The Hero and the Fat Girl (New Hampshire Bears #3) (19 page)

I’m married.

I take a deep breath and enjoy the moment. When I married Rickie, I did it because it was the right thing to do; she was carrying Arabella. This time, it’s for love.

I’m not sure what happened in the last few months. It’s like a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Maxima is the one true love I’ve always wanted. Is it silly for a man to say? Maybe, but I want a family and a loving spouse. I have all of it with Maxima.

I go back to our bedroom, but the bathroom door is closed. I drop my pants and take off my shirt. Sure, this is our wedding night, but if Maxima isn’t ready to do anything, I’m perfectly fine with that.

I just want to hold her.

“Remington, are you out there?” she calls from behind the door.

“Yeah, I’m here.”

“Okay, I’m not sure about this.” I’m have no idea what she mean. Does she mean the marriage? Is she already having doubts?

She opens the door and steps out in a baby doll nightie and a thong. The pale baby blue color highlights her soft beige skin. Her hair is down in soft waves. It hangs loosely in front and down her back.

She’s the most stunning being I’ve ever seen.

“I’m too fat for this, aren’t I? You can see my stretch marks, can’t you? That’s what you’re staring at.” She turns back to the bathroom, but I race over and take her arm, turning her toward me.

“Maxima, you are gorgeous. You’re not fat. You don’t have any stretch marks. You have amazing curves, a hot ass, and the most beautiful eyes ever created. You are my wife. You’ll never be fat to me. You’ll never have to be scared of me. I swear I will always love and protect you. As long as I breathe.”

“You’re my hero.” Tear fill her eyes again.

“What?” I’ve heard her say this before, but I don’t know what she means.

“When I was a little girl, I always hoped for someone to come save me. My hero. The one who would make the pain and hurt go away. The one who would make me whole. You. I hoped for you.”

Never in my life have words hit my soul as deep as hers just did. She is mine and I’m hers.

I cup her face and kiss her soft, full lips. I want to devour her, but I don’t and keep myself as calm as I can. Maxima wraps her arms around my waist. She pushes against me until I hit the bed. I sit down, breaking our connection.

“Remington, I’m not…I mean…I never done oral sex willingly.” She hangs her head.

I’m not sure why she said that. “You don’t have to do anything. If you just want to go to bed, I’m good with holding you in my arms.” I try to reassure her.

“It’s our wedding night.” She squeezes my arms.

“I’m aware, but I love you for you and not sex. Now, I don’t mean I didn’t love every second of our previous encounters, because I have.”

Maxima kisses me. Our tongues mingle, and she moans softly. I lay down, pulling her down with me. She straddles me, and I go from soft to hard in zero point two seconds. She presses her hips down and rocks against me.

“I want you, Remington,” she murmurs against my lips.

“I want you, Maxima.”

She climbs off me, and I watch as she shimmies out of the thong. Her cheeks are bright red as I look over her delicious body. She takes my hand, pulling me up. Her hands are shaking as she pulls down my boxer briefs. Maxima strokes me a few times then falls to her knees.

“You don’t have to,” I tell her even though I would love to feel her mouth around me.

“Let’s see if I can.”

“You can stop anytime.” I brush the back of my hand against her cheek.

She closes her eyes and licks her tip. A shiver runs through me. I watch as she gently sucks me. Slowly, she takes me deeper into her mouth. A few moments later, she stops and hangs her head.

“Maxima.”

“I can’t do it, Remington,” she whispers.

“Maxima.” I say her name softly and then pull her up to sit next to me. “You don’t have to do anything you’re uncomfortable with. I’ve told you.”

“But I know men like it.” She sniffles.

I put my two fingers under her chin and make her look at me. “Yes, I like blow jobs, but I love you more.
You
are what matters most to me.”

She smiles through her fallen tears. “My hero.” She throws her arms around me, kissing me hard.

She pulls me on top of her, and we maneuver until I’m between her legs.

“Baby, don’t stop.” Maxima arches into me.

I ease deep inside her, and she moans and pushes against me. She’s fucking incredible. I pump hard into her, and she repeats my name over and over. That just gives me more energy to please her.

