Aster`s Husband Ch 7 by Leanne Dyck

 Chapter six: New love is born...

photo by ldyck

Chapter seven

Sunrise and sunset, Darlene and I share our summers—alternating between my house and hers. She skillfully helps me hammer, saw and paint my new home. Never complaining. In fact, seeming to take delight in the work.

“This place is so cool,” she tells me. “Everything just makes so much sense. It’s all so space efficient.”

And I help her repair the grand old dame—the leaky faucets, the peeling wallpaper, the... It’s a long list.

“You know my great-great-grandfather was a sea captain. He’s the guy who built this house. He was trying to win the heart of an island gal—my great-great-grandmother. And he did.” She shares her family legends with me.

I dream of endless days with Darlene. And nights...

Spent, we snuggle warm in each other's arms, and I know I have to tell her about Aster. But what do I say? Maybe something like: I loved her once, but she pushed me away. Unwanted but still feeling committed, I was stuck in purgatory. Waiting for—? I had no idea what. And now I know I was waiting for you. For a long time, I still felt responsible for her. But now I don’t. Now I’m free. You’re my—. “Darlene—.”

“Kjartan, I... I’m sorry, go ahead.”

“No, I insist you first.”

“I’m... Well, I’m... I’m pregnant.”

photo by ldyck

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Aster`s Husband Ch 6 by Leanne Dyck

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photo by ldyck

Chapter six

Darlene takes me home. Down a winding road and up a hill, the grand old dame has been passed from generation to generation in her family. She inherited it from a maiden aunt. Oh, what secrets it hides under its creaky floorboards and between its walls.

"Let's make supper." Darlene heads down the hall to her country kitchen, and I follow close behind. 

The warm evening invites us to enjoy our meal on the veranda in padded wicker chairs. Mouthful after mouthful, I can’t help thinking about Darlene’s legs wrapped around my torso. And I know she feels the same.

She takes my hand and leads me down the hall to her bedroom. I watch her fold the quilt and tuck it into the trunk at the foot of the bed. A smile on her lips, she pulls me to her, but...

I hear Aster’s voice so clearly, it’s like she’s in bed with me. No, not like that... I’m not comfortable when you... I try to dislodge myself from my wife’s ceaseless instructions. Darlene isn’t Aster. But what if... What if we can’t? I have warned her. I have to let her know that if it can’t happen, it’s my fault, not hers. “Sometimes I have trouble...” 

Hold on—. What’s she doing now? Wow. Aster would never... But now.

Entwined, we dance like our bodies are meant for only this.

I lose my heart, my mind... I lose control. Complete and total control. I never thought it could be this way. I only hoped. And now I know it can.

photo by ldyck

New love is born

Chapter seven (last chapter)

photo by ldyck

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