to do anything more. She was comfortable with her natural looks and with her health and vitality, she could, no, would find a man closer to her age to satisfy her both in and out of bed. Just then, she heard the radio blip. She went to the kitchen and listened.

"Jean. This is Alexandra. Are you there?" <blip>

Jean grabbed the radio in a huff. She pressed the transmit button. "I'm here Alexandra." She said pleasantly. <blip>

"Ben is injured. I'm taking him to the hospital now." <blip> Jean nearly dropped the radio from the shock of the news that assaulted her ears. She could hear the wind coming over the radio when Alexandra keyed up.

'Dear God! Let him be okay!' she thought. "What happened?!" Jean said with a waver in her voice.

"He stepped in a hole and twisted his knee very badly. He has passed out since we got in the car." <blip>

Jean's breathing was quickening as panic rose in her gut. "I'll run to the house and get my other car and meet you there. It's about a mile away so I will be a little bit." <blip>

“I will see you there.” <blip>

<blip>

“Yes Jean.” <blip>

“Please be careful.” Jean said. <blip>

“Do not worry Jean. I will take care of him.” <blip>

Alexandra’s last words cut through her like a sword. She raced about the house grabbing this and that. She grabbed the shotgun from the rack and took off at a fast jog to her house straight up the old hiking trail. It would be a nearly straight line to her house but would be the longest mile she would ever remember.

Alexandra was quite impressed with the old Baja racer’s agility and quickness. It seemed odd not to hear the roar of an engine. It really was that fast. After turning up onto the road from the gravel ramp she’d spotted, she gunned it and the rear tires broke loose. It was in two-wheel drive mode and the tires squalled in the low hollow tone that many high-flotation type tires made. Backing off the throttle, she expertly turned into the skid and straightened out the vehicle and applied power. The tires gripped well enough and took off in a straight line this time. Stable now, Alexandra pressed the throttle pedal further down and the vehicle increased speed astonishingly quick. The wind whipping by and the whine of the electric motor was exhilarating. She hazarded a glance at Benjamin, whom was still out cold. Alexandra raced toward the hospital reaching speeds of nearly 80 miles per hour in places on the curving road. In less than 10 minutes, she pulled into the emergency lane at the hospital and was inside in a flash to get Benjamin the help he needed.

In less than a minute, two big orderlies were at the side of the old racer working to get Benjamin out of the racer without injuring him further. Once extricated and on a gurney they rushed him into triage for an initial evaluation while Alexandra went to the check-in desk. She was trembling now and couldn’t hold the pen steady enough to fill in the forms. In anger, she scolded herself in vain that she wouldn’t let him down. Then the tears came and she started sobbing. Susan, the check-in receptionist saw Alexandra break down and called Renee to come help her.

A couple of minutes later, Renee was sitting at Alexandra's right holding her trembling hand. Renee said softly. Alexandra didn’t respond. "My name is Renee. I’m a counselor here. What’s your name sweetheart?" Renee asked. Alexandra gave her name through gasping sobs. Renee patted the hand she held.

"Take your time honey." She said. Her southern voice was soothing and calm. Another minute passed before Alexandra could get control enough to speak coherently and gave her name again.

"My name is Alexandra Ivonivan Petrovicha." She finally managed. "I do not know what is wrong with me. I spent two years in an infirmary during the Kosovo war and I never felt like this. What is wrong with me?" Alexandra looked into Renee's eyes pleading for understanding.

"Well Alexandra. It seems you've had rough day and may have stirred up memories for you. It is sometimes called Delayed Traumatic Stress Disorder. Can you tell me about it or do you need another minute sweetheart?' Renee asked still stroking the back of Alexandra's hand. This seemed to calm her. Another minute later Alexandra was able to tell Renee what happened to Benjamin with less difficulty as Renee held her hand. Renee was a little puzzled at Alexandra's reactions between Kosovo and Ben.

As Alexandra finished telling her story, Jean came rushing in and headed straight for the check-in desk. The woman looked up in surprise.

she exclaimed then felt embarrassed for calling out so loud and covered her mouth in embarrassment and looked around the room to see if anyone was watching her. Alexandra looked up and saw Jean converse with Susan at the desk. Renee saw her look over to Jean.

“Do you know Jean?” Renee asked. Alexandra nodded and sniffled. a good R.N. right there />
“I know. I brought her nephew here.” Alexandra said in a monotone. Renee looked at Jean then back at Alexandra a glimmer of understanding registered then.

Renee called. Jean turned and looked around. Renee raised her hand and Jean saw. She also saw Alexandra, red-eyed and tear-streaked and began to move toward them. Jean’s face paled. Alexandra held her arms out to her and stood.

“I’m sorry for him getting injured so badly.” Alexandra sobbed. Jean looked over to Renee as she hugged Alexandra.

“He’s been taken into the triage unit. He’ll most likely be in X-Ray by now. I’ll be right back.” Renee said and headed over to the front desk.

“Is Ben that badly hurt?” Jean asked worried. Alexandra nodded.

“He twisted his leg and his knee gave out. It looked really bad. It was bent at a very bad angle Jean. We were able to get it straightened out some and make it back to the car after I made a splint. He passed out while I strapped him in. He woke up and told me to take an old driveway and turn left at the road. He passed out again after that.” Alexandra had managed to sum up his current condition and Jean relaxed a little. He wasn’t bleeding to death as far as she knew based on Alexandra’s report.

worry. Ben will be okay. I’m sure of it.” Jean said patting Alexandra’s back and wondering why she would be so distraught over this. “You said he stepped in hole in the creek?”

Alexandra nodded. “Yes. When he yelled out, I looked up and saw him fall back. I tried to get out of those restraints as fast as I could. His face was above water but not by much. It was very wide and shallow there.” She said referring to the creek’s width and depth. Jean understood where they had been now. She knew Ben wanted to follow the power line up the service road to see where it went. She silently cursed him for such foolery.

“You did the right thing Alexandra.” Jean reassured her. Renee stepped up to the two women.

“Susan says Benjamin in is X-Ray 2. Here’s your badge Jean.” Renee handed Jean her old ID badge. “Susan reactivated it.” She said the turned to Alexandra. “Alexandra, here’s your visitor badge.” Renee handed a badge to Alexandra and turned her attention back to Jean. “Keep her with you while you’re back there. If I’m any judge, she’ll need all the support she can get right now. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will. And thanks Renee.” Jean said and gave a small smile and helped Alexandra toward the doors. She also wondered why Renee would be so bold in making the statement she made. Alexandra was wiping the tears from her face with the tissues Renee gave her, trying to make herself presentable. Since she wore little or no makeup, there was only a little mascara on the tissues.

The two women made their way to X-Ray 2 and waited for the "IN USE" light to go out indicating the room was safe to enter. Just as Jean reached for the door, it opened and a big orderly was wheeling Ben out on a gurney. Ben was mumbling. The orderly recognized Jean.

"Hi Mizz Jean!" James said with a huge grin on his face. "Nice to see you again."

"Hello James. Good to see you too." Jean replied. She saw Alexandra staring at Ben, holding his right hand. "Alexandra here will accompany Ben for now. Please make her as comfortable as you can." She said to James.

"I will. You can count on it." He said. "Come this way Mizz Alexandra. Watch your toes honey. Wouldn't want them to get run over." Alexandra nodded but didn't look up.

"Jean?" a deep tone voice came from inside the room. The voice startled Jean. Her stomach went to all butterflies and she swallowed and turned to look at the man she had ended an affair with not six months earlier. 'Or have I?' she asked herself.

"Hello Daniel." Jean said in a distracted tone as she watched Ben wheeled down the hall and Alexandra following.. She wasn't ready to face Daniel. Not now. She wanted to run away and hide.

"So what brings you back here today?" Daniel inquired with a pleasant smile.

Jean looked up into his eyes with a resolve that she would resist him, again. It wasn't any easier this time. "My nephew." She said.

he looked surprised. "That's little Ben from the pictures you showed me?" Jean nodded and a tear escaped. Then another. She started to turn and go after Alexandra and the orderly when Daniel gently took her in his arms and gave her a long, warm, gentle hug. Her resolve dissolved like a sandcastle with the incoming tide. She broke down and buried her face in his chest, put her arms around him and let loose.

"There, there Jean. C'mon inside my office and we'll talk about it." He didn't make a move as she didn't let go of him. They just stood there half in, half out of X-Ray 2's doorway. Another nurse came up to Daniel.

