Chapter 36

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

RIPLEY

G iven the fact that we were up most of the night going at it, Quincy told me to sleep in while he spent some time with Kaya. He has a day game today, so he needs to leave for the ballpark earlier than normal.

He brings her into our bedroom when it's time for him to go. He has a huge smile on his handsome face. "She's rolling all over the place. According to my book, it's early for that."

I roll my eyes. "You and your books."

"It's a big milestone, and she's ahead of the curve. Definitely a little athlete." He holds his nose to hers and in his softest voice, coos, "Are you going to be a pitcher like your mommy? She's the best in the world. I want you to be just like her when you grow up. We're going to sit and watch Mommy at the Olympics in a few years."

I moan. "Ahh. Pressure. What if I don't make the team?"

He gives me an incredulous look. "You and Arizona will be the starting battery in the gold medal game. Mark my words. I have zero doubts. I can't wait to watch."

"You'll be in season during the Olympics."

"They'll either give me a leave of absence or I'll retire, but there's zero chance of me missing that. You two have been talking about it for nearly twenty-five years. Nothing and no one will keep me away."

He smiles as if talking of retirement is no big deal.

"You're just hitting your stride. I'm not letting you retire."

"Priorities change. I won't be my father."

I start to talk but he holds up his hands. "I get it. He was doing what he thought was best. Blah, blah, blah. It's still not the kind of family man I want to be. I've spoken with Layton. We may have a few ideas on companies we'd like to invest in. Things that will better secure our financial future without necessitating me being on the road as much once I retire." He rubs his nose with Kaya's again. "I don't want to miss any milestones for our little prodigy."

"Prodigy? She shits herself and rolls. Let's hold off on the prodigy talk."

He chuckles as he covers Kaya's ears. "Drown out the negativity, princess. You're a prodigy, just like your mommy."

Kaya then proceeds to grab his beard again and pulls on it for dear life.

Quincy left for the ballpark, and I'm in the kitchen feeding Kaya when Mom returns home. I lift an eyebrow. "Hmm, those look a lot like the clothes you were wearing when you left last night. "

A small smile finds her lips. It's a different kind of smile for her. It's almost shy. Very unlike June St. James.

"Oh, Mom, you really like him, don't you?"

She blushes. I've never once in my life seen her blush over a man.

She sits down at the table. "I suppose I have to admit that I do. He's just so…incredible. He's sweet, smart, attentive—"

"And sexy as all hell."

She nods enthusiastically. "God, yes. So sexy. He makes me lose my mind. He's very alpha in bed. And he has this finale move where he—"

I hold my hands up. "Okay, okay. Enough. I don't need to hear that."

She giggles.

"Did you two go out or straight to his house for the main event?"

"We had one drink at that Screwballs place we went to with you last year."

"Oh, I think Quincy was there with the guys. Did you see him?"

"No, I didn't see him or his crew, but we were only there for a short while. We were…anxious to get back to his place."

"That's odd. I think they went there right after the game."

She shrugs and then bites her lip nervously.

"Is something else on your mind, Mom?"

"You're thinking of settling down in Philly permanently, right?"

"I haven't thought past this season, but I suppose things are headed in that direction."

"What would you think if I were to move out here too? Not here in this house, but here in Philly."

"I'd love that. Did things work out with Reagan Daulton? "

I know she and Mom spoke about her coming on staff for the Anacondas.

"Yes, but I told her I wanted to talk to you before making the commitment."

"Obviously I want you as the pitching coach."

She smiles. "You do?"

"Of course, Mom."

"Okay. I'll need to find another job as well. Coaching the Anacondas won't be enough. I wish it was, I love coaching more than anything, but perhaps I can find another teaching job to make ends meet. Tell me if it's too much. I don't want to be overbearing and intrusive in your life."

I grab her hand. "You're fine. I'm more than happy to have you here. You're the best coach I've ever had. And you'll get to be near Kaya. If you're not living with us, where will you plan to live?"

She bites her lip nervously again. "That's the thing. Dutton asked me to move in with him."

I'm in shock. "Really?"