My wife.

“Baby. Baby.” She tightens around me as she finds her release. I’m right behind her with mine.

I can’t move. I remain on top of her. We both try to find air in the room.

“I love you Remington,” she pants.

“I love you.”

I have my arm around her waist as Maxima looks around the ring case. We already went to the Clerk’s and filed our license. We officially married. Now, at the jewelry shop, Maxima is looking over all the cases.

“Do you want a different engagement ring?”

“Why?” she asks, baffled by my question.

“Because I just gave it to you. At the time, it was under different circumstances.” I keep my voice low from prying ears.

“I love it. Please don’t change it.” She protectively covers her left hand.

“Okay, we won’t change it.” I kiss her temple.

“May I help you?” The young female sales person asks.

Maxima explains what we need and the young woman is quick to help. I told Maxima I needed a plain gold band because of hockey, and she understands. The girl pulls out a large velvet rectangle box of gold bands.

“I’m an eight,” Maxima says, and the girl hands her one. She tries it on. “It fits.” She beams.

“Sir?” the girl asks. “What’s your size?”

“Um…” Hell, I have no clue. I’ve not wore a ring in years.

“Let’s measure your finger.” She brings out a massive key ring that has various sizes of smaller rings attached to it. She tires on several until lucky size thirteen fits. “We have it.” She pulls out a gold band from the box.

I try it on, and it fits perfectly. “We’ll take them.”

“Can you put them in ring boxes?” Maxima asks, handing her ring back to her. She looks at me, and I hand it over. I’m not sure why she wants them in a box.

Maxima buys my ring, and I purchase hers. She thanks the salesgirl, and we head to the car.

“I want to do something,” Maxima states as I turn the car on and blast the air conditioning.

“Okay.” I turn to her.

She opens the ring boxes and places her ring in my hand and she holds mine.

“Okay,” she takes a deep breath. “I vow and promise to tell you all my feelings even if they embarrass me. I promise you are my best friend and the one I’ll always go to first in my life. You are my only love and lover. You made a fat girl feel beautiful and believe in heroes. I can’t promise I’ll be the easiest person to live with, but I will love you and Arabella until the end of time.” She slides the ring on my finger.

She’s making her vows to me. Yesterday, we only said traditional ones, nothing more.

“You don’t have to say anything back.” She’s nodding, but holding my hand tight.

“Oh, but I am.” I kiss her ring finger above her engagement ring. “I vow and promise to protect you with every breath in my being. You are my best friend and the greatest mother to Arabella, something she’s never had. You will always be able to trust me. I’ll never hurt you, betray you, or make you do anything you don’t want to do. And I vow if I ever see your family, I’ll kill them for all the pain they caused you.” I slip the ring on her finger. “I will love you forever.”

Our lips quickly find each other and kiss fiercely. We are now married.

Chapter Eleven

Maxima

What the hell has happened in the last twenty-four hours of my life? I’m married. Really married and I’m ecstatic about it.

Opening up to Remington was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I was certain he would just walk out of Caryn’s office and never speak to me again. Instead, he settled in the floor with me, holding me and telling me he loved me.

Now, we’re married.

Arabella had a big hand in convincing me to go through with it. I thought about it for a while after we came back from Caryn’s office, but I never thought it would happen.

Last night, I really exposed myself in the nightie and in giving him a blow job, but when I couldn’t finish it, he didn’t criticize me; he treasured me.

“There she is.” Remington points over to the baggage claim.

“Remy.” A tall female waves. She’s in her army greens, her black hair high in a bun. She jumps into his arms, and he spins her around.

“Cora, I’m so happy you’re here.” He puts her back on her feet. “I want you to meet my wife, Maxima.”

Oh, I didn’t expect him to introduce me as his wife right away. He hasn’t even told his parents yet.

“Wife? You did it?” Her dark brown eyes widen.

“Yes, we did.” He beams.

“Oh my God, I’m so happy.” She throws herself on me in a hug. “This is great.”

I’m not sure what to do. Who would have thought she’s be this excited? I’ve never met her, and I didn’t know how she’d react to me.

“Hi,” I greet her after she releases me.