"Dr. Reynolds, I…" the nurse started then looked up and saw Daniel holding a crying woman. Daniel looked at the nurse and gave a sad shake of his head. The nurse nodded her understanding. "I'll find Dr. Brandon." She said. Daniel nodded and gently moved Jean and himself into the x-ray lab and closed the door.

Daniel half carried, half walked Jean to a chair and helped ease her down into it. He reached for a box of tissues on the desk and offered it to her. She nodded and took several. Daniel would give her as much time as she needed and more if necessary to collect herself.

"Thank you Daniel." She said between sniffles and blowing her nose. He smiled warmly at her and pulled up another chair.

"So what's this all about? With Benjamin I mean." He said.

"All he was trying to do was take Alexandra home. He wanted to follow that damn power line to see where it went. They got to the creek and while looking for a safe place to cross it, he stepped in a hole and wrenched his bad knee." She said sounding a bit miffed while crying. At what he didn't know but thought it might be misdirected at Alexandra.

"I don't know the circumstances about his injury but I'll wager those two are in love. Try not to be too hard on her." He said. She looked up and into his eyes with fire in them.

"As if you know!" she snapped then immediately regretted it. He held his hands up in surrender.

"I'm not judging but the look on her face when she saw him on that gurney spoke volumes. Or am I reading the wrong story?" he said calmly. Jean turned her eyes down and looked at her hands.

"I'm sorry Daniel. It wasn't fair for me to end things the way I did." She said. He put his hands on her shoulders to show his compassion and understanding. Then she looked up into his eyes. "I never meant to hurt you." She said. She thought. It's finally out.

Daniel looked at her astounded. "You didn't hurt me my dear. I thought I hurt you and drove you away." He said in surprise. She looked at him puzzled. He smiled that big infectious smile she had loved.

"But I did hurt you. I cut you off and ignored you, your notes, your texts and your calls. I am sorry for that." She said almost pleading to make him accept her apology. All he did was smile and shake his head.

"And all this time I thought I was pushing you away with all the attention I was trying to give you. How oxymoronic can two people get?" he said chuckling. She got the joke and smiled then laughed a little. Before long the two were hugging.

"It really is good to see you again Daniel. I guess I have missed you and this old hospital. I think I was the happiest working here." She said after a bit. "I really do need to get to Ben and check on him."

"I'll take you to him then." He said looking thoughtful. You know, if you ever wanted to come back, I could put in a good word for you. The new administrator has been working like a dog to get things updated and modernized. I think he could use someone like you to help him organize the nursing staff and equipment. We still don't have a nurse's administrator. Susan, Mikalah, Lucy and Rose are running each floor separately. They're pretty good too I might add but the whole thing isn’t working as smooth it could with a head nurse in charge of all of the teams." Daniel said as they left the lab.

Jean made a noise. "Just like you to dangle a carrot like that. Whose acting as head nurse?"

"Susan at the front desk. She's been trying to coordinate with the others as patients arrive but easily gets bogged down when a lot come in at once. The Administrator can manage people but not patients but he does step in and try to help." Daniel said. Jean looked at his eyes. She saw them sparkle like they did when they were the hot topic of the hospital gossip channel.

An announcement over the PA system called for Dr.'s Brandon and Reynolds to ER-2 STAT! Jean looked at Daniel. He was already moving quickly toward the door. She rose and followed after him to triage in double-time.

When they got there, Dr. Brandon was leaning over Alexandra, who had fainted. Daniel went to Ben's side and began looking at the X-Rays on a monitor. Jean stepped into the room.

"I'll take care of her. You take care of him." Jean said. She was all business now. Dr. Brandon looked over at who had given out the orders and recognized Jean.

"Good timing. She only fainted." Dr. Brandon said matter-of-factly then turned his attention to Ben. "All right. Let's get him into O R one. I need a standard compliment!" Daniel and an orderly and one nurse wheeled Ben out. Dr. Brandon turned to Jean.

"Sorry I can't be more cordial Jean." He said. She nodded.

"Good to see you too Jim." Jean said giving a quick smile. He smiled too and left quickly leaving Jean and an orderly to get Alexandra off the floor and on to a gurney. Daniel poked his head in.

"Is she okay?" he asked. Jean turned and nodded.

"What about Ben?" Jean asked Daniel.

"X-Ray showed nothing more significant than torn muscle, cartilage and ligaments but he went into spasms and ruptured an artery at the knee. He'll be okay though. The tunicate will keep him safe until the artery is repaired. Don't worry, we'll fix him up." He said trying to reassure her. She nodded again.

"Go do what you do best then. I'll be here when you get back." She said. Daniel gave a smile and took off toward the operating room. Just then the orderly came in with another gurney. He took Alexandra from Jean and lifted her up onto it. Jean did her best to keep from bolting for the O.R. and busied herself tending to her new friend. Once settled, she sat down in a chair and took a deep breath.

"Are you alright the orderly asked. She wondered if he thought she would faint too.

"Yes. I'll be fine." She said. "What's your name?"

"I'm orderly Sampson ma'am. Ricky Sampson." He said. "I know who you are." He said smiling. "You're Jean Logan. Best nurse this hospital ever had!" he said. Jean felt heat rising in her face and looked down.

"I don't know about that now." She said and looked up. Then a thought struck her. "You said your name is Sampson?"

"Yes ma'am." He said.

"Aren't you Josie's little boy?" she asked, regretting the question as soon as she spoke it. Ricky Sampson nodded quickly and flashed his brilliant white teeth that contrasted sharply with his dark skin.

"Yes ma'am but I ain't so little now." He said grinning. "You helped my momma a while back at the soup kitchen when I was little. You organized a Christmas non of us would ever forget and got momma well again." He said. She remembered that on the instant and smiled broadly.

"You were my little Santa's helper weren't you?" she asked in wonder at the memory. He nodded beaming his smiling face at being remembered like that. "That's right. Your mother was in a bad way and she wouldn't go to the hospital. I offered to take her but it was your Christmas wish that made it happen. I remember that very well. How is she doing these days Ricky?" Ricky looked down and shuffled his feet. Jean knew something bad had happened. "I'm sorry Ricky. I shouldn't have asked."

"No, no! It's not that. Momma's gone to a better place to live. She's in that fancy new fangled retirement home now. She's not getting around like she used to but thanks to you, she still gets around." Ricky explained. He moved to her and gave her a hug. She hugged him back.

"That's good to hear. So how long have you been here?" she asked.

"About three months now. I really like it. I knew what I wanted to do that Christmas when I grew up and now that I"m grown, I'm doing what I wanted to do." He said proudly. Jean thought that was such a wonderful thing to achieve. She remembered Ricky had been hit by a hit-and-run driver and suffered some head trauma. His speech was impaired from the injury but his thinking was clear.

"I am proud of you Ricky. I'm glad your mother is doing well too. Follow your dreams and they'll happen eventually." She said />
"I will Mizz Jean. You can count on it. Oh, and I'll say hi to momma for you when I see her tomorrow." He said.

"I appreciate that. I'll look her up when I'm over that way again. Right now, my friend here needs as much attention as my nephew Ben. Would you mind waiting here for me until I return?" she asked. Ricky nodded. "Thank you Ricky. I won't be long." With that, she left the triage room and headed for the O.R. prep room

A nurse stopped Jean at the desk near the O.R. "I’m sorry Miss. You can't go in there." She said politely. Jean was about to protest when she stopped and at the woman's polite urgent tone, turned. The woman recognized her.

"I'm sorry Jean. I wasn't expecting you to be on Jean cut her off before she could finish.

"It's okay Marcie. I'm going in there to check on my nephew is all. I won't touch anything, I promise." She said. Marcie nodded and closed her mouth then sat back down. 'Nice person.' Jean thought. 'If a bit mousy.' Jean entered the O.R.

Dr. Brandon was there as consulting observer when Jean came up beside him. He turned and saw it was her.

"I don't recall inviting you in here." He said but not in any mean or threatening tone.

"Sorry Jim. I just had to check on him." She said trying to see Ben. Dr. James Brandon sighed a little.

"I know you're worried about him. This was unexpected but not He said not turning toward her.

"I know. But he's my kin. You'd do the same in my place." She said still vying to get a look. Daniel looked up briefly. His eyes were smiling even if she couldn't see his mouth behind his surgical mask.

