Chapter 14

Cole moved Phoebe and the girls to Monterey Bay. He got a job working on a crab boat.

Phoebe picked up pottery and taught classes in a small shop on the Warf. The girls went to school inland, and Phoebe was there everyday to pick them up from the bus stop.

They would come back with Phoebe to the Pottery Shop, and then Cole would stop in and Pick them up when he would bank at night.

A lot of times they would eat in town, and on occasion, Cole would bring home the extra crab or shrimp that would end up in the nets, and cook dinner for everyone. It was a new life for them, and they were all adjusting well.

Phoebe was adjusting to her new life and she felt safe in this home that Cole had made for her. Phoebe needed his tenderness and affection and the comfort of family around her. She still didn't remember her past. Cole hadn't tried to help her remember, He wanted to start over.

There was strange things that Phoebe would pick up about Cole, that reminded her of someone else. Another man maybe. It was the way Cole talked to her, the way he said…

"Thank you Phoebe" when she would help him with the girls or around the house. It was strange, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

The girls were like her own, and she loved spending time with them and taking care of them. They loved Phoebe too, and they depended on Phoebe, like she depended on them.

As the days passed Cole cared for Phoebe, and watched her close. He was determined to bring her closer to him. Cole was still unsure if she would love him as much as he loved her.

If she remembered her past, he didn't know how she would react. Would she hate him for not telling her? Or would she fall so in love with him, she would forgive him and understand why he did it.

His friends advised him to let her go. But he was determined.

Later one night at the dinner table, Cole and Phoebe and the girls laughed and visited.

Kate and Anna wanted their dad to marry Phoebe, and Kate had a plan…

"Do you want me to take your plate dad?" Kate asked

"Sure, thank you" Cole said

Kate looked at Anna and gave her the signal.

"Do you want me to take your plate mommy, I mean Phoebe" Anna said.

Phoebe and Cole shot embarrassed looks at each other and then Phoebe smiled at Anna.

"Thank you sweetie" Phoebe said choking a little.

Cole knew Kate had something up her sleeves.

There was an awkward silence between Cole and Phoebe. Neither one know what the other was thinking.

"Well, you just never know…" Cole finally said breaking the air.

Phoebe had started having more and more feelings toward Cole. She wanted to tell him, but she was afraid. She was afraid he wouldn't see her as a woman, but as a patient, and would feel sorry for her.

"Cole, can I ask you something?" Phoebe asked

"Anything Phoebe" Cole anxiously said

The girls were peeking around the corner.

Phoebe looked and smiled at the girls as they giggled.

Cole was lost in Phoebe's eyes. She looked so beautiful and everything about her was perfect. The way she moved her mouth when she smiled, and her skin glowing in the candle light.

"Can I talk to you later on the porch?" Phoebe asked looking back at Cole.

"Uh, yeah" Cole said swallowing hard.

Cole stood up and walked into the kitchen.

Later that night, Phoebe was sitting on the porch swing, and looking out into the sea. Cole quietly closed the screen door behind him, and tip toed across the deck to sit by Phoebe.

"They are finally asleep" Cole whispered to Phoebe as he sat down by her.

Phoebe smiled at him and scooted over.

"This is nice, isn't it?" Cole said lacing his fingers around the back of his head and slowly rocking the swing.

"I really like it here Cole…I meant to tell you, but I never found the right time to tell you how much I appreciate you taking me in" Phoebe said

Cole looked at her and smiled…

"Well Phoebe, it was my pleasure having you live with us. After my wife died, I felt lost and even though we didn't get along, I still depended on someone needing me. The girls need me but in a different way. You have made me feel needed again, and for that I should be thanking you Phoebe." Cole said as he reached up and touched the back of her hair.

Phoebe felt chills run down her body to her toes. She felt so much passion, and she had wanted to feel a man's touch for a long time. Cole felt so right, and the anticipation was almost more than she could stand.

Phoebe turned to face Cole and leaned in to kiss him. His lips met hers as if he were waiting, and his arms swallowed her body. He widened the kiss and tightened his grip on her. Phoebe gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Cole…" Phoebe whispered on his lips as he started to lay her down.

Cole felt himself touching her and parting her legs. He suddenly pulled away.

"Phoebe I…I am sorry…I don't know…." Cole apologized.

Phoebe sat up and put her hand over her mouth.

"I'm sorry I thought you wanted to…" Phoebe jumped up and ran to the door.

"Wait!" Cole said running into the house after her.

Cole caught Phoebe from behind and pulled her to him. His hands placed on both of her shoulders, and his body pressed against hers. She felt his hands drift down her sides and he pulled her hips tight next to his. Phoebe felt him on her backside, and she laid the back of her head on his chest.

The house was dark and quiet, all but the moon light that shown through the windows, and the waves crashing into the shore off at a distance.

"I do want to Phoebe" Cole whispered in her ear, " I just wanted to make sure you are ready" He said wrapping his arms around her stomach.

"I am ready" Phoebe said, and tilted her neck just so, for Cole to kiss it.

Cole followed, and kissed her neck then her shoulder sliding her dress strap down and then the other one. Her dress hit the floor.

Phoebe felt anxious, but was nervous. This was her first time to be with a man that she could remember.

Cole turned her to him, and they collided together with a passionate kiss and their hands desirably exploring each other's bodies.

They hit the walls of the hall way as they made their way to Cole's bedroom. Cole laid Phoebe on the bed and took his shirt off. Phoebe laid and waited while he undressed down to his underwear.

Phoebe still had her bra and underwear on, as Cole laid over her.

