“As long as there may be a few mini you’s roaming around.” he says brushing a few strands of my hair back.
“It wasn’t a dream.” I say. My heart is so full. This man does it want it. Maybe not now with what we have going on. But in the future. Little blonde babies riding their tricycles. Little ones curled up beside us with a book.
“I knew you could hear me.” He says, I grab his face and pull him in for a long awaited kiss. This kiss is so full of passion and love. A kiss waking up the princess from a long deep sleep into the arms of someone who will love her for the rest of her life. Alexander tries to hold back, but I press hard, sinking further into it. We have years to make things how we want it. I’ll choose him, again and again.
A month has gone by and countless physical therapy appointments and exercise have been beneficial. I am not saying I’m back to fighting style, but soon I will be. Unfortunately we had to push back the opening of the center due certain “circumstances”. I was able to work remotely as well to continue the projects, though Alexander proved to decline my recovery by him being a walking temptation. He said he knew the right medicine and didn’t have to move as much.
The cleaning and construction crew I know worked tirelessly to complete the new building project, pushing the opening to today with the grand ceremony. Little by little we are moving in and my heart is overjoyed with the outcome. The board unfortunately had to take over since two of three general leaders were, well indisposed or out of the picture. And the other out of commission for the most part. From the news and the slight media, the minor truth of my whereabouts on that night had gotten to the board. After being spoken with about the dangers of taking responsibilities a bit too far, the board “apologized” on behalf of Connors and Carla.
Today is the day that I have longed for. The moment to open the doors to the foundation and hopefully start anew with traditions, engagement, and further help out our community. Giving back to the community and to the cities. Maybe once and for all, we can put an end to this.
Today we are surrounded by the community. The weather allows for a warm September afternoon as host to the day. Aggie and Jeremiah sitting together and what I could see holding hands. My women Reva and Sam, alongside Britt who is already tearing up. The rest of the agencies, dignitaries, donors, and many of the previous people we have helped in the past. And to my surprise, a huddle of motorcycle men, dressed in jeans and nice button up shirts. I’m ready for this new beginning.
One of the main leaders of the board steps up to the podium, tapping the microphone to begin the ceremony. “Welcome ladies and gentlemen and people of all ages. Thank you for coming to this joyous occasion. I never intended to put this part in my opening. But many have heard about the recent events of our former founder and we the board were in disgust and horror to find this out. But the Lighthouse Foundation has been a beacon, and pardon the name, within our city of Raleigh and the surrounding areas. It was the workers, the ones working tirelessly to help the community, the true heroes of this community, to convince us to let the foundation continue on this path. One in particular.” He gleams over to me. “And I think it is a great honor and most deserving to announce the new Director and CEO of the Lighthouse Foundation. Ms. Teresa Bjorn.”
Wait, excuse me. Huh? A shout of cheers and applause and whistles welcome me. I hesitate to stand up but the other board members usher me to the podium. I didn’t have a speech prepared nor what words to actually say. Let’s see what words I can pull out. I slowly make my way to the podium. I see Alexander glowing with pride. My loved ones are cheering me on.
“Um.. Okay well. You’ll have to excuse me ladies and gents, I did not expect this. I was pretty much planning to just smile and wave.” I laugh, and the crowd joining in. “ If you had told me a few months back that this was happening, I would have laughed. If you told me a few years ago, I probably believe that you were joking. I still feel like I’m in an endless dream.” I take a deep breath. “But here’s the thing, I didn’t do the work to get here. I let my heart and my mind take the lead. I did what I thought was right and made an effort to change it. I always have the goal in mind that if I could change one person’s life for the better, that was all the success to me. The Foundation is not perfect, but who is? Unfortunately, the person started it all, perhaps let power and wealth and a tainted viewpoint get in the way of the true vision of this foundation. But the foundation is stronger, we won’t back down for the people who want to tear it down. I love this place and only hope to allow the mission to continue. To be a beacon of hope to all who need it. This is only the beginning of a new chapter and I, for one, am ready to welcome it.”
I end my speech with the message of hope, and a bit of a warning to all who think they can tear it down. I think for one thing, they’ll have to go through me and the Grim Wolves. This is our city, our community.
Epilogue- Four Years later
Threeyears,ithasbeen four years since Alexander Jackson Jones walked into my life, and a few months in our marriage. He wanted to wait until things were calm within our city and no threats to us. We have one final thing to finish but everything else has been blissful. Every day is an adventure with him. I love him.When I opened myself up to him and let him love me for me, inside and out, that's where the fairytale continued.
Alexander wants to take a ride to our first date spot, to celebrate our sixth month anniversary. I don’t feel like it counts, but Alexander is relentless.
He sits on the couch in my office, waiting for my to get done with work. “I’m celebrating every moment with you, darlin’”
I roll my eyes. “When do you not celebrate?” I raise an eyebrow at him.Looking at my email one last time before we rode off to what ever destination he had in mind.
I walk over to him, and straddle him. “Always with you Mrs. Jones.” He says
“Excuse me?” I smack his chest. Then wrapping my arms around his neck.
“Sorry, Mrs. Bjorn-Jones.” he presses a supple kiss to my lips, grinding against me, and I return the favor by pressing into him tight. “Finish what you start Teresa.”
“Yes sir. Let me go and I’ll show you how I finish.” A smile curves on my face.
The bike between my legs, my arms wrapped around him. For the brief moments, this was where I wanted time to freeze. The warmth from his body, the humming and vibration of the bike, and the open roads in the early morning. In this moment, nothing could harm us, it is just Alexander and myself. I tuck his gift in my jacket, safeguarding it. Normally, it is Alexander that spoils me with gifts, both physically and affectionately.
We make our way to the park, parking the bike in what feels like the same exact spot as the first time. Before I could get off the bike, Alexander reaches behind me with all his strength and whips me around to the front of the bike. Instead of straddling the bike, I’m straddling his hips. I reach for his helmet to take it off, to reveal his beautiful face. His once long blonde hair now shortened with a high fade. I miss grabbing it in more ways than one, but it will grow back. But his bright blue eyes and his full lips, his prominent cheeks, the devilish grin on his face.
“When I took you here you were nervous.”
“Duh, you are an oaf and I’m just an innocent short woman. You overpowered me. But I thought you brought me there to kill me.” I tapped his nose.
"Innocent would be the world I would describe you." Alexander laughs.
"You corrupted me," I say in response.
“Then soon, it was you who overpowered me.”
“I have my ways.” I plant a kiss on his lips, grabbing his head with both my hands.
The park has not changed, still the trees lining up in various directions. Every inch brings back the memories of a once scared woman who was afraid to take a chance on love, take a chance, relinquish the fear and take control of the wild side. Alexander taking my hand, guiding me through the woods. This was my idea. Because for once, I have something up my sleeve that he will never see coming.
In our tracks lies the bridge that we had stopped at, where Alexander unleashed a primal idea. This is my chance, time to let my idea fly. I stop Alexander jerking back my hand.