Thanksgiving arrived faster than Erica could believe.
The entire Lincoln family gathered together at TJ and Meredith’s house for the holiday dinner. Meredith put all of the women to work with her in the kitchen while the men sat around in the living room. Erica contemplated pointing out what a sexist tradition that was, but she let it go. Though she did make up her mind if she and Linc ever took over hosting duties, everyone was pitching in.
Once the food was on the table, and everyone was seated around the dining room table, TJ led them in the blessing. Then he reminded everyone of the tradition of explaining one thing they were thankful for.
“I think it goes without saying that we’re all grateful to have Linc home alive, so let’s give at least one other reason,” TJ said. “I’m grateful for the Lord’s continued blessings.”
“I’m thankful to have a wonderful new daughter-in-law.” Meredith beamed at Erica, making her blush.
“I’m thankful for a good husband and healthy children,” Mary said.
“I’m thankful for cookies,” Tyler said, and everyone laughed.
“I’m thankful for another year of good sales to keep food on the table,” Dylan said.
“I’m thankful to have so many good friends and an even better family,” Sarah said.
“I’m thankful Linc’s gonna help me pick up chicks this summer.” Gabriel laughed.
Meredith shook her head. “Is that really the best you can do, Gabriel?”
“Okay, I’m thankful I have such a cool older brother.”
Erica looked over at Linc to see him blushing. A few of the others took their turn before all eyes were suddenly on her.
“Oh, well.” Erica was thoughtful for a moment. “I’m thankful to have a good marriage to a man who taught me about having faith and what it means to have God’s love.”
TJ smiled the most broadly at her while everyone else nodded their agreement.
“I’m thankful to be sitting here at this table with all of you,” Linc said. “And I’m thankful to God for giving me Erica.”
“Amen,” TJ said, and several of the others echoed the sentiment.
Meredith clapped her hands together. “What are we waiting for? Dig in, everyone.”
Erica had never tasted so much good food at one time, nor could she remember the last time she had such an elaborate meal. Ever since her parents’ divorce, she and Aaron spent their childhood being shuffled back and forth between them year after year.
Though her mom was a good cook, and the turkey was always good, it wasn’t anywhere near as lavish as what was in front of her today. Her father’s Thanksgiving meals were usually a package deal he purchased from the grocery store. Despite being a good cook, for some reason, her dad never put much effort in to the holiday meals.
The one year her dad decided he wanted to ‘try his hand at this Thanksgiving thing’ he nearly burned their house down. Instead of just cooking a turkey in the oven like a normal person, he got the bright idea to deep fry it.
Having never deep fried a turkey before, he heated the oil too hot and the turkey went up in flames when he lowered it into the cooker. Erica stood there screaming while her dad ran for the fire extinguisher and Aaron called the fire department.
Erica could smile about that now, but at the age of ten she’d been certain they were all going to be the first people to die from a house fire caused by a turkey. Needless to say, it was back to store prepared meals after that.
When she moved into her own apartment, she stopped going to her parents’ houses, but she didn’t invite them over either. Instead, she and Cory and Veronica did a Thanksgiving potluck. If they were dating someone at the moment, the guy was always invited along. Usually, it was Cory or Veronica or both with dates while Erica played the dutiful hostess.
It was nice to do something different. For the first time since her parents’ divorce, she felt like part of a family, and she had Linc to thank for that; Linc and God.
After dinner, most of the family congregated around the television. Erica sat with Linc in the large recliner, feeling like she could fall asleep at any moment.
The kids had already fallen asleep in the front room. Rather than hang out with everyone else in the family room, Gabriel had slipped off to his room, no doubt to play video games. Leaving their children to watch television, Linc’s parents were either in the front room or the office. Erica didn’t know which and she didn’t care at the moment. All she cared about was getting a nice, long nap.
“It’s too dark in here, Rik,” Linc whispered.
Erica looked around. Until he said something, she hadn’t realized all of the lights were out. His family probably didn’t know about the fear of the dark he’d developed since coming home. She was certain he hadn’t told them too much about what happened to him, other than what he’d blurted out to his parents the first time he’d tried using his walker.
Linc’s hand began to sweat in hers, and he shook beside her.
