Restitution for Family Destruction

Dear reader, I remember reading a story that mentioned the possibility of restitution rather that simple reconciliation. The idea stuck with me and this story is a result. This story won't appeal to anyone seeking a BTB story. I toyed with putting this in Romance but then again the wife did cheat. As always, copyright laws apply to this content. Enjoy.

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Nora and John had enjoyed a good marriage for nineteen years. No, it was a great marriage for nineteen years, unfortunately they were in their twentieth year.

Nora was proud of John. He had been a rock of strength. He climbed the corporate ladder because he was sharp, eager and driven.

Nora met him in college, she pursued him and won because in college she was every boy's wet dream. She was not a scholar, she earned her degree but it was one of those degrees that lead nowhere.

John asked her to marry him after graduation and she leapt at the chance. He was one hell of a catch.

They loved each other through the good times and the disappointments of life. They had two children. Drew, now 17, who was the spitting image of his father and Meg, 16, who had a mixture of both of them.

As John climbed the ladder he spent more time at work and even the time spent at home he was always on his laptop and preparing presentations.

It is a common occurrence that in such a relationship the wife feels neglected. Nora felt this acutely. The only time she felt needed was for company functions, even then she was pretty much relegated to being arm candy.

One of her husband's suppliers was an incredibly impressive man. He had the build of a Greek god. His suits were of the highest quality and tailored to fit perfectly. She noticed him looking over at her several times that evening. He walked across the floor and shook John's hand.

"Thanks for inviting me John. Is this your lovely wife?"

"Yes, Nora, this Nick, Nick, Nora." John then turned and began speaking to another client.

"I'm happy to make your acquaintance Nora, your husband is a good man."

"He is indeed. Are you married?"

"I was, my wife decided the grass was greener on the the other hill."

"She must regret her decision."

"Not as much as I do. Life is very dull without her."

"Would you like to talk while your husband makes his rounds. That's what all these events are about. Come, I'll get the drinks. Would you like another cosmo?"

"No, make it a Martini, dry."

The two chatted about relationships. He talked about his IT business. His fitness regimen and his college years. She told Nick about how she chased her husband until she caught him.

"You are a beautiful woman, I'm sure getting him to marry you was like shooting fish in a barrel."

That flattered her but it also cut her. After nineteen years of marriage she had allowed herself to add additional weight and dress sizes. Her face had many more "character lines" than she was happy with. His calling her beautiful made her feel somewhat inadequate.

John finally found them and joined them.

"Thanks for keeping her entertained while I schmoozed the customers."

"My pleasure John." He smiled at Nora and she felt a tingle in the pit of her stomach. Lord, how long had it been since she had that feeling?

The following day Nora went out for a long power walk. She had been a couch potato for far too long. She began a series of simple exercises to strengthen her core, she was careful about her diet and reduced carbs and empty calories.

It was a month before John noticed. Instead of complimenting her he asked if she was feeling well. He said she looked gaunt.

By the middle of the following month there was another work event. She had lost enough weight that she needed to buy a new dress. John made no comment about the dress or how she looked.

"This is an important event. I can't afford to have anything go wrong. I'm going to need to be glad handing, please stick around for the first half hour, then you go do what you like. I'll collect you at the end."

Nora enjoyed the half hour but when John nodded at her to take her leave she headed to the bar.

She ordered a martini. She noticed Nick was talking to a group of women not far away he looked up, noticed her and his eyes popped, he mouthed "Wow!"

He excused himself walked to her.

"Nora, you look amazing tonight, have you been working out? You look like you have. You were gorgeous before but wow!"

"Thanks, I realized that I had been coasting for too long."

"Hey, you hunted your mate and caught him. It's easy to relax after a while."

"Is that what happened in your marriage Nick?"

"Yeah, she coasted, got bored with me. The thrill of the hunt was over."

"After nineteen years with John I can understand some of her motivation."

"Oh really, tell me."Nick smiled.