"Looks like Dr. Reynolds still holds your favor dear lady." He said. She felt the heat from her flushed face again. The doctor chuckled a little. "Don't worry Jean. I'll not start any rumors about you two, yet. God knows you two really deserve each other." He said. With that, he stepped around the table and next to Daniel and began helping to clean out the broken bone and cartilage from the damaged area. After several minutes Daniel stepped back and Dr. Brandon began the artery repair. Daniel pulled his gloves off and tossed them in the biologic trash can and came over to Jean.

"Looks like there's more damage than the x-ray initially showed. He's going to have to have knee replacement surgery. Will you give consent?" he asked.

"I'll give it. He's my nephew. I can't let him suffer like that." She said staring at Ben. Daniel nodded.

"I've already sent for a replacement joint. It should be here soon." He said. She nodded. "How is />
"She's fine. Ricky is watching her now." She said. She turned to Daniel finally. "You're going to do the knee replacement now?" she asked suddenly realizing what he'd said a minute earlier.

"Yes. Reopening wounds make healing a more complicated process. We have several joint replacements in stock now for cases like this so we can act much more quickly. The patients heal faster and get on with their lives sooner."

She was amazed. No doubt the hospital was doing very well since the new administrator took over.

"How long would a replacement take to get here if not in stock?" she asked.

"Overnighted in most cases but we can't leave anyone opened up like that for the time it would take. We order only from the certified supply house in New Jersey. Other than that, we have to have four each of the most common joints needed. Ben's build is relatively standard so…" he stopped when he saw her turning to leave. "Where are you going?" he called after her.

"To make an idea a reality." She said as the door closed behind her. Daniel looked after her, confused then shook his head. He scrubbed his hands thoroughly at the sink and donned surgical gloves once again with the help of an O.R. staff person before returning to Dr. Brandon"s side.

A few minutes later the new replacement joint arrived. During this time, she and Alexandra chatted about Ben and Jean's idea. A little over three hours was needed to do the knee surgery then Ben was wheeled into recovery for observation. During this time, Alexandra sat quietly contemplating Jean's medical warehouse idea. She fidgeted until Jean was done explaining why it was needed. When Dr. Reynolds came into the waiting room, he wore a smile. Jean knew that smile because it reached his eyes. She waited expectantly for him to report on Ben's condition.

"He'll be fine. He's in recovery now and everything is going well." Alexandra stood and clasping her hands together interlacing her fingers, breathed a sigh of relief. Jean turned to her and gave her a hug. "Not sure what all the fuss is about. It wasn't life threatening or anything. The two women looked at him incredulous. His eyebrows shot up. "What?" and held his hands out in supplication. Jean gave him a look then he smirked. She raised an eyebrow of her own.

“He's my nephew and the only one I have left. I'll fret over him if I want.” Jean stated.

"Me too." Piped in Alexandra taking a cue from Jean. "About the fretting I will do I mean."

Dr. Reynolds mouth worked but nothing came out as he tried to figure out what was happening. Jean advanced on him. Just then, he was being paged to Xray-2. He gave the two women a wink, turned and left. Jean and Alexandra glanced to each other.

"He'll be in recovery a couple of hours while he comes out of anesthesia. Let's go to the cafeteria and get something to drink/" Jean said. Alexandra nodded and they headed for the cafeteria.

After the two got a sandwich, something that looked like Jell-O and a cup of coffee each, they sat at a table near the exit by the windows.

"So what's this hotel thing Ben mentioned? You really design and build them?" Jean asked, trying to keep the mood light. She also wanted to know the woman’s business knowledge and the extent of her talents.

Alexandra took a bite of her sandwich and nodded. After swallowing and taking a drink, she spoke.

"After Kosovo, I went home to an arranged marriage. I had already been studying mechanical drafting as well as architectural drafting. I liked architecture best so I went to university to get my Masters. When my husband found an investor for a building, it was up to me to design it. He would contract it and we would make money." She said then took another bite.

"So this arranged marriage was more of a financial marriage between families?" Jean asked. Alexandra nodded while she chewed. Jean thought a moment. "Please pardon me if this is a rude question but why?" Jean asked with the look of skepticism or disbelief.

"It was to marry my family who owned mills with his that owned farms. His family supplied the raw material while my father processed it into finished products. By combining the two families, we would keep more of the profits as we would also co-own the transportation company my ex-husband built. After that, the whole system became self-sufficient. I had designed the buildings used by the transportation company. My ex-husband acted as contractor and built them." Alexandra explained.

Jean thought for a moment before speaking. "So your husband then started looking for building opportunities so make money on your design skills and make money on his contracting thus holding the profits within the family in a new venture." Alexandra nodded but didn't smile at Jean's revelation.

"It was good for a time but he didn't have time for me from the start. The whole relationship was based on profitable business ventures." Alexandra explained. "By the time our second anniversary came, I was nothing more than a designer for him to hire. His ego became very big with each successful venture and I became less than a slave to the company. When I complained about it his solution was to come to America and begin a new life. He promised things would change here and we would be happier. So I left my family, my home and what life I had to come here. We became citizens because he knew how to get citizenship quickly. As developers, it was easier to obtain dual-citizenship. I had already learned English because I wanted to build things in English speaking countries." Alexandra said.

While she talked Jean thought about the arranged marriage and how hard it could have been to be with a man you didn't really love. From her deions, Alexandra tried to love the man but his only interest in profits and money negated any love she might have had for him. When she finished, she realized Alexandra was looking at her.

"Oh. I'm sorry Alexandra. My mind was about Ben. What was the question?" Jean said.

"I asked if you had such dreams to build things." Alexandra said.

Jean nodded. "Yes. I was thinking of the medical warehouse and how it might work in a network of medical supply houses."

The two talked and brainstormed for another hour laying out ideas and strategies and used several napkins to make notes on. Susan came into the cafeteria, saw the women and headed straight for them. Jean looked up.

"Hi Susan." Jean said cheerily. Then her smile vanished and alarm filled her. "Is Ben-"

"Ben is fine Jean. There's someone up front to see you. He says it's urgent." Susan said, her hands fidgety.

Jean glanced at Alexandra then rose quickly. Alexandra snatched up the napkins and followed the other two women. Susan was walking quite quickly and Jean and Alexandra practically had to jog to keep up with the tall woman.

When they reached the front desk, a policeman and a Fire Marshall were waiting. Jean was trying to figure out why the Fire Marshall was there. She figured she might have gotten caught speeding to get to the hospital and would have to face the police but a Fire Marshall?

"Ms. Logan?" the policeman asked as he held his hand out to her. She took it and gave a quick firm shake.

"Yes. I'm Jean Logan." She said. "What's this all about?"

"Ms. Logan, I'm Officer Kaine. This is Deputy Fire Marshall Hayden." He said making the introductions. Hayden held his hand and she gave him a firm quick hand shake as well.

Hayden then spoke. "Ms. Logan." He began and took a deep breath then started again. "Ms. Logan. I regret to report that your little cottage had caught fire." With those words, Jean immediately remembered the casserole she left in the oven. As Hayden gave a summary of the initial fire investigation she felt tears streak down her face. In seconds, she was sobbing into Hayden’s shoulder as he held her, trying to comfort her. All her childhood memories of the place began running through her mind like a movie. Alexandra put a hand on Jean's shoulder.

After calming a bit, Jean was offered a seat and she and Hayden talked while Officer Kaine took notes. Alexandra held one of Jean's hands in comfort the whole time as Jean explained the events that led her there.

"Well Ms. Logan." Officer Kaine started. "It seems that with the duress you were under regarding your nephew's injury, I would have forgotten the oen too.” Jean looked up at him and returned his smile. "I'm sorry Ms. Logan. I don't see any reason to question you any further on the matter. Please accept my deepest regrets on the loss of your cottage." He said with compassion in his voice and on his face. Jean nodded.

"Thank you Officer Kaine. At least nobody was hurt." Jean said in a slight daze. Officer Kaine nodded, smiled then spoke a few words with Hayden then turned to speak with Jean before leaving.

"I hope your nephew will be alright Ms. Logan." he said.

"I think he'll be okay. Just physical therapy left and then we'll rebuild the cottage." She said. The officer nodded and smiled before turning to leave.

Hayden stayed.

"Ms. Logan, how is your nephew doing?" Hayden asked.

"He had knee replacement surgery. He's in recovery now." She said looking at her watch.

"How much of the field burned Mr. Hayden?" Alexandra asked. Hayden turned to her to answer.

"By the time we got there, the whole structure was engulfed and had worked its way to the edge of the trees closest to it. Fortunately it was green and didn’t flare so it pretty much burned in a low, forest floor clearing fire through the trees. It's not as bad as it sounds as you'll see when you are able to." Hayden explained. Jean was nodding.

