Chapter 8

CODY’S STORY

Monday began much as Sunday had. Mary Beth cooked breakfast for us all before we took Tommy to snowboarding school. I insisted Mary Beth warm up on at least two green runs before tackling anything further. Again our ski lift rides were times of reflection. We were never at a loss for topics of conversation. Unlike anyone else I’d ever met, Mary Beth wanted to hear everything she could about me. She wanted to hear every detail and every story I would share with her. Honestly, I loved her for it.

We attacked several of the lower level blue runs before lunch on Monday. Mary Beth was definitely making progress. She challenged herself and she kept rising to the challenge, but I was afraid she was pushing herself too far too fast.

We headed back up the mountain after lunch and stopped at the same picnic table we had sat at yesterday when we confessed our love to each other. Again we were trying to decide on a trail to attempt.

“I’d like to try this one,” Mary Beth said, pointing at a particular trail.

“Love, that’s an advanced intermediate trail,” I explained.

“And?” she questioned.

“And I’m not sure you’re ready for that.” I confessed.

“You’re not sure I’m ready? Or you’re just trying to protect me?” she pushed.

“It’s not that.” I began.

“Cody, don’t you trust me to know what I’m ready for? Don’t you trust my judgment?” she asked, her voice tinged with a bit of hurt.

Dang it! Why did I not think this was really about snowboarding anymore? Was she trying to tell me something? Was I making a mistake by continuously putting on the brakes and pushing her away? I took a deep breath.

“Mary Beth, I trust you. I trust you with everything I am and everything I have. You’re probably the smartest woman I know. If you say you’re ready, then I will believe you’re ready,” I said, reaching out to squeeze her hands, hoping she understood the complete meaning of what I was saying.

MARY ELIZABETH’S STORY

Dear heavens, I hope he meant what I think he meant by that. I loved this man so much. I’d dreamed about what he would be like, what it would be like to be with him, but the reality of it was so much more than I ever dreamed. Cody was amazing. He was all I’d ever hoped for and prayed for. I felt more alive and happier than I’d ever felt before in my life. I was tired of holding back. I was tired of hiding. I was going to trust in what I was feeling and I was going to do whatever it took to be with Cody, to love him, to be the woman he deserved.

“I’m ready,” I said, turning to smile at Cody. “Let’s go!”

Each run was a little bit more of a challenge. I kept pushing myself forward, putting my trust in Cody as my guide. I only fell once. Cody seemed pleased with how well I was doing. I think it meant a lot to him that I hadn’t just strapped on my skis at the beginning of the week and taken the easy route.

Tommy was waiting for us when we finished our last run of the day. He begged Cody to help him build a snowman as soon as we got home. I started to work on dinner while they headed outside. I made us all some hot chocolate and took it outside. I noticed, as I handed them their mugs, that they were in fact building three snowmen.

“What’s up?” I asked, gesturing to the snowmen of various sizes.

“It’s Cody and you and me, Mommy,” Tommy explained matter-of-factly.

“Oh,” was all I could say as I looked over at Cody, who was beaming. “Very nice work, gentlemen. Dinner will be ready in about an hour. I’m going to take a quick shower while it’s cooking,” I said, kissing them both on the cheeks before heading back inside.

“Ok, love. We’ll be in before too long.” Cody smiled, running his hand down my back before wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me into a strong hug.

His touch was driving me crazy. He brought out feelings and needs and urges that I’d never felt before. My body ached for him. I sighed as I pulled away from him and walked through the house. I pulled the door to our bedroom shut and began to pull off my layers of winter clothes. By the time I got to the shower door I was completely wrapped up in my thoughts of Cody.

I turned on the water and stepped into the steamy shower. I let the water run over my body as I began to think what it would be like if Cody were here with me. I closed my eyes and turned myself over to the moment. I lost myself completely in my thoughts and daydreams of Cody’s touch. I couldn’t stop myself.

CODY’S STORY

Tommy and I had finished our snowmen and come inside to get ready for dinner. I sent him upstairs to wash up and change clothes. I thought I would change quickly and see if I could help Mary Beth with dinner. I pushed open the bedroom door and noticed the trail of clothes on the floor. I noticed the bathroom door was open, even though I could hear the shower running. I thought I could just stick my head inside the door and ask her what she needed me to do…until I saw her.

I stopped dead in my tracks. It really wasn’t even that I could see her. I made a concerted effort not to look at the shower, not that I would have really been able to see her if I had. The glass was fogged over so that I could barely even see the reflection of her silhouette in the mirror. But that hint of a silhouette had me mesmerized.

