Chapter 15 – Don't Forget Me

Disclaimer: I own everyone not recognizable

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John stood just outside the bedroom door as Carli spoke to Joey. Every night they sat in the rocking chair talking about what they did that day and what they wanted to do tomorrow. He could listen to them all night, his wife and his son. His entire world was in that room and he smiled. Carli, Joey and a new baby in five months, life was grand and couldn't get any better. John walked up and down the hallway looking at the family pictures Carli hung up, reminding them of how wonderful their families were.

His favorite was of Carli and Joey; a black and white profile photo of just their faces, foreheads and noses together and they're both laughing. Joey was around six months in the picture and his little hands were on Carli's face. The picture was so pure and wholesome it brought a tear to John's eyes whenever he looked at it. He walked downstairs and thought of his life again, from high school to tonight. Everything he'd ever dreamt of, desired, craved he'd received. All of his hard work had paid off, especially with Carli. Everybody had been right about her, just when she thought the two of them were getting too close she backed off, and did this a few times. The first time was when they were about to move in together, she panicked and kicked him out after only bringing his favorite chair into the house.

But once again his hard work paid off and Carli realized John was her future. She fought him hard on it and several times he wondered if this was a good thing, but he would always think of her smiles and how much they affected him through and through. He went to their bedroom and started his shower. As he stood under the hot water he looked around the expanse of the room. His wife had given him the life he never thought he'd have. John thought he'd forever live out of a suitcase and his bedroom in his dad's house. He now lived in a home that was a good size, yet decorated warmly. Visitors always felt relaxed and at ease in their home, it felt intimate yet you could find a spot in the home to get away.

It was top of the line in many ways, mostly for the family's safety, but nobody knew of the expense that was spent to secure the home and the grounds. Carli felt closed in by it, but knew the necessity. Carli, his wife and mother of his children. Another natural smile crept across his face. No matter how much he said it, he still couldn't believe it. The gods had been smiling on him that day in the airport.

"May I join you?" Her soft voice pulled John from his thoughts. He was leaning against the tiled shower walls with his head against his forearms, the water running down his expansive muscular form. He turned to look at her and her beautiful smile, his eyes drifting down her body. The baby was beginning to give Carli's body the roundness and fullness he found so lovely. He put his hand out and reached for her, helping her inside. His hands massaged her growing tummy and it made Carli's eyes close and her body relax. John's hands made their way up to her head and neck and he cradled her as his lips found hers. She ran her hands along his chest; his body did wonders for her. She felt at home next to him, like this was what she'd been looking for her entire life. He was physically rewarding and fulfilling, but he made her feel like she was the only one in the world mentally and emotionally. He gave her esteem the boosts it needed when it needed them; he put to rest her fears and insecurities about the world and herself.

Their kisses continued, satisfying their hunger to taste eachother. The feel of his tongue on hers made her yearn for more and made him thirst for her quenching body. Slow, methodical kisses, erotic and lingering, unhurried as if they had all night. Carli loved this man with everything she could and he loved her just the same. The two of them were like one person; you go through your whole life thinking you're complete until you meet the one meant for you. When that happens you realize you never were whole but only half and this other person is your missing piece. "I love you, John." She said and his heart melted. If that was all she said from this day forward he would never grow tired of hearing it.

He whispered back, "I love you, baby girl." John tugged on her hair and her head fell back giving him access to her neck. His tongue trailed lightly along her neck and she shivered making him smile. He kept his hands at a respectful distance and broke from her. He turned her so she was in the water and he proceeded to wash and condition her hair and scrub her body. Just smelling her soap was driving him crazy. When he rinsed her completely, he wrapped her in her favorite fluffy towel and carried her to the bedroom. The couple hadn't taken their time making love in awhile and John was going to see to it that they did slow it down tonight.

Carli looked up at her husband, expressing her love to him through her eyes. She held John's face in her hands and kissed him wrapping her legs around him as if she could pull him inside her skin. She loved kissing him and the feel of him above her as did he. He loved the way she felt under him and her tongue against his. He regretfully broke the kiss with her lips but trailed his tongue down to her neck and revisited her shoulders, the dip in her skin where her neck meets her shoulder. He worked his way down to her breasts, tenderly kissing and nipping at them, he remembered how tender they were and how engorged and firm they got when she was aroused.