"I am nervous" Phoebe whispered, and she started to take her bra off, but Cole stopped her.

"We have all night" Cole said, and gently kissed her lips making her want him even more.

He laid beside her and kissed her neck and chest, then her stomach and down her leg. Phoebe felt her insides pulsing. Cole slowly slid her underwear off and tossed them aside.

Phoebe looked down at Cole as he was making his way back up her body with his mouth.

Phoebe leaned in and met his lips with hers. Cole slipped his hand down between her legs and slipped his fingers inside her.

Phoebe gasped with pleasure on his lips and then laid back on the pillow. She closed her eyes and stretched her arms over her heard. Cole watched her face expression with every move and twitch of his fingers.

Phoebe felt herself building to an exasperating surge of pleasure and she started to pant and squirm. Suddenly she opened her eyes and her mouth as the explosion subsided. Cole put his mouth over hers to share her pleasure.

Phoebe looked at him with wild and hungry eyes.

Cole stood up, taking off his underwear and laid over Phoebe slipping himself inside of her with a throaty moan.

The electricity burned between them as their desire and emotions was tunneled into their bodies for a night of colorful exploring excitement.

The next day, Cole couldn't get to shore fast enough. He wanted Phoebe in his bed again tonight.

All Phoebe could think about was Cole and their night together. He made her feel like such a desirable woman, and she no longer felt she had any other purpose but Cole. She would smile as the butterflies filled her stomach when she thought of the pleasure Cole gave her.

Phoebe was washing her hands when Cole walked through the door of her shop that evening. Phoebe looked up to see his face. It was warm and comforting. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Where's the girls? Cole asked walking toward her

"They went home with a friend after school" Phoebe said starting to run to him.

Their bodies collided as Phoebe jumped into his open arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. They rapidly kissed each other.

"I Couldn't wait to see you!" Cole moaned as he leaned her against the wall, kissing the top of her breasts.

"I know just what you mean!" Phoebe panted.

Cole laid her on the counter, and Phoebe fumbled at his pants while he opened her shirt. He slipped inside of her and they both moaned.

Later that night in bed, Phoebe watched Cole as he slept. She felt so complete and happy to be where she was.

Cole turned over and laid his head on her stomach. His boyish sleepy face was perfect to her. His lips and his jaw line, his curly black hair and his soft skin against hers in the sheets.

Phoebe ran her fingers though his hair gently.

"Thank you" Cole whispered, in a sleepy voice.

Phoebe smiled, and softly whispered back, "I love you too"

The next day, on the boat, Cole and the crew were hauling in the catch.

"I don't know man…" Jake trailed, " I just don't know why you can't let this whole thing go"

"You have never been in love then, or you could have never ask that." Cole said to his mate on the boat.

"You have to ask yourself Cole…" Jake said helping Cole with the nets, " Are you doing this for her…or you?"

"I don't see why it matters…She would have went to a mental institution…or a hospital for the rest of her life…she would have been a lab rat for sure!" Cole started to defend. "No…no I will not let that happen…I will care for her as long as it takes."

"Cole…it has been two years…and you still haven't told her!"

"How ever long it takes, I will make her see Jake" Cole said, as he dove into the nets.

"But what if she doesn't Cole" Jake said quietly.

"What was that?" Cole said taking off his gloves.

"I said good luck buddy" Jake said.

Phoebe was picking up a few things for dinner that night, when she ran into someone.

"Phoebe!" a mans voice said

Phoebe turned around…

"Hello…I'm sorry, have we meet?" Phoebe politely asked.

The man reached out and hugged her. Phoebe didn't know what to think. She almost giggled.

"It's Doug Harrison…I know you might not remember me, but I was one of Michael's friends back home.

"Michael…" Phoebe said…"I'm sorry, I know I should know that name, but…" Phoebe stopped. When she heard herself say his name, she got sick.

"Anyway, Phoebe I'm sorry" Doug finished as he gently hugged her.

"Thank you" Phoebe said, as Doug walked away.

Cole was anxious to come into shore. Tonight was the night he wanted to tell Phoebe how he felt about her. He knew, she felt the same way, and she loved him back, but most importantly, would she except his marriage proposal?

When Cole came to pick up Phoebe and the girls, Phoebe ran to meet him at the door.

"Cole!" Phoebe said running up and throwing her arms around him.

Cole gladly wrapped his arms around her and smiled. Cole looked down at Phoebe's face and leaned in to kiss her, when she spoke up.

"I remember Michael!" Phoebe said

Cole turned green. He felt his knees start to shake

"Phoebe I…"

"Well I don't remember who it is…but I remember the name!" Phoebe said in excitement. As she hugged Cole again.

Cole didn't know what to say. Her out burst was unexpected. He thought he was prepared for this day, but he wasn't.

"Yes…Phoebe, that's…wonderful." Cole said slowly releasing Phoebe from his arms.

"Cole, I thought you would be happier for me than this?" Phoebe said following him and the girls to the Jeep.

"I…am Phoebe, It has been a long day.

"Its been a long day? I tell you I remember something from my past, and you say it has been a long day?" Phoebe snapped.

Cole looked at her with pain in his eyes.

"Cole what is it? What are you not saying?" Phoebe pleaded.

"I am…Phoebe I…" Cole wanted to tell her, he wanted to tell her how much he loved her, how much he needed her to love him. He wanted to ask her to stay by his side forever, to be his wife and the mother of his children.

"I am sorry, you are right, forgive me Phoebe" was all he could say.

Phoebe was confused. Why wasn't Cole excited for her? Or more supportive of this new break through.