Now what was I going to do? I momentarily thought about joining her in the shower, but I had made a promise to myself that I would not cross that line until we were ready. That hadn’t happened yet. It was pretty obvious to me now that she was ready, but I wasn’t supposed to be here, seeing this.

I ran my hands through my hair in frustration as I walked back through the house, taking deep breaths with every step. I went to the kitchen, pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge and flipped off the lid. I sat down at the bar and drained the bottled in one long drink. As I sat it down Mary Beth appeared in the doorway, looking completely adorable and blissful in her pajama pants and…wait, what was that?...my t-shirt. Man, she looked amazing. How in the world was I going to do this?

But somehow I kept managing, through the next two nights with her sleeping curled into my side. Through another amazing day of going up and down the mountain. Every moment with Mary Beth was all I’d ever prayed for but more than I ever dreamed I’d have in my life.

Wednesday came. The day before my birthday. I admit I was very curious what Mary Beth had planned for tomorrow. However, I discovered when we arrived at the ski area Wednesday morning that apparently we weren’t waiting until tomorrow to begin my birthday celebrations.

Tommy was taking the day off from snowboarding school and the three of us rode up and down the mountain together. It was awesome to see what he had learned so far this week. He was already able to board the more challenging blue runs. He definitely had inherited his mom’s athletic ability.

We had a great lunch at a little Italian restaurant in town before heading back to the cabin midday. We spent the afternoon snowboarding through the National Forests that surrounded the cabin. Mary Beth had two snowmobiles. Obviously she and Tommy were used to riding their own snowmobiles, but Tommy traded off riding with me or Mary Beth.

We stopped in a clearing up the mountain for a quick snowball fight. Tommy and I took on Mary Beth and, quite frankly, I think she got the better of us. I had never laughed so hard in my life! Mary Beth and Tommy had insisted we all make snow angels as well. I loved that my woman still had so much little kid in her. She loved to act goofy and be silly, but she could do it and still be sexy as all get out! She really was my perfect woman.

On the way back I gave Tommy back his snowmobile and climbed on behind Mary Beth, wrapping my arms around her waist and leaning into her back. I felt her sigh underneath my hands, leaning back into me.

Tommy pulled his snowmobile back into the garage. Mary Beth stopped just outside and pulled off her helmet. She began to turn back into me, so I quickly removed my helmet as well. I felt her hand close around my cheek.

“I love you, Cody,” she sighed, leaning forward and pressing her lips to mine.

“I love you too, Mary Beth. Thank you for today.” I smiled.

“The day isn’t over Cody!” Tommy laughed, suddenly joining us from the garage. “We’re taking you out for your birthday dinner!”

“But my birthday isn’t until tomorrow,” I said in confusion as we stepped off our snowmobile and let Tommy move it to the garage.

“Yes, but Tommy is spending tomorrow night and Friday night with Karen, David and Alan, so we’re going out to dinner tonight so the three of us can celebrate together,” she explained.

Hold up. Did she just say it was only going to be just the two of us for two nights? Happy birthday to Cody!

“We’re going to Doc Martin’s!” Tommy announced.

I looked at Mary Beth for help.

“It’s in Taos. It’s kind of our special occasion restaurant. We always go there for Tommy’s birthday. I think you’ll like it,” she said hopefully.

“And dinner tomorrow?” I asked.

“I’m cooking a special dinner just for us,” she said softly.

“I can’t wait,” I grinned, holding the door open for her to enter the house.

We all showered and changed for dinner, heading into Taos to Doc Martin’s. Mary Beth, of course, was right. I did love it. I had the best chili rellenos I’d ever tasted, but my mind was firmly planted on the “special dinner” that my lady was making for me tomorrow night…tomorrow night when Tommy would be gone all night…for two nights in a row.

By the time we headed back to the cabin it had begun to snow lightly. Tommy was practically asleep by the time we got home so I carried him upstairs and tucked him in. When I came back down stairs I found Mary Beth sitting at the foot of our bed in her bikini.

“Whatcha’ doin’, love?” I asked, raising my eyebrow, a smirk on my lips.

“I thought we might sit in the hot tub and watch it snow.” She smiled.

She didn’t have to ask me twice. I darted into the bathroom and threw on my board shorts. I practically ran back into the bedroom and scooped Mary Beth up into my arms. I carried her bridal style out the door to the hot tub with her giggling all the way. I leaned over and gently sat her in the water before climbing in to join her.

