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Jamaica was so beautiful. I didn’t want to come back to Baltimore. I tried to convince Erik to stay at least one more night; I think I even begged, but he wasn’t having it, so here I am back in good old Maryland.
Erik and I are back in the states, but I swear I left my brain in Jamaica because I can’t keep my mind off our vacation. Oh Jamaica . . . The passion . . . The intensity. The fire that was ignited inside my husband was wild. He couldn’t keep his hands off me, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I was praying we didn’t get caught in the lobby.
Now it’s back to reality with me sitting in the back of some Uber all alone. As soon as our plane touched back down in the city, Erik threw me in a car with him heading to another one parked three cars away. I didn’t want to see him go, and I told him so. He still left me, clamming he’d be home tonight. I didn’t care about tonight; I wanted him with me now. The last thing I wanted was for him to be in a different car heading to God knows where to do God knows what. He’s supposed to be riding home with me.
I perked up as the driver headed down my street. I couldn’t wait to get home, grab my gym bag, a fresh white towel, and head straight to the gym. I need to work out some of the kinks my husband left behind. My body was so sore I could hardly move. Erik worked muscles on me I never even knew I had.
I sat patiently as the driver inched to my destination.
Once we stopped, I handed him a twenty-dollar bill and sent him on his way. Erik already paid for my ride, but I still decided to tip the guy. Erik said he took care of that too, but I wouldn’t feel right getting out without giving the driver a little something for his troubles, better known as his J-O-B.
When I got out of the car, I noticed a white Range Rover sitting in our driveway with a red bow on top.
I don’t remember buying a new SUV, and I’m sure my husband would’ve consulted with me before making an eighty-thousand-dollar purchase.
By the time I made it back to the front of this beautiful piece of machinery, our front door swung open. It was Erik. I thought, what was he doing here? And when did he have time to change clothes?
He trotted out to me. “You like?”
“I . . . I . . . Erik, I love it, but—”
“No buts, it’s yours. I had it delivered this morning.”
I swallowed hard, trying to melt the golf ball sitting in my throat.
“Court, I know these past six months haven’t been easy for you.”
“Erik, you know we’ve—”
He stopped me.
“This gift is just a way for me to thank you for sticking by me and not giving up on us.”
Now, why did he think he had to reward me for not giving up on our marriage? When I said for better or worse, I meant it. Besides, we’re good.
“Promise me, Courtney . . .” His voice trailed off. “Promise me you’ll never leave me. No matter what, we’ll always be together.”
Erik started to cry just as he had done in Jamaica right after he gave me this beautiful flower. He called it Hilbiscus, or Hibiscus . . . something like that. After he gave it to me, it was like he turned into someone else. I didn’t even recognize him anymore. I’d never seen Erik cry before that day, and now, he was crying again, but why?
“Courtney, please.”
“Erik, I would never leave you. The vows I made to you were forever and I—”
“But I want to hear you say it now, Courtney . . . Just promise me.”
I looked right into my husband’s eyes, and instantly I said, “I promise, Erik. I will never leave you,” without any hesitation.
After my promise filled the air, he held me close. Erik has never been shy about his sexuality or his display of public affection. He is a man, all man. There was no question about that. And he’s in love with a man. There was no question about that either. He didn’t care who seen us right there in the driveway making out like two teenagers on prom night, and neither did I. I hope our neighbors are watching.
When he let me go, he looked at me. “Courtney, thank you. You have just made me the happiest man on earth!”
Erik didn’t have to thank me. I’m with him because I love him more than anything. Not because of some elaborate gift, and not because of the promise I just committed to. I’m with Erik and didn’t plan on ever leaving him. That’s a promise that would never be broken . . .