Her eyes light up with excitement. "Yes. It's just so unexpected. He's unexpected. I know he feels the same. He's barely dated since his wife passed. But we've discussed it, and we want to give it a go. I'm fifty years old and have never lived with a man in my entire life. I don't know if this old dog can learn new tricks."

I hadn't considered that fact. She deserves this. I rub her arm. "I think it's great. I'm truly happy for you. I didn't realize you two were so serious."

She fixes her hair nervously. These are unchartered waters for her. "We had this instant connection when I was here last year. I haven't felt something like that since…since…"

"My father."

She nods. "Yes, your father. And then I did something I've never done. I talked. Every single day when I was back in California, Dutton and I spoke on the phone for hours."

I wrack my brain. I suppose I was out of it those months I lived with her back in Cali, but I do remember her on the phone in her room at night. It's also just now occurring to me that she didn't bring any men home during my time with her.

"What about that guy from the grocery store you went out with a few weeks ago?"

She sighs. "I was freaked out about Dutton, so I agreed to that date. Five minutes into it, I realized my mistake and took an Uber to Dutton's house. I don't know how to do this, Ripley. I've never let myself feel, not since your father."

"Well, if he makes you happy, why the fuck not?"

She smiles and slowly nods. "You're right. Why the fuck not? He does make me happy."

"When are you thinking of moving? No rush. It's nice having you here."

"We'll wait until after this season. You and Quincy need me for Kaya."

"I don't want to hold you back."

She waves her hand dismissively. "You're not. It's for the best. I want to make sure we're truly solid before I take a big step like this. You know it's a big deal for me."

"Yes, I do."

After Mom goes upstairs to shower, Kaya is wildly amused in her bouncy seat while I begin aimlessly surfing the internet on my iPad. I usually look at TMZ or one of the other gossip sites because they love to photograph Arizona and Layton. It used to be bullshit stories and innuendo, but now that they're married, that nonsense has died down. It's just photos of them out and about. They're huge stars who happen to be incredibly beautiful. The camera loves them.

I'm flipping through when a familiar figure flashes on the screen. It's definitely Quincy. Even though his face is covered with a hat, I'd know his body anywhere. I click on it to see him with his hands on the arms of an attractive blonde woman. One with a perfect body, a lot different than mine. The caption reads, Quincy Abbott and Unknown Woman Seen at Upscale Philly Hotel .

This must be an old picture, but as I zoom in, I realize that he's wearing the clothes he wore last night. My mom mentioning him not being at Screwballs suddenly hits me.

Tears fill my eyes. Can this be true?

I think back to when he came home. I don't remember a foreign smell on him. He immediately pulled my body to his and we made love.

I refuse to believe this is true. I'm not sure what explanation there could be, but there must be one.

We're not kids anymore. We're not playing games. We have a child together. Every single thing he's said and done since Kaya was born tells me he and I are the real deal this time around.

He asked me to trust him. To trust us . I'm going to choose to do that. The Ripley of old would crumble into a sea of self-doubt right now. Mature, confident Ripley is going to stay and have a conversation. I'm choosing to believe in our love.

Mom watched Kaya during my softball practice, and now Kaya, Mom, and I are spending some time in the pool this afternoon. There's a big television out there, so we can watch the Cougars' game. Quincy isn't pitching today.

I've been running through my head how I want to approach things when he gets home. I'm going to be an adult and have a direct conversation with him. I'm going to give him the chance to explain himself and whatever he tells me, I'll believe. Despite all of our shit through the years, Quincy has never lied to me.

About thirty minutes after the game is over, I receive a text from him.

Quincy: Something came up. I won't be home for a few more hours. Kiss Kaya for me.

My stomach drops. What is going on?

Quincy

I pull into my garage, tears filling my eyes as they have for most of the past few hours. How am I going to tell Ripley? She's going to be devastated. I'm devastated.

I look at the clock. It's after ten. Kaya will be asleep. I'm sad I won't see her, but this is going to be a difficult night, and it's better off she not see us this way. I hope June has made herself scarce. I look at her spot in the garage. Her car is gone. Good.

