My Best Friend

Author's note: No one in the story was under the age of 18 at the time of sexual activity. What is even more amazing, no one under the age of 18 ever thought of sex. Literotica is a weird place!

To those who love a second time.

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My life has been blessed by two great loves.

Jim was my best friend, starting in kindergarten. His parents moved in next door the summer both of us turned six, so we started school together.

We were in the same class all through grade school, and had most of our classes together, even through high school.

I'm not sure how we managed to remain friends all those years, even when boys and girls didn't much like each other. We were an odd pair, I guess. Totally loyal to each other.

We sat next to each other in our shared classes in high school, even when I was dating someone. Everyone seemed to get that we were best friends.

Jim and I shared secrets, like how sad he was when his little brother got leukemia and died. Jim put on a brave face and then came over to see me and cried.

Jim played basketball and played on the varsity team in high school. He started all three years, and I was a cheerleader, so I got to see most of his games.

Through all of that, we never dated.

After graduation, Jim left to go to college over a thousand miles away, and I stayed at home to attend the state university in our city, but I was lonely. I missed Jim. We talked at least once a week, usually two or three times.

I remember asking myself whether I had romantic feelings for Jim, but I was afraid to pursue it or even talk about it. I couldn't bear the thought of losing that friendship.

I told him about my crush on a guy who didn't seem to know I existed. Jim told me about a Latina from Florida he dated a couple of times, but she broke things off.

In October I met a cute guy in one of my classes and we started dating. The first week of December he proposed to me. I called Jim before I called my parents.

Mark and I got married in June, and Jim was there to wish us both the best.

Mark worked three nights a week as a security guard at some warehouse. There were two of them on every shift, so I wasn't worried. I should have been.

One night, Mark got home from classes, and I had fixed a special dinner. I was still in school, but that was a day when I only had two morning classes. I had something to tell him. He was going to be a father!

Mark and I hugged and kissed, so happy to be starting our family. Two hours later, I kissed him goodbye for the last time.

At about three in the morning, our doorbell rang. I was immediately filled with fear, because usually only bad news is delivered at that hour.

I shouted through the door. "Hello? Who are you?"

"Mrs. Wilkerson, I'm Officer Owens of the Police Department. May I speak with you for a minute?"

I opened the door. He had a kind face, but there were tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry to have to wake you at this hour, but I need to tell you your husband was shot and killed tonight."

The next few minutes were a blur. I remember the officer helping me to sit on our sofa while he closed the door. He sat on a chair, facing me.

"Do your parents live nearby? Would you like me to call them for you?"

I nodded my head and through my sobs I managed to give him the number. He called them, gave them the sad news and asked whether they could come over to be with me. He assured them he would not leave until they got there.

Soon I was sobbing in my parents' arms. That was a miserable day, made worse because I had not had a chance to tell them I was pregnant. What should have been joyous was bittersweet.

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A detective came over later and introduced himself and told me Mark's body had been released to the morgue.

"We don't need you to identify him. That was done by the other guard. They apparently took turns walking through the warehouse. He heard the shots and found Mark.

"I'm supposed to let you know you can see him if you want, but if you were my daughter, I would plead with you not to."

"Why do you feel that way?"

"Mark was shot three times, and I don't think you want to remember him the way he looks now."

Two days later, the day before the funeral, the detective called to tell me they had arrested two suspects and found in their apartment some of the items stolen that night, as well as the murder weapon.

The next day was the funeral. We had a family gathering in a private room before the funeral started. Jim's parents were there as well, and then Jim walked in. When our eyes met, they were full of tears.

I ran to Jim, and he wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight.

"Oh Heather, I'm so sorry about Mark. I had to come and see how you were."

"I wish I could say I'm ok, but every time I think I'm done crying, I start again."

"That's ok. I'm here because we've been friends all our lives. Well, almost all. You'd be here for me, too."

"That's true. I didn't ask, but I knew you'd be here."

I asked Jim to ride with me in the limousine to the cemetery. It was an odd time, but I needed to tell him.

"The night before Mark died, I told him he was going to be a father. I'm pregnant."

"That's wonderful! Congratulations. Imagine that! My best friend is going to have a baby."

"I was excited. Now I'm not so sure. It lost some meaning when Matt died."

"When do you find out the gender?"

"I have an appointment in 5 weeks."

"Will you stream it so I can watch?"

"Sure, that'll be fun."

I realized I had smiled.

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That evening, after a big dinner with my aunts, uncles and cousins, Jim and I sat alone on our deck.

"When do you leave to go back to school?"

"Day after tomorrow."

"Do you have time to spend with me tomorrow?"

"As much as you want."

It was mid-October, and the weather was still nice. I called Jim and asked whether we could go to the park. I wanted to get away from the gloom at my parents' house, and I wasn't about to go back to my apartment.

