Bella's Choice (40 page)

Anabella was in his arms before the word ‘kiss’ was out of his mouth. She kissed Aldrich with much affection as tears of joy ran down her cheeks, affirmation sealed as hearts beat as one.

He looked at her proudly, never leaving her side as their family and friends waited for an opportunity to talk to them. It took a while to simmer the small crowd down enough to sign the paperwork, making it all legal. Almost every person had a camera in hand, snapping at the happy occasion from all angles for future reference.

Thereafter, Mr. Copeland invited everyone for cake at his resort.

Mr. and Mrs. Smit took them aside and gave them a wedding gift wrapped in white paper and a golden bow, and shared a few words of wisdom. “You both had victory over traumatic events in your lives. Yet you have chosen to walk this road together, and we see how you compliment each other as a couple. Your lives weren’t built on ashes, so from now on look at it as stepping stones to move forward to higher planes. You complete each other, which is sacred to you both; you stand by the other and already protect one another. Your satisfaction and desires will always include the other half. You have become one, thinking and moving as one. No one can come between what you have, unless you allow it. From this day forward, there is no
I
in your sentence, but rather
we
or
us
. You create this marriage from day one, as well as its outcome. You’re the sole writers of your lives, make every decision count. But most of all, we will always be with you, standing in the background, and sharing your life. We’re proud of both of you, and wish you a wonderful life.”

Anabella hugged and kissed them reverently and then turned to Aldrich, holding him close. Words couldn’t describe how she felt at that moment, but her cup surely did run over.

More people were present in the hall next to the pool where long tables filled with the most delicate confections Anabella had ever seen were spread out. Even the pool itself was decorated; a red carpet ran all around the rim with floating bouquets of white water lilies on the bright, blue water. At each corner stood huge, iron candelabras with white candles decorated in golden fabrics to emphasize the decorations within the house. She thanked Mr. Copeland profusely but he laughed it off and said it was nothing, that he knew a few women in the region who were more than eager to help him out on such short notice.

More vases filled the hall, and tables and chairs were neatly placed and decorated in the white and gold theme where their guests could sit and enjoy the day
with them. Champagne was poured and the celebrations were in full swing. Music filled the air around them and people gathered together, dancing, eating, drinking and chatting while Sam―the main photographer for the event―walked around clicking away on his very expensive camera.

The day was already bathed in dawn when she smelled the fires of a barbeque. Surprised, she queried it with Aldrich who just smiled and said she must enjoy every single second of it. The festivities went on well in to the night.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” Aldrich asked her when she stared dreamily at the ocean during a short break from the people who had been around her constantly.

“Oh, Aldi, this is the best day of my life. I couldn’t have done a single thing better myself. Thank you. Thank you for everything.”

When their lips met it felt like the world held its breath for them, anticipating the lovers’ caresses. Silence fell as they enjoyed each other’s company, until one of the children called him.

Reluctantly, he let her go and whispered, “I love you.” Then was dragged away.

When Anabella made her way to the dance floor with yet another strange man, her eyes locked with Aldrich’s. He called her over to him with a tilt of his head. Excusing herself, she left the man standing and rushed to her husband. After a brief kiss, they disappeared into the dark night, not willing to risk someone else stopping them.

During their walk along the dark path, they would stop and feast on each other’s lips, drunk with ecstasy. This was what they had been looking forward to, what had seemed to be a lifetime of waiting.

Anabella dreamed about this day for the last couple of days now, hoping to be united with him at long last. She had never expected it would happen this quickly, always thinking it was still a long way off. If nothing else, Aldrich was very determined in not going any further with the passion they felt growing between them. She gladly followed his lead, knowing he was doing everything to protect her by showing her the correct way and not giving in to their more carnal needs.

When he’d gone over yesterday and proposed casually, she thought her heart would stop, not willing to believe that it could be true. When she saw her friend this morning, she broke down, allowing herself the luxury to crumble in her arms, but also to settle in her mind that this was her wedding day. That it was real and not in the distant future. Now she was Mrs. Aldrich Hagin, loved and accepted by him and his family. She was finally part of a normal family, something she had always wanted.

As she watched him throughout the evening interacting with his family, she couldn’t help but feel elated that they were now together, that the things she had suffered were now something of the past. Her parents couldn’t touch her now, couldn’t force her to do their bidding. She had made a choice, and although it was at times difficult, the reward of that choice had brought her to this place. Unashamedly, she could give herself to him without any remorse for her past. Her heart was racing with a quick staccato, her body pulsing in anticipation for the long and overdue lovemaking. It was a gentle but deliberate building, an expectation which would now fulfill the yearning born during the months of struggle with her inner demons. Now, finally laid to rest, she could give herself to the one man who had captured her heart.

