4: Lesson Learned (Finding Our Way, Chapters 6 - Making Up Is Hard to Do)

"I can't tell you how sorry I am, Rhiannon."

"I know, Dare. I'm sorry too for how I handled everything...but mostly I'm sorry for leaving. I should have stayed and..."

"Rhi, you removed yourself from an...untenable situation. There's nothing wrong with that. Just..."

"What, Dare?" I stroked his cheek, baffled that I had seriously thought walking out on him was my best option.

"No matter what happens, please don't ever say you don't want to be married anymore. I'm not sure I could take that. We're going to have more fights...no, not fights...arguments, but nothing could ever happen that would be enough for us to break up."

"I promise I'll stay no matter what, Dare. I'll stay and fight...for us," I finished with a small smile.

"So, where does this leave things, Rhi? Can we start over?"

"No, Dare."

Darren looked stunned.

"We don't need to start over because we never stopped. We both learned a few things so now we move on, incorporating them into our relationship."

We moved toward each other to share a healing kiss. When we separated, Darren looked thoughtful as he pulled me into his arms so we could cuddle as closely as possible.

"Rhiannon...remember at our wedding when I promised your dad that we would take care of each other?"

I nodded.

"We need to remind each other of that every day."

"Forever, Dare. Starting right now."

I leaned into the hand that Darren put to my cheek, closing my eyes and reveling in his delicate touch. When I opened them again, my husband was gazing at me with overwhelming intensity.

"Rhiannon, I'll completely understand if you...don't want to right now, but please...let me make love to you."

Unable to speak, I nodded as tears welled up in my eyes.

"Don't cry, sweetie. We don't have to..."

"Want to..." I choked out with a watery smile. "Happy tears..."

Darren kissed my eyelids before putting his hands on my waist. Oh-so-slowly he moved them under my top while he peppered my face with soft kisses, ultimately pressing his lips to mine. Bathed in his love, I knew that this "therapy session" would be slow and sweet.

One piece at a time, my husband removed my clothes, kissing every inch of skin as it was revealed. When I was completely undressed, I watched expectantly as Darren moved down the couch to the apex of my thighs, spreading my legs to give him access to my core. Unable to keep my eyes open any longer, I whimpered as he laved my clitoris with his tongue. He pushed and pulled two fingers in and out of me for what seemed like an eternity, focusing on my pleasure while ignoring his own.

Sensing how close I was after a few minutes, Darren quietly encouraged me, "Let go, honey. Come for me, Rhiannon." That pushed me over the edge, and I clenched around his fingers, whispering, "I love you, Darren."

After wringing the last drop of bliss out of my first orgasm, Darren lowered his sweatpants and boxers, slowly pushing his already-hardened erection into me. He gently rocked our hips together, squeezing our intertwined fingers as our gazes locked. In reverent silence, he gave one final thrust and emptied himself into me as I tightened around him and came again.

Finally my husband laid beside me, continuing to occasionally brush soft kisses into my hair. I felt worshipped as he whispered endearments to me. "I treasure you, Rhiannon. You are so beautiful, love. I'm honored to be married to you. You complete me, sweetheart."

It might sound over the top, but in that moment, my husband's loving attention helped me realize, despite our fight, that we were meant for each other. I now understood that we could hurt each other deeply BECAUSE we were so emotionally invested in each other and our relationship. We had some serious discussions ahead to figure out how to disagree without drawing blood, but for now, that part of the lesson had been learned.