“Sorry, Mom told me all about you. She loves you, but I’m sure you know that already.” She turns to her brother. “Do Mom and Dad know?”

“No, we eloped yesterday,” he tells her. “I’m going to call them today.”

“I have a sister.” Cora hugs me again.

“Cora, you’re smothering her.” Remington pulls her back. “Let’s go see Arabella. She’s about to burst to see you.”

On the drive to pick up Arabella from Dacey’s, Cora tells us about how her new job at the Pentagon, which she’ll start next month. Cora is extremely smart and speaks several languages. She’ll be working in the same department their father had.

“Aunt Cora,” Arabella yells from Dacey’s porch, before she runs toward her.

Cora pick her up and kisses her cheeks. “How’s my beautiful niece?”

“Happy now you’re here.” Arabella giggles.

I walk over to Dacey and thank her for helping us out.

“Maxima, Arabella told me you got married. Is it true?” Dacey asks.

I hold up my left hand. “Yes, we eloped yesterday.”

“Wow. I’m so happy for you.” She gives me a swift hug. “Do Harlow and Meadow know?”

“Not yet, I plan on telling them today. Everything happened so fast.”

“Well, congratulations.”

“Your wedding is a couple months away. Are you excited?” I change the subject to her.

Dacey shrugs. “Our parents are handling everything. I just show up and say ‘I do’.” She sounds so disappointed about the whole thing.

“Are you in love, Dacey?” I keep my question low.

“I promised him if he remained faithful for a year, I’d marry him.”

That wasn’t what I asked, but I simply pat her shoulder and turn back to my family. Arabella is still holding court and has everyone’s attention.

Remington tells everyone it’s time to go and hands Dacey some cash. She doesn’t protest it anymore. She says thank you, and puts it in her pocket.

Cora sits in the back with Arabella, and we head to the house so Cora can unpack and rest a bit. I want to get a few things done as well.

I can feel today is going to be a great day.

“Go fish, Dad,” Arabella says again.

“I feel like you girls are cheating,” Remington mumbles, drawing another card to add to his large collection.

“We’re not,” Cora says. “You just suck at the game.”

He mumbles some more, but we’re laughing too hard to hear him. Our fun is cut off by the doorbell ringing.

“Who’s that?” Remington lays his cards down and heads toward the door.

“Grandma! Grandpa!” Arabella leaps from her seat and races to her grandparents.

“Mom. Dad.” Cora is the next to go over to them. “What are you doing here?”

“We thought we’d spend time with our family,” Daniel explains, hugging his daughter.

“Maxima,” Claire holds me tightly. “You’re glowing.

“Thank you.” I blush.

“Grandma, we got married yesterday,” Arabella blurts out.

I glance at Remington, who is smiling.

“What?” Claire looks between us.

“I tried to call you earlier,” Remington begins. “But I got your voicemail. Maxima and I eloped yesterday.”

“Thank God,” Daniel exclaims.

“It’s about time,” Claire adds and hugs me again. “This is great news.”

We’re all talking at the same time about the details of the wedding when another ring of the doorbell comes, leaving us really confused.

Remington opens the door to see Keaton and Kyson holding about ten boxes of pizza apiece. Behind them is…well…everyone.

“We’re celebrating,” Keaton announces, coming through the front door.

“Let’s head out to the deck,” Claire says and everyone files through the house toward the back. Cabel brought his kids as did Edgar and Greer. Arabella is excited, and they all race to the back yard.

“What are we celebrating?” I ask Harlow and Meadow as we make our way to the back of the house.

Neither of them answer me.

“Vance is bringing all the drinks, even some for the kids,” Kyson says.

“I brought paper plates and napkins.” Greer places a couple bags on the table. “Oh, and the chips.” Edgar brings over more bags loaded with a variety of potato chips in them.

“We have drinks,” Vance announces, coming through with a huge cooler and Dacey behind him with a few bags of ice.

“Okay, as much as I love having everyone over, what are we celebrating?” Remington asks same question I had.

“You’re not a smart man, are you?” Keaton teases him.

“What?” Remington furrow his brow.

