The Arrangement Ch. 07

He smiled and pulled back just a fraction more, "You sure you want me to stop screwing you, Missus Monroe?" he teased as he gave another gentle circle of his hips.

"God damn it, you know I didn't mean that," she roared and she turned her head to look at him. "Fuck me, Daniel. Fuck me hard."

He gave another slow circle, "You haven't answered my question, sweetheart. Who's sweet little cunt is this?" To encourage her, he rocked his hips forward as he tweaked her nipple.

"Daniel," she whimpered. "Please," she begged.

"Wrong answer, baby," he said as he drew back until just the head of his swollen cock rested inside her.

"Yours, god damn it, yours," she almost screamed. "Now fuck me," she demanded as she moved her hips back against him. This time his hold about her waist lessened, allowing her to move backwards, swallowing the length of his cock as he plunged forward at the same time.

He pounded into her. He felt those demons riding his back once more. As good as her admission felt, it was not the one he craved. He gave up his hold about her waist, his hand moving up, his fingers wrapping themselves into the soft lengths of her hair. He used it to tug her back until her face was just inches from his. "Say it again, Jill. Tell me who's pussy this is!"

He felt her body begin that incredible magic of its release as she looked into his eyes, "Yours. It's yours, Daniel."

He roared his victory into the depths of her sweet lips as he plunged harder and faster into her as she milked and squeezed his hard cock. He felt his come rising up, he wanted to hold back, he wanted to push her further, he wanted more. But as always her body mastered his, drawing forth that which he was not ready to fully give. And all he could do was ride the wave of his release as he emptied himself once more inside of her.

As the power drained from them both, she collapsed forward onto the bed and he followed. He rolled enough to take the bulk of his weight off of her, but their lower bodies remained entwined, their legs pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly. His arm fell across her lower back and in the moon light he noticed it for the first time. The faint blue lines of a tattoo just above the round curve of her bottom. He recognized it instantly. The Royal Marine Corps Crest.

"Per mare, per terram," he whispered as his fingers outlined the other man's symbol of ownership upon his wife. The man, who had held far more than he ever would. He might have her body, but he knew this ghost still held her heart.

She stirred in his arms, turning her head towards him. "What did you say?" she whispered, her eyes drowsy and barely open.

Daniel bent and kissed her nose, "It's nothing. Nothing important," he lied as he rolled away from her. He walked over to the closet and pulled out the spare blanket. As warm as the night was, it would be enough.

His wife rolled into his arms as he spread it over them. He drew her head to rest as it did most nights against his heart. He placed another soft kiss on the top of her head as he wrapped his arm about her, holding her close. But not close enough. It would never be close enough.

The tattoo was just another reminder of that fact, he thought as he stared at the ceiling. His body far more relaxed after their love making than his mind. He knew that sleep would not come easily this night as the ghost of that other man lingered in his mind and heart. He shook his head, "It's never going to be enough, is it, buddy?" he asked the silence.

***

Jill's hands folded and packed, although she was not really certain what. Her mind was somewhere else. Things had been different since the other night. He was avoiding her again. He said it was because of the trip. He needed to make certain that everything was ready before he left. So of course, their nooners were gone. He barely made it home in time for dinner each night. And maybe that was it, she knew the demands that the military placed upon a marriage.

Maybe too it was this trip. It could not be easy on him, knowing that this was almost certainly the final farewell to his father. It was something that she had never gotten, her own parents killed suddenly in a car accident when she was a senior in high school. Even then she was a true child of the sixties, having never been that close to the free-spirited hippie academicians, who had accidentally given birth to her. But it must be eating Daniel up inside this final farewell.

But the one thing she feared most was that she had allowed herself to go too far the other night. That in her need to comfort and please her husband, she had revealed too much of herself. Not just her less than perfect body, but the wildly sexual creature that beat just below the surface of her calm exterior. She had learned the hard way that type of wanton behavior did not appeal to all men. Perhaps she had gone too far. Perhaps the dirty talk that she was barely able to stifle most times and had failed to muffle that night was too much. Too bold. Too whorish. Or perhaps the moonlight had not been as kind at concealing of her many flaws as she thought.