Jim jogged over when he saw me get in my car.

When we got to the park, we walked for a while and finally sat under a tree.

"How are you feeling today?"

"I'm doing ok."

"This week will be harder for you. People go home. I'm leaving. Are you going to move back in with your mom and dad?"

"Yeah. I don't want to be alone and can't afford the apartment now anyway. I withdrew from school, and a counselor there was wonderful. Jim, can I ask you something?"

"You know you can."

"You looked sad at my wedding. Was it because we would never be that close again."

"I was happy for you, but yes, I knew things were changing."

"Was there another reason? Be honest with me."

Jim didn't answer right away, but there were tears in his eyes.

"Please. It's important."

He started slowly.

"Remember the first time we met, the day we moved in?"

"I helped carry boxes. Then we became best friends. When did your feelings change?"

"You knew?"

"Suspected. At the wedding."

"When I went away to school. I missed you terribly and realized I loved you. I thought of calling you to tell you how I felt, but I decided to wait until I saw you again."

"Then I called, all excited, to tell you I was getting married. You must have been crushed by that news."

"I had waited too long."

"I saw it in your face. How long now until finals?"

"About eight weeks."

"And when do you fly back after Christmas?"

"January 3rd."

"I'm going to miss you. Let's talk often and text."

"I'm worried about you for the next few weeks. You're going to be lonely."

"That's one of the reasons I need to move home. That and the pregnancy. ... Jim, here's where I think we are. You have romantic feelings for me. I began to realize I felt that for you just before I met Mark.

"It's way too early for me to make any decisions, but if you were to ask me out for our first real date while you're home for Christmas, I'd love that."

"Consider it a thing, and let's talk a lot until then. Promise me if you're having trouble sleeping you'll call me, ok?"

"Promise."

We talked a lot.

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Jim was back at school, and he was on my mind. I was happy every time he called.

"Hi, Heather. I was thinking about the day we almost flipped over your swing set."

I was laughing. "We were trying to set a world record for jumping out of a swing. You had a massive jump, and I was determined to beat it."

"How old were we? 7? 8?"

"About that. My dad bought me a new swing set. I asked you to push me higher than ever, and then everything felt weird."

"I pushed and then moved to the side by the legs. The back legs came off the ground, so I grabbed that crossbar and hung on."

"I think that was when we quit trying to set records."

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I called Jim a couple of days later, because I was thinking of a time he was sad.

"I was thinking about how you comforted me when Mark died. How old were you when Danny died?"

"You and I were both 10, but almost 11. Danny died in April."

"I think his funeral was the first one I ever went to. I remember watching you, and you were sitting by your mother. She was sobbing and you were trying to be so comforting for her. You weren't crying but later that day after the funeral you called and asked if you could come over. We sat in the basement in our family room, and you put your head on my shoulder and sobbed."

"I remember you held me like that, and you were crying, too."

"Watching you sob made me sad. I never saw you cry like that again."

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I had given Jim the date and time of my sonogram, so he cut a class to be in on the video call. I was holding the phone so he could watch everything.

"Cute little baby bump, Heather."

I was excited to see the image of my baby on the screen. The technician announced I was having a daughter. I was crying, but so was Jim.

I wondered whether he was thinking what I was.

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A few days later, he called me.

"I was thinking about my most embarrassing moment."

"Was it when we were 16?"

"Yeah. You called me at 3 am. For some reason you were alone at home."

"My parents were out of town for a wedding. I woke up and my period had started, but I was out of tampons."

"I wrote Mom a note in case she heard me leave. I remember you read the label to me and I wrote it down. The only saving grace was there was no other customer in the store."

"You were my hero that night. I didn't know anyone else who would do that for me."

"Or was crazy enough."

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"Hey Heather, I thought of a great question for both of us to answer, but I'm not going to ask the question. Instead, I'm going to tell you my answer. The question will be obvious.

"This is background. How many times would you say we've used my swimming pool together? 100 times?"

"At least that many. The first three or four summers we probably were in it 30 days each summer. The total could easily be 150."

"Ok, in all those times, there is one that stands out in my memory. One I will never forget. We had both just turned 18.

"I called you and we decided to hit the pool. I was in the water, and you came through the gate wearing your normal coverup. When you took that off, my mouth dropped open. It was that red bikini you bought. It was the moment I realized my dear childhood friend was incredibly sexy. Your boobs were amazing, and I was hard."

I was laughing. "I bought that suit to get your attention. I guess it worked. The moment I saw you differently was the cause of me buying that suit. We were in the pool the week before, and you got out to get us some sodas to drink. As you came back I saw how ripped your body had become. I was wet from looking at you."

"We both had the hots for each other that summer. Why did neither of us act on it? Were we afraid of losing our long friendship?"

