Chapter 51
'They loved their surprise' Hope said as she lay, satiated, in Cameron Armstrong's arms.
'Oh, yeah?' he said as he let his lips linger on her neck.
He was ready to go again – ah, the beauty of youth – and she just gently shooed him away, needing to cuddle and talk for a while before falling asleep.
'Do you think your dad knows about tomorrow?' he asked, momentarily giving up on his quest.
'Naw. He doesn't have a clue. He's been so focussed on making tonight perfect for Mom that he hasn't had time to think about anything else.'
Hope looked dreamily off in the distance. She loved Cameron and the thought of being away from him when she moved to Pittsburgh worried her. Would their relationship survive a temporary separation or were they doomed to grow apart over time? She knew from watching her parents that love moved in mysterious ways and she was willing to let life take its course. If she and Cam were destined to be together, life would find a way to make that happen but still, not knowing was difficult and she pressed in a little closer to him.
'Uncle Peter says that Mom and Dad couldn't stand the sight of each other when they first met. Can you believe it? I always thought they were perfect together but apparently they fought like cats and dogs when they first got together.'
'Well, they seem to like each other just fine now' Cam chuckled as he ran his hand up and down Hope's arm.
Hope laughed; her parents were madly in love and that passion had manifested itself in a lot of different ways over the years but she'd never doubted for a moment that they would overcome any hardships life would throw their way. Was that her destiny with Cam?
Only time would tell.
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Neal and Sara sat up in bed, arms wrapped around each other, giggling like a couple of lovesick kids. They were taking a break from their amorous pursuits while they sipped champagne and reminisced about past anniversaries.
'And then, there was the time you made me that wonderful almond torte and we found it half eaten on the kitchen floor with Raffie snoring next to it' Sara reminded him, laughing throatily.
Neal's eyes glowed; he was still on a high from the amazing sex they'd had less than an hour before. He could feel himself starting to stir again just from the sound of Sara's warm voice and her gentle wayward touches. They weren't twenty years old anymore and in recent years, once around the block was more than enough on any given night but his mind wandered as he thought of how amazing she'd looked as she'd straddled him and how wonderful it had felt to finally hit that home run. He suddenly yearned for another go and he set his glass down, his face growing serious as he began to run his hand suggestively along Sara's thigh and up to her bare buttocks. He squeezed, leaving no doubt as to his intentions. She was taken aback by that unmistakeable 'I'm about to have my way with you again' look in his hungry eyes.
'Are you kidding?' she asked with a mischievous smile on her face.
He shrugged, embarrassed yet beyond excited as the stirring grew more insistent. He took her champagne flute from her hand and set it aside, expertly pulling her down on the bed as he positioned himself between her thighs, seeking some kind of friction – and needing it in the worst possible way.
She smiled up at him, falling into step in short order as she welcomed him into her loving arms. She was more than happy to oblige and she was suddenly brought back to their early years when Neal had a short turnaround time and she could press the repeat button before he eventually ran out of steam. This was a surprisingly wonderful turn of events and complaining about a repeat performance was the furthest thing from her mind.
'Looks like I'm up at bat again' he said suggestively, his voice raspy as he insistently pushed her legs apart.
Sara kept her eyes glued to his, their bodies coming together without a moment's hesitation and she reacted with a soft pleasurable moan, throwing her arms around him and drawing him closer as she pulled herself up off the bed.
'Touchdown!' she whispered breathlessly into his ear as he momentarily pulled away to look at her face, his eyes amused.
'What?' she said reacting to his playful grin.
'Nothing' Neal chuckled softly, giving in to the amazing sensations in his loins. 'Nothing at all. I love you Sara Ellis!'
And with that, he returned to the business at hand, the business of enjoying his wife's lingering touches, the feel of her body against his, her warmth and laughter as he rocked in and out, his self-confidence back in spades.
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Saturday morning at 5:00 a.m., it appeared the little blue pill was still working its magic and Neal woke with a raging hard on which he proceeded to press firmly against his wife's back while she slept soundly next to him.
'Again?' she said drowsily as she felt him behind her, panting loudly.
'Sorry…' he mumbled, not sounding sorry in the least.
She grumbled and laughed softly as she turned to face him, his face flushed and that oh so hot look in his blue eyes.
'Who are you and what have you done with my husband?' she asked as she pulled him closer.
He shrugged and carried on, his hands beginning their usual exploration.
'All right' she said sleepily. 'One more round – but then I'm going to start charging you.'
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The Caffreys slept late, which was not surprising considering their extensive nocturnal workout. Sara woke to find Neal behind her, arms tightly wrapped around her waist, his face nestled in her hair as he snored blissfully. She glanced at the clock and, noticing it was already 9:00, she began to think ahead to her own surprise for Neal. Although she would have to stay at arms' length from the goings on at Casa Burke so as not to arouse his suspicion, she had arranged for Peter to take Neal out for brunch so she could pop by briefly and check on all the arrangements. Not that there was anything to worry about; after all, if anyone could pull this off it was Elizabeth Burke.