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Nora looked back on that night as the beginning of the end. Nick really wanted to hear how disgruntled and bored she was in her marriage. If she understood his motives she might have shut up, but she regaled Nick with all of John's instances of ignoring her and virtually abandoning her while pursuing his career goals. She continued on to describe their current love life as dead on arrival.

This was all Nick wanted to hear. He used all of his charms to impress her. There was a dance floor and a jazz combo playing. Nick was still sober but Nora was on her fifth martini and was definitely feeling no pain.

"Come, dance with me, Nora."

"I shouldn't, I doubt John would like it."

"I'm not asking your husband, I'm asking you."

He led her to the small dance floor and they held each other.

Nora could feel the strength in Nick's muscled arms, her hand on his back she could feel how trim and muscular that was too. As they continued dancing to the second piece the band played they held each other just a little closer. She rested her head on his chest and then she could feel his manhood expanding rapidly, pushing against her belly. She herself was now getting aroused. During the dance she changed position slightly and rubbed his erection with her body in the process. She felt wonderful."

Nora and Nick sat down and had another drink. John ambled over and joined them. They finished up and John and Nora said goodbye to Nick.

As she was leaving she heard Nick said, "I hope to see you again real soon, Nora."

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Two days later she got a text from Nick.

"Meet me at the gym at noon, 100 Main St. I'll watch for you."

She thought about it, it was naughty, she shouldn't, what would John say, what about her children? On the other hand Nick was too great a temptation. John had pretty much checked out of the relationship so why not have a little fun.

She dressed in the most provocative workout gear she had. It was skintight and she knew it was perfect.

Nick met her at the door. They worked out, he helped her add elements to her workout, things that would firm and shape. For her age she was already in fantastic shape. Nick took every opportunity to touch her as he instructed. During a hamstring stretch his hand squeezed that muscle and then let his hand slide up to between her legs. Nora moaned and pushed back against his hand, grinding.

Nick carefully looked around. This part of the gym was deserted so he continued rubbing her ass, and her pussy over the tights. He stopped when he noticed the damp spot leaking through.

Nick turned her over on the bench and he kissed her. It was hot, scalding hot. Their tongues danced for a long while. An employee called out, "Hey, get a room!"

"Not a bad idea," said Nick.

The room at the Empire Hotel was perfect, although it was pretty much wasted on the two lovers.

Nick stripped her and laid her back on the king size bed. Nick thought she looked perfect, a little old but definitely an older MILF. That was the one thing that his score card was missing, a MILF that was almost old enough to be a GILF.

Nora watched the colossus of a man strip down. His musculature was the equal of any action movie star. She could feel the heat and desire rising within her.

"Fuck me Nick"

"Oh I intend to do exactly that but first I want a taste of that sexy looking snatch of yours. Open your legs and show me those cunt lips, because I going to kiss them."

She found his crude language made her even hotter.

"That's my girl!" He laughed and devoured her, driving her to multiple orgasms. He turned her over and pushed himself into her. He gave her four short thrusts then entered her vagina with a full long stroke. She moaned louder. He fucked her rough and hard. He lasted for what Nora felt was hours but he finally came inside her.

"Fuck Nora, you are amazing."

"So are you, shit, we shouldn't be here. I've never cheated on John before."

"It was worth it Nora. It was an amazing experience. You should go back home to John, talk to him, Explain that you're feeling neglected. If you don't talk it out with him you're likely going to have many more experiences with men like me, one night stands will ruin a relationship. I can attest to that."

"One night stand? Is that what you consider me?"

"What else, Nora, you are married to a man I have to deal with on a regular basis. Anything more than a one time experience is too dangerous for us both."

He put his clothes back on as he spoke. Nora was stunned into silence as he finished dressing.

"Goodbye, and thank you Nora."

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Nora went home confused, ashamed yet sexually satisfied, something she hadn't been in a long time.

John was in the middle of negotiating a deal that was monopolizing his time and energy. It gave her space to consider Nick and what happened between them. It was the one night stand comment that burned a hole in her. Surely Nick wanted more that a single fuck in a fancy hotel room. Yet he hadn't tried to reach out to her. It left her wondering what to do next.