"I think that was it. I was afraid of losing my best friend ever."

"Heather, are you still afraid?"

I paused to think about it.

"I am, but I also know how wonderful it might turn out if we do fall in love. It's worth it to me to find out."

"I agree. Scared but hopeful."

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"Hi Jim! You're down to two weeks until finals are over. When is your flight, and can I be the one to meet you?"

"Let's see. I get in at 2:45 pm on the 20th, and I'd love it if you came to meet me. I'll tell my parents you'll do that. Will you go out with me the next night? I was thinking about a dressy restaurant for dinner. Would you like that? Do you have something you can wear?"

"I have a classic little black dress, if you're wearing a suit, but how can you afford this?"

"I have a sponsor."

"What does that mean?"

"Dad called me and suggested I ask you out. When I said I didn't have any money, he said he was giving me a hundred dollars for our first date."

"I'm excited to go out with you, and this is probably the last time I can wear my sexy dress. A month more and I'll have a larger baby bump."

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I was excited as I waited at the airport. This time, Jim coming home was different. We both sensed it.

Although it had only been about 9 weeks since that awful night when Mark died, I knew I had to look forward, especially with a baby coming in June.

It seemed forever before Jim came out from the secure area. I ran to him, and he hugged me. I looked into his eyes, so happy to be with him again.

I wanted to kiss, but not there. Not in the airport for our first kiss. I put my head on his chest.

"I'm so happy you're home."

"I've looked forward to this moment for eight weeks."

We talked all the way home, talked like the two old friends we were, but there was something new as well. We had started opening our hearts to each other in a new way. We often spoke in a kind of code we had developed in those eight weeks, with phrases like, "in the future," or "after the baby is born."

When we got home, I parked in his driveway and helped him carry things into the house. His parents, Ryan and Holly were waiting for us and hugged us both. I had gone next door a few times when Jim's mother invited me for lunch. I appreciated getting to know her as an adult now. She insisted I call her Holly, instead of Mrs. Thomas.

"Heather, will you join us for dinner? I'm making lasagna. Jim's favorite."

I agreed to come back for dinner and smiled because I knew Jim's favorite was steaks his father grilled.

I moved my car and Jim walked across to meet me and see my parents.

"It's too bad our pool is covered for the winter."

"I know, but I have a surprise to show you. Let's go through the side gate."

There, on a new extension of our deck, was a hot tub with a gazebo over it. Jim was smiling.

"That's going to be fun, isn't it?"

I put my arm around him. "It is."

I wasn't certain what he envisioned, but I imagined myself in his arms.

"Thank you for asking me out. Isn't it funny? We've known each other for about 14 years and tomorrow will be our first date. I'm nervous."

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Jim insisted on driving from his house to mine the next evening to ring the doorbell. I was so excited, I had been ready for half an hour.

Mom was teasing me. "I've never seen you this excited about a first date. It's not as though you just met him."

"No, but I feel like I've spent fourteen years falling in love with Jim."

"Does he love you?"

"He hasn't told me, but he does. I think he's worried about it being too soon."

"That's an appropriate concern, and for marriage it is too soon, but I doubt it's too soon for love. Especially after fourteen years."

When the doorbell rang, Mom told me to let her answer it. She opened the door and there was the most handsome man standing there. My date tonight.

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I suppose we were both surprised to feel awkward as we drove to the restaurant. Apprehensive. I'd never felt that with Jim.

Of course, I had never looked so hot around him. Short dress, low cut. I caught him looking, and that made me happy.

Jim was very handsome that night. I was thrilled to be dating my best friend.

Once we got to the restaurant, Jim opened the car door for me and then held my hand. We relaxed and had a great time.

"I've been so nervous about tonight. Have you?"

"I thought I was alone in feeling that."

"I guess we both know we're standing on the edge of something new."

"You're gorgeous tonight."

"Thank you. I wanted to look nice for you."

"Nice? You're sexy as hell."

"There's something I want to ask. You know my due date is June 10th, so you'll be back from school. I'd like you to be with me in the delivery room and hold my hand. Can you do that?"

"I'd love that. I need to tell you something. I've decided to transfer to the university here starting next Fall."

"Why."

"To be close to you. Picking up where we left things in October, I love you."

I wiped away tears and reached for his hand.

"I've had so much fun talking with you since then, and it's helped me realize how in love I am as well."

"Are you going back in the Fall?"

"I'd like to, but there will be a lot to figure out first, like how to care for my daughter."

"Have you thought of a name yet?"

"Not yet. I was hoping you would help me."

"Why me?"

"I want to ask you another question, but I know I'm pushing the edge. If you don't want to answer, I'll understand. Where do you hope this first date leads? I don't mean where it leads tonight, but long-term."