Aldrich watched her throughout the day, his smile never wavering as he got drunk with the person who was now his wife. She floated through the small group with comfort and ease, a smile always persent on her beautiful face. Throughout the course of the evening, his eyes had lingered on her body, knowing that he would have her. No barriers stood between them. Now, he could take what she wanted to give without holding back. Tonight he would take them both to places where no one else could go with them, a place where he’d know her intimately. He would show her how much he loved her as he explored the wonder that was Anabella. He had been eager to leave the celebration, an
d when he finally got the opportunity he took it.

Back home, he picked her up in one fluid motion―even with her height she was still easy to carry. She chuckled as she wrapped her arms around his neck, then kissed him while still on the threshold, savorin
g the moment as they stepped into their house and straight to their bedroom. With the door closed behind them, it became very quiet in the rest of the house.

When their bodies came together as one, Aldrich reveled in the feel of her skin and her touch as she explored his body. He knew that this would be her first time and mindful of this fact, he was gentle and caring. Patiently, he waited for her to relax with him while he worshipped the body he had admired from afar. He acquainted himself with all that was Bella as only a man who loves a woman could. He took them to the highest of a lovers’ peak, only to roll back and start anew, each time with more abandon and greater confidence, until she was ready to take him as he wanted. Only then did he give in to his own needs.

For Anabella, this was the fulfillment of all her dreams. The reason she had stayed pure whilst fighting to the bitter end. When she gave herself to him in passionate abandonment, she opened a whole new chapter in her life; one where only Aldrich was welcome as she enjoyed the sweet fruit when he buried himself within her each time. Exquisite torture became new words in her vocabulary as she discovered this man inch by inch, his passion and love washing over her in waves that refused to stop, taking her in with each wave to more exquisite heights, teaching her his likes. She couldn’t get enough of him, loving him as much as he loved her. She whispered her everlasting love to him each time their bodies united.

Marvelous. Wondrous. All prevailing love.

The week following the honeymoon Anabella returned with him, having decided that as his wife he wouldn’t be alone anymore. At first, Aldrich wanted to stop her, but she didn’t want to hear anything about it.

“I’m your wife and there is no way I’ll leave your side.” Persistent and demanding, she took on her new role as his life partner, and he loved her even more.

“I want to care for you, love you. Besides, there’s a pool close by where I can continue with my practices.”

“Yes, Bella, my love,” he said, not arguing as he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her soundly.

They had had a long talk the Sunday afternoon while still at the beach house, managing to get out of the room to eat the leftover food someone had left in the fridge. He’d laid down the rules in no uncertain terms, and she politely listened to his demands. He wanted her to finish varsity but that she wouldn’t be staying at the dorm. On this, he was adamant.

She listened with a playful smile, only to agree to his points in the end; both more than willing to compromise in order to make it work.

“Yes, sir, love,” she finally said with a twinkle in her eyes, wrapping herself around him.

“And then afterward, we can discuss children,” he whispered softly, with all the hope of the world in his eyes.

“Yes, sir, love,” she replied excitedly.

Although the subject had never been raised, she knew he wanted children. Being her senior by eleven years, his desire to have a family was foremost on his mind, and she would do anything to give that to him. Therefore, she could only agree with him.

“Don’t ‘yes, sir, love’ me. This is serious, Bella. I won’t hold you back, you have worked hard for it your whole life.”

“Yes, sir, love,” she repeated, unable to stop teasing him relentlessly with her lips where she could reach his skin. “We will do as you say, sir, love.”

“Good,” he smirked, his flesh dotted with goose bumps. “Come here, my sweet dessert.”

Her giggles were abruptly stopped when he sealed her lips with his.

“Is there any cream?” he asked, coming up for breath.

She could only nod, allowing his lips to roam her body, caressing her with each kiss as he moved them to the kitchen, his hands trailing her skin to find the spots that made her melt in his arms.

The wonder of it all just didn’t end.

With renewed vigor, she focused more on her practices and joined the team once again, using her maiden name so as not to draw any unwanted attention through the media.

At the beginning of February, a crowd gathered at the Midmar dam. Excitement filled the air as kids went wild and people walked casually around supporting the different booths with various items for sale. The smell of boerewors―a traditional South African sausage made from coarsely minced beef or lamb, or both, infused with spices―permeated the air as people gathered around the tables where hotdogs were served, seeking the nourishment food would bring them. Competitors stood in small circles warming up, getting ready for the race. Her team was also participating in this event, and every swimmer ended up doing well. They hadn’t come for any winnings but more with the intent of training, which gave the spectators something to cheer about. Mr. Clark was very satisfied with their progress.