Not seeing any signs of Ripley downstairs, I immediately make my way upstairs. She's not in any of the bedrooms though. Where is she?

I walk back downstairs and notice that the giant glass-paneled doors leading to the pool are open. She must be out back.

I walk through them and see her sitting in the hot tub. There's a glass of wine and her iPad next to her on the ledge. She's got her arms spread out and her hair is pulled into a messy bun. She looks exactly like she did the first night we kissed. So perfect. So beautiful. I'm truly the luckiest man on the planet. I can't believe it took me so long to get here, but the hard journey was worth the end result. Ripley St. James is mine and I'm hers.

Her eyes are closed but as soon as I get closer, they open and gaze at me. I notice that they're red. She's been crying. Maybe she already knows.

"Shortcake? Are you okay?"

Her head tilts to the side as she examines me. "Have you been crying?"

I nod.

She squeezes her eyes shut and more tears spill out of them.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

She croaks out, "You tell me."

I want to hold her when I tell her this. I sit down and remove my shoes. I'm about to remove my clothes when she lets out a sob.

Not caring about my clothes anymore, I immediately slip into the hot tub, still wearing them, and take her into my arms.

She starts sobbing uncontrollably. I rub her hair. "I'm so sorry. How did you hear?"

She whimpers, "It's on all the gossip sites. I don't understand why."

Huh? "Blanche passing is on the gossip sites?"

She pulls back with a shocked look on her face. "What? Blanche died?"

"Yes, baby. That's where I've been. Her son left me a voicemail. He said she left us something and needed me to come to her place as soon as I got the message."

Her face scrunches and her sobs get louder. I hold her close. "I know. It's so sad. I feel like she had more life to live."

She cries, "She did."

"I didn't realize her age. I always assumed her to be in her mid-seventies. She was nearly ninety. She was in amazing shape for her age."

Ripley nods as she continues to sob.

We cry in each other's arms for several minutes until she pulls away and whimpers, "What did her son say? What did he want with you?"

I give her a small smile. "Blanche wanted us, as in both of us, to take Thor. She left a sweet note about our relationship and how we reminded her of her and her husband."

She looks behind me, and I shake my head to answer her silent question. "He's not here. He's staying with a friend of theirs. I told her son I needed to check with you first. He's a big dog, and I didn't know how you'd feel about him with Kaya. Her safety comes first."

She nods in understanding, her big blue eyes searching mine. I wipe her tears with my thumb. "If you didn't know about Blanche, why were you crying before I got home?"

She reaches over and flicks open the iPad screen. My jaw clenches at what I see. It's a photo of me with that hooker from last night.

I rub her face, and she briefly closes her eyes. "Shortcake, you don't believe this do you? We've fought so hard for so many years. Do you honestly think I'd trash it for some two-dollar hooker? I asked you to trust in us. To trust me."

She shakes her head. "I saw it this morning right after you left. Even though it was clearly taken last night—I recognized the clothes—and you told me you were having drinks with the guys, I just knew in my heart there was some reasonable explanation. But then you didn't come home tonight. I can't lie and say that I didn't start to let the doubts creep in a little bit."

I zoom in on the bottom right corner of the photo. "Tell me what you see there."

She looks closely and squints her eyes. "Is that Layton's wedding band?" His left arm is in the photo.

I nod. "It is."

"Where were you guys?"

I blow out a breath. "We were at the Four Seasons."

It takes a second, but I see it in her face the moment it registers. "That's where Pierre and Colette are staying."

"It is. I'm sorry, but I had a bad feeling about them when they came here. I went to confront them."

"Who's this woman? It's not Colette."

"Some hooker who propositioned me. I immediately sent her away. You can ask Layton. He heard the whole thing."

"I don't need to. I believe you. I knew there had to be some reasonable explanation. I do trust you."

"Good. I'll never hurt you—again."

"Deep inside, I knew that. What happened with Pierre and Colette?"

I swallow. "We went to Pierre's room and I…massaged a bit of a confession from him."