He trailed wet kisses to her hips and let his fingertips tease her inner thighs. All at once his mouth and fingers descended on her and she arched her back like she never thought she could. Her body was immediately engulfed in flames and the pleasurable waves of tingling sensations shot through her like lightning. Before her waves subsided John brought her right back when he entered her. Carli cried out and his moans were as loud as hers. She loved watching her husband's expressions and his body as she pleasured him and now was no different. The sensual way his eyes half closed and he bit his lower lip added to her pleasure. The muscles in his arms, chest and abs flexed and released, the veins trying to push through his skin as they work harder to keep up with his pace.

He sat back on his heels and lifted her hips to his, keeping a steady rhythm. As soon as Carli began rotating her hips John fought his release and the more he fought the closer he got. When his own waves grew higher he dropped her hips and lay above her, burying his face in her neck and hair as each wave crashed around him and he involuntarily thrusted a little deeper into her. He tried to muffle his moans and groans by kissing her neck, but Carli couldn't help but bite a little bit into his shoulder and dig her nails into his back. He surprisingly liked the bite and it made him shudder in response, sending goosebumps across his moist flesh.

Neither could move and they just lay there panting. A mist of perspiration covered him and her, this would require another shower. He slowly extracted himself from his beautiful wife and kissed her tummy as he did so. He moved excruciatingly slow but finally stood to get back into the shower. John lifted his arms above his head and stretched as Carli looked at him in awe. "You are really hot." She said erotically and John laughed. Usually when she said this he would flex his muscles and pose for her, but this time he smiled and shook his head.

"And you are beautiful." He bent over to kiss her before heading into the bathroom and getting a swat to the ass from his wife. She smiled at him and put on her jammies.

She poked her head into the bathroom, "Turkey or roast beef?" She asked her always hungry husband.

"Turkey with cheddar, two sandwiches, please baby." He gave her his puppy dog eyes and she had to kiss him. He was so damn cute and hard to resist. This time he swatted her ass as she left. Carli squealed and went to check on Joey before going downstairs to the kitchen. Sound asleep and so precious. She kissed his forehead and did her normal search of his room. All was quiet and secure, thank goodness.

She smiled all the way to the kitchen and began making John's sandwiches. She had to fight the twitching in her legs and it caused a giggle. He sure knew how to make love to a woman; that was certain. She put his sandwiches on a plate and turned to leave. As she reached for the light switch her hand was met by another hand and she dropped the plate. Her mouth was immediately covered and all she heard was "Did you miss me, Carolina?" And there it was, the maniacal laugh that sent chills straight through her very soul.

John finished his shower and dried off. He put his basketball shorts on and headed to check on Joey; that sweet angelic boy who looked like his mother was fast asleep and making the cutest little faces. He couldn't resist placing a kiss to his chubby cheeks. His heart swelled with pride and he closed the door quietly. Making his way down the stairs he felt a chill pass through him, something was off, something was different. He swiftly and quietly worked his way to the kitchen and saw the broken plate with the sandwiches on the floor. Moving as fast as he could he silently searched the house and found no Carli. He knew to look for the one sign the agreed on if anything were to happen to her. He didn't want to look, he didn't want to find it, and he begged God for Carli to turn up this instant.

A vase that looked as if it were nonchalantly left on the counter in the mudroom was now upside down. John's heart shattered and he panicked like never before. He raced back up to Joey's room and he was still sleeping. He called the police, Stephanie and Vince and within 15 minutes the house was swarming with cops, family and friends. John sat in the family room with red puffy eyes, a tear stained face and a heaving chest. Stephanie and Paul had called everyone and they now sat flanking John. Vince and Linda took Joey to their house so he wouldn't see or hear anything. As far as Joey knew he was going to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

As the sun rose on the lake behind the house the phone rang. He answered it before the police were ready but he didn't care, "Carli?"

She whispered back, "Don't forget me."