"How did you get your trucks in there?" Jean asked.

"We knew about the bridge replacement and the ingress point. It's quite narrow but we were able to get our equipment down the ramp and take the utility service road. If it hadn't been for that, I think it would have taken much longer and more of the forest and field would have burned." Hayden said.

Jean nodded. "I can rebuild it. My nephew said as much after we found termite and rot damage in the framing." She sighed heavily trying to gain some kind of comfort in the knowledge.

Hayden shook his head. "I'm glad no one was hurt from this Ms. Logan. I'll make my report and put in a request for driveway access to be improved as a safety issue. I'll also request a widening of the easement for the same."

"I would appreciate that." Jean said in a kind of daze.

"Please excuse me. I don't mean to be rude but I need to file my report." He said as he gestured to getting up out of his seat. Jean nodded as he stood and shook his hand. Alexandra put an arm around Jean's shoulder to keep her from standing. As Hayden bid his goodbyes, Jean sat dazed for several minutes. Susan came up to them to offer Jean words of regret and sorrow for the loss of the cottage. Susan knew how much Jean loved the little house.

Marcie came out into the room and came straight to Jean. When Jean looked up, Marcie had a puzzled look on her face but didn’t put words to the question Jean knew was lurking about.

"Ben has come out of anesthesia and has been asking for Alexandra." She said. Jean looked at Alexandra and saw the woman was blushing a bright red. "You must be her." She said turning to the redhead. Jean felt a pang of jealousy but quashed it and lifted Alexandra up by the hand holding hers. They followed Marcie through the double doors.

Chapter 12
A New Future

During Ben's recovery and physical therapy time at the hospital, Alexandra was at his side every day. They talked about everything under the sun they could think of. Ben pulled a fast one, one day and buzzed the nurse. A large contingent of staff, including Dr. Brandon, Daniel and Jean entered the room. Ben held up a dark blue velvet box to Alexandra who was sitting next to him. When he opened it, she gasped, putting her hands to her mouth, eyes wide with shock.

"Oh my God Ben!" she exclaimed. "It is beautiful!"

"Alexandra Ivonivan Petrovicha." Ben started. "Will you do me the honor of taking my hand in marriage?"

The room went dead silent. Alexandra stared into Ben's eyes and enclosed his hand holding the large diamond ring in the box with both of hers and smiled. She knew he was the one for her as he felt she was to him.

"Yes." She whispered. The room erupted in cheers and applause surprising them both. Alexandra turned red with embarrassment and her hands began to shake as Ben slipped the ring on her finger. She bent down and kissed him with longing. The room quieted some and someone cleared their throat.

"I think you two need to be alone for a while. No funny business Ben. At least until you can stand properly." Dr. Brandon chortled. That got a few laughs. It was Ben's turn to turn red. He looked up to Alexandra who was looking at him and not at the diamond ring on her finger. He was proud she wasn't materialistic. He was her prize and she was his. The staff came around the bed to shake hands and exchange hugs with congratulations and wishes of a long happy marriage. When the room emptied, only Jean and Daniel were left. They stood next to the bed, Jean hugging Alexandra and Daniel and Ben shaking hands.

"Well, you two didn't take long. Only took y’all a couple of weeks. Isn't that right Jean?" Daniel said grinning. Jean looked over to him. Ben could see love in those beautiful green eyes.

"I'd say so. It took us only a little longer." Jean said. Daniel chuckled.

"Okay, I'll bite. What's with you two?" Ben asked looking between them.

"Daniel asked me to marry him last night." Jean said without looking away from Daniel. Alexandra squealed and hugged Jean again in congratulations. The two women were starting to discuss their honeymoons. Ben turned to Daniel.

"I hope you'll give us your blessing Ben." Daniel said.

"I will indeed. You have it with my love." Ben said as he pumped Daniel's hand vigorously. Alexandra went to the other side of the bed and gave Daniel a quick hug then returned to Ben's side and held his hand tightly.

"So where are you off to on your honeymoon?" Ben asked.

"Hawaii, Australia then Cancun." Jean answered immediately.

"We might stop in St. Thomas before we get back home. I have a time share there and haven't used it in a couple of years so I figure now is as good a time to cash in on it as any." Daniel said. Jean came around the bed and held Daniel’s arm for a moment.

"Would you two mind terribly if I had a little time with Ben alone please?" Jean asked.

"I don't think I'll be jealous." Daniel said smiling. "Come with me Alexandra." Daniel said as he held out his arm to her. "I believe these two need to conspire." Alexandra smiled and gave Ben's hand one more squeeze. She moved to Daniel and took his proffered arm then left the room, closing the door softly behind them.

Jean turned and looked into Ben's eyes. She took his right hand in both of hers and kissed his fingers gently multiple times then leaned down and kissed him deeply. He returned the kiss in kind but did not put his arms around her. When they came up for air, neither was breathless. Instead they just looked at each other. After several moments, Jean broke the silence.

"I want you to know I'm very happy to see you and Alexandra get together. I think she's going to be very good to you and for you." Jean said. Ben nodded and smiled.

"Likewise with Daniel. But then, you two knew each other before." Ben said simply. Jean nodded.

"I hope you don't feel like our time together was in vain." Jean said avoiding his eyes this time.

"Well, I had given myself to you and I know you were giving yourself to me. That and the fact that we loved each other the way we did doesn't change my view of you as a person. Things happen and we got involved." Ben said.

"Very involved. I still think of our encounters. I guess it will take a little while to get over you in that sense." She said. Ben noticed she looked a little sad when she said it.

"I don't know if it will be hard to just give up what we had cold turkey like this or not. Hell! I wouldn;t have dared do many of the things we did with her." He said referring to his late wife. "Thank you for showing me I can still have a full life."

"Thank you for showing me I still have one." Jean said. She bent down and kissed him lovingly. He returned it. "I guess this will be the last time we can be together as lovers. I've enjoyed every minute we've been together. You'll always be in a special place in my heart. I love you Ben. Alexandra is really what you want and I'm happy for it." She kissed him again quickly then stood up and left the room. Ben lay there understanding what just happened and realizing he too would keep a special place in his heart for her for the very same reasons.

A few minutes later the door opened again and Alexandra came inside the room, closing the door softly behind her. She turned out the lights and stood there with her back against the door, hands behind her and just stared at Ben. With the light filtering through the blinds over the windows, Ben looked at her and felt a tingle. She smiled and took slow, seductive steps toward him placing one foot in front of the other. Her hips swayed erotically as her mid-thigh flowers and vines print skirt flowed from side to side loosely. She was wearing her black high-heels with the wide ankle strap today accentuating her movements. Everything about this woman seemed to be all for him.

The two stared into the others eyes as she came closer to him. He noticed in his periphery that her nipples peaked through her black top and his cock reacted quickly. Her gaze moved to his crotch as the tent grew. She licked her lips then smiled as she watched it grow. Ben noticed and became even more aroused. His cock jerked as she pulled the sheets and blanket off him.

Alexandra saw his hospital gown peaked quite well in the dim light. She turned and bent to kiss his lips. When they touched, what seemed like an electric fire shot through the both of them. She buried her tongue in his mouth and their breathing became labored. Alexandra sucked on his tongue with abandon as their lips pressed hard to each other's. Ben wrapped his arms around her and she leaned into him sitting on the edge of the bed. She brought her arms around his neck and kissed even harder. Both were moaning now as the pain and pleasure of their passion rose.

Alexandra pulled away breathing heavily. Her mouth hovered just above his as each breathed in the other’s breath as if their life depended on it. They gazed into the other’s eyes and a kind of connection that seemed to already be there was solidified. Her left hand reached behind her and pulled his gown further up to uncover him. She didn't drop her gaze from his. He let her have what she wanted. She was intent on letting this happen and wouldn’t deny her.

When his cock came free from the covering, she slid her hand toward it, still not breaking her gaze to his. As her hand began to close around his shaft, her eyes grew wider as she felt his length, his girth and the broad head at the end. Her lips parted and her tongue snaked out licking them. She stood and swung her head over to see what she had in her grip. A slight gasp emanated from her lips as she caught her breath. Ben didn't look. He still gazed at her face and saw the lust in her eyes as his cock flexed in her hand and the head expanded slightly from the reaction. Alexandra looked into his eyes again. The look in hers was priceless astonishment. She turned her attention back to his cock and bent over, placing kisses all around the head several times as if it was an idol to worship. With each kiss she bestowed, it flexed.