She sighs. "What did you do to him?"

I wave my hand dismissively. "Nothing to permanently harm him, but he admitted something to me. Your father left you money."

"I know. They told me."

"Not those pennies."

"Pennies? It's more than I'll make in the next five years."

"Trust me, it's pennies. Colette was trying to get you to sign away your rights. Your father left you a fortune. He took care of you every bit as much as he took care of them."

I give her the number and her chin drops. "Holy shit."

I nod but tears fill her eyes again. "What's wrong?"

"I don't care about the money. It's my mom. She needlessly suffered for such a long time. If I was given this when he died, things would have been easier for her."

"I had the same thought. My initial instinct was to tell them to shove their money up their asses. Then I was thinking you should take it and donate it all to Layton's group home or some other worthy charity. While I still believe you should donate a lot of it, I think you should also open a softball academy for your mom. Consider all the young girls that will benefit from it. Teaching softball to them is her passion. She's obviously very good at it. We can find space near her apartment and build her whatever she needs. You can also buy her a bigger place if she wants one."

She smiles widely. "Mom is planning to move to Philly. Into Dutton's house."

Now it's my chin that drops. "For real?"

She giggles. "Yes. Apparently they've been talking for nearly a year. She's really into him. Let's do it. Let's build it here. My whole team will pitch in. It will feel good to pay my mom back for all the sacrifices she made for me. She'll get to pursue her passion."

"I love it. I told Pierre he had forty-eight hours to fix the situation or you'd pursue twenty-nine years of interest on your share of the money. You should expect a very big check, Ms. St. James."

She runs her fingers through my hair. "Thanks for looking out for me."

"Always. I'm sorry about Pierre and Colette being assholes."

"I had already realized after I met with them that a real relationship wasn't happening. Honestly, I wasn't that upset."

"I know you were excited at the prospect of having a bigger family."

She softly kisses my lips. "I already have my family. You and Kaya are my family now. Arizona is my sister in all the ways that truly matter."

"That better not make me your brother."

She smiles. "I definitely don't think brotherly things about you." She wraps her arms around my neck. "You and Kaya are my everything."

I turn us around so I'm seated on the hot tub bench and she's straddling me. Grinning, I say, "This is exactly how we started."

"Thirteen years ago. It's been a long journey, but I feel like the circle is complete. I think we're finally where we belong. I love you, Quincy. I loved you that night and every single night since."

I nuzzle her cheek with my nose. "I did too, I was just too stupid to realize it. I'll never take your love for granted again. "

She nods as her lips find mine. First brushing over them and then latching on in her unique way.

Before it deepens, I break the kiss and mumble into her mouth, "There are too many clothes between us, just like that night."

Her eyes light up. "Don't you dare come in your pants again."

I chuckle. "I still can't believe you knew."

I pull off my sweatshirt while she slides down my sweatpants and boxer briefs before re-straddling my lap. I slip down the straps of the top of her turquoise bathing suit until her full tits fall free. They're so sexy and perfect, just like her.

Reaching for her glass of wine, I pour some of it over her chest before grabbing her tits with my hands. Squeezing them together, I alternate between her nipples, circling them with my tongue, licking off the wine.

She moans in delight as she runs her fingers through my hair. I've missed the way she worships and tugs at my hair. I know it turns her on.

My eyes glance sideways as I catch a mirror-like reflection of us in one of the large, folded glass doors. Without removing my hands, I release her nipple and motion my head in that direction. "Look at us, Shortcake."

She turns her gorgeous face and takes in the same reflection. The corners of her mouth turn up. "We look pretty good together, Abbott."

I blow out a breath and shout into the night sky, "Finally, she admits it."

She giggles as we continue to take in our reflection. She's topless on my lap with her hair up and her curls falling forward. Her fingers are in my hair. The steam from the hot tub is in the air around us. It's very erotic looking.

Her nipples pebble as the pace of her breathing intensifies. My cock leaks from the tip. Neither of us want to tear our eyes away from the scene before us.

I rub my thumb over her soft cheek. "You are so damn beautiful. I love you so much."