She turned in bed and watched Neal resituate, flipping onto his back, dead to the world. His face was relaxed, no sign of the anguish of the last couple of weeks. Their anniversary celebration had given him the confidence he needed and she was grateful to see he was finally on the mend. With any luck, they would be fully resuming their lives soon.
By noon, Peter had swung by to pick up Neal for brunch, leaving her with the family's second vehicle to drive herself out to Brooklyn. She placed a quick call to Hope, reminding her that Emily would be waiting for her at the airport at 1:30 and she hit the road, eager to see what was brewing over at the Burkes. She found a flurry of activity when she arrived. El had enlisted Mozzie and Liam's help in getting the place decorated and as Sara entered the house, she could hear Mrs. Burke barking orders – seemingly, the guys weren't carrying out the task to her exacting standards.
'Everything okay in here?' she asked as she peeked in and placed the latte she'd brought in El's hand.
Elizabeth wiped her brow, looking a little flustered as she directed the boys to the backyard to finish decorating the kids' area. She gratefully accepted the cup from Sara's hand and took a seat at the kitchen island, facing her best friend.
'Everything's fine' El sighed loudly. 'You know how I get...'
'Well, I hope this wasn't too much to ask' Sara said as Elizabeth interrupted.
'No, of course not. You know I love doing this stuff. Yvonne just went out for a few last minute things and...' she added, looking at her watch, '...Hope and Emily should be here any minute. So tell me, how did it go last night?'
Sara looked at her, surprised. 'You knew?'
'Of course I knew! Was it fun?'
Sara got a twinkle in her eye which did not go undetected by her best friend.
'So, is the dry spell over?' El added, pushing her luck.
'Elizabeth!' Sara exclaimed, pretending to be offended. 'I'm not going to kiss and tell.'
'Oh, no? Since when?'
Sara rolled her eyes but replied all the same. 'It was wonderful, all of it... the dinner, the dress, the gifts, the... aftermath.'
Elizabeth smiled in response. 'I knew it!' she said.
'How did you know it? I didn't even know it' Sara said, blushing.
'I mean, I knew Neal would be back to his old self soon. This is Neal we're talking about.'
Sara just smiled; El had no idea just how true that was.
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'You look... I don't know, I want to say tired but I also want to say ... invigorated' Peter said as he sat across the table from Neal.
Neal just smiled evasively as he took in Peter's puzzled look.
'Well, you'd be right on both counts... I guess' he answered hesitantly as Peter started to put two and two together.
Neal looked surreptitiously around the restaurant to see if anyone was watching and he pulled out the small pill bottle from his shirt pocket.
'Have you ever tried this stuff?' he whispered excitedly as his best friend looked on with curiosity. 'You know I... I don't usually kiss and tell but...'
Peter's eyes narrowed as he took in the label on the pill bottle, realizing where that glow on Neal's face was coming from.
'This is why you have that look on your face?'
Neal leaned in as if confiding state secrets. 'Peter, if you ever have to hit one of the park, believe me this is the way to go.'
'Well, I don't think you ever have to hit one out of the park' Peter replied with a frown. 'But I am familiar with this... drug.'
'You're kidding? You mean you've been holding out on me all this time?' Neal whispered, seemingly annoyed.
'Since when do you and I talk about… stuff like that?' Peter asked, his voice quiet and just as annoyed.
Neal shrugged; it was true enough, they didn't usually talk in detail about their sexual exploits. 'Yeah, but if I found some amazing new invention, I wouldn't hold out on you' he whined, thinking of all those years where he could have been even more of a stud.
'First of all, this is not a new invention, Neal' Peter said, pointing to the pill bottle. 'And secondly, it's not manna from heaven, it's a medication – it's not something to be used for your... enjoyment...' he trailed off as he realized what he'd just said.
'I'd say that's exactly what it's for and I can't believe you've never mentioned it' Neal continued, his annoyance slowly growing into resentment.
The waitress returned with their order and glanced down at the bottle of pills on the table, noting the look of discomfort as the men exchanged awkward looks. She smiled kindly at the two of them, surmising their likely relationship. After all, she was just as liberal-minded as the next girl.
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'She keeps staring at us and smiling' Peter said as he glanced over towards the waitress.
'She thinks we're a couple, Peter' Neal said in his no-nonsense voice.
'Well, let's set her straight, then!' Peter said, somewhat irate. 'Not that there's anything wrong with...'
'Then why are you making such a big deal out of it?' Neal asked, annoyed at the fact that Peter would care about such a thing.
Peter snapped his attention back to the conversation at hand.
'So anyway, El's expecting me to call her and let her know if you guys are coming over for dinner tonight' Peter said, trying to make the invitation sound casual.
'Yeah…' Neal said as he glanced down at his phone. 'Sara says we're good so... what time do you want us over?'
'Around 6:30?' Peter replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
Neal nodded; he could see the waitress out of the corner of his eye, making her way to their table to deliver the check and without a moment's hesitation, he reached across the table and grabbed Peter's hand, cradling it in his.
'Don't worry, babe' he said, making sure she was within earshot.
Peter glared in disbelief as Neal rubbed his knuckles lovingly.
'We'll find a way to get through this' he added softly.