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John's negotiations were going well. He was just putting a few finishing touches on a contract to be signed when his telephone rang.

"Mr. Smith?"

"Yes, speaking."

"I run the gym here on Main St. Do you a fellow by the name of Nick Taylor."

"Yes, he's a business associate."

"I don't know how to say this sir, but I think your wife might be involved with him."

"Involved, what do you mean?"

"Sir, I am going to text you a video from our security camera. I'm not looking for anything Mr. Smith. I just don't like to see things like this going on in my facility."

"Send it to me and I'll have a look."

The text arrived with the video attached. He was in shock as he watched the recording of Nick massaging his wife's crotch and then they kissed. They got off the apparatus and left right away. John didn't need to see what happened next, he could figure that out for himself.

Coming home that evening he was angry, disappointed and frustrated. He wanted answers but he was also afraid that if he blew up it would only make matters worse. He needed to be calm.

Nora greeted him with a kiss at the door. She looked so happy.

"How was your day John?"

"We got a lot done. It will be over by the end of the week."

"You've worked so hard on this. Can we go away for the weekend? Actually it would be great if you could get some time off, we could take a cruise or go to a resort."

This was new, she rarely asked about vacations or weekends away.

"We've been so distant lately. I know you're building a career but we need to have fun too."

"Your sudden interest in vacations wouldn't have anything to do with Nick would it?"

She froze. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.

"Have a look at your messaging app, I sent you something."

She opened her phone and pressed play. The moment she saw herself lying on the bench with Nick's hand on her pussy she knew this was trouble.

She took in a huge lungful of air.

"John, I'm sorry. He invited me to go for a workout. He was loosening up my tight hamstring and his hands... well..."

"His hands just rubbed your pussy till your tights were soaked through. That kiss was not a kiss between friends that was a lovers kiss. You both left right away. I am guessing the rest but it's not a stretch to imagine a darkened hotel room. Fuck, Nora, what were you thinking!"

"I wasn't thinking! I've been so lonely and horny and you've been so busy."

"Don't you dare blame me. I will have more solid evidence after I see the security video from the Empire Hotel. Damn it, Nora, Nick is the biggest pussy hound in the city. Why do you think his wife divorced him?!"

"John, please."

"If you had sex with him, then for your own sake get tested and take the fucking medicine. He gave his wife an STI."

Nora was at a loss for words she just sat there shocked and teary.

"And for your more immediate future get yourself a good divorce lawyer because you're going to need one."

Nora was sick with worry and fear. She made an appointment to get a blood test. She had indeed contracted three different STI strains. Two medications would get rid of two of them. One was herpes which lives on in the body and flares up on occasion.

She couldn't believe she had been so stupid, so gullible, so needy for sex that she would degrade herself like that.

John was having none of it. Yes she did a stupid thing but it broke the promise between them.

"You could have brought your concerns about our relationship to me for discussion. I thought bringing you to the company functions was fun for you. I treated them like a date night. We made love after every one of them for nineteen years. Why did you betray me when we could have worked this out?"

"I don't know. Any reason I give would be a cliche."

"He seduced you, I should have fucking known he would try. I wasn't worried about it because he is so much younger than you. He's damn near half your age for god sake!"

"Please John, forgive me for being so stupid. I love you and I don't want to lose you. Let's go away together."

"No, the time to work on our marriage was before you spread your legs for Nick. It's too late now. You can stay here until we can work out a separation agreement, I'm going to a hotel tonight and I'll find an apartment. This isn't negotiable, we will divorce. I'll be fair but this is a necessity. Goodbye."

He quickly packed a bag and left the house.

Nora was beside herself with grief. Why couldn't he understand that she made a mistake. We all fuck up occasionally. But then she realized that the mistake she made was not Nick as much as her not trying to address the issues in their marriage in the first place.

Therapy was a godsend for her. She had been going to a therapist for a few years. Her therapist asked what she wanted to do and why?