“We’re celebrating your marriage, dork,” Hamilton says.

“How did you know?” I gasp.

“Keaton heard Dacey and me talking,” Harlow speaks up.

“Everyone, grab something to drink, and we’ll toast the new couple,” Kyson suggests.

Alden and Vance pass out bottles and drinks; once everyone has one, Hamilton says, “Congratulations, to our newest Bears’ couple!”

“Here. Here.” They all say in unison.

Remington holds me close as we all drink to the two of us. Alden hands out plates and napkins as Meadow and Harlow tells us which pizza is which. I run into the house and grab a blanket for the kids to sit on. Greer, Cabel, and I all get our respective kids their food and drinks. Remington even fixes me a plate.

We’re all chatting, talking, and laughing over each other, and it makes me smile. This time last year, I had no one in my life. I would work and go home. Period. Now, I’m married, with a stepdaughter, friends, and family.

I never thought this would happen.

As the sun slowly sets, Bas and Alden turn on some music. It’s not horribly loud, and the kids playing drowns out a lot of it.

“Hey, check it out,” Keaton interrupts Meadow, Harlow, Greer, and my circle. “Hamilton is talking to Cora.”

We all glance over, and he’s nodding, as he and Cora have what seems to be an intense conversation.

“I swear I’ve never seen him talk to anyone of the opposite sex, unless it’s to sign an autograph or do an interview.” Keaton seems dumbfounded.

“He’s had girlfriends.” Greer defends him. “But he keeps everything low key.”

“Well, they must be very low.” Alden joins in. “I’ve been a Bear for a while, and I was sure he was gay.”

“Leave the Captain alone.” Remington wraps his arms around me, but growls at Alden.

“Mom,” I turn at Arabella’s voice. “May we watch TV?”

“Sure.” I nod and watch all the kids run into the house.

“She’s calling you ‘Mom’?” Meadow leans in.

I nod, not sure what her tone means.

“Good.” She nods. “She deserves a good role model, and you’re perfect.”

I smiles. It’s nice to hear my friends say something so sweet. Reassurance is a good thing. Remington holds me tighter, making me feel even more loved.

They guys begin to clean up, and Greer is talking with Claire, Cora, and Dacey when Meadow and Harlow pull me off to the side.

“Now, be honest with us. Are you okay?” Harlow’s tone is serious.

“I’m more than okay. I’m over the moon.” I really am and tonight has proved it.

“Still having trouble with sex?” Meadow asks quietly.

“I’ve tried to give him oral, but it gave me a flashback. Remington says he loves me more than blow jobs.”

“Well, that’s something I’ve not seen on a Hallmark card,” Harlow quips.

“He’s serious.” I try not to laugh. “He really loves me. This is real.”

“We believe you,” Meadow chimes in. “After you told him everything— and he’s still around— that’s a real man.”

I nod in agreement. Remington is a real man. I stare at him as he and Hamilton carry the trash out toward the garage.

I love him.

We walk everyone out with rounds of hugs, thank yous, and congratulations. Cora says she’ll sleep in the TV room so Daniel and Claire can have the guest room. I tuck Arabella in bed once we have all the arrangements figured out.

Once I make it to our bedroom, I’m exhausted. “We’ve had a long, but good day.” I kick off my shoes and fall on the bed, still in my clothes.

“Agreed.” He flops down next to me. “Hey,” he rolls over and faces me. “I have an idea.”

“What’s that?”

“Let’s get away this weekend.”

“Huh?”

“Mom and Dad are staying all weekend with Cora, which means Arabella will be fine, and we need a real honeymoon.” He winks, making me blush.

“Don’t you want to spend time with you sister? Your parents?”

“I want to spend time with you. Alone. I love my family, but this is really the only weekend we can get away. Soon, we’ll both be waist deep in work and this custody battle.”

I sigh. He’s right. Our plates are going to be inundated very soon.

“We both deserve some time alone.”

Again, he’s right. The past couple well…hell…couple months have been a serious blur. We need time alone. Just us two.

“Okay. As long as your parents and Cora are okay with watching Arabella.”

He leans over and kisses me. I snuggle into him and bask in his warmth.