The truth was that over the course of the past three days, he had not touched her at all. Well, that was not totally true. Even though they started each night on their respective sides of the bed, like opposite of a magnetic pole, their bodies were unable to resist the pull of the attraction. They awoke each morning a tangled mess of arms and legs. His hard-on pressed against her was a temptation she could barely resist.

She was piling another something into the case and staring out the small bedroom window, when she felt the tug on her dress. "Jill, my tummy hurts," whispered Bel.

She knelt down and drew the little girl towards her, brushing a kiss across her forehead. The heat emanating from it caused her to draw back in alarm. The child was burning up. She placed her hand at the back of the girls neck and was greeted with similar.

"Where does it hurt, sweetie?" she asked.

"All over. It so bad," the large tears that glistened as they flowed down her rosy cheeks told Jill the truth of her words.

"Let's put you in bed, then I'll get you some medicine and something to drink," she was about to reply when the little girl turned pale, her soft blue eyes that always reminded Jill of his grew large before the onslaught of projectile vomiting that covered everything in the suitcase. Jill held the little girl, whispering soothing words until the violent vomiting stopped. Their bed, the floor, the suitcase and Bel were all covered.

Jill picked her up and carried her down the hall to the bathroom. Bel was crying and whimpering, "I sorry. I didn't mean to make a mess."

She knelt next to the girl as she began to strip her soiled clothes off. "Sweetie, don't worry about it. I know that. I'll clean it up after we get you tucked in bed."

The child continued to sob as Jill finished undressing her and lifted her into the tub. She heard a noise behind her and turned towards the door.

"What's wrong with her?" demanded the petulant pre-teen staring around the room.

"Your sister is not feeling well. Could you get me the children's Tylenol out of the closet in the hall and a glass of water, please Jessie?" Jill asked as she picked up the cup that she kept near the tub for washing the twins' hair. She began pouring the tepid water over Bel's head even as the child shivered.

"I know it's cold, sweetie, but we need to get your fever down," she said as she poured a bit of shampoo into her palm and began to lather her hair, removing the bits of food and bile that hung to the blonde tresses.

She heard the older girl sigh as she left, "Sure, I'll check on the little ones, too."

Jill smiled up at her step-daughter. "Thank you, I can use whatever help you're willing to give here."

She shrugged, "Don't worry about the babies. I'll take them downstairs with me. I've kinda been missing the little brats since you and Gran showed up. They used to be my responsibility when Dad wasn't around."

Jill frowned at her words, "What about," she began but another round of violent vomiting put an end to her inquiries. She turned back to the younger girl, pulling the plug from the tub and starting all over again.

She had just finished a second rinse of the girl's hair when a bottle of medicine and glass of water appeared on the sink next to her. "Thank you," she said without looking up.

"Do you want me to call Dad at work?" asked Jessie.

She shook her head, "He should be home soon anyway. If you can manage the babies, then I'll take care of Bel and try to clean things up a bit before he gets home. Would you mind getting me a big bowl or pot from the kitchen?"

"Sure, no problem, is she gonna be all right?"

Jill nodded as she smiled at the little girl, "You're going to be fine, angel girl," she said as she placed another kiss on the child's forehead. It was still much too hot. She poured a spoonful of the medicine and tried to get the child to drink it, but she just cried and shook her head. "Please, sweetie, girl?" Jill pleaded.

"She hates the stuff. Mom always gave it to her when she wanted to make sure she would stay asleep, not wake up and disturb her and," the girl looked away as if she had said too much. "Bel, quit being a baby. You need it this time," she commanded her younger sister.

Jill wrapped the towel about the child and drew her into her arms. "Sh, sweetie girl, it's o.k. Let's get you to your bed and we'll try again," she said as she scooped her up in her arms. "Would you bring the medicine and the glass of water before getting that bowl, please, Jessie?"

She nodded her darker blond head and picked up the items, following them down the hall to the bedroom that she had shared with her sister until a month before. "You sure I shouldn't call Dad," she whispered.

Jill saw the genuine concern in her face and smiled. "It's probably just a tummy bug. I'm sure the two of us can manage fine until he gets home."

But the moan from the child in her arms as another pain doubled her over had even Jill doubting her words.