"I want to reconcile. I don't want a divorce. I want to go back to my old life."

"But you were unhappy with your old life."

"It was dull and boring, John paid little attention to me but he was still my husband."

"Have you thought about reparations, restitution?"

"What do you mean, restitution in the legal sense?

"No, I mean what can you do to repair the damage to your family?"

"I don't know. I could promise never to do anything like that again. I could agree to babysit for my children when they give me grandchildren. I could attend all of my husbands events and make sure we get quality relaxation time together."

"What would be your reason for doing these things?"

"To get back to having my life again."

"You see, Nora, you would be doing these things for the wrong reason. You would be doing them for yourself and your benefit. Reparations, restitution would be to right the wrongs done to the family, not for your own goals."

"Okay, I think I see."

"I know this requires a different mindset and you can't adopt it immediately. It will take time for you to fully understand. Think on it. Think of how you can make up for the damage, think about how you can pay it forward."

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Nora broke down in tears when she was served the divorce papers. It spelled out in black and white how their marriage would end. John was very fair, he proposed a 50/50 split, he would sell the house and would split the proceeds of the sale. He would give her a reasonable amount of alimony. It was a no muss or fuss divorce.

Ever since meeting with her therapist she had been considering the pay it forward idea. She liked it. It made sense, she had hurt the family and she wanted to make good on that.

She took a week before talking to her lawyer about a response to John's settlement proposal. When she did she asked the lawyer to set up a meeting with John and his lawyer. That occurred the week following.

The meeting took place in John's lawyer's office. John came in wearing a beautifully tailored blue suit, he looked good and healthy but sad.

His lawyer began.

"You asked for this meeting, so how can we help you?"

"My client has approached me with an alternative proposal."

"Stop right there, my client won't accept any changes. If there is any challenge to the 50/50 split he will ask for a higher split. My client is being civil because he wants this over quickly and painlessly."

"For the record, I have advised, Nora not to make this proposal but she insists on it so I will let her explain."

Nora took a deep breath and sat back in her chair.

"As you know I don't want this divorce, but I know John does. I have harmed my family by my actions. It is a burden that I will bear for the rest of my life. My proposal would see an asset split of 25% for myself and 75% for John. I caused this breakup so taking half of our assets is unfair to John who has done nothing wrong. If John insists on taking only half then I would ask that 25% would go into a trust fund for our son and daughter.

The other change is that I will relinquish any claim on our residence. John and the children need a home base and they are comfortable there. I will find a suitable place to live. Selling the house and splitting the proceeds would be disruptive and the kids need that money for their education."

No one spoke for a very long time.

John was the first to break the silence.

"You want less? That's ridiculous!"

"John, please, just accept this and move on. If fighting to save our marriage won't work then I'll accept your decision but I need to help make things right for you and the kids. Let me do this."

"Nora, you don't have a job, how will you live?"

"Let me worry about that. I will be out of your hair and you can keep the house. I would like to be allowed to see the children frequently."

"Nora, I'm afraid that this is too high a cost for you to pay."

"Think of it as a reparation, restitution, payment for damage done. I am not finished paying for what I did. It is my intention to volunteer to help with marriage preparation courses. I want to do whatever I can to help young people understand the heavy cost you pay when you disregard your vows."

John's lawyer piped in.

"Thank you for meeting with us today. My client and I will consider your proposal."

"Just before you leave Nora, I still don't understand why you are doing this, is it some masochistic urge to inflict pain on yourself?"

"It has nothing to do with my desires or wishes. It is only about getting my family the best chance at successfully getting over the crisis I caused."

On that note, Nora and her lawyer left.

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John heaved a heavy sigh.

"What the fuck was that!"

"I don't know, John but it is in your favour to accept it and run."

"I swear the woman has lost her mind. She's alone, no job, no family other than the three of us. How will she live? I don't like this, I don't like it at all."

"Go home, give it some thought."