She turns her eyes back to mine. I see tears in her eyes again, but this time they're happy tears, not sad. Emotional tears. Tears of two people who fought and clawed for thirteen long years to get to this point.

"Shortcake, I want you to watch us while I make love to you. I want you to see how perfectly our bodies work together, how exquisite your face is when you come."

She momentarily hesitates before standing in the hot tub and then putting on a bit of a show for me while slowly sliding her bathing suit down and off her curvy body. I love seeing her confident and carefree like this. It's got my cock begging to be buried in her.

In all her naked glory, she stands, sits on the ledge of the hot tub, leans back on her hands, and spreads her legs in invitation for me.

"You want my mouth first, sweetheart?"

She motions her head toward the reflective glass and gives me a look that can best be described as vixen-like as she scrapes her teeth along her lower lip. "Yes. I want to watch it."

I run my finger up her calf and thigh. "You want to watch while I devour your pussy?"

She nods and breathes, "Make me come, Quincy."

I happily push her legs as wide as they can go. We can both see her full pink pussy in the glass now. "Look how beautiful you are." I run my finger through her slippery flesh and then suck it into my mouth. Closing my eyes in bliss, I murmur, "And so damn tasty."

She moans, "Quincy, please. I need your mouth."

Slowly licking my way up her long legs, I bite, suck, and nibble until she's squirming. I run my beard along her inner thighs. Her eyes roll back in her head. Yep, beard stays. It's worth all the harassment to see this look on her face.

I lick until I'm above her pussy and over the beautiful evidence of childbirth scarring her lower abdomen, thanking her for the greatest gift I've ever been given.

She doesn't even flinch. I love that.

I finally work my way down to her pussy, stare into it, and lick my lips in anticipation. "You're dripping for me."

She wordlessly nods as I grab her curvy hips with bruising strength and smash my face into her.

She yells out, "Oh fuck, that beard. You're never allowed to shave."

I smile as I alternate between kissing, sucking, and licking everything she's offering. Eventually, I penetrate her opening with my tongue all while circling her clit with my nose.

She yells out and then grabs my hair and begins tugging at it. Her hips gyrate while I fuck her as deep as I can with my tongue.

When my thumb meets her clit, her whole body jerks. "Oh, fuuuuuck."

I work her over with my thumb and tongue until her whole body starts to shake. She pulls my hair with the force of an army. Her back arches.

I command, "Look at yourself. Watch as you come. "

Her eyes pop open and she stares at our reflection. She pants, "Oh god, that's so hot."

I see the moment it tips her over the edge. Her legs begin to flutter. Her moans escalate, and she fills my mouth with her sweet come.

I slurp and lick her juices until her orgasm fades away. She collapses back. Her body is limp and sated, her chest rising and falling at a rapid pace.

Standing on the bench of the hot tub, I lean over my goddess, capturing her mouth in a bruising kiss. It reawakens her. She grabs my face and tastes herself on my tongue.

I lift her arms and pull her until we're both resubmerged in the warm, inviting water of the hot tub.

I break the kiss and turn her so that her back is to my front. I want us to both watch what we're about to do.

"Keep your eyes open. I want you to see how good we look when I fuck you." My cock rubs through her pussy. Even in the unforgiving water, her juices coat me. "Can you feel how hard you make me? Only you. Only ever you. I need you. Always."

I latch onto her neck as my cock continues running through her, knowing what the teasing does to her body.

She places my hands on her tits. "I love your big hands. Touch me. Everywhere."

She then reaches down, lifts her body, and maneuvers my tip to her entrance. She slides down as I thrust forward into her with a loud grunt. "I love your warmth. The way you grip my cock so tight."

The water is hot, but our bodies are hotter. I grab her sexy, round hips as I push into her over and over again.

She reaches up behind her to grab my hair, pushing her tits above the water line, bouncing wildly to the rhythm of my thrusts. I mumble into her neck. "Look at you. Look at us. Your luscious tits moving as I fuck you. Tell me if you've ever seen anything more beautiful than this."

