BRIAN'S POV
We took it slow that night—not just because it was our first sex as a married couple, but because I was still so scared—scared that I'd set something off—something that would cause my Sunshine pain.
But then Justin—sweet, sweet Justin—just smiled. "Take me," he whispered, "take me as hard as you want—I know you'd never intentionally hurt me."
Funny thing was, I didn't want to take him too hard—I loved him too much now for that. So I eased myself in, taking care not to aggravate his legs too much—I knew he still felt terrible about not being able to make it all the way down the aisle because he'd stumbled.
But we'd still work on it—I made that silent promise to myself—and to Justin—and we wouldn't stop until he was at his best.
I cringed as I remembered—after he'd healed after being bashed at the prom, there were some aftereffects—his hand—his drawing hand—was never quite the same. Would his legs be the same way? Who could tell—but now that he was Justin Kinney, I'd make sure I was there for him "in sickness and in health."
The next morning, I woke up and turned—to an empty space. I heard the sink running, and I figured he was washing his face. But then I looked over—and saw his walker where he'd left it last night.
"Justin?" I ran to the bathroom, wanting to help him if he needed me.
"Good morning!" He took me in his arms and gave me a long, romantic kiss. "Did you sleep well?"
"I slept well, all right," I replied, "but how—how did you get over here—without your walker?"
Justin just laughed. "When I got up, I wasn't in any pain!"
"Are—are you dizzy?"
Right at that moment, he had to admit—he was feeling a little lightheaded.
"Lie down," I encouraged him, "and sleep a little longer." As he threw an arm around my shoulder, I led him back to bed.
When he was safely down, I gazed at him—he looked so sweet sleeping there. I couldn't resist—I climbed in and joined him. Running my finger along his spine, I felt the bed move—and I knew—he was giggling.
Music to my ears, that's what it was. After everything he'd been through—two bombings and one bashing—I was the one he counted on to make him smile. Heaven forbid that I ever let him down!
Then—it all happened so fast—I felt myself being pinned to the pillow. I struggled to free myself, to regain control—but it was no use. Once I felt his lips on me, I knew I was done for. My husband was hot—and I loved him for it!
Finally, he was worn out—but frankly, so was I. I smiled upon him, stroking his cheek. "Oh, Sunshine," I whispered, "what would you have done if I hadn't come?"
"I probably would've died," he admitted, coming in closer.
I thought of Jennifer—my mother-in-law—and smiled. She loved Justin—us—enough to persuade me to run to his side. Sometimes I wondered why she hadn't gone ahead of me, but then I realized—she probably knew I needed to go first—to give my Sunshine the hope and encouragement he needed to recover.
Never again, I decided. Never again would I let a day go by without telling my husband how much I loved him. The Babylon bombing had taught me that—and the New York bombing only reinforced it. Oh, I'm sure he knew before Babylon—but I berated myself, wondering if I hadn't just been too shy—or proud—to actually admit it before I had.
I saw the look in my husband's eyes, and I smiled. "A penny for my prince's thoughts," I whispered.
"I was just wondering," Justin replied, as he laid his head on my chest, "how our lives would have been different if we hadn't met."
"Well, I don't know about yours," I replied, stroking his hair as I kissed him tenderly, "but I know I wouldn't have learned that it's okay to take a chance on love."
"It's more than okay," Justin whispered, returning the kiss. "Sometimes it's absolutely necessary."
I had to admit he was right. Why hadn't I seen it before—why had I been stuck in that "I believe in f*****g" rut? There was only one thing I believed in now—the love of my Sunshine. I knew if I'd been the one injured in the bombing, he would've been there for me—several times over! Now we were Brian and Justin Kinney—as it was meant to be!