Chapter Forty-Four

It was hard to break away from her, but a few minutes later, Jamie and Eddie did leave the party and headed for the private cottage. Their friends had, of course, fixed it up for them, food, tea, flowers and a handmade Amish quilt for their bed as a gift. Jamie took Eddie in his arms, their lips met as the sun started to set behind the clouds.

Eddie ran her lips along Jamie's jaw, letting her tongue tease his ear lobe. It was one of his favorite things. His legs buckled and he held onto Eddie for strength. His hands came around her hips and worked on the trail of delicate buttons at the back of her dress. He wanted to see his wife in all her beautiful glory.

They took their time. The sun set and the moon rose as they gently loved each other and rediscovered themselves as husband and wife.

Jamie took control, Eddie liked that about him. She sometimes liked to take the lead, but typically she was content to match Jamie's movements, and let him steer the level of their intimacy, it wasn't his demand, it was her choice.

His hands worked her bosom, his lips teased her nipples; her hands massaged his sex, relishing in the firm heat and tension she felt there. Her firm hand moved up and down and to create an even greater fever pitch. He moaned in response, but did not sink into her. He dropped his lips and kissed a trailed down her chest to her belly, then finally to the delicate folds between her legs. She cried out and arched her hips as he teased and caressed her. Jamie slid back up to look deeply into her eyes, joining their bodies.

They fit perfectly, always had, as if by grand design their bodies had been made to complement one another. As Jamie brought Eddie closer and closer to the edge she cried out his name with near reverence. He felt whole burrowed deep inside of her, nothing ever made either of them feel as complete as this.

They made love through the night, slowly one time, then fevered the next. When the sun rose over the cottage and the rooster crowed in the distance, they slept deeply and blissfully in each other's arms.

They stayed in that bliss for three days enjoying sunrises on the porch and sunsets walking and holding each other. They sat out in front of the house wrapped in each other's arms Eddie's head on his shoulder

"What are you thinking?" he asked gently.

"I'm thinking how nice this is, how right it feels being together like this," Eddie smiled.

Eddie laid her head on Jamie's shoulder, "This time together has been such a gift. I do miss our girls, but it's a blessing to be able to focus on our marriage and our soulful connection."

"It's been perfect. I'm enjoying being husband and wife," Jamie agreed.

Jamie twirled Eddie's hair around his finger. He kissed her and stroked her arms. "Tomorrow we go back to reality."

"Yeah, but we'll always remember this. We should take a day here and there just for us," Eddie murmured.

"Date night once a week," Eddie continued. "And at least once every two months we do a weekend..."

"Yeah I like that idea," Jamie whispered in her ear and placed a kiss on her temple.

"What do you want to do the rest of the night?"

Jamie smiled at her, "Anything you want, I just want to be with you."

"Then let's make love." Jamie leaned his head down meeting her lips while pulling her body closer to him.

They got into the buggy Jamie borrowed from Levi and Ruth and took Eddie to a secluded covered bridge near the pond. "It's so pretty here look at the moon shinning down on the water."

"I can see why so many cherish this," Eddie replied. "I can see us being here together, growing old together..."

"It's so peaceful here," Jamie agreed hugging her tight. "Are you cold?"

"No, but I need to snuggle more anyway..." Eddie tipped her head up. "Kiss me...make love to me to right here."

She didn't wait for Jamie to take the lead though. Eddie moved over him and unbuttoned his shirt to display his smooth, muscled chest. The chest she laid her head on, the chest she cried into, the chest where he held their babies to keep them warm and safe. She loved to look at it, to touch it, and she did, running her hands and then her lips along the skin.

She worked down slowly, sliding his shirt totally to the side before focusing on his pants.
He was excited for her, he wanted her as badly as she wanted him, but he was content to let her take the lead and set the pace.

She surprised him by quickening her assault on his senses, she seemed to be everywhere, her lips were on his lips, her tongue swirling inside his mouth. The wagon bucked a bit as he arched instinctually closer to her body.