"I hope this doesn't frighten you, but if I'm honest with myself, I hope this leads to us marrying. Is that why you want my help in naming her?"

I nodded. "If we marry, I hope you would have helped name your adopted daughter."

Now Jim was wiping away tears. "This is sure unlike any other first date I've had."

"Jim, you're unlike anyone I've ever dated."

"Here we are, talking about marriage, and we've never even kissed."

"I think that's something you can cure."

"What names are you considering?"

"Well, here are several possibilities: Amber, Savannah, Isabel, and Sophie."

"Those are all good names, but I like Sophie the best."

"Then so do I."

"Heather, if it weren't for two things, I would have been on my knee proposing to you tonight. It hasn't even been three months since Mark was killed, and I don't want to do anything to disrespect him. Nor should you."

"I know, plus his parents have been so good to me. I don't want to hurt them."

"The other issue is Sophie. I'm not comfortable with his parents knowing I had anything to do with picking her name. Her birth closes the book on your marriage, and it involves her parents."

"Are you also worried about me? I mean, I can see how people might worry I'm scared about being a single mother, so I'm grabbing hold of you. Do you feel that way?"

"Not at all, but I know our history. Not everyone does or would understand fully."

"You mean we can't move forward until Sophie is born?"

"I know that thought frustrates you, because I find it frustrating, but there's something I want to do tomorrow that I hope will help you see how serious I am about marrying you.

"Will you go with me to pick out an engagement ring? It's too soon for me to propose, but I want to have a ring you love when that time comes."

My eyes filled with tears. "I'd love doing that with you, but you aren't going to propose yet, so I can't wear it?"

"I don't want you seen wearing a ring before you and I meet Mark's parents, and we explain our desire to marry, but to also honor Mark's memory and their rightful role as Sophie's grandparents."

"When do you want to do this?"

"My spring break. Third week of March. I'll fly home to see you and we can go see

them."

As we walked to the car, Jim stopped by my door, took me in his arms, and kissed me! I held him tightly and we kissed again, a long hot kiss.

"That was worth waiting fourteen years for!"

Jim was laughing. "It's probably a good thing I didn't know how wonderful kissing you would be, but let's get in the car and out of the cold."

Jim drove home one handed, because I wouldn't let go of his right hand.

When he walked me to the door, we kissed again.

That night I was happier than I had been in nine weeks.

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The next day, Jim took me to buy an engagement ring. As we drove, I wanted to discuss money with him.

"I was surprised to learn that Mark had $50,000 group life insurance through his job and had purchased $50,000 more. Two weeks ago, I received the check."

"Good for Mark to take care of you that way."

"It was, but I'm telling you this for a reason. I love that we're going to pick out an engagement ring. I'm thrilled, but I'm going to insist on the smallest diamond possible unless you allow me to pay half."

"That's supposed to be my responsibility."

"I knew you would fight me on this. You are so stubborn, but so am I. You don't have money right now, but I do. I don't want you to go into debt, because our goal has to be to get you through school."

"Our goal?"

"Come on, Jim! We both know we want to get married. Your future is my future. Allow me to pay half, or there's no ring."

Jim started laughing. "One of the things I love most about you is how stubborn you can be. Your point is good. We're going to be in this together. I want you to have a ring you love, so we'll do it your way."

"Thank you."

I found a half-carat ring I loved, made of white gold. My eyes were full of tears when I tried it on.

"I love this one, Jim. Will you buy this for me? "

There were tears in his eyes, too. I hugged him and whispered in his ear.

"I love you. I can hardly wait to wear that ring and marry you."

"Just remember, we're not engaged yet. You may have twisted my arm on the money, but you are not going to propose as well."

He smiled and kissed me.

On Christmas Day, Jim came over and gave me a present. It was a necklace with a heart pendant.

"Will you wear this every day until I propose to you?"

"Can I wear it forever instead?"

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Jim was soon at school again, and I missed him even more than before. We still talked almost daily and laughed a lot about our shared experiences over the years.

One thing was different from before Christmas. Jim told me he loved me at the end of every call. I spoke of my love for him as well.

On Valentine's Day, I woke up wishing Jim was at home, so I could go next door and kiss him and tell him I love him. I missed him.

That afternoon our doorbell rang. I was the only person at home, so I ran to the door. It was a florist's delivery. Two dozen red roses---for me! I had to call him.

"Oh, Jim, thank you so much for the roses. I was feeling sorry for myself, alone on Valentine's Day, but you were thinking of me. I love you."

"I'll be there next month. Will you meet me at the airport again?"

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Jim arrived on a Saturday and would be flying back the following weekend. We were going to see Nelson and Judith the next evening.

Our visit was one of the sweetest experiences of my life. I told them how long Jim and I had been friends, and that he had been at the wedding for Mark and me.

