Chapter 26: Forgiveness and other vices
POV: Juice
I was so enthralled with having her back that I didn't hear the monitors going off. My tongue invaded her mouth and my bruised bandaged arm held her close as my hand travelled south to meet her well rounded ass. I could feel myself rising to the occasion and I playfully placed her free hand there to feel my yearning for her. The hunger in both of us made every kiss more urgent and passionate than the next. The beating my body took could bear anything with her so close. I wish I had the strength to flip myself on top of her but my physical limitations stopped me. I began trying to pull her body on top of mine making our reunion more heated. We were disrupted by doctors yelling and cheers from an audience clad in leather. What followed were jeers as she got up to let the doctors inspect me. My hospital gown formed a tent in my lower region. By the pink in her cheeks, I could tell she was embarrassed but I didn't care. As soon as they left, we would resume our much need recuperation.
"Looks like you have a hard recovery ahead." Tig jeered at me. I pulled the blanket over myself and tried to tame the beast so he wasn't too prominent in the room. Tig swung his arm around Marta and moved closer to the bed. He placed her hand over the beast. "You think you have some healing magic?" She let out a coy laugh and I sheepishly smiled at her. It was one of the first times since the incident I didn't feel guilty touching her or thinking about putting it on her. I slapped Tigs hand off and she slowly removed hers biting that lower lip of hers that made her look so sexy. "I guess we'll leave you in good hands." Tig snorted.
The brothers filed out and as did the doctors. Phil stood there shuffling his feet and staring at the ground silently. Chibs walked back in grabbing Phil by the collar and pulled him out. I had a feeling he would be getting a much more creative punishment than having a sign stapled to his chest and left outside in a "depends" diaper and boots. I'd have to thank him later. Truth is who knew if I wasn't in this condition would she have come back? Would I have frozen at the bus stop just as I had outside my house? That didn't matter now. By tomorrow, I'd be wheeled out and come back to get the stitches removed from my face and leg. Surgery repaired the damage done by the protruding twig and a permanent scar would grace my face along my brow, 10 stitches. Despite what the doctors said, Marta curled up next to me. Her smooth fingers ran across my face just where the stitches were. Her brown eyes met mine. My hand nudged her neck forward so that my lips could meet hers. This time it was soft and gentle. The sedatives kicked in and I felt myself drift. I didn't fight it because I was sure when I woke this Latin beauty would still be curled up next to me.
POV: Marta
If my determination to leave was so necessary, it certainly wasn't now. Juan Carlos was back to being himself. Through the tears, his vibrant smile shown. That smile of his could brighten the darkest of caves. The void that had been so prominent these past few months was filled within moments when he asked me to stay. His inviting lips rejuvenated me. My invisible scars began to heal just by having him look at me the same way he did when he first met me. They were full of life, joy, adventure, and mischief. As we lost each other in the warmth of our bodies so close together, my hope was fortified that we would emerge from this just like the other obstacles in our lives. It's not an easy life, the one I was born into and the one Juan Carlos chose. We had gone through a lot to get here. I didn't doubt that we still had more to face ahead but now was not the time to worry about the maybe's of tomorrow. Now was the time to live because until he pulled me back into his consciousness I really wasn't. I was just being. Though my independence shouldn't rely on any man, I fell more into the reality that my happiness and wholeness was connected to him. I needed him to be whole again. He was like a vice to me. His smile and acceptance were the elixir my mind, heart, and body needed to heal and return to who I was.
Strangely enough it was now me who snuck into his room and fell asleep next to him in this hospital bed. Things really do come around sometimes. Even more so, enterprising was the Club's reaction to seeing us back together, I remember when Tigs would have been a jerk trying to get in my pants. He had become like an older brother the past few months when Juan Carlos had pushed me aside. Tig was the prankster that often got me smiling at the expense of the Prospects, of course. Now here he was being a complete pervert about Juan Carlos' hard on. It was playful not disrespectful. By the look on Juan Carlos' face I could tell he was enjoying every minute of it, what an opportunist. I can't pretend those thoughts didn't enter my mind. I wanted them all gone so that I could figure out how to have him consume me without setting off monitors and causing any further injury. This would be tricky but I yearned for him as bad as he did for me. I bit my lip with anticipation and he read me like a Harley manual.