“You want to go in the other room?” Erica offered.
“Can I just hold you?”
When he opened his arms, Erica leaned her body into his. Linc stroked her hair as he held her. As he did, she could feel him beginning to relax. His touch was both comforting and exciting.
Linc placed his fingers under Erica’s chin. Tilting her face up, he kissed her with more determination than she expected given where they were. Every nerve in her body tingled, and she gasped into his mouth when she felt the touch of his tongue against hers.
“What’s wrong?”
Erica wrapped a gentle hand around his neck and pulled him closer to her. “Nothing’s wrong. It just feels so good when you kiss me like that, Todd.”
He drew in a sharp breath. “I love it when you say my name like that.”
“Todd,” she whispered again in his ear.
“Jesus Christ, Rikki, I’m so turned on. Can I take you home and make love to you?”
“What?”
Erica’s voice was louder than she meant it to be. Everyone turned to glance at her for a moment before returning their attention to the TV.
“Please, Rikki, I want you so bad.”
“Are you sure?”
Linc looked into her eyes when he answered, “Yes.”
Erica stood and then helped him up. She scanned the room for his walker, which she spotted in the far corner of the room. When she started to go for it, he grabbed her hand and pulled her body into his.
“It’s too dark in here, don’t leave me,” he whispered.
“It’s okay,” she said softly.
“What’s going on?” Sarah snapped on one of the table lamps.
“I was wondering where my walker was.” Linc still sounded a little shaky.
“Doesn’t look like that’s what was on your mind,” Mark observed with a grin.
Since it was no longer dark, Erica let go of Linc and retrieved his walker. His parents, likely drawn by the commotion, had joined them in the living room.
“I need to go home,” Linc told them.
Meredith’s face fell, but her gaze was sympathetic. “Are your knees bothering you?”
“Nah, not too bad,” Linc said and ducked his head.
They had to get through several rounds of hugs and handshakes before they were able to make it to the solitude of their car. As she placed his walker into the backseat, Erica wondered if the mood had been broken and the moment had passed.
“We don’t have to do this,” Erica said when she slid in behind the wheel.
“I’m not gonna lie. I’m a little nervous.”
“Why don’t we just see what happens?”
“You want me, don’t you, Erica?”
“I do, so much. I just don’t want to pressure you.”
“I know for a fact you’d never do that.”
“Not on purpose, but I don’t want you to think you’ll disappoint me if you change your mind.”
“You wouldn’t be disappointed?”
“I’d be more disappointed if you did something you weren’t ready for just because you thought that’s what I needed to be happy.”
Linc shook his head. “Christ, you’re amazing.”
Erica didn’t feel amazing. It would be a lie if she said she didn’t want to make love with her sexy husband, but it didn’t have to be tonight. They had a lifetime to rediscover each other.
Pulling the car into their apartment complex, she parked in their designated stall. When she emerged from the car, she retrieved Linc’s walker from the backseat. In the last few weeks, Linc had grown a lot steadier on the walker, but she couldn’t wait for the day when he no longer needed it.
With Linc behind her, Erica unlocked the door to their apartment. There was no need to turn on the lights before entering. Most of the lights were always on in their home, including the bedside lamps when they were sleeping. It had taken a bit of an adjustment for Erica to learn to sleep with the glare, but it was a small sacrifice for Linc’s peace of mind.
Neither spoke as they headed down the hall with Erica leading the way.
In their bedroom, she turned to face him. “Do you still want to do this?”
“Yes,” Linc answered without hesitation. “Do you?”
“I do as long as you’re doing this for you and not me.”
“I’m doing this for us, Rik.”
Erica smiled. “I like that answer, but I want you to promise you’ll tell me if you need to stop.”
Linc nodded. “I will.”
Erica waited until Linc was seated on the edge of the bed and then took the walker and set it aside. As she did, she made a mental note to return it to the side of the bed later in case he needed it in the middle of the night.
Linc had already divested himself of his shirt when she returned to the bed. Kneeling at his feet, she gave his growing erection a gentle squeeze. Linc groaned as his eyes rolled closed.