Ben watched as she snaked her tongue out and swirled it around the tip before trying to push it into slit. That sensation gave him the shivers as goose bumps rose all over him. She then wrapped her lips around the head in an unmistakable 'O' and watched it disappear into her mouth. As her lips locked around the edges of the Mons, her tongue began a dance that sent tingles all through him. She kept this up for a minute before pulling away. A strand of her saliva mixed with his pre-cum drew out as she lifted off further and further.

Alexandra couldn't wait to taste what this most delicious looking cock held inside. No doubt she hadn’t had many men in her life and the last one since her divorce was a true disappointment. But this…this was a work of art. A truly magnificent part of her true love's body. Her love for him grew even more than she'd already thought she could love him. Since loving him in her heart fully, she could now love him with her lust. She thought of him as her knight in shining armor. This made up for his inability to participate because of his injuries and she would enjoy his recovery time to the fullest.

She slid her tongue between her lips and pressed it against the slit at the end of his cock. She pressed harder several times before rounding her lips into an 'O' again and letting the head slip in between them. It flexed in her mouth as her tongue danced around it and the salty-sweet taste of his pre-cum mixed in her mouth. His cock flexed a few more times and when she was done massaging the head with her tongue, she pulled away. The sticky combination of her saliva and his pre-cum created another long strand connecting them.

She sucked in the strand as she dove down on his cock. It impaled her mouth quickly and fully half way when she stopped. Her gag reflex kicked in and she fought it. Losing the first few battles with it, she was able to push herself down onto it a little more than three quarters the length before she had to release it. She gagged and coughed but kept at it. Her saliva now coated his cock in a glistening mess that covered the fingers of her right hand that still held his cock. Much drooled over his balls as she massaged them with her left.

As his legs tensed, he winced as a shot of pain flashed up his left leg from the injury. She immediately without interrupting her rhythm, lifted the weight she was placing on his left thigh to keep from hurting him. He tried hard to concentrate on not moving or flexing it but it was becoming impossible as her head bobbed pumping her mouth down then up on his cock sending the most delicious signals to his brain he'd felt. Jean gave good head but Alexandra was in a class all to herself.

Alexandra started pumping her right hand up and down his shaft at the same time with increasing speed. Ben moaned more and more and he came closer to exploding. He wanted in the worst way to stop and not make their first time just a blowjob. He wanted more for her first time with him. She squeezed his balls again and rolled them around snapping his attention back to the action. He looked down and saw her pumping his cock in and out of her mouth vigorously now. He moaned a little louder and grimaced knowing he wasn’t going to last more than a minute more.

"I'm going to cum Alexandra." He said in a hoarse whisper, his voice tightening. She stopped bobbing her head and kept her hand movement up and down his shaft steady. She held her lips tightly around the head and sucked hard, making her cheeks sunken in from the vacuum she was creating against the head of his cock. Her hand moved at a steady rate and he felt his balls draw up. He was ready to explode any second now and tried to hold it off a little longer. He grimaced again then sucked air between his teeth and his body tensed for the expectation of release.

He did release. His body tensed then went slack when the pain from his knee shot up his leg. His head pressed back into the pillow as his hips bucked in convulsions. He came with force behind his seed and it jetted into her mouth with such an impact, she gagged. She moved the back of her tongue up to close off her throat and coughed up the cum at the back of her throat that wound up in her nasal passages. She held firm to his head trying not to let any spill or leak out. Of all the things she wanted, she wanted his seed in her belly. She wanted to eat his cum as their first coupling. She wanted not to have to beg for it their first time and here she was, having it.

She coughed again and more of his sperm in her throat coughed up into her nasal passages as she held her tongue firm and breathed through her nose. The aroma of his cum was all she could smell and it drove her crazy with desire. Another rush came from his cock and filled her already full mouth even more. She was surprised he could ejaculate so much. She puffed her cheeks out to make more room for the amount of cum he was producing. She had managed through his convulsions to keep the head in her mouth. Some leaked out and ran down the shaft but she would clean it off with all the saliva and pre-cum she’d drooled already.

Ben's contractions ended and he jerked now and then as Alexandra's tongue worked over his sensitive head giving all he could give. Ben placed his left hand up her skirt and rested it against her bare cheek. In the afterglow of his orgasm, he realized she wasn't wearing anything underneath. He drew his fingers up and down the crack of her cheeks until he felt the wetness between her thighs. He slid in two fingers easily while the third finger rubbed her clit. She bucked at the sudden intrusion then pushed back telling him what she wanted. With his strength growing from this new source of motivation, he began to finger her smooth slick pussy. His third finger rubbed her clit harder and faster as his fingers moved in and out of her opening. She moved herself around to get closer for him to reach while she still held his cock firmly between her lips. Her tongue danced over the head of his cock more rapidly now. She moaned a stifled moan as she held fast to his cock with her mouth. She whined as she was coming close already to her orgasm.

As he slid his fingers in and out of her, he felt her disengage his cock and lean over his stomach. Her juices flowed and drooled over his hand, down her thighs and dripped onto the floor between her feet. She whimpered more and more. He wanted her to scream out a moan but she held her mouth shut tight. With her whimpering increasing in frequency, she was ready to cum any minute now. He tried to go faster but his arm was tiring and keeping up the pace was causing the muscles in his arm to burn. His hand slapping her cheek was softening a bit and didn’t make as much noise now. With a concentrated effort, he focused on her clit and pressed his third finger hard into it.

Alexandra's whimpering was constant now and rose in pitch. When she came she was screaming through her nose. Her legs buckled and she slid to the floor onto her knees. She grabbed the edge of the bed railing and dropped her head facing down. She was breathing hard through her nose and Ben wondered why. He thought that maybe she couldn’t keep quiet enough if she didn’t otherwise the hospital staff would have already come in to investigate the noise. He put his hand on hers not caring that her juices were making a mess.

When her breathing became closer to normal, she looked up beneath her lashes. He met her gaze and was entranced again at her gorgeous green eyes. She smiled and opened her mouth wide as she cocked her head back showing him what she held inside. She had held his cum in her mouth the whole time and it was half full. She poked her tongue out as if a snake were rising from white lava then drew it over her lips in a slow circle making them glisten with his seed. This was what she wanted for their first time he realized. 'Does she want to tell me she's mine he thought. He thought about how to get answers without her having to speak. He did like the idea of his cum in her mouth until he gave the order to swallow so he formed yes/no questions. If she kept it in her mouth to answer, he was more sure of what she wanted as his wife and her place in their relationship.

"Is this an offer of unconditional love?" She closed her mouth and nodded. "Are you making this offer strictly as a role play offer?" she shook her head. "So you're offering yourself to me beyond marriage vows?" he asked. She nodded again. "Are you offering yourself to me as a slave?" Her eyes widened and shook her head no. Inwardly he was relieved.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as they gazed at each other while carefully considering his last question. He could see she was rolling her tongue around her mouth with a look of sensual seduction on her face. He asked his last question carefully. "So you are really offering yourself to be my submissive wife beyond the vows and who'll defer to me while having your own identity to contribute to the relationship and living as I choose for us?" he asked. Her eyes lit up and she nodded.

She was getting wet again as the aroma of his sperm was all she could smell. It was arousing being submissive like this and answering his questions as his submissive woman. She didn't want to be his sex slave full-time but she did want to be more than just his wife and that last question took all she wanted to be for him and for herself, and rolled it into the role she wanted as his wife. She was clasping her hands together tightly waiting for his next words looking up at him expectantly. She saw him smile gently, lovingly with adoration in his eyes.

"I want you the way you've been since we met. You don't have to play a submissive role or be my sex slave or be the perfect wife for me unless that is what will make you happy." He said. He saw her expression change to a little sadness but didn't look away from him. "I love you unconditionally so I will let you decide your place at my side. I want you to be happy no matter the role you choose on any given day. I will love you no matter your desires or faults. 'Till death do us part.' as the vow goes." He finished and waited for her to make the next move.

Alexandra nodded, lifted her chin then clasped her hand behind her back thrusting her breasts out while spreading her knees wide. He knew she wanted him to command her today. She was in role play but it was up to her today and he went with it realizing she had to have talked with Jean about the sex games he liked.

Stepping into character Ben spoke. "You have pleased me my beautiful nymph. You may swallow your reward." She nodded. He watched her throat work to swallow the mouthful . Her tongue snaked out again and licked those beautiful generous lips and she swallowed again. She stood and kissed him gently. He was about to speak when she put a finger to his lips.