"Need toilet," cried her bundle.

Jill barely managed to get the child to it before the loud pop announced that this bug was one to be reckoned with. "Jess, go manage Brit and Ash. I'll handle Bel," she commanded. She was busy trying to reassure the younger girl when she realized how pushy she might have sounded, "Jess, I really do appreciate your help here. Thank you," she smiled weakly into the girl's face as she turned to leave.

The next half an hour was spent in bathroom with her step-daughter, alternately being violently ill into the sink or tub or doubled over the toilet holding her tiny tummy. Jill was at the end of her wits, worried about the fever that just would not come down, despite the cool clothes she kept applying to the girls forehead and neck.

She heard voices down the hall as she held the little girl's shoulders which were shaking as she vomited again. Even the carpet did nothing to hide the pounding of feet down the corridor. A second later, he filled the tiny doorway, just as completely as he filled every corner of her fantasies.

"Is she all right?" he asked looking at his daughter wrapped only in the towel as she dry heaved over the sink.

Jill shook her head so that the child could not see the worry on her face or in her voice. "I think we should take her to the hospital," she said in almost a whisper.

He nodded his head and pulled out his phone, pushing a single button, he barked orders to their friend, "Bel's sick. I need you over here now. Jill and I are taking her to the hospital."

Jessie stepped up behind him, "I can watch the babies, daddy."

He nodded and smiled weakly at his oldest. "I know you can, sweetie. But Simone will be here in a couple of minutes. You and Althea can do whatever you girls do these days while we have the doctors check out your sister."

Jill saw the disappointment on the girl's face. She recognized how hard it must be to be pushed aside, have duties that were once yours taken away by a stranger. "Jess, would you mind one more huge favor for me? Can you grab a t-shirt and knickers for your sister? Nothing heavy just enough to cover her bits."

"Knickers?"

"Sorry, underwear, panties. I'm still re-learning the American language," she smiled.

"Sure, whatever," she said as she sulked away.

Daniel shook his head, "You really are fucking amazing, sweetheart. I didn't even realize how all this must seem to her."

"Teenagers are an experience. Let me tell you. D.J. was nineteen when his father was killed. He thought that made him the man in the house. It wasn't easy," she smiled as she hugged her bundle closer, her eyes filling with tears as the worry of the past hour gave way to sharing this burden. "We'll make it through in the end."

***

Daniel cradled his daughter's hand as she slept. They were still waiting for the doctors to tell them something. But they had started an IV almost the moment they arrived. Medications that brought his Bel some relief for the vomiting and fever had been administered through it.

Through it all, she had been there. Her voice soothed and calmed even when the nurses had poked the child's tiny veins, three times. Daniel had turned away. He might know how to start one himself should he or any of his men need it, but he would be damned if he would watch them torturing his baby girl.

Hell, she'd even managed somehow to find Cindy, the damned bear that had been his daughter's favorite for as long as he could remember. The teddy was clutched tightly in her tiny arms as she slept peacefully now.

The gentle hand on his shoulder came as a surprise. He chuckled as he turned and looked up into her face. He saw his own worries reflected there as he brought her soft hand to his lips. "Are you taking lessons on sneaking up on someone, Missus Monroe?"

She smiled, "Well, there is this really hot Seal that I know. Think he might give me a few?"

Her attempt at humor touched him. How did she do it? Bel? Jess? Him? She seemed to know exactly what to say and do to bring each of them the care their hearts yearned for. He kept her hand in his as he drew her to sit on his lap.

"I'm sorry I've been such a dick the past couple of days," he whispered. "It's just," his voice trailed off. It is just that I am fucking green with envy for a dead man, he thought.

But she did not give him time to think of some plausible lie, "It's all right, Daniel. Your father. The deployment. I understand." She looked over at Bel, "Now this. I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"You're doing it already, sweetheart. Just being here. For her. For me. It's all we need right now," he said as he bent to brush a kiss across the frown that marred her perfect features.

He fought back the need to take it further, to deepen the kiss. But he knew how quickly things could flare between them. And the last three days of self-enforced abstinence was not helping at the moment. Despite his worry for his child, the trip that would have to be cancelled, the bright lights and sounds of the hospital, he was rock hard in his jeans. His body cried out for her, the rest be damned.