As the boys hustled out on doctor's orders which I had every intention of plainly ignoring, I glanced at my Romeo with pure adoration. I had been so drained, angry, and defeated; I didn't imagine a scenario where this was true. Big boy, Phil was the last to be pulled out. I curled back into bed with him taking in his essence and letting him gently press his lips against mine. The cigarette he had smoked last still lingered on his lips. It was welcoming. He drifted off on the pain medication as I lay next to him keeping guard. His snoring eventually lulled me to sleep as well. Tomorrow would be another day and we would go home. Juan Carlos was right about being home because until I allowed myself to be selfish and give myself to another human being, I hadn't felt home in a long time. My parents' deaths had left an emptiness that my uncles could not fill; not even my sister. There is a saying about finding your "media naranja" (other half of your orange). It has to be the exact fit. The exact cut no pun intended to truly be your other half. In Juan Carlos "Juice" Ortiz, I had found just that.
Next day…
With antibiotics in hand, schedule of follow up appointments, and medical bandages, I readied myself carefully listening to the doctor's instructions, as Juan Carlos was settled in a wheel chair which he insisted on racing down the hall with Chibs. How Chibs got another wheel chair to race him with is beyond me. Men are just big boys. Nurses hollered and hospital security chased them as they bellowed down the hall trash talking each other. With patched members rallying at the end of the hallway cheering their favorite, these boys were not going to stop. I caught a glimpse of Juan Carlos' mischievous smile as he began his Rocky movie inspired tread. My hands were going to be so full. I couldn't be happier.
After getting home, I sent out Rat for groceries since Phil was nowhere in sight. I noticed that the boys were having too much fun cracking on my man every time I called him by his birth name so I decided that would be something I would call him behind closed doors.
Juice settled in sporting grey sweat pants and a fitted white t-shirt. Gemma was already at the house sprucing it up and then helping put the groceries away. I called my Tia Amelia to let her know not to expect me at the house anymore. Thankfully, she had not freaked out and called Tio Marcus. Shelby and he were still away on Club business. Juice had his leg elevated and his hands anxiously gripping his X-box controller as his voice shouted at the soldiers of Call of Duty. I leaned against the doorway and watched him play. It was different than it was a few days ago. He had let his guard down and was truly enjoying himself despite his injuries. I overheard Chibs say something about a vote to him and proxy but Juice waved him off. He was determined to ride into Teller Morrow tomorrow and make the vote himself. I wanted to object but not officially being an MC member in either one I had learned a long time ago to stay out of these men's affairs unless otherwise asked. My daily check in with Shelby needed to be attended to so I stepped away to give the boys their privacy. I took the time to ask my big sister a few questions of a private nature.
Once the pre-pay was back in my pocket, my thoughts travelled and took in Shelby's advice. Lingering visions were disrupted by a rough knock on the door. Tigs stood there with a smile ear to ear and a brown paper bag. Pulling the door back, I motion him in but he placed the bag in my hand instead.
"What is this?" Curiosity was getting to me and fearing a prank I gave Tigs a suspicious glare.
"It's a little gift from me to you to help with your duties." He winked his eye at me. His sly hand reached for the bag and opened it. A ringed finger pointed to the contents. I gasped and felt my cheeks flush immediately. "You're welcome." With that he trotted back to his bike and gave me one last sleazy smile as he rode off.
I began to remove the items from the bag and with my new found debriefing decided to try my bedside manner. I peered through the doorway and caught Juice with his big goofy smile on his face as he set another soldier into a mission. A mischievous grin crossed my face as I envisioned exactly what to do with the contents of my mystery bag and how to wean this man off those addictive video games.
POV: Juice
It felt good to be home, but not as good as to have my girl back in my house, carefree and full of vigor. If only I hadn't tumbled, I would be in better conditions to move about as I pleased. In the meanwhile as Marta arranged everything in the kitchen and settled me in, I decided one of my favorite past times would due- video games.
Though I loved the way my name sound on her lips and how she rolled her r's saying Carlos, there was relief when she stopped. The Brothers took full advantage to taunt me about my given name being pronounced so often. Juice sounded just as sexy from her lips.