Jim took over and told them we were in love and wanted to marry but wanted to be respectful of their rights as grandparents.

"I would propose to Heather now, but for lack of a better metaphor, the book isn't closed on her marriage to Mark. They're having a baby. This baby ... Heather, do you want to tell them what name you're considering?

"Sophie. That's the name I like."

"I love that name," said Judith.

"Sophie will have three sets of grandparents. You will always have an honored place in our family."

"Thank you, Jim," said Nelson. "I know I speak for Judith in saying how grateful we are for what you've said. You go ahead and propose to Heather whenever you wish. We want a wonderful future for her.

"However, I do have another question, and maybe I should just say how I feel about it. There's a part of me that wants Sophie to grow up with Mark's last name, but I don't want her to be the only person in your little family who is not named Hansen. I hope you'll want to adopt Sophie."

"Thanks, Nelson. I had the same concern and would like to adopt Sophie as well, but I'll want the judge to affirm that the adoption does not change your relationship with her."

We left their home, and I was crying.

"What's wrong, dear?"

"I saw tonight just how wonderful you are, and why I love you. Nelson and Judith love you already."

"I'm envious of Sophie for having six grandparents. ... Will you go to dinner with me Tuesday night?"

"Do you want me to dress up?"

"Do you fit in anything you could wear?"

"Nothing dressy. Is casual ok for dinner?"

"Perfect."

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We spent much of Monday together. The area was experiencing a warm spell with delightful temps and all the flowering trees started to bud, so we went for a walk in the park.

We walked, holding hands, until we found a tree to sit under. Jim had his arm around me as we talked.

"I'm so happy you're here this week. I know we talk almost every day, but this is so much better."

"Can you use the hot tub while pregnant?"

"Two requirements. Under a hundred degrees and you beside me with your arm holding me close."

"Before we go, there's something else I need to do?"

Jim knelt in front of me, and I started crying. I couldn't help it.

"I no longer remember a time when you weren't my best friend, but I never want our friendship to end. At first I was afraid of losing our friendship if we acknowledged our romantic feelings. Now I see our friendship as the perfect foundation for a great marriage.

"Heather, will you marry me and be my best friend for life?"

He held out the ring.

I couldn't speak. I was wiping away tears but held out my hand as he slipped the ring on my finger.

I stood and Jim hugged me as I melted into his embrace.

"I'm so happy! Let's go sit in the hot tub and talk."

"I'd love to, but if we don't tell your parents we're engaged, you'll be in deep trouble."

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We sat together for the first time in our hot tub, and Jim had his arm around me. My head was on his chest and my arm was across his body.

I was happy---happier than I ever remembered. Even when I fell in love with Mark, in the back of my mind I was thinking about the impact on Jim. No such worries now.

"I love you, Jim. This feels so right, I mean marrying you."

"Nelson and Judith encouraged us to marry when we thought it would be best for us. What do you think?"

"I'd like to get married early in May. That way we can have at least a little of a wedding night together and there will be no problem with you being in the delivery room with me. Plus, it will mean more for you to be there when Sophie is born."

"I guess either way we would honeymoon in the second half of July at the earliest."

"Yeah, I hear there's no sex for four weeks. Not a good time for our honeymoon. If we marry in early May, we can still have sex, although carefully. Let's tell our parents and get the planning going. You get to miss out on that while you're at school. Lucky man."

Jim left a few days later. I took him to the airport and cried when he left, but there was a lot of joy in my heart as well. He would be back in five weeks, and we would not be apart again.

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I was so busy with the planning for the wedding that five weeks rushed by. Jim and I talked on the phone every night, only now it was different. I felt peace in my heart. On the last day of April, I was back at the airport to hug Jim and kiss him on his return.

I was noticeably larger now, with my due date only about five weeks away. Jim said I was beautiful and joked about a shotgun wedding. It was going to look like that.

We were going to live with Jim's parents for the summer, at least. Their house had the master bedroom on the ground floor, with three bedrooms upstairs. We had begun setting up a room for Sophie as well, but until the wedding I would stay with my parents.

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It had been a challenge to find a wedding dress for a bride in her final trimester, but we found something that worked, and Mom said I was a beautiful bride. I was to the point in the pregnancy that I didn't feel beautiful.

That morning, Jim came over and brought me roses. We walked in the back yard and kissed.

"We haven't talked about this much, but tonight we'll make love for the first time. I can hardly wait to hold you in my arms, but please help me know what's comfortable."

"I'm so nervous. I don't feel beautiful at all, and I don't want to disappoint you."

"Hey, none of that. I've known you all these years and I already know how beautiful you are. According to what I've read, you might handle either cowgirl or side by side the easiest. What do you think?"

"I'm craving what I shouldn't have: missionary and doggy. I want to try cowgirl."

"A little over a month from now, I'll take you doggy style and dominate you."