"I am not done pleasing my master today." She said in a whisper. She kissed him again then moved back to his cock and began to lick it clean. It took a few minutes but she licked and sucked his cock and balls clean. When she finished, she placed his gown and the covers back over him.

When she looked at him again, she had her hands placed on the bed at either side of his head. He set the bed down to its flat position. Alexandra climbed up and straddled his chest and scooted up to hover over his face. Her thighs were wet and slick and Ben lapped up and down them to clean them off. She then lowered her pussy down on to his face and he performed the same task careful to avoid her clit. When he did flick her clit, she sat down on his face in a smothering action. His tongue darted in and out of her opening and slid to attack her clit. A few minutes of this was all that was needed. She came again, this time all over his face. He lapped it up with pleasure. If this is how she role plays, they were going to be very happily married. She would become what he needed and wanted as he would with her.

Alexandra threw a leg over him and slid next to him as he tried to move over to make room so she would be comfortable. He adjusted the covers for them both. She cuddled up close and draped her right leg over his and her right arm over his chest using his shoulder as a pillow. He lifted the covers again to cover them both when she got settled. They fell asleep together in a blissful afterglow of ecstasy.

A couple of hours later, the night nurse, Mary, opened the door to Ben's room and poked her head in to check on him. Her mouth dropped open when she saw someone in the bed with him, holding on to him. She retreated and grabbed Tracy practically dragging her to Ben's room. When they entered, Mary was pointing in silent gestures at the two.

"He shouldn't be sleeping with anyone. She could hurt him." Mary whispered.

"It's alright Mary. Ben proposed to Alexandra earlier today with a room full of staff including Dr. Brandon and Dr. Reynolds. It was agreed she could stay with him." Tracy whispered back. Mary nodded and adjusted the blanket to cover Alexandra's bare foot poking out from under it. She looked so peaceful and content it would be impossible to disturb her to take the cot. She decided to let them alone.

When they left the room, Tracy told Mary about the proposal and how in love they were only after a couple of weeks knowing each other. It was a match made in heaven.

When the day finally came that Ben was allowed to go home, Jean set him up in her apartment downstairs from the main floor of her house. Alexandra wanted to protest but due to the fact that her house didn't have an elevator to get to the bedrooms, he'd have to stay in the great room. Here, he could use the elevator or stairs if he was up to it anytime as part of his therapy. The elevator went only between the ground floor of the house and the apartment one level below. It was also ideal for him and Alexandra to have some privacy. Jean knew 'she wouldn’t be able to keep them apart so she didn't try. It wasn't as if Daniel and herself didn't have plenty to do on the upper floor. So Alexandra moved in to the apartment to keep Ben attended and occupied.

One day close to the end of his therapy, Ben and Alexandra were lying in bed, naked as usual, discussing honeymoon plans.

"I love you Alexandra." Ben said. She smiled and hugged him tighter. "Where would you like to go for our honeymoon?" he asked for the hundredth time it seemed. She raised her head.

"We've already decided I thought." she said. "I think we have had this conversation before. I must take you to see my family. From there we can start with Moscow She replied.

“Hmmm. I like the way you talk so I can't get enough. That's why I keep asking." he said as he wrapped a curl of her red hair around his fingers. "I think that would be a good idea. Wouldn't want your family to think I kidnapped you or stole you away and hid you from the rest of the world." Ben said. She laughed a little laugh then began rubbing her mound against his thigh again.

"I would like to see the Caribbean Islands." She said in her soothing Russian accent.

"I would love that. My parents went twice and they said it was the best vacation they'd spent since their Europe trip when they met. It's also close to home so we can end up there at the end of our honeymoon. How's that?"

"I think I like that too. But where else would we go? We will be gone for a year? I cannot believe you would be happy spending all that time in one or two places, yes?" she said.

"You're right. I can't sit still for long unless it's really appealing." He said thoughtfully. "How about a Mediterranean tour? Spain, Italy, Greece, Israel and Egypt perhaps?"

Alexandra lit up. "Do you mean it?" she asked excitedly.

"Why not? It's got to be a good place during the autumn and winter months and make the outdoor activities more tolerable." He said. She hugged him even tighter and kissed his face all over.

"How about India or Bangladesh? Can we go there?" she asked expectantly. He looked at her expression then smiled.

"Let's go where we just feel like going? I'd like to see the Philippines and Australia. I've always wanted to see New Zealand and Brazil. Let's plan on getting there during Carnival!" He said grinning. Alexandra screamed with excitement and climbed on top of him, grinding her pussy on his pubic bone. She leaned on his chest with her arms and hovered her lips over his, almost touching as she looked squarely into his eyes with a very seductive look.

"If this is how you will treat me on our honeymoon Benjamin, then I will gladly be whatever or whomever you want me to be." She said softly. He stared into her eyes.

"Bribe me like this too often and I'll forget you're my wife." He said with a half smile. She gave him a half smile of her own.

"I am not your wife….yet. But I can be bad right now.” she said giving him a sly look. His cock was standing at attention. She slid back and raised her hips up and with expert movements, engulfed his cock inside her. They made passionate love with her on top. She enjoyed the control and he enjoyed giving it up to her. After constant pumping her hips up and down, she climaxed and lay down on him as she convulsed in spasms of pleasure. When she came to, she reached for a tube of lube and twisted the cap off the long thin nozzle. He was watching her facial expressions as she inserted it into her anus. Her lips parted as the cool lubricant flowed into her. Then her lips formed in an 'O' shape and a little "oooh" passed her lips as she inserted her finger inside and smeared the slick stuff all around her little virgin pucker hole. She pulled it out and reared up. Raising herself up, she spread her cheeks wide and aligned his stiff cock to her anus. She slowly lowered herself and began to relax to allow his cock to impale her.

Ben was surprised she would do this now as she'd never spoken of anal sex before last month. In less than a month, she'd come around to trying it. First he used his fingers then worked up to a couple of toys of larger size. He'd made her wear a regular butt plug all day for several days. When she finally got used the feeling, she wanted more and he'd bought an inflatable vibrating butt plug. He'd made her wear it all day and every so often grab the inflator bulb and squeeze it once. It was interesting to see her try and sit anywhere with the air hose and vibrator's wire hanging out of her ass. He got a velvet belt to tie the hose and wire up with making it easier for her to walk. She sat on the edge of a chair on one cheek then the other when it became uncomfortable. He could see she was uncomfortable and he'd asked several times during the day if she wanted to take it out and forget the whole thing. Each time she would say 'No.' and decided to lay on her stomach on the couch. She was a real trooper. Day after day while at home she wore the thing. Today was the day she had chosen to try anal intercourse and she’d been wet for quite some time thinking about it.

He felt her little pucker hole press against the head of his cock. She relaxed and it started to give way. The further in it tried to go, the more of a grimace she made. She lowered herself again and this time the head slipped in more easily. When it slipped in, she tensed again and it drove him wild. She stopped and savored the unique feeling. It felt kind of being in suspension. He pressed up into her and she lowered herself further. Then she retreated and tried again and going a little deeper with each stroke. Soon he was balls-deep inside her ass as she was moving up and down his full length slowly. Little whimpers came from Alexandra now and then. She rocked her hips up and down and he watched his cock disappear into her ass and reappear in rapid succession. She was going to be great at anal.

She picked up speed and with stronger movements, massaged his shaft with her ass. He wouldn't be able to hold back much longer. He reached under her and rubbed her clit. She gasped and squealed and "Aaaaaaah! came from her lips in her native tongue. As she pumped his shaft in and out of her pucker hole, he felt her tightness was unlike anything he'd felt before. Her ass was virgin to cock before today and this ass taking was the most delicious for that reason. They were completely immersed in the ecstasy of the moment. His body tensed and through clenched teeth told Alexandra he was going to cum! She slammed down on him a few more times and he bucked up meeting her downward motion and shot large globs of sperm deep into her bowels. She stopped and sat hard on him as he jerked from the sensations on his oversensitive cock head. She clenched her muscles just like she was doing her Kegel exercises. She felt good back there with his cock flexing inside her like this. She reached back and fondled his balls eliciting another jerk of his body.

She could feel his hot cum boil up into her as she sat fully impaled by his cock. She put her hands on his chest and dropped her head to rest. Her hair flowed around her face, hiding it in shadow. It took a couple of minutes for him to soften but didn’t slip from her ass like he thought he would. Since she was sitting upright again, it had nowhere to retreat too. When she finally lifted after several minutes, he did slip out but not before she was ready with her medium size butt plug to hold in his love. She turned around and cleaned his cock expertly with an antibacterial wipe then lay down and draped herself over his body.

