I blinked my eyes a few times in the morning sun. Last night was still fresh in my mind, every touch, every kiss, it felt like a dream. Joel was much more talented in bed than Ryan had been, but I'm sure he had more practice too, on account of he was the older brother, and Ryan had only been nineteen at the time of the accident. I wasn't comparing them mentally, just enjoyed the more experienced touch.
I didn't want to wake Joel from his slumber, so I tried to quietly reach over him to grab my phone from the table next to the bed. I failed, he had been fake sleeping. He threw me underneath him, and leaned in for a kiss. I kissed him back for a minute or two, and pushed him back.
Looking into his baby blue eyes I said, "I need call my mom, she needs to drop Ryleigh off to your mom. I'll be quick, and let you do whatever you want to me after my call ends."
"Fine, but hurry. I want to relive last night again in your arms."
I hurried my phone call up, I was eager too. I barely hit 'End' when I threw myself on top of his body. I kissed his lips softly before asking, "Was that quick enough for you?"
"Yes." He spoke softly as he leaned in for another kiss.
His hands wandered my bare body as we kissed. My left arm tucked under his back, my right hand played with his hair. Our kiss broke, he nuzzled his face into my neck.
"Ali," his voice was soft as he spoke, "I love you."
"I love you too."
Even though I said I loved him, I still wasn't sure what my feelings were. I did love him, but I wasn't sure if it was a brother-in-law love, or a lover's love I felt.
***
Our day went on as planned, errands, gym, and dinner was all checked off the bucket list. My daughter was dropped off around six, and after dinner we watched 'Cinderella'. Joel helped carry her to bed, and came down to watch the baseball game.
When he sat down on the couch, I handed him a beer, and sat down next to him. He placed his arm around me and pulled me close to him. This had been the first physical contact all day, besides the morning. We had been busy with our own To Do Lists, and had agreed that we didn't want to be too intimate right away in front of Ryleigh.
Joel kissed the top of my head as I cuddled up closer. He said, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but this feels so good, and feels right."
I felt a smile come across my face as I said, "I agree."
It was the top of the ninth, and pretty clear the Tigers were going to win. I grabbed the remote, powered off the TV, and grabbed his hand. Pulling him to his feet, I suggested, "Let's go upstairs to bed."
Joel pulled me into him, and kissed me deep for a moment. He tucked a piece of hair back and said, "I like the sound of that."
We went upstairs and laid on my bed.