"Oh, baby, you're making me so hot for you!"

We laughed together as we walked. Soon, Mom and I would leave for the church, where a hairdresser and a makeup artist would try to work miracles.

A few hours later, Dad and I stood just outside the back of the chapel. I peeked through the door and saw Jim, looking so handsome in his tux. I was so nervous!

The organist started playing the processional music, so Dad and I entered and slowly walked up the aisle to Jim.

A few minutes later, James Ryan Hansen and Heather Wilkerson were declared husband and wife. I thought I would be crying, but I was filled with joy as we kissed.

The reception was an ordeal, but everyone understood why I was not standing. Jim said he was jealous of my pregnancy.

There were about 250 people there, which surprised me, and all of them wanted to come through to hug us and talk for a couple of minutes. Many mentioned how many years Jim and I had been friends.

We were thrilled to see Nelson and Judith, Mark's parents, who hugged us both and told me I looked beautiful.

After dinner, we were finally free to change into our travel clothes and make our escape. As we drove to the hotel, we were obviously both nervous, but we started laughing about it and mocking ourselves.

I was determined not to let Jim carry me across the threshold, but he picked me up like I was still 115 pounds. I was laughing, but when he lowered me to my feet, we kissed more passionately than ever.

I was out of breath.

"Heather, I think we're going to have fun tonight."

"Give me a few minutes in the bathroom. I bought something special to wear tonight. I'm going to take a quick shower and then join you. I also bought something for you."

I handed him a small present with a red silk pair of boxers.

I showered quickly and got dressed to make love with my best friend, a man who knows me better than anyone else. When I was ready, I turned out the bathroom light and opened the door.

Jim was standing in the subdued light in a hotel robe. I was wearing a sheer black peignoir, over a black bra and thong set, with black stay-up stockings.

I was so aware of my near nakedness in front of Jim, I crossed my arms over my breasts to cover them.

"My dear, I've seen you in that red bikini. Please don't feel embarrassed."

He came to me and hugged me. We kissed and one of his hands was on my ass, pulling me closer and caressing me. The other hand was on a breast.

I pushed the robe off his shoulders and to the floor. My hands were on his chest, but then I reached down inside his boxers to hold him, feeling how intensely hot and hard he was. I knelt at his feet and licked him and took him into my mouth.

I loved hearing Jim groan!

It wasn't long until he pulled me to my feet and pulled the peignoir down past my hips. We kissed, still standing by the bed, and Jim removed my bra. I was so aroused I no longer wanted to cover anything but instead wanted him to devour me in any way he wanted!

Jim helped me into bed and immediately pleasured my breasts and especially my nipples. I was on fire, holding his head to my breast and moaning loudly. I was even more aroused as Jim slowly made his way lower, kissing my body as he moved. He finally settled between my legs, kissing my inner thighs until I wanted to scream.

How did he know that was my biggest turn-on?

He licked all around my thong until I begged him to remove it. I wanted his tongue on me. In me!

Instead, he teased me without mercy, driving me crazy as I moved to attempt to increase his touch on my wet pussy. Finally, he pulled my thong to the side and licked me from end to end. I nearly screamed as the wave of pleasure hit me.

As he licked me, I felt the rising tide of orgasm. Jim must have sensed it, because he paused and inserted a finger in me and rubbed in and out as he licked.

That did it. I shook and my muscles all clenched as I came. My thighs were squeezing his head as he waited for me to relax. When I was back off that pinnacle, I pushed him on his back and mounted him, holding his cock at my entrance as I looked into his eyes.

"Let me control the depth, ok babe?"

Jim nodded. I dropped slowly down his rigid pole, gasping as he stretched me. I collapsed on his chest to wait for a minute while my pussy adjusted to his size.

"Oh Heather, you feel so good on me!"

I began stroking him, forcing his cock in and out of me. I focused on his crown and the first two inches of my pussy. We were soon gasping, both of us clearly near a crest.

Jim shouted and exploded inside me, and that set me off as well. His throbbing inside felt wonderful!

I was flat on his chest, loving the feeling of his size and his mini thrusts as he groaned.

We lay like that until his pulses ended and we breathed normally.

"Well, that was more fun than your swing set."

I started laughing so hard I was wiping away tears. I have always loved Jim's sense of humor.

"Babe, that was wonderful. I didn't want to say anything to put pressure on you, but Mark didn't like going down on me, so I was in orbit when you did."

"You're in for good news then, because I loved being down there and seeing how you were reacting to it."

Jim, will you remove my stockings? I was barely able to put them on, and I'd like to shower together."

We had a fun time in the shower with a lot of laughing, kissing and caressing. When we finished, Jim dried me off and surprised me by picking me up and laying me on the bed, with my feet dangling over the edge toward the ground. He knelt between my legs and put them over his shoulders.