Rising to her knees, Erica took his face in her hands and pressed a kiss to his lips. There was nothing gentle about the meeting of their lips and tongues. After months of waiting, they were going to make love again, and she was determined to pour all of her passion into him, to make him believe how much she wanted him.
Wrapping his arms around her shoulders, Linc plunged his tongue deeper into her mouth. Erica moaned and pulled him closer.
Pulling back for a much needed breath, Erica offered him a sultry smile. “Are you ready for me to blow your mind?”
“I’d rather you blow my cock.”
“I just might, but we need to finish getting undressed.”
Leaning back in bed, Linc folded his arms behind his head. “Go ahead, baby, undress your man,” he said, and Erica laughed. “I must be doing something wrong if you’re laughing.”
“Maybe you’re doing something right.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think you should be able to be yourself with the person you love.”
“You’re right.”
“You should get used to saying those words,” Erica joked, and it was his turn to laugh.
Dropping down on her haunches, Erica unlaced and removed his shoes. After peeling off his socks, she shimmied back to give him room to work his pants off. Though he no longer wore the knee braces, she was still hesitant to do anything that might cause her to accidentally bump his knees.
Kicking off her shoes, Erica was quick to shed the sweater and jeans she wore followed by her bra and panties. By then, Linc had managed to discard the rest of his clothes. She waited for him to settle comfortably in bed and then climbed in beside him.
Worry flooded her when he rolled on his side to face her. “Are you sure that doesn’t hurt too much?”
“I’m good, baby,” Linc said, running a finger down her cheek.
Careful to avoid his knees, she wrapped a leg around his hip. The move brought their groins in perfect alignment, and Linc groaned as his arms came around her back.
Their lips met for another heated kiss. Moaning into her mouth, Linc moved his hips against her. As good as it felt, Erica couldn’t let go of the fear that he was either doing something to hurt himself or he would be hurting later.
Resting his forehead against hers, he whispered, “I don’t think I can be on top because of my knees.”
“What do you think would work best?”
“What are our options?”
“I could be on top and straddle you, but I’d be afraid of bumping your knees if I moved too fast.”
“What else?”
Erica turned so that her back was to him. “What about like this? That won’t hurt you too much, will it?”
Linc scooted closer to her. “Can you help me figure this out?”
“Put your hand on my hip.”
When he did as she’d instructed, she pressed the back of her body to the front of his, being sure not to allow any part of her to come in contact with his knees. Parting her legs slightly, she reached down and used her hand to guide him inside her.
They moved slowly, almost awkwardly at first, as they searched for the right rhythm. As soon as they found it, their bodies moved faster together, growing sweaty and hot.
Taking his hand from her hip, she moved it between her legs. “Touch me, Todd.”
“Oh God, Erica.” Linc quickened his thrusts.
The feeling of him inside her, paired with his hand, brought her to climax within seconds. He held tight to her as she erupted in her orgasm. Linc reached his own climax before Erica had even finished hers, but he never let her go.
Still seated inside her, Linc placed a tender kiss at her temple. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Erica murmured.
“For waiting.”
“I would’ve waited for you forever.”
“And I love you for that.”
“I love you, Todd,” Erica repeated, before falling asleep, still feeling safe in his arms.
They were finally lovers again.
For the rest of the weekend, they were inseparable, making love as often as they could while they pretended the rest of the world didn’t exist. It reminded Erica of the time they’d spent together in the days leading up to his deployment. Since she would be going back to work on Monday, it was similar in an odd way.
After the Sunday evening church service, they made love and then spent the rest of the night in one another’s arms.
“Erica, don’t leave me.”
Erica was just drifting off to sleep when she heard the urgent words. Frowning, she looked up at him. “What?”
“Don’t go back to work. Stay here and take care of me. I need you.”
The desperate plea broke her heart.
“I have to go back to work.”
“I know. I’m just scared to be without you. I don’t think I can take this.”
“Yes you can, and you won’t be alone.”
“What if I need you? What if I have a flashback and you’re not there?”
“Call my cell phone. I’ll always answer it,” she assured him. “You want to pray on it?”
“Yes,” he answered immediately.
Bowing their heads, Erica prayed for the Lord to give them both the strength to make the transition of being apart.