Pillar Ch. 21: Final

His smile felt like it would refuse to go away for a long time. He had expected a yes, with maybe some crying and hugging, but this was beyond any expectation he had held. Seeing the woman he loved prostrated before him, shaking because her body was struggling with the joy he caused her, it was the best moment in his life. If there ever was a perfect moment, this was it.

He didn't stretch the moment, there was no need. He would never forget it, he was sure it would be imprinted into the both of them for the rest of their lives. He wanted to see her face, he wanted to touch her. He needed to release this restless energy inside of him, but he had to contain himself.

"Ruth, please rise up so I can see your face."

She obeyed and the radiant smile on her face severely taxed his self-restraint.

"I was planning on a nice speech, but I don't think I'll make it. Not with the way you're looking at me. So I'll hurry."

He took a small jewelry box out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a simple platinum band.

"Ruth Lorreyn, will you marry me?"

Her throat locked up and she almost couldn't speak. She grabbed his hand with both of hers and pulled it down to her chest. Feeling his sturdy hand against her body calmed her down a little, she squeezed his fingers hard and closed her eyes, trying to collect herself. Finally she was able to breathe out and look into his eyes again.

"Yes, I want to marry you. Yes, I want to accept your collar. Yes, I want to be with you. Yes, yes, yes, yes. Yes to everything you can imagine. Yes, always yes. I will never say no to you, I can't even imagine it anymore. Yes. God, yes. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. Yes! I love you so much!"

He slid the ring over her finger and the tension left him, only to be replaced by a different sort of tension. He wanted her in the worst way. They didn't make it to the bedroom, not until the early morning. They got up late the day after and started it all over again.

***

"Do you have any time left for an old friend in that busy schedule of yours?"

Ruth raised her eyebrow and looked Jenny in the eye.

"Of course I have, I always have time for you."

Jenny snorted and folded her arms tightly underneath her breasts.

"Oh really? What does he have you doing tonight?"

"Tonight I have aikido and I was thinking of getting some reading done."

"And tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow we're having tea and playtime."

Jenny rolled her eyes and sighed

"I'm never going to do anything with you again am I?"

Ruth pulled her in close and after giving her a good squeeze she said

"I didn't know you missed my company that much, I'm sorry if I've been neglecting you. I can't reschedule my class but Tom won't mind if I push back some of my assignments to spend some quality time with you."

"You're still not sick of it? Don't you ever just want to watch TV and have a nice bowl of whatever you've got laying around?"

Ruth smiled at her sulking friend and shook her head.

"If I get tired of it all, I ask for free time. And if I have to be honest, I hardly ever use my free time just to watch TV. There's so much more in the world to do. I'm glad I got rid of my old couch, my memories of the one at Tom's place are a lot happier than those attached to that old and lonely thing. I'll give him a call and then we can go watch a movie after my training, you can come watch if you want to."

"No, thanks. I'll take you up on the movie though."

Ruth drained the last sip of her drink and stood up.

"You're leaving already?"

"I have to be on time."

"I still can't believe he's stealing my little Ruth from me."

Ruth laughed and walked around Jenny's chair, throwing her arms around her.

"Jenny, Jenny. You're still upset about that?"

"You're marrying a man who doesn't even let you be late to something he won't be at."

"I know."

"And he plans most of your time."

"He does, yes."

"You won't be free again for the rest of your life."

"Not entirely, no. But at least I won't be bored."

With those words she picked up her coat and strode out the door, briefly stopping to mime a phone at Jenny. Her friend watched her leave and wondered.

-

Author's comment:

So, this is the end.

There's been some controversy about the storyline, which can be summarized into two elements: a committed Ds relationship + dealing with an outsider's sexual addiction in a deeply committed way and the tensions that involves.

That was my intention with the story, while still incorporating enough sexual content.

I won't go into it further than this but if anybody would like to give his opinion and possible advice, then please do so in a structured and meaningful way. Feel free to mail.

C&D