His oral work on me for the next half hour was magnificent and I came twice, powerfully. I was exhausted and had to beg him to let me rest. We slept in each other's arms that night and I was nearly overwhelmed by the happiness that surrounded me.

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The next morning, we made love again, trying it side-by side. Not my favorite position, but Jim felt so good inside me. He was squeezing my nipples as he came. Afterwards, we lay in bed, enjoying being naked together.

Sophie started kicking, so I had Jim put his hand on my belly. When he felt her kick he had the biggest smile.

"That's our daughter. Amazing."

We went down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast and went back to the room to nap together.

"Honey, I know this isn't an exciting honeymoon, but I'm so glad we got married now. Our real honeymoon will be wonderful."

"There's nothing wrong with this. I'm with you. You're my wife, and how many men on their honeymoon get to feel their baby kick?"

We both fell asleep, but I woke up before Jim, so I carefully got under the covers and started sucking on him. He woke up as he started to get hard and huge. That's when I worked him over and stroked him as I tongued the crown and sucked on it. I knew he was close.

"Just cum for me babe."

Within another minute he blew his load. I loved feeling his urgency and my mastery over him. When he finished, I swallowed and snuggled next to him.

"We may not be able to do everything, but I can do that for you. Did you like it?"

"Let's see, do I like chocolate ice cream, Twix bars, and kissing you? That was amazing. It's a good thing we didn't discover sex together when we were younger."

"Oh, I never would have gone back to school. Jim, please be honest with me. Are you at all disappointed with our first night together?"

"Not at all. I loved it. You are the great love of my life and being here with you is a dream I didn't dare think about for a long time. Look, on our honeymoon next month I promise to drill you doggy style and slam you against a wall and make sweet love missionary style while looking into your eyes. Meanwhile, we'll enjoy what we can."

"How about doing me over the arm of a sofa or on the table on our honeymoon?"

"I promise. ... Something else, though. I know these last few weeks will get tough for you. I've studied some YouTube videos about massages, so I brought some massage oil. Would you like a massage?"

"Seriously? You are so wonderful to me. Yes! Where do you want me?"

He put a towel down on the bed and helped me find a comfortable position, with a pillow under my pelvis lifting me off Sophie's domain. I loved the massage oil and how wonderfully he massaged my muscles, especially the erotic feelings I had as his strong hands worked on my butt.

My legs came next, and I was already almost drooling from relaxation.

"I don't want to offend you, babe, but this might be the highlight of our short honeymoon."

"No offense taken. You're tired and ache all over. I can see it."

He finished my legs and feet and had me turn over. Now the massage was less about relaxing muscles than Jim teasing me sexually. He played with my breasts, squeezed my nipples, and then drove me wild by massaging my entire pubic area, including my pussy.

Since he was still naked, I pulled on his cock and put it in my mouth. He was still rubbing my clit, so I had to take a break as an orgasm flooded through me. Then I finished him as well. In my mouth.

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During the next month, Jim was incredibly attentive to me, and I got a massage almost every night. The final couple of weeks I was even more uncomfortable, but Jim found ways to make my life easier.

My water broke on June 5th. Despite all our planning for this moment, we panicked. We were rather naïve and thought there was a genuine need for speed. That became obvious when I was lying on a bed, waiting to be moved into the delivery room when my labor progressed.

The contractions eventually started and got more intense and more frequent, so my nurse announced it was time. Jim went one way, and I went another. We met up again in the delivery room, where I laughed at Jim's gown and mask. However, in the middle of my laughter a big contraction hit and I squeezed Jim's hand hard. Soon it was intense, and I was grateful for his hand and that he was with me.

My doctor told me to push hard on the next contraction. I screamed, even though I had sworn I wouldn't.

"She's almost out. One more push."

I pushed and screamed and with a whoosh, I could tell Sophie was no longer inside me. Then I heard her cry. I looked up at Jim and saw his tears. He bent over, pulled down his mask and kissed my forehead.

A couple of minutes later, one of the nurses brought Sophie to me, all bundled up, red in the face, and still crying. My child! I was overwhelmed at the thought. I held her close and looked into her eyes and cried for joy.

I was moved into a room of my own and a nurse came to show me how to nurse Sophie. That was such an emotional experience for me, to watch Sophie latch properly and feed. Jim and I were filled with such love for Sophie and for each other. However, I also felt bad that Mark didn't live to have this experience.

Mark's parents arrived and got to hold Sophie. Soon after, four more grandparents arrived. The six of them passed Sophie around and then back to me. They all agreed Sophie would be spoiled by grandparents.

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Jim and I got into a routine familiar to all young, first parents, I suppose. Up multiple times a night. Getting by on little sleep. Nervous about every sound she made, every cry. Learning to change diapers, although in retrospect I would gladly take those diapers from her nursing period over the later ones with solid food.