Chibs filled me in on Jax's decision to punish Phil. Apparently, they decided to re-enact my accident. Phil took a big tumble. Maybe because of his weight he landed harder than I did and had broken his leg. The break didn't stop the members from expecting him to perform his full duties. I felt bad for the big guy but I knew far too well what happens when a member endangers the Club. My day in diapers was a walk in the park compared to Phil. I'll give it to the big guy, he took his punishment with no complaint. The big guy had heart. He really wanted to be a member. The vote tomorrow would decide whether to patch him and Rat or not. The brothers were on the fence but I wasn't. It would take some convincing but maybe I could sway it. Hap and Bobby would be back tomorrow for the vote. I could proxy it but I just didn't have the heart to do it.
Back into my game, I paid no attention to who was at the door or the next hour after. I could smell dinner and my stomach began to growl. I called out to Marta without taking my eyes of the TV screen. The next thing I heard was a pair of heels across my hard wood floors. Instinctively, I looked down first and my mouth dropped. In the distance, my soldier had just been shot up and it was game over. Red patent leather heels approached me with a pair of strong legs wrapped in white knee highs. A short nurse's uniform was tight fitting. My heart rate wasn't the only thing going up. Her dark hair fell loosely around her face. She leaned down and placed her hand on my uninjured leg. My eyes roamed from her face to neck and then down to her chest. I bit my lip with anticipation as she smiled and leaned in for a light teasing kiss.
"You're killing me baby?" I grabbed the back of her neck and leaned her in for another kiss, this one longer and invading. The minx pulled away and moved down to my neck. I wanted her now so I pulled her on. She straddled me but left her weight in the air.
"You keep exerting yourself, and you're going to hurt yourself." She mocked.
"You keep teasing me and I am going to hurt myself and you in the process. Come on baby." I grabbed a good chunk of her hair and pulled her face down until my tongue was in her mouth.
"Nah, ah. You need to ask for it, Papi." She flicked her finger back and forth playfully.
"Give it to me." She shook her head no and made a move to back away but with one arm wrapped around her waist and my hand entangled in her long hair, she wasn't going anywhere.
"In Spanish." Marta bit down on her lip and caressed my face.
"You're fucking with me, right? I'm a Puerto Rican from Queens. I speak better Yiddish." She raised her perfectly plucked eyebrow at me.
"No, Papi. I'm a Mexican from Oakland. I don't speak Korean or Chinese. No excuses. Repeat after me, besame."
"What?"
"Repeat. " She reached down for the beast and caressed it as looked straight in my eyes.
"Besame." She nodded with approval and smiled deviously.
"That means kiss me." My hand gripped her hair more harshly and pulled her in for a deep and wild kiss. I could feel her urgency and this tease routine would come to an end faster than she planned. Being without each other in months was a drought than was going to quenched at last with exhilarating rainfall.
"I have things to teach you too, baby." I loosened my grip on her hair and pulled out the beast. Marta slid my hand off her waist and she lowered herself until she faced me from the floor. She was going to be a very obedient student. She followed all my leads as her virgin lips took me in for the first time. My hand gripped her hair so I could watch her face and guide her in the task. As I climaxed, I tilted my head back and yelled out her name.
After that, it didn't take long to have her strip down and climb back on. Despite the pain medication wearing off, it was worth it to feel her again. Good as new, without fear or regret, she let me back in. The experienced was only heightening as she purred in my ear and praised my name. The fear that I had after the rape that she could not be mine again was wrong. I rocked her back and forth and it was as if it never was. She was completely mine again. This was my final proof that she didn't blame me or even associate me to the horrors that she experienced behind enemy lines. Her pure heart and soul grounded me. This would be one nightmare that wouldn't haunt me at night now that she was mine again. The noose I felt around my neck often was nowhere in sight. I felt free.
We then laid on the couch a while just being. Marta finally got up to warm our dinner up. We needed to replenish and I needed my pain medication. Though it was not as bad, I chucked it all through the adrenaline that coursed through my veins like lightning bolts. In my white t-shirt she sat next to me flipping through the channels until we settled on Coming to America. With dinner finished, I was missing one last thing to be back to my old self. I sat in the center of the room with a towel wrapped around my neck. Clippers in hand, she began to shave off the excess hair. I had covered up my bolts in shame when then it seemed bleak that I would have the electricity course through my veins again.