Their hands battled as they stripped off the remaining clothing, wanting nothing between them. She straddled him as if riding one of the roan horses hitched to the buggy and set a fevered pace he was more than happy to keep up with.

Jamie held her tightly as they laid together, the moonlight reflecting off the water. He moved with her to the back of the wagon, and slid his arms around her kissing her gently. "I love you Eddie," Jamie softly whispered meeting her eyes.

"I love you," she sighed. "Making love here under the stars is a memory I'll treasure for life," Jamie smiled.

They slept out under the stars and made love again covered in the morning dew. Together they cleaned the cottage, folded their beautiful quilt and then headed home to their girls. It was chore time and Mary busily took to helping with the animals while Bella giggled.

Eddie and Jamie stood by and smiled at Mary she didn't see them she was so invested. She carefully made sure everything was how Rachel wanted picking up the brush to groom the horse.

Eddie moved closer to Faith and smiled, "She didn't even miss us, did she?"

Faith turned smiling too, "Hey, she did but we kept her busy, she's a great helper."

Jamie nudged Eddie up, "Come on let's go get our girls."

Eddie gave Faith one more smile, "Thank you so much for taking care of them."

"It was our pleasure," Faith replied as Jamie went to tickle Mary's side.

Mary jumped turning back smiling wide. "Daddy!"

"Hey, Buttons! Look at you being a big girl!"

"Daddy, I helped Miss Faith with all her animals!"

"You did, I can see that!" Jamie smiled as Eddie approached with a cooing Bella.

"Mommy!" Mary dropped the brush reaching out for a hug.

Faith and her husband watched the little family reunite. Faith invited Eddie in while Jamie helped Mary finish her chores.

"How did it go with Jamie?" Faith asked pouring some tea.

Eddie beamed, "It was the most romantic three days of our lives."

"Great I'm so glad," Faith smiled too happy for them.

"We made love under the stars and it just felt so deep and connected," Eddie gushed.

"Sounds like you had a great time," Faith smiled.

"We did..." Eddie continued to dish on the day and the time they shared together. Faith listened smiling the entire time happy they got to reconnect.

Jamie carried Mary to the car then called Eddie to come with Bella. Eddie stood, "I can't thank you enough for watching the girls"

"It's our pleasure as always," Faith replied. "Take care and we'll see you soon."

Eddie thanked her again going to the car smiling at their girls. "Did you have fun Mary?"

"Yes," she replied. "And we went to Hershey Park too!"

"You did huh?" Eddie smiled at her catching Jamie's eyes.

"We did! We did all the rides I was big enough for..." Mary bragged. "And Bella went on the horses and wasn't scared because I held her hand!"

"You are such a great big sister Bella is lucky to have you." Jamie smiled, glancing Eddie, happy at how things were now.

Mary shrugged, to her this wasn't anything special just what you did when you loved someone.

Jamie was putting the girls to bed several nights later. Eddie had a bit of a headache and was resting. His phone rang just as he shut the light off in Mary's room. Sighing Jamie quickly hurried into the room grabbing his phone. "Hello?"

"Jamie," Frank's voice was husky with emotion and sorrow. "Jamie, oh God...uh...' He didn't have the words.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Jamie asked softly, heart dropping at the sound of his father's voice.

"Oh God..." Frank began. "It's...It's uh, Linda...She...She's gone, Jamie. Linda is gone."

"What? Dad, what? When? How did it happen?" Jamie let a breath out sitting on the bed

"Helicopter crash," Frank replied." Danny is in shock, the boys are in shock, but he didn't want to call and tell you so I did it..." Jamie could tell from Frank's voice his expectation.

"I know Dad, let me talk to Eddie? I'm glad you called..." Jamie ended the call sitting to let the shock pass.

Eddie stepped out of the hot shower and smiled, "They go down...what is wrong?" She could tell by the expression on his face.