Jim and I were facing another truth about our honeymoon. I was nursing Sophie, so it would be a threesome. We had briefly considered Europe but rejected that almost out of hand. Too soon to expose her to so much travel.

We decided we would drive somewhere, but it couldn't be terribly expensive or adults only. We finally decided to rent an Airbnb down on the Gulf coast, near Mobile. We would be within a short drive of several beaches and could just relax--just our little family--in our rental.

The drive down was fun. The three of us--our little family--on our first road trip. The Airbnb was self-check-in, so we unloaded and set up the small travel crib we brought for Sophie. She was hungry, so I nursed her and put her down for a nap. Then Jim and I got busy.

We had held off on penetrative sex, wanting to make this honeymoon something special, so I got into the sexiest lingerie I had, a black bra and G-string set with garter belt and stockings. When I came out of the bathroom, Jim was wearing black silk boxers I had bought for him.

Although it was far from our wedding night, we were even more excited. We had agreed this first time Jim would take me doggy style, so I'd been looking forward to this moment.

We had a great time undressing each other. Jim left me in my garter and stockings and told me to get on my knees and elbows. He licked my pussy from behind until I almost came, then entered me, driving slowly to my depths without pausing.

It felt wonderful and I cried out at the pleasure. What he did to me exceeded what I imagined. He pulled my hair and whispered he owned me, that I was there to be used. He even spanked me, which caused me to orgasm.

He grabbed my hips and drilled me as deeply as he could. His grunting as he thrust into me set me off again. He was such an animal!

He finally slammed into me one last time and held himself deep inside me as he came. I could tell there was a lot of cum.

I collapsed on the bed and Jim lay on me, recovering.

Over the next few days, Jim fucked me over the arm of a sofa, against the wall, and in the shower several times. My favorite were the times we made love missionary style. It was loving and gentle--well, until it wasn't. I loved looking into his eyes and watching as he exploded inside me.

Sophie interrupted us a few times, but we expected that, and we made those times special as well. Jim liked to eat me out as I nursed her, something I will not likely ever tell her!

He also gave me wonderful romantic massages, always with happy endings. I was rapidly becoming spoiled.

There were a few nights when I gave Jim a blowjob, then he went down on me while waiting to recover, then fucked me silly. On those nights, I couldn't help but laugh over all the years we were nothing more than best friends. Now, he was loving me in ways I had never experienced.

Sophie was doing well on the trip. She was seven weeks old, and while not sleeping through the night, she usually only woke up once.

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When we returned home, we met with an attorney to get the adoption going. There was a perfunctory home visit from county social services, and the petition was soon filed. Nelson and Judith agreed to attend the court session with us, and Jim introduced them and explained they were Mark's parents.

The judge signed the decree and Jim was now Sophie's legal father. Nelson and Judith smiled through their tears and then took us to lunch.

We had to get ready for Jim's junior year at the university. He had originally thought business interested him but decided on pre-law. He had met with a counselor at the university late in the Spring and mapped out his coursework path to a B. S. in political science.

I took Sophie to a checkup with her pediatrician, and Sophie is a star. Right on target for height and weight. The doctor said if I wanted to begin introducing her to formula, I could do that. Jim encouraged me to start this so he could feed her sometimes at night.

Jim started school again and I looked forward to him coming home every day. Holly loved to lend me help at times and we often went grocery shopping together.

I discovered how much I loved being a mother. Sophie was slowly showing some personality and often laughed. One night in October, Jim and I were lying in bed, naked. He had just taken me doggy style, and I was snuggled in his arms.

"Honey, I'd like to have another baby. How do you feel about it?"

"I think a goal that requires me making love to you to accomplish is a good thing."

I laughed and put my head on his chest.

He asked whether I felt fully recovered from the pregnancy.

"I feel good. I'm loving every day with Sophie, and I think it's time to have another. Do you have any objection if I stop the pill?"

"None at all. Any guess when you will be able to conceive?"

"In about a week. Best guess."

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About two months later, I showed Jim my positive home pregnancy test, and the following August we welcomed Nathan to our young family. I was nursing again, and Sophie was walking--mostly running. She was fascinated by her brother, especially watching him nurse.

I was joyously happy.

Jim and I were deeply in love and made love at least twice a week.

Two years after Nathan, Jim held my hand as Bethany was born. Jim had completed his first year of law school.

As I lay in bed in the hospital, nursing Beth, I thought about Mark. I loved him with all my heart, but we had been married less than four months when he died.

Jim and I had known each other for over 17 years and had been married for over three years. If love is what you experience together, I loved Jim beyond anything I had ever felt.

I've heard a lot of married people say they were married to their best friend, but I truly did marry my best friend.