He was thankful for the metal on metal squeak of the curtain being pulled aside. A young lieutenant in scrubs stepped into the room. He recognized the man from another visit to the Emergency Room. That one for far different reasons. He blushed at the memory of things which where said that night.

"Commander, Missus Monroe," the man nodded towards them with a smile. "Well, we are still waiting for some test results to come back to confirm it, but it looks like your daughter may have food poisoning."

"Food poisoning?" Jill asked her hands going to her mouth. He could see her mind clicking over.

"But none of the rest of us got sick?" he quizzed.

"She could have picked it up anywhere. School. The playground. Anything. It could have even been something she ate days or weeks ago. There is no telling with these things. But you did the right thing. Bringing her in quickly like this. These things usually work themselves through, but especially in little ones like her, well things aren't always so good," he tried to offer them reassurance.

"We'd like to keep her overnight just to be sure. But I think the worst of it is over. She should be fine in a couple of days. Weak, but fine."

Jill stood up, "We had a family trip planned tomorrow."

The man shook his head, "Afraid you're going to have to re-schedule it, ma'am."

Daniel nodded. His heart tightened in his chest, but as much as he loved his father he knew his priority lay here in this hospital bed.

His wife though pressed forward, "I'm sorry, Lieutenant. But you don't understand. The commander's father is ill," she smiled softly at him. "Terminal. His team is being deployed next week. Is there anyway?"

The man shrugged, "Normally, I wouldn't recommend it, but I understand what you are saying. Let's keep her here tonight. Then if there is no more vomiting or diarrhea you can take her home tomorrow morning. If she can manage to keep some liquids down without any problems, then maybe we can think about it. A day, maybe two," he said looking sympathetically at Daniel. "I'm truly sorry, sir. But it really is the best we can hope for."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," he replied as the man walked out, pulling the curtain closed behind himself.

His wife walked back to him. She knelt on the floor and wrapped her arms about his shoulders, pressed her forehead against his, "Take Jess and go tomorrow. I'll stay here with Bel, Brit and Ash."

"No way, Missus Monroe. This is a family trip. Besides it isn't just me that dad wants to see. He wants to see his grandbabies and meet you too." He chuckled, "Mom would make me sleep in the barn if I showed up without you. She's been dying to meet you since," he smiled.

Jill giggled, "I'm not sure I'm ready to meet her. Simone and your mother know things about me that no one else does."

His eyebrows shot up, "Such as?"

Jill swallowed hard. He watched pink spread from her cheeks to her ears and down her neck. But she just shook her head. "Nothing important. Just girl stuff."

But Daniel had the feeling that he needed to pull that damned password out of the drawer and give those things a more thorough read. Perhaps they could explain. Explain why his giving and caring wife pulled back every time he tried to get her out of her clothes.

But not this night. This night would be spent in the hospital, again. "I'll take you home, sweetheart. Then come back here so someone's here when Princess wakes up."

She shook her head, "No, if we have any chance of still making this trip, you need your sleep. It's a long drive from Virginia to Omaha. You go home and relieve Simone. I'll stay here with Bel."

He shook his head, "No way, that bed's too damned big and cold without you."

His wife chuckled, "You men are such wimps. How do you think we feel when ya'll are gone for months? I always told David that women really were the stronger sex. We keep it all together while you boys pound your chests."

He could hear the teasing tone in her voice, but even the mention of the other man had him on edge. He fought to keep his jealousy under control. He reminded himself that it was his bed that she slept in. His arms that she filled. And his chest that she used as a pillow every night.

But all the pep talks in the world could not erase those blue lines of another man's mark on his wife's body. Or his memories from her mind. Worse, they could not push him aside in her heart. No, the truth was that he was the one left out in the cold in this marriage, at least in the only way it mattered.

So he simply nodded, "All right, you win. I'll head home." He lifted her reluctantly from her place on the floor. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and kiss her senseless, but what would it solve? There was no doubt in his mind that he could have his wife's body any time he wanted. He even had her loyalty, this night proved that as much as any. But each day it got harder to take the crumbs of affection from the other man's table.