Chapter 9

Are you all right?” Jon’s voice was a whisper in the dark. Frannie hadn’t said anything and he wanted to make sure she was okay. She reached over and turned the low light on her night table on. She wanted to see his face. Jon took her hand as she looked at him, “I’m fine.” She looked down at their joined hands, suddenly feeling shy, wishing she had left the light off. “Thank you.”

He stroked the back of her hand, waiting for her to look at him. When she didn’t he sighed. “Frannie, would you look at me please?” She dragged her eyes back to his. “What?” He rolled to his side and propped his head on his hand, “what’s going on in that head of yours?” She gave him a small smile, “you made me forget.” A smile tugged at his lips, “that’s a good thing, right?” Her smile widened, “it’s a very good thing. It feels good to not be afraid.” He pulled her close and kissed her softly. “Let’s see if we can’t keep that feeling going.”

He kissed down her neck and down the valley between her breasts, working his way to first one breast and then the other. He slid lower, kissing and nipping across her stomach. He looked up at her, “it’s hard to believe you had a baby.” Her stomach muscles tightened involuntarily. “I work out once in a while” she whispered. His warm breath on her skin had her shifting restlessly, yearning for more. He moved lower, shifting her legs apart with his knee. He drew one leg up and kissed from knee up her inner thigh, tracing lazy circles on the sensitive skin with the tip of his tongue. He moved to the other leg, giving it the same treatment.

She could feel his breath as he got closer to her core. He stroked his tongue over her lightly, teasingly. She arched her hips up, silently begging for more, but he dragged his mouth back up, circling one nipple with his tongue before sucking it in and then making his way to the other. He smiled to himself when he heard his name roll off her lips on a ragged breath. As his mouth claimed hers, he slid into her at the same time, swallowing her groan. They moved together slowly and he watched her, fighting back his own orgasm as he felt her tighten around him. He wanted to savor the feeling, but his need was almost too great. He moved faster, bringing them both the release they were reaching for.

Jon moved off of her, dragging her close. With her head on his chest Frannie could hear the rapid beat of his heart. “God Jon” she whispered, “you were amazing.” He rubbed her back and kissed her head, “I didn’t do it alone babe, we were amazing.” He felt her chuckle against him before they drifted off to sleep.

With the sunlight falling across him, Jon woke alone in the bed the next morning. He ran his hand over the spot where Frannie had been, it was cooling rapidly. She had been up for a bit. He got up, pulled on his jeans and, after a stop in the bathroom, went in search of her. Following the scent of coffee and the music that was playing, he found Frannie in the kitchen. She was standing at the sink, looking out over her backyard; Sophie was in her swing, happily swaying back and forth.

Frannie had woken later than normal and she could hear Sophie was fussing. She got out of bed without disturbing Jon and as she slipped her robe over her shoulders she turned to look at him. She couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face as she thought of the previous night. Before she could stop herself, she reached over and brushed the hair off his forehead. He shifted but didn’t wake and she left the room to take care of Sophie.

With Sophie on one arm, Frannie made it to the living room and shut the movie off that they had left running and turned the stereo on. She sat down and fed Sophie before her screaming woke Jon. Once she had Sophie fed, Frannie settled her in her swing in the kitchen and made some coffee, she didn’t usually drink it but she knew that Jon did. She was looking out the window when the song that was playing got her attention.

I found a reason for me

to change who I used to be

a reason to start over new

and the reason is you

She smiled; he really is helping me she thought. This was how Jon found her. A small smile was playing on her face as he came up behind her and he sang the last words to her. “Good morning” he told her as the song ended. She turned her head and kissed his cheek, “good morning yourself. Would you like some coffee?” He moved her hair and nuzzled her neck before stepping back from her. “I would love some coffee.” She handed him a cup, “it’s over there” she pointed to the coffee pot.

After breakfast Jon found the rest of his clothes and told Frannie he had to go. “What are you doing later?” He was taking his two youngest to the park. “I don’t have anything planned Jon.” He sat to put his sneakers on, “why don’t you and Sophie come to the park with me and my boys?” Frannie thought about it; it seemed nice enough out. “Okay, what time?” They made arrangements and Frannie was going to meet him later that afternoon. As she went to open the door for him, she realized then that she hadn’t locked all the locks the night before. “Hmm.” Jon looked at her, “what’s wrong?” She smiled at him, “nothing. You really did make me forget. I didn’t even lock my door last night.” He pulled her into a hug, trying not to squish Sophie in the process. “I’m glad you were able to forget for a while Frannie.” He dropped a kiss on her lips, placed a kiss on Sophie’s head and headed out to his car.

Frannie got Sophie to take her morning nap a little early and she got herself ready to go out. She showered and pulled on jeans, a long-sleeve t-shirt and her favorite Giants hoodie. She pulled her hair into a low loose ponytail and as she turned to sit on the bed, she stretched across it instead, inhaling Jon’s scent that still lingered on his pillow. I still can’t believe it. I was able to enjoy being with a man again because of him. Frannie smiled as she sat up, she was starting to feel more like her old self. And Jon is the reason.

She put her sneakers on and went to get Sophie ready. They headed out half an hour later. Arriving at the park she spotted Jon and his boys over near the swings. Buckling Sophie into the stroller and grabbing the diaper bag she set off to join him.

Jon spotted her and smiled. He was feeling a little more like his old self today. He thought back to that morning and the song that had been playing when he found Frannie in the kitchen. He waved as she got closer, maybe she's the reason.