Chapter 36

He looked at her sadly and said, "I can't Taya, at my age and with mourning your loss, I don't have any need to carry protection with me."

"I can cover that now," she admitted with a sigh. "When the CIA said they would give me a fully stocked place to live, I discovered that meant a box of assorted sized condoms in the bedside table too. But someday I'd like to have more children with you, after all that I missed with Allison."

Sitting back down on the couch next to her, he took her hands in his and softly said, "I can't, Taya. At my age, there is a good chance I won't live to see Allison grow up, as it is. There is no way that I want to have more children and leave them to grow up without a father."

"There are many children the world over that grow up with just one parent. You've raised Allison alone up to this point, and she's fine. I see no reason why I couldn't do the same with another child."

"I raised Allison alone because I had no choice. It wouldn't be responsible to bring another child into the world with the very real possibility that you would be left alone to raise him or her."

"I think that should be my choice, after all, I missed Allison growing up and I would love to have another chance at all the different stages of a child's life. I don't think it's fair for you to deny me this."

"It may not be fair, Taya, but I won't father anymore children. If you have to have another child to make your life complete, then you need to look elsewhere for the father."

"Why are you being stubborn about this, AJ? Are you still angry with me for not telling you about my job, and the years that we lost together?"

"I don't know that I was ever angry really, I was hurt that you didn't trust me with that information. But I have given you my reasons for not wanting any more children they won't change. I guess you need to decide if Allison and I can be enough for you, if not then I guess its better we found that out now, before taking this any further."

"You and Allison are my whole world. I love you both, enough to make up for any other children we might have had."

"I love you too, Taya. I never stopped loving the woman you were, and I am glad to find out that you haven't changed over the years. If you still want me too, then I would like to take you up on your offer to stay the night with you."

"How can you doubt my desire for you? Can't you see it in my eyes? Can't you feel it in my touch? I want to make love to you tonight more than anything AJ!"

"I was just afraid that this discussion might have changed your mind about me staying," he answered softly.

Moving into his arms she said, "Maybe the feel of my lips can convince you when my words can't." With that she took his face in both of her hands and kissed him passionately.

AJ allowed her to control the kiss, giving her the freedom to express what she was feeling for him, he responded with all that was in his heart. He was so glad to at last have his wife back in his arms, where she belonged!

When the kiss finally broke, Taya took AJ by the hand and led him up the stairs to her bedroom without speaking a word. Once in her room she turned to him and began to unbutton his shirt. Stopping her, he smiled and said, "Allow me," and began to remove the dress she was wearing. As she stood before him in her naked glory, he was amazed that he hadn't remembered how beautiful she was. Maybe it was because if he had allowed himself to remember it would have hurt too much. At nearly forty-seven years of age, she was still trim and fit, without an ounce of fat anywhere that he could see. "You're still as beautiful as ever, Taya," he whispered to her.

To be continued…..