"You sure are full of surprises my love." Ben said almost breathless. She kissed his nipples lightly and lay her head back down.

"I wish to be your wife, lover, best friend and sometime slave. I want to be loved, submissive and dominated too with a little role reversal mixed in. That is what makes me happy Benjamin. Can you understand I do not want to be just a wife?" she said in a little voice. He placed a hand on her back and caressed it up and down.

"I do." He said simply. His relationship with her would be dynamic. It would change on a whim of either. Should he want a slave for a day or a weekend, she could give herself to him that way. If he wanted to be under her rule, he would give her that. If they wanted to act as lovers, they would. It was give and take like never before experienced by either of them. It was a complete two-way street. "I do understand Alexandra. I want to be what you want me to be for you to be happy too. Take me, I'm yours. Love me, I love. Punish me, I'll obey. But most of all, I want us to be the most we can be to each other. I want to explore all of our pleasures including the darker ones. I understand that we both accept whatever limits the other will allow but I suspect we'll enjoy being lovers much more than any other kind of marriage relationship. So let's enjoy what we want, indulge the other as much as we dare but love like there’s no />
Ben felt a wetness on his chest then heard the telltale sniffle. He held her head snug to his chest for a moment then ran his hand over her hair to comfort her.

"Thank you. That's all I ask." She whispered. "Love me like there's no tomorrow." A few minutes later, she fell asleep.
 
Chapter 13
Honey-mooning

As the weeks passed, Ben gained strength back as his therapy allowed. He was walking with a cane or walking stick depending on where he was going. If down to the barn to say hi to Gypsy, he'd take the stick. It was his preference but when it came to dining out, he would use the brass topped cane. Eventually he could walk without a limp or either cane or stick.

Ben and Alexandra had already attended Jean and Daniel's wedding. Daniel and Jean had already been on their honeymoon and returned for Ben and Alexandra's wedding as Daniel was Ben's Best Man. Alexandra sat with Ben during the ceremony to wheel him around. Jean knew their bond was incredibly strong and understood the reasons. Jean was thrilled to be Alexandra's Matron of Honor. They spent much of their honeymoon in Cancun, Belize and the Caribbean Islands. It was the best three months Jean had ever hoped to experience and it showed when they returned.

Ben and Alexandra married the weekend after his therapy was declared officially over. They held an open ceremony on the grounds of a little church on the outskirts of town with several townsfolk attending. Ben looked magnificent standing there in his black tux and bow tie. Jean winked at him and smiled as she took her place. He smiled and winked back then turned his attention back down the isle. Alexandra came into view and his mouth dropped open momentarily. At the other end of the isle was his modern day medieval princess in her two inch strapped, sleeveless empire cut dark green satin gown. It was exquisite to say the least with a pleated bust, tiny gold chain embroidered lines crisscrossing around her waist in diamond shapes and flowed flawlessly over her hips to the floor. The embroidery filled the space from just underneath her bust line to the top of her hip line giving the appearance of a bustier gown. The removable train was embroidered with the same crisscross pattern as the gown and attached like a tear-away skirt around her hip line with a satin belt. Gold embroidery laced the hems and shimmered as she began her journey down the isle. He was mesmerized as her slightly tan creamy bare skin contrasted perfectly against the shade of green. Clearly it was tailored to fit her perfectly and accentuate nearly everything she had to offer him.

As he held out his hand to receive her, they looked into each other's eyes for a moment. When she took his hand, that now-familiar electric tingle jumped between them. They turned to face the Reverend and continued to hold hands. The Reverend noticed and smiled giving a slight nod of approval and opened his Bible to begin the ceremony.

With their vows made and each having said their "I do's", the reverend pronounced them husband and wife. Ben lifted her veil and kissed his new bride of 34. The bird seed flew with cheers and applause as they quickly made their way to the limo for the reception at Jean’s home. When the reception was over, Ben and Alexandra took the Limo to her house. After releasing the driver, Ben swept his new bride off her feet and carried her across the threshold to their bedroom where they would consummate their union.

Alexandra held her arm around his neck and kept staring into his beautiful hazel eyes. She wanted to dive into them and be lost in them knowing where she was the whole time. He craned his head and kissed her as he held her like a princess in the middle of the large master bedroom.

"I don't know what I like more, holding you or looking at you." He said softly. "You're the most wonderful and beautiful woman in the world and I can't imagine my life without you." Alexandra grinned.

"I too find you impossible to imagine without. I cannot decide whether I like being held like this or looking at you either." She said. They laughed then kissed with passion. Soon he let her down gently to her feet as they locked themselves into the kiss. His hands moved slowly around her back and found the zipper. He started to pull it down slowly when she gently stopped him. They were a bit breathless when they broke the kiss and she reached up and undid his tie and shirt. She moved him to the bed and sat him down. She bent and removed his shoes and socks. Then pulled him up to remove his trousers and shorts. She stood back and took in the sight of him standing for the first time, whole and without bandages, braces or a cane.

"I am pleased you are well again Benjamin. Now I wish to please my perfect husband on his wedding night." She said as she reached behind her and unzipped the gown. When she slipped the straps off her shoulders, the gown slipped from her body and crumpled to the floor. She wore only dark green stockings with gold trim. She held her arms out to him, beckoning.

His cock was already coming to attention when she'd undressed him and as the gown fell away to reveal her body, he was ready. Standing there with arms out to him in her gold trimmed green stockings, she was the most alluring he'd ever seen her. Tonight was special not because they’d seen each other naked. Nor was it because they loved each other. Tonight was special in that both of their life’s dreams were coming true once more. Each longed to be in a happy marriage where they could dream and pursue them together. Their pasts fell away as dust and faded as they strove to build a new future themselves and the family they wanted.

Ben stepped into Alexandra's arms and they embraced him. As he embraced her, the feeling would stay with them for the rest of their lives.

They traveled to her family in the Ukraine for a few weeks to start their honeymoon off. It was important to Ben to get to know the in-laws. After that, they went to Moscow first then toured the Mediterranean. From there they then went to India and the Philippines then on to Australia. They both participated in many of the "clothing optional" camps, parties and resorts while on their honeymoon. They enjoyed the freedom of optional clothing a great deal and each wound up with an even tan. After Australia they visited New Zealand for two weeks then on to Hawaii. Five weeks in the Hawaiian Islands on a private island available for rent was their personal paradise island. The only way on or off the island was by boat. And the boat came every other day for supplies. They had a radio for room services and emergencies since cell phones didn't work there.

They thought this was the best part of their trip so far. No scheduled tours, no meetings and best of all, no people. As soon as they were settled and the supply boat left the dock, they ran back to the hut and stripped. The only time they would dress would be when the supply team or room services showed up. After stripping, they put sunblock on each other and ventured outside to explore their little island of paradise.

"Where do you want to go first my Island Goddess?" Ben asked turning to look at his beautiful wife. With all the topless and clothing-optional activities they participated at in Australia, neither had much in the way of tan lines. His were a bit more pronounced and hers were better blended. His skin was a tad more fair than hers. Due to her lineage, she was able to tan a little more. Most redheaded women were very fair complexioned and either burned badly or the tanning wouldn't last at all. She tanned lightly and he knew she wouldn't be able to keep it very long after they went home but it looked so good on her. Her dark red hair, green eyes, generous red lips with large red areola's and large penny-sized diameter nipples on her 35C-24-36 figure was magnificent to see. A slight hint of her ribs showed and augmented her flat stomach showing off a softly defined, but not bulging six-pack that were edged by a 'V' shape to her mound further defining her hips and thighs. Further down a very dark red patch was shaped just above her pussy in the shape of a heart. She had it done while in Australia and it pleased Ben. She'd said she wanted to wax instead of getting a laser treatment so she could let it grow back if she wanted. Ben was more than okay with that decision and he wanted at some point to see what her full bush would look like. Her sensuous hips flared from her narrow waist leading to full thighs that held no gap at her crotch when she stood. The sensuous curves flowed down to her ankles where calves were seemingly sculpted from perfection itself. While Ben was in therapy, she worked out with Jean every day and it showed. She was positively radiant. An absolute Goddess.