He did and the more he thought about it the worse he felt. Was she trying to be a martyr? What possible good could come from her martyrdom?

John had other fish to fry, namely Nick. He had been sitting on the knowledge of what Nick had done. But now that the divorce was moving ahead he wanted to act, to punish Nick.

He did two things, first he cancelled the contract with Nick's company. Then he forwarded the video from the gym and the hotel to Nick's business partners along with an explanation that he had seduced Nora, their client's wife.

Nick's business partners kicked him out of the company. There were clauses in the partnership agreement that gave them legal grounds to end his participation.

John had never really heard the full story from Nora. It was too raw when they separated and they hadn't had the opportunity to speak. He now felt like he needed answers. He missed the kids. They were old enough to understand that their mother had done something wrong. He wanted to talk to her as well. He called her mobile.

"Nora?"

"John, hi."

"I was wondering if I could come over and visit with the kids tonight. I've been missing them."

"I'd like that, what time?"

"I'll be there by 7pm. I'll bring some submarine sandwiches so we can eat and visit."

"Great, see you then."

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The visit with the children was hard, they wanted him to stay but he explained that he couldn't. He and Nora put them to bed and kissed them goodnight. Nora left them with John and went downstairs. When he came downstairs Nora was there with a pot of herbal tea.

"If I have anything other than this I will be up all night. I have not slept well in a long time. Would you like some or will you be going"

"No, we haven't talked very much. I have questions."

Nora sat and poured the tea for them both.

"Are you still in touch with Nick?"

"No, Nick made it perfectly clear that I was a one night stand."

"That's not like you though. I can't imagine you agreeing to a one night stand."

"You're right. I didn't think it was a one night stand."

"How did it happen?"

"How far back to you want to go? Not with Nick specifically. But the root causes. The past year or so has been crazy busy for you and you were either away or home and preoccupied. I know it is a cliche but I was lonely and feeling that my husband was ignoring me and my needs. It is a common excuse and I'm loathe to use it but it's true.

When you introduced me to Nick I was immediately attracted to him. I mean he is a fitness coach and he's built like a brick shit house. Half the women fell in love with him that night and the other half were dyed in the wool lesbians."

He was a smooth talker and when you were working on deals with customers he would be chatting me up. He was a perfect gentleman. But after a few events he began giving hints that he was interested if I was."

I said no but he called later inviting me to go to his gym.

I thought a good workout with a coach would be ideal.

"The video shows what you did together,

"Yes, it was shameful in a public place. Shameful anywhere really."

"That alone was enough to make me divorce you but the security vids of the two of you at the hotel were highly suggestive."

"Fine, are you really feeling up to hearing the details now?"

"I may never be ready. I've seen him in the locker room so I know the details would only make me feel worse. I'll just assume it was the best sexual experience you've ever had."

"It was not worth the cost of losing you or my family. Nothing is worth the pain I've caused you and the kids."

"About the settlement, I don't understand why you want less. Do you want to suffer?"

"It isn't about me. If we split 50/50 it will hurt your bottom line, your financial plans. It will effect the children's education funds. Selling the house will create a huge amount of disruption for you guys. I was the one who caused this, not you, not the kids. You shouldn't have to suffer because of me and my idiocy."

"I just don't understand how you will have enough to live on."

"As I told you in the lawyers office, I'll find some work, find a place to live. It is sweet of you to worry about me but don't. I made this mess."

"I should let you know Nick was released from his firm. I should never have trusted that man. I didn't see the risk because of your age difference but obviously he didn't see anything wrong with fucking a woman damn near twice his age."

"Thanks for the reminder of how old and foolish I've become, no matter how accurate your assessment is."

"I will agree to your proposal, Nora, but I'll be doing so with a heavy heart."

"If it grieves you so much then don't divorce me."

"I have to, I'm sorry."

"Me too."

The drive back to the hotel was hard for John. He wanted to turn around, take Nora to bed and make her forget Nick ever existed. But there was code that men lived by and that meant the end of a great love affair that had fizzled out.