I pulled her onto the seat next to me and into the crook of my arm. I felt her settle into my side and relax, her head resting back against my bicep. We just sat in silence watching the snowfall in the moonlight. I’d never been more at peace in my life, but there were still things I wanted to say to her.

“Mary Beth?” I asked softly.

“Hmmm?” she hummed against my chest.

“Did you ever think it would be like this? I mean, I know you dreamed about me like I dreamed about you, but did you ever think it would be like this for us?” I asked gently.

“Cody, I never really let myself believe that you would ever be anything more than a dream to me. It was just more than I could ever hope for, more than I ever thought I deserved. Then you came to me and my whole world changed in a single moment. The moment you walked through my door I knew we really were meant to be together, that my dreams had just been a little glimpse into what was to come. I never dreamed though that I would ever in my life have someone as wonderful as you. I never dreamed I would have the kind of love and passion and caring and depth and happiness that we have. It’s intoxicating and powerful and amazing. I just feel so undeserving of this, but I would never be able to let you go,” Mary Beth said, turning and straddling my lap so she could look me in the eyes.

“I feel the same way, Mary Beth. I’m here and I’m here forever. I can’t imagine anyone more perfect for me than you. We are like two halves of a puzzle and once we found each other and came together it’s like we’re complete now. That’s how I feel anyway. There’s so much to me that no one else ever takes time to see or even can see. You see it all. You’re the only one who sees the real me, all of me. I know I can trust you with anything and everything. I want you to know that you can trust me with anything and everything too,” I said.

“Why? How?” Mary Beth asked, seemingly unable to make herself ask her complete questions.

“Why and how what, love?” I pleaded.

“Why and how are you just accepting all of this?” She said in a rush.

“All of what?” I asked, confused.

“Tommy, my past, the differences in our lives, all of it,” she said hesitantly.

“Because I belong with you. We belong together. When I’m with you I feel more at home and more myself than I’ve ever felt in my life. I felt like I matter. I feel like my whole world is in this house. My whole world is the three of us. I know I worried you the first day when you told me about Tommy. I know I did. Every minute I spend with him the more I realize that I’m supposed to be here in this place. I accept it because it all just fits together. When we’re together life is the way it is meant to be, the way everyone dreams their life could be. I love Tommy and I accept him as if he were as much mine as you are. I would take away all the hurt in your past if I could, Mary Beth, because I hate to think of you being in pain or suffering. Nothing in your past diminishes my love for you or how I think of you. None of the differences in our lives are things that really matter and none of them are things we can’t manage. I’m right where I’m meant to be and right where I belong,” I said firmly.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“For what?” I asked.

“For indulging my insecurities. For accepting me. For trusting in us. For being here. For being you. For loving me,” she said, caressing my cheek with her thumb.

“I do love you, Mary Beth. Never doubt that. My love grows bigger and stronger every minute of every hour of every day,” I said, leaning forward to press my lips to hers.

“I love you too, Cody. You are my life and you own my heart. Every time I look at you my heart feels like it is going to swell out of my chest. Just when I think my heart is full my love grows even stronger. Happy birthday, my love,” she said, caressing my chest as she leaned forward to kiss me again.

“The best birthday I’ve ever had.” I grinned under her lips. “And we’re only ten minutes into it!”

“Baby, if you think it’s the best ever already, you just wait! You haven’t seen anything yet!” Mary Beth grinned as she pulled away from me and stepped out of the hot tub.

She wrapped a towel around her and flitted through the back door, leaving me sitting and staring after her in shock. Exactly what did she mean by that last comment…and exactly what did she have planned.

MARY ELIZABETH’S STORY

I knew Cody was beyond curious about the plans for his birthday and I fully intended to keep him that way until each bit of his day revealed itself. I knew it was driving him crazy and I loved every minute of it. That’s just how I wanted him tomorrow night. Tomorrow night…I was both the most nervous and the most excited I’d ever been in my entire life. I only hoped it would go as well as it had in my daydreams.

I changed quickly into my pajamas and stepped back into the bedroom to find Cody already in bed. He lifted the covers on my side of the bed for me to slide in next to him. How quickly we had formed a routine of sorts. How quickly we had become comfortable together, just being together. We worked well together in every way we had found so far. I had to trust that would be true in all ways, I thought, pushing down my nervousness.

“Everything ok, love?” Cody asked, noticing my anxiety.

“What?” I asked.

“I asked if everything is ok. You were a million miles away,” he said softly as he ran his hand over my back when I curled into his body.

More like 24 hours away, I thought to myself.

“I’m fine, baby. Don’t worry.” I smiled, leaning up to press a kiss to his waiting lips. “We should get some sleep though. Big day tomorrow! You’ll need your rest,” I said before I thought about what I was saying.