She stares at our reflection. Our eyes meet in the glass. Hers are filled with nothing but lust. Nothing has ever felt so right.

We're two pieces of a puzzle that finally fit together. I'm no longer that broken piece that will never find its fit. She's fixed me. Her love fixed me.

Our eyes remain fixated on our reflection in the glass throughout the duration. It's beyond erotic and intimate.

I swivel my hips while her grip on my hair tightens. "You're so close, Shortcake. I want you to come all over my dick, and then I'm going to pump you so full of my come it will be dripping out of you for days."

I grab her throat with one hand. She drinks in the image. "Oh my god."

Her eyes flutter, and her pussy clenches around me. "You feel too damn perfect. That's it. Come. Now."

My name flows out of her mouth on a loud scream. We find our releases together as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

I lean back with her in my arms, still buried inside her as we both return from the euphoric state we've been in.

She turns her head and nuzzles my beard with her nose. "I think your tongue is longer than most penises."

I chuckle. "I think your pillow talk is top-notch."

I feel her giggle into my face.

We sit there silently for a while, neither of us in any rush to move. I feel more peace than I've ever felt, knowing this will be my reality for the rest of my life. What I feel, maybe for the first time in my life, is true happiness. Ripley makes me happy.

Her head rests back on my shoulder as we continue to silently enjoy this moment. She eventually breaks the silence. "I think we should take Thor."

"Are you sure? He's huge. I don't want Kaya accidentally getting hurt."

"He's a gentle giant. He's so much like Diamond, who did nothing but protect you and Arizona. Thor could be that for her." She rubs her fingers through my beard. "I remember it being your dream. Your own big house with a dog like Diamond. Doesn't it feel like fate? I love Blanche even more for gifting this to you."

"To us. She was highly specific that he was only to come to a home we share."

She smiles. "Even in death, she's trying to push us together. The old slickster."

"She adored you. She and I had several conversations about you, both before and after your move to Philly."

"Before?"

"Yes. I've been conflicted over my feelings for you for a long time. I wanted you but didn't know if I could give you what you wanted."

"You give me so much, Quincy."

I pull her tight. "Promise me you'll stay. Even when our seasons are over. I want this. Us. Permanently."

She swallows before softly kissing me. "I want that too. It's all I've ever wanted."

"Me too, Shortcake." I blow out a breath. "Okay. I'll pick up Thor early in the morning before you leave for practice. I want you here. If you think it's too much for Kaya, we'll find him another home."

She smiles into my face. "I can't wait."

I have Thor in my car. He keeps licking my ear from the back seat. "Buddy, I need you to protect our girls when I'm not home, not swallow them whole."

He lets out a short bark.

"I'll take that as a yes."

We pull in through my gate, and I see Ripley sitting on the front steps with Kaya in her arms. She holds up Kaya's little arm and waves at us. I love the thought of coming home to them waiting for me.

I turn back. "I know you're a big boy. I am too. You've got to be extra careful with the ladies when you're big. You never want to hurt them."

Bark.

"I feel like you really hear me, Thor."

Bark.

"Good talk. Let's go meet your sister and your new mommy."

I open his door but keep his leash tight to me. I'm terrified he'll accidentally hurt Kaya.

Ripley shouts out, "Let him go. If you act crazy, he'll be crazy. Let him sniff and explore her."

She's so calm about this. I blow out a breath. "Here goes nothing."

I unclasp his leash. He immediately barrels toward Ripley and Kaya. Oh god.

He stops short just as his nose meets Kaya's. They both tilt their heads and carefully examine each other. She's not afraid of him and he hasn't eaten her for breakfast. I suppose that's a good start.

Ripley doesn't flinch, allowing them to explore one another. Theoretically, you never want to pull a kid from a dog unless you know it's dangerous. That's easier said than done with a dog Thor's size.

Kaya reaches out and squeezes his nose.

He then proceeds to lick her entire face in one fell swoop. And she begins giggling. Uncontrollably. Deep, hard belly laughs. I've never heard her laugh like this. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Ripley and I smile at each other, knowing everything is going to be okay.