The papers got signed and three months later a judge signed off on the agreement and the divorce was finalized.

Nora moved out of the house. She couldn't afford the high rent in the city. Eventually she came across an opportunity to share the rent with a roommate. Unfortunately they were renting a unit in a trailer park outside of town. There were a few trailer parks on the outskirts of the city. This one was the most affordable.

Nora's new roommate earned her living in what was considered to be the world's oldest profession. There was a curtain that separated Nora's sleeping quarters from her roommate's.

The roommate must be doing well because she seemed to service several men a night. She was always loud and she encouraged her customers to fuck her hard. As she explained to Nora, "the sooner they came, the sooner they'd leave."

Nora found a job working as a waitress at a nice restaurant in midtown. She presented herself well and the tips were great. She was asked out on dates at least twice a week but she had kept her wedding rings on. It gave her an excuse to say no to her suitors and it reminded her of her sins against John.

Nora's roommate asked why she didn't have a man? She asked if she was into women because if she was, her roommate would be willing to help her.

Nora was able to afford her own trailer eventually since she saved most of her money.

She kept her promise to work with marriage preparation courses. She saw this as her pay it forward attempt. She found that it not only helped the young people see the damage that could be done but it also helped her deal with her own guilt and frustration. Participants comments at the end of the course nearly always said that her segment was the most powerful.

Word had spread about the course and the numbers grew. A woman's advocacy group asked her to speak at a convention. It was a huge challenge to speak in front of so many people but in the end she got a standing ovation. She became a frequent guest speaker at a variety of events. She quit the waitress job and began speaking full time.

Nora spoke to the kids often and saw them every week. They grew up and as they matured they learned more about the causes of their parents divorce. Sometimes they felt sorry for both mother and father.

When it was time to go to university the two children agreed to attend the same school. They were both studying psychology and both doing well.

Nora was booked to speak at the kid's university. she sent them both a note saying she wanted to see them while she was there. The kids were thrilled.

She began her talk the way she always did.

"I'm not a psychologist, or a teacher. My degree was earned by taking what we used to call bird courses. The dead easy ones that got you a credit."

There was a chuckle that went through the assembly.

"I am simply a woman who in common parlance "fucked around and found out."

"I was married to a good man, a great man and amazing provider and father. His business life took a lot of his time and energy and as his wife I felt cheated.

I became a narcissist, it was all about me, and mostly what I wasn't getting."

She told her story to a strangely silent and attentive audience. It was something she experienced at nearly every lecture she gave.

She closed with her decision to make restitution, reparations to her family, to make up something of what she had squandered, what she had taken away from them. Even with all she did, after all this time and energy, it was impossible to make full restitution. Things were lost that could never be replaced.

She also emphasized that all she hoped to accomplish in these lectures was to make a difference in someone's life.

"If any single one of you is in the position where you are contemplating cheating on a boy or girlfriend, a husband or wife, and you remember what I've just told you. If that memory stops you from making a decision that will ruin your lives and the lives of those who you love, then my paying it forward to you will have been worth it.

Over the years I've been giving these talks I have heard from so many people who said that I made that difference in their lives. For that and for your kind attention to me, thank you."

There was a moment of silence as she stood with her head lowered at the lectern. The room gave her a standing ovation as she turned and walked out of the lecture hall.

She was drinking a glass of water when she heard someone behind her.

"Mom!"

The two kids rushed her and gave her a hug. They both had tears in their eyes.

"That was the most powerful thing I've ever heard. I love you Mom!"

Behind the children stood John. He smiled at her, she hadn't seen that smile in a very long time. He rushed to her and pulled her into an embrace.

"Nora, that was magnificent, I'm so proud of you!"

"I expected the kids here tonight but not you!"

"I couldn't help it. They were so excited to be here for you and I wanted to see what all the hubbub was about. You are an amazing speaker. Can I take you all out for dinner?"

It was the first time in years that the four of them sat and ate a meal together.

"Mom, I can't believe you've touched so many lives. How many marriages have your talks saved? I'm so proud of you."