“I’ll need my rest, huh? What in the world do you have planned woman?” He chuckled.

I just smiled as I reached over to turn off the lamp. I pressed one more kiss to his lips and then one kiss to his chest right over his heart before curled back into his arms.

“I love you Cody,” I whispered as I relaxed into him.

“I love you too Mary Beth. Good night,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

Just when it seemed like I had gone to sleep it was time to get up and start the day. I slowly and quietly slid out of bed, trying not to wake Cody. I went to the kitchen and started to work on Cody’s birthday breakfast. About halfway through my cooking Tommy came downstairs, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

“Good morning Mommy! Is Cody up yet? I want to give him his birthday presents!” Tommy said excitedly.

“Sweetheart, Cody is still sleeping. I’m making his breakfast to take to him. You can eat your breakfast while I take his to him and once you’re finished you can come in our room and bring him your gifts. Will that be ok?” I asked as I continued to cook away.

“Ok, Mommy! I’m going to go up and get them,” he said excitedly.

I fixed Tommy’s breakfast and sat it on the table. I then fixed Cody’s tray and once Tommy was back downstairs and seated at the table I started towards our room. I pushed the door open and walked towards the bed. I sat the tray down on the cedar chest at the foot of the bed and went to wake up Cody. I sat down next to him and leaned down to press a kiss to his chest again over his heart.

I heard him moan softly in his sleep. I moved my lips up to his neck and pressed another kiss to his Alan’s apple, inching my tongue out to give it a small lick. This time the moan was a little louder. I moved to his beautiful face, pressing a kiss to each cheek before capturing his full lips with my own.

“Oh, Mary Beth,” I heard him sigh beneath me.

“Good morning, birthday boy.” I smiled as I moved away from him.

“Good morning, beautiful. Mmmm, do I smell breakfast?” He asked.

I stood up and retrieved the tray, setting it over his lap after he had pushed himself up to a sitting position. A huge grin spread over his face as he took in the breakfast before him. Blueberry pancakes, bacon, fried eggs, fresh fruit, orange juice and hot coffee. I heard his stomach growl loudly and I laughed.

“Just in time, I guess,” I chuckled.

“This looks and smells amazing!” He grinned.

I perched on the cedar chest and watched him devour his breakfast. At the precise moment he had scooped up the last bite and put it in his mouth Tommy bounded into the room.

“Happy birthday, Cody!” He said excitedly, pouncing onto the bed.

“Thank you buddy!” Cody said, scooping him into a big hug.

I took the tray and set it aside so they had room. Tommy reached over and handed Cody his gifts. Cody looked both of us, a little surprised I suppose that he was getting gifts.

“I picked ‘em out myself,” Tommy said proudly.

Cody unwrapped the two video games and was appropriately excited.

“Tommy these are awesome! I can’t wait to play them with you when we get home! Thank you!” He said, pulling Tommy into another hug, ruffling his hair.

“You’re welcome Cody! Mommy has a present for you too!” Tommy offered.

“Oh really? Mary Beth?” Cody asked, turning his attention to me, his eyebrows raised curiously.

I reached into the cedar chest and pulled out a package and handed it to him. He looked at me inquisitively and then carefully unwrapped the box. He lifted the lid and reached in to pull out the scarf and hat that I had knitted him.

“Oh Mary Beth, they’re beautiful,” he said, immediately pulling the hat on and wrapping the scarf around his neck.

“Do you like them? I almost thought I wouldn’t get them finished in time,” I rambled.

“I love them…” he began. “Wait, did you just say you didn’t think you’d get them finished? Did you make these for me?” He asked incredulously.

“Yes,” I said quietly.

“I’m going to get dressed,” Tommy said, slipping out of the room.

“When? How?” Cody asked in shock.

“Honestly, I started them back when I began having the dreams, months ago. Silly isn’t it? But then I finished them the night you agreed to come on this trip with us. I stayed up late to finish them. I had barely fallen asleep after I finished when I had the last dream…the dream we shared that brought you to my room,” I explained.

“That was the first night I stayed in our room,” he said breathlessly.

“Yes. I was determined to finish it for you. When I chose the colors for it, I had been dreaming of your eyes. I chose the blues to match your eyes,” I said softly.

“It’s the nicest thing anyone has ever given me,” Cody said, his voice thick with emotion, pulling me to him, holding me tightly.

“Well, baby, your day is just starting.” I smiled, pressing my lips to his in a kiss full of hope and promise.