Delayed Penalty (Empire State Hockey #5)

Chapter 31 – Harris

Chapter Thirty-One

Harris

I f you had looked at me a little over a year ago and told me I’d be sitting at home, a home I share with my wife, watching T.V. with our son, I would have told you that you were crazy and then probably laughed at you. But a year ago I didn’t even have the desire to date because not a single woman I had ever met could hold a candle to Avery Walston.

So, to think that today, I’m not only married to Avery, but to have a baby with her, it feels surreal, like I’m dreaming.

But if this is a dream, I’ll gladly sleep for eternity.

It’s been a rough journey getting to this point, lots of time apart until finally the invisible strings of life pulled us back together at a time we both so desperately needed it. Looking back, what felt like a whirlwind of chance not just seems like fate falling into place, the life we had always dreamed of the life we had promised each other has finally come to fruition.

“What time did you say everyone was coming over?” I ask Avery who’s feeding James who is nearly four months old now.

“My parents said they would be over at four, I think the same with yours. The rest of the group said they’ll be here at five,” she says.

This is the first year we will all be getting together to celebrate a birthday and I’m excited. Last year when I saw Avery on her birthday we ended up having a fun night out, but this year we’ve decided to keep it low key, just our friends and family over for dinner and to just spend time all together.

It’s been nice having her family making more of an effort. It started off a little slow, but that was more on our part as we were just adjusting to our new normal. Now that we are all in a better routine, we have been working to get together for dinner more often and they’ve been coming by to spend time with Avery, especially when I’m away for games.

That being said, both her parents have also been making an effort to mend their relationship with me as well, which surprised me but I definitely appreciate it. It was tough watching Avery have to manage so many things on her own, especially after what she told us in the hospital about Peter grabbing her arms.

Based on what Avery’s dad said, that was enough to piss his parents off and they’ve been too mad to talk to him. Not that it really changes anything. Avery decided she wanted to stay home with James at least for the first year, so she turned down the offer to come back and teach. I was proud of her, though, because regardless if she wants to go back to teaching or if she decides she wants to be a stay-at-home mom, I want her to be doing something she chooses, not because it’s where she thinks she belongs.

That could also just be my opinion because after Avery and I went down to see Mrs. Anderson at Little Paws Animal Rescue to let her visit Luna and to meet James, I watched her get so excited about seeing all of the animals and she seemed so happy.

Mrs. Anderson also must’ve noticed it because she offered Avery a job on the spot to come and run the shelter during the week. Apparently, Mr. Anderson has been wanting to enjoy retirement more lately so he wants to go on trips and enjoy vacationing with his wife. I told them it was a wonderful idea, especially once she mentioned that with an office, James would be able to come with. She even talked about putting in a little crib.

That’s the first time I’ve seen Avery so excited about an opportunity. Don’t get me wrong, I know she loved teaching and I know she loved making a difference in kids’ lives and there’s always the possibility of her returning to teaching someday. But the fact that she accepted the offer and gets to start next week, it’s exciting for me because she seems so pumped about it.

“Do we have anything else to get ready?” I ask as she come back into the living room after putting James down for a nap in his crib before coming to sit next to me on the couch, her legs laying on top of mine.

“I don’t think so, at this point I think we have a couple of hours to just rest while he naps. The craziness will be in full swing with everyone and the kids coming over tonight so I feel like some down time will definitely be nice.”

Pulling her into my lap, I spin her so she’s straddling me, her tiny pajama shorts showing me the lace of her panties and I’m salivating for a taste of her.

“I’m all for resting. But can we do it in our bed? After I’ve made you more tired?” I say, groaning when she lowers herself down into my lap, her arms wrapping around my neck.

“I don’t know,” she says as she presses a soft kiss right below my ear. “Resting is sounding less and less enjoyable with what else you’re promising.”

Standing up, I hold her in my arms, her legs wrapping around me as I make our way into our bedroom. Laying her down in our bed, I climb over her and kiss her, a slow passionate kiss that has her moaning into my mouth. It’s unhurried and tender, yet somehow still desperate.

We’ve been intimate since having James. She was cleared after the first two months and then we started to take things slow, at her pace since she knows her body. It was terrifying that first time, but there was a newfound respect and love in that time that brought us together in a new way. A way I’ll be forever thankful for because that way is what made us parents. Partners for life.

Every single time with Avery feels new, feels exciting, yet also feels like coming home. A safe feeling that can only be described as two missing pieces who finally found each other.

A perfect match that took a while, but finally came together in an even more beautiful way.

Sitting up, I slide her pajama shorts off, taking her panties with her before quickly taking off her shirt until she’s naked in my bed. Standing up quickly, I undress before climbing back into bed with her, only this time she’s on top of me, kissing me roughly, her teeth nipping at my lip.

With one hand, she reaches down and grips my cock, her small hand holding me so firmly as she lines it up with her entrance. With her eyes on mine, she slowly slides down, taking every last inch in one go.

Fuck, she’s perfect.

With that, she kisses me slowly, working us both until we’re a boneless mess, screaming out each other's names like we aren’t going to spend the rest of our lives repeating this over and over.

But that’s how I want it. I may have found her years ago, but I’ll take delayed gratification any day, as long as my wife is by my side.

“I love you, Harris,” she says quietly, her head resting in the crook of my neck as she works to catch her breath.

“I love you, too, wife.”

“Forever?” she says in question.

“Always.”