When she did have to wear something, she wore a black leather low rider two piece bikini. The bottoms were practically formfitting and it formed to her pussy labia very well. This got her a lot of attention from both admirers as well as the authorities. The panels of the top were so small they barely covered her areolas let alone hid her large nipples. If her nipples did stand erect, there was absolutely nothing left to the imagination. The combination of seeing all of her while still covered was erotic in the extreme.

Alexandra smiled at him taking his arm, pulling him toward the lagoon. They strolled up the path toward the lagoon and the waterfall they could hear. The path was overgrown above their heads, hiding the sky and made for an intimate walk. As they rounded a bend in the path, the scene opened up to a beautiful sight. In front of them across the lagoon was the waterfall. It spilled into the lagoon that was roughly the size of an Olympic swimming pool. Looking further to the right, they saw a small hut and went to investigate. It held a queen size bed and netting all around with an open front to view the lagoon. They looked at each other and smiled knowing that bed would be slept on often. Maybe even more than the one in the main hut.

Standing in front of the little hut, they embraced and kissed each other with love and passion. When they broke the kiss, Alexandra took off at a run up the path to the top of the waterfall. Ben waited to see what she was doing. A minute later, she was standing at the edge. The fall was maybe thirty feet high and a small ledge jutted out from the lip for diving. She stood there in the nude and he thought she was the most gorgeous creature to be placed on this Earth. He watched as she prepared for her dive. Her arms came up, breasts standing proudly from her chest, feet together and she started falling forward. She flexed her knees and pushed off. She sailed into the air, tucked in then straightened out and went head first into the lagoon. Any splash would have been washed out by the waterfall but to his eye, it was perfect. She popped up several feet away and swam toward him on the beach. As she got to more shallow water, she stood and slicked her hair back from her face. She was a goddess to him. Her hips swayed in seductively natural motions. She was his siren of the lagoon. She walked up to him, cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. He felt breathless.

"I hope that met with your approval?" Alexandra said. Ben just stared and nodded, mouth drooping open. She closed it with her index finger.

"You are magnificent Alexandra." He said. "Where have you learned to dive like that?"

"I have trained in many sports. I am not entirely a geek." She said. "I take it you like />
"Yes I did. I'm not sure if I should so soon. I still need the cane at times." He said. She looked at him critically.

"You seemed to handle the sand well without it." She said then took his arm. "Come. I will help you." And led him up the path.

When they got to the top, she guided him to the edge. There he could see a beautiful sight. The sun was nearing Noon and the lagoon looked very far down. He felt her arm around his back, holding him to her.

"Now you have to keep balance and drop straight or you will hurt yourself badly if you land any other way." She began. He nodded knowing how much it could hurt. He'd done a pancake from only ten feet and it hurt like hell afterwards. She let go as he set his stance. She watched the muscles in his back flex as his arms came up. She saw the muscles in his legs tense and become starkly defined as he stood on his toes and bent at the knees readying for the jump.

Ben dropped lower in his stance and pushed off hard sending him out into space. He rotated in a backwards flip not once but twice then straightened just before plunging into the lagoon. Alexandra watched her new husband's physique and felt tingly all over. His muscles worked, strained, tensed and he was gone. She watched as his body bulged in places as he worked his flip backwards and finally into the lagoon. When he came up, she let her breath go not realizing she was holding it. She marveled at his masculinity and wanted him badly right then. She went after him with her own backwards flip and plopped in the lagoon. He waited for her and was surprised when he felt her hands on his cock and balls under water. She came up for air, wrapped her arms around him and spread her legs, wrapping them around his waist.

"I want you now Benjamin. You look so perfect to me." She said breathless and they kissed before he could make any comments. As they did, their passion rose as did his cock. Soon it was pressing against her. She reached down and guided into her. She held on, clasping her fingers together behind his neck and leaned back. Pumping slowly at first, he backed up until he was in thigh-deep water. Her juices were flowing and the effort was less difficult now to penetrate her. In a few thrusts he was hilt-deep inside her as he held her ass up, her legs draped over his forearms. He supported her as she took all of him in rapid pounding movements. His balls slapped against her making the act more erotic for them. He fucked into her harder and faster then slower and more gentle. He repeated the sequence until both were ready to find that place of pure bliss. It was bliss in paradise and the significance wasn't lost on either of them.

Ben leaned over and sucked on one of her turgid peaks, drawing hard on it with gentle bites. His teeth closed around the hard nub and felt how large it had become in the last few months since he began sucking on them on their wedding night.

"I love you Ben." Alexandra said again. Ben smiled and hugged her close to him. They lay on the bed naked, she snuggled into him using his shoulder as a pillow with her right leg over his. With his arm around her, he fondled her right breast, tweaking her large nipple now and then keeping them erect. She cooed at the sensation as she rubbed her mound against his thigh.

"I do not remember a time when I was so happy and at peace." Alexandra said with a dreamy look in her eyes. Ben looked out over the lagoon. He'd remember saying something very similar when he was with Jean. Now that he had Alexandra, he had what he really wanted.

Epilogue
40 Years Later
Ben was sitting in his rocking chair on the front porch of the new cottage. It faced the field in the shadow of a few trees at one end. He took in the view and pondered his surroundings marveling at the splendid peacefulness of it all. As he looked out toward his left, he spotted the headstone of his beloved Alexandra's grave site and smiled. It's brilliant white marble shown in stark contrast with its surroundings up on the hill just above the creek.

Ben thought of the twenty odd years of blissful marriage to Alexandra before cervical cancer took her. He also thought of the five children they had and raised together. Anna and Emma were the first. Twin daughters and oh so good they were. They both became financial advisors and ran the CPA office Jean built. Ben junior was next a year later and followed in his father's footsteps by taking over the construction and trucking company. Ivan came a year after that getting a degree in Computer Sciences and finally began his career as an electronics design engineer for Siemens. Their fifth and last child was born a little more than a year later. Catherine was the youngest and was already very successful architectural design engineer and running her mother's design company. All were married and all but Catherine had children. Catherine would be due with her first in a little under four months.

He thought of his Aunt Jean and her husband, Daniel. They were both gone now but having lived full lives despite the sudden onset of Daniel's Leukemia only eight years after they married. By the time it was detected, it had grown to terminal levels. Jean lived on peacefully but never married again. She passed away a few years ago but did get to see him have children. She spoiled them rotten but they still came out okay. She loved his children and more so only living a little over a mile away. She would come over any time and help Alexandra with things. Ben smiled at that thought too.

Ben remembered the old cottage burning down the day he went into the hospital for his knee injury. The investigation found that the oven was accidentally left on and the casserole inside which started the fire. The damp ground and field grass and such didn’t let the fire spread much sparing the forest around it fortunately. A new cottage was built. It was bigger, better and designed by both Jean and Alexandra as a dry-run in how to work together in their new partnership. Since its completion, the July fourth family get together tradition returned.

Ben thought of Alexandra again and her beautiful smile and wonderful little wiggle her hips had when she walked. It was a treasure to behold. He smiled at that thought as he studied the field again. Her dark red hair, beautiful green eyes, creamy skin and wonderful sense of humor all blended into the perfect woman for him. Her sense of architectural still amazed him after building a second house on the hill after the first burned down after a lightning strike started the blaze while they were out of town. They spent a year travelling the globe together after they married. The year long honeymoon ended with her announcement that she was pregnant while they were in Belize. They were only three weeks away from returning home and so stayed in Belize for the remainder of their trip rather than head for St. Thomas. From then on his was a happy family.

As Ben's eyes shifted again to Alexandra's headstone, it seemed to be a bit brighter this time than the last. He could see a figure standing next to it waving to him. He smiled and waved back. He slipped forward and walked toward the figure. In no time, he was reaching out to take Alexandra's hand. They looked into each other's eyes as they went into the light.

Catherine came through the front door out onto the front porch. "Daddy? It's time to say good night to the children." She touched his shoulder but he didn't respond. She knelt down in front of him, took his hands and held them. She looked at his face and saw it was peaceful. He even had a slight smile. She turned her head and looked in the direction he was looking and saw the white marble headstone across the creek and she knew.

"Anna. Emma." Catherine called calmly. Emma was the first to come.

"What is it Catherine?" Emma asked.

"Get the others please." Catherine asked. Emma called for Ben junior and Ivan to come out to the front porch. They came and stood around their father looking at Catherine kneeling in front of him after seeing the expression on Ben's face.

"What's going on Cathy?" Anna asked as she came out on the porch. Everyone saw Catherine's tears then looked to their father again.

gone home." Catherine said.

The End

story by: Trainman5771

Tags: fiction romance sex story

Author: Trainman5771

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