"Unfortunately the marriage I couldn't save was my own."

"But you turned the darkest time of your life into light for so many couples."

"I have to agree, Nora. Our divorce was painful but like a phoenix you rose from the ashes."

After the meal the kids decided to go back to the campus by bus, leaving their parents in the restaurant alone.

"For the first time in a very long time I don't feel uneasy around you, Nora. I was worried that you might paint me as the villain in your talks but you treated me with respect."

"How is your career progressing, John?"

"I've reached the end of my career. I'll never reach that next rung on the ladder. Frankly, I don't care. All my corporate ladder climbing was a waste of energy. As a simple salesperson on commission in the organization I would be making as much as I am now. Sure I've got the title and some perks, but it cost me my marriage to to woman I love."

"So you're ready to retire?"

"Yes, I've been waiting for the perfect opportunity."

"What will you do, where will you go with your girlfriend?"

"When was the last time I had a girlfriend?"

"The kids said..."

"The kids saw me date one woman twice and they jumped to a conclusion. Since the kids have left the nest I've considered selling the house and finding an apartment. The house is just too lonely."

"If you get too lonely you could give me a call."

"You mean we could actually be back on regular speaking terms?"

"John, you can always talk to me, we can do lunches or day trips. There's no reason we can't be friends."

"My God, I never thought we would be talking about peace between us in my lifetime."

"Miracles happen all the time. Some loves just can't be extinguished."

"Come on let's take a walk."

They walked to the seashore and strolled the boardwalk. He took her hand in his. It felt so natural and intimate. It such a tender moment. They stopped and gazed out at the waves breaking on the shore. He put his arm around her and she did the same to him. He turned to her and kissed her.

"John, what are you doing?"

"I am kissing the mother of my children, the bravest woman I know, the woman I once loved... the woman I'll always love."

"You still love me? After all we went through? After I made the biggest mistake of my life? What does it mean that you love me?"

"It speaks for itself. My career cost me my wife. My career is over. I want my wife back in my life. You said you wanted to make restitution and that restitution could never be complete. I agree. What could I possibly do to repay you for the time that I stole from you to give it to my career? I can never make up for the pain that caused. All I ask is that you allow me to try to try to make restitution to you."

"You don't need to do that."

"Neither did you Nora, but you set the standard. I will be fully retired at the first of the month. I would like to celebrate by taking a vacation. Nora, would you like to come on a trip with me?"

"I can't believe it. Yes, I'd love to take a trip. Where are you thinking?"

"Wherever you want to go."

"I'm confused, are we reconciling?"

"I would like to try. I still love you."

"If you love me you'll book a room at that hotel." She pointed at the Boardwalk Hotel, "and you'll take me to that room and ravish me. Reclaim me as your wife because I still love you too."

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The years without each other disappeared into the ether and their bodies became more be flesh again. The bonding was as much spiritual as it was physical.

John had always been a tender lover but that night he wanted Nora so badly that he fucked her hard. It was as if he couldn't get his cock deep enough into her. Even buried to the hilt inside her he pressed harder. The pressure caused Nora to orgasm over and over, each wave stronger than the last. Nora was once intimately aware of what John's cock felt like, but that night it seemed double it's size. When he finally released his semen inside her she came again, milking every drop from him she could.

They lay together, catching their breath. Nora started to giggle which made John laugh. Anyone watching would have thought them mad. It was the release of tensions that had been toxic for both of them. After the laughter they kissed and held each other until John grew hard again. Nora climbed on top and impaled herself on his cock. She was fucking him as hard as he had fucked her earlier but he lasted longer, much longer and Nora tired after three more orgasms.

"Are we back together now? Oh God I pray you say yes, John. Please say yes."

"Nora, yes, I love you. Of course we are back together."

Hawaii was like a second honeymoon for them. The kids were thrilled that their parents were together again.

Nora began a new lecture series on the subject of perseverance and never giving up hope, letting restitution work its magic and paying it forward.

-30-