Here With Me

Ugh, where is he? I thought to myself, looking at my phone to check the time; 8:35pm, my foot tapping nervously. I looked around the bar as I sat in a booth with Gem, Kennedy and our friends. I even bought a new dress for tonight, where is he? 'Under Your Spell' by Desire was playing over the sound system and provided little comfort to me as I wrung my hands.

While everyone laughed and listened to the crazy stories Kennedy had to share, Jules placed his hand on mine and offered a small smile, "Relax. He said he had some business to do, he'll be here soon enough."

I just nodded, trying to accept that excuse.

"And if you're going to continue tapping your foot, maybe try tapping it on the floor or the actual table leg, rather than my leg." He whispered in my ear.

My face went red and I couldn't help but laugh, "Oh no, I'm sorry!"

"It's fine." He laughed, resuming his original position; elbows on the table and listening to the others. But I knew he wanted to look like he was actually interested since Gemma's younger sister sat next to him; Ginny.

I tried doing the same, well, listening anyways, but was alarmed by Gemma's expression as she stared past me, her mouth agape and looking shocked. Quickly I turned to my left and gasped, seeing Hudson walk into the bar with stains of blood on his face and a bruise that was beginning to develop near his eye.

"Hudson, what happened?" I jumped to my feet, wanting to throw my arms around him but keeping myself from doing so. But still I stood in front of him, my hands on his shoulders staring up at him. Our table began frantically asking the same questions. I feared he might have been mugged or worse.

"I'll explain later." He muttered, looking me up and down. "Can we talk?"

I blinked and quickly nodded, "Yes, of course."

He took my hand and pulled me along, and in a brisk pace taking us outside in front of the bar. He released my hand and stared at me for a moment, panting with an expression that looked like he was trying to figure out what to say. He quickly took in a breath, "We said 'for better or for worse', and that was the absolute worst, what you did."

I closed my eyes in pain, understanding that he was still just as hurt as the day I confessed to him.

He continued. "...my dad called me earlier this evening and, he's told me things I never thought I'd ever hear...he told me that a month ago, you and him had talked to each other...you convinced him to call me. To talk to me. To apologize. He said to me, that he was sorry for years of pain that he caused me and for the times he was never there for me. Avery, if you hadn't talked to him...he and I wouldn't have reconciled. He told me to fight for you, to not be so easy to give up...and because I love you so much, I'm willing to move on. To move on from what we've gone through."

I stared up at him softly with hope and tears in my eyes, I could feel my heart was finally at ease, like it was no longer repressed by my guilt and the pain I've caused everyone. He pulled me close into a rough kiss, something that we both needed, since three weeks was an eternity.

After kissing me hard, he released me, panting. He then cupped my face and stared down at me. "You're mine. You understand?" His eyes glossy with tears that he fought to hold back.

"Yes. Forever." I sobbed weakly, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding him tightly. Oh, I never want to let him go. I've missed this. He held me close just as firm as I held him, nuzzling my neck and kissing it softly. I could feel his tears against my skin.

He smells different, still good, but this time it was just of soap; he didn't have his body wash or cologne; it was at our place, he didn't take it with him to London, he said there was no reason to bring it over there. I couldn't help but smile; he wears it for me.

"Don't ever leave me again. Please, I could barely stand it. Just stay, no matter how hard it is to be with me. I need you." I muttered, gently bringing his face back to mine, kissing him over and over, trailing soft kisses along his jawline.

"Then don't ever do that to me again." He sighed in pain, pressing me against the brick building. Our breath was visible in the cool air.

"I won't. I promise you. I don't ever want to hurt you again." I looked into his eyes, wiping away the tears that stained his cheeks. "Cross my heart and hope to die."

He gently took my hand and closed his eyes as he held it against his face, giving a pained look. "Just cross your heart." I just pulled him into yet another kiss, feeling more secure than I've ever felt in a long time.

"You're mine Avery. I don't want to dominate you. I want you to live your life. And I don't want to de-feminize you either. You are perfect the way you are, but at the end of the day I want everyone else to know that you're mine and you're coming home with me."

I nodded, telling him over and over again that I understood. He stopped and softly smiled, lovingly running his fingers through my hair. "I've missed you."

I bit my lip and looked up at him, my heart melting. "I've missed you more." Leaning into him to softly kiss his lips. We were both startled by frantic knocking and tapping against the large window of the bar; our friends were all gathered at it watching us with smiles on their faces, cheering for us.

Hudson and I both laughed and he rolled his eyes, "I suppose we should go inside."

"Well this celebration is for Gem and Ken. It was just by luck that you and I got back together." I lightly laughed.

"Fate darling, fate." He smiled, wrapping an arm around my waist and holding me close as we began walking toward the doors, but I stopped and turned to him.

"Wait, will you tell me now how you got all of this?" I motioned my hand over his face, referring to the blood and bruises. I bit my lip, nervous to hear what happened.

"Well, my dad did tell me to fight for you. I'm sure he meant it in another way, and perhaps I took it a little too literally. But I've always been a fighter. And no one touches my wife. I think Christian got the message."

I couldn't help but smile, actually, I couldn't help but giggle. I didn't feel like scolding him, so I just kissed him again and took his hand, leading him back into the bar.

We were met by cheering and applause when we came back to the booth. I blushed as we took a seat next to each other in the booth. Hudson cleared his throat, "My apologies for showing up late."

Gemma waved her hand, "Oh forget about it, what's really important is that you and Avery got back together."

"I knew it'd wouldn't be long before these two got together again." Max grinned. Paul smiled and nodded after taking a sip of a Dos Equis.

"Well then, shall we finally pop the Dom Perignon and celebrate?" Kennedy asked the table.

"We came here to celebrate you two." I laughed, rolling my eyes.

"Yeah, here, pour the glasses and I'll make a toast." Hudson offered. So once everyone had a flute of champagne, Hudson raised his. "Here is a toast to a couple that is still as crazy in love with each other as they have been when they first met. Gemma and Kennedy, I haven't known you two as long as some here at the table, but you both have become such dear friends to me. I know that you will have a long and happy life together. So here's to love, whether it's love at first sight or an undying one, I couldn't be happier for you both than I am right now. Cheers."

"Cheers!" We all toasted and after the sounds and motion of us clinking our glasses with each others, we drank up. After a while with the stories and laughter continuing, I tucked my arm around Hudson and rested my head on his shoulder. I smiled as I smoothed my hand against the soft brown leather of his jacket.

"Wasn't this at the apartment?" I asked, confused as to how he got it.

He smiled, "Yes. I think Kennedy could be a ninja."

I looked at Kennedy and he smiled. I shook my head and laughed, turning my attention back to Hudson. "Well I like it. Reminds me of my birthday last year." I recalled the memories of seeing him walking in, the looks we exchanged that evening, the motorcycle, the long talks and sharing of our deepest secrets.

"I know. I wanted to wear it because of that." He replied, gazing at me softly. Again he looked me up and down, smirking. "You look very beautiful. New dress?"

I nodded. He leaned in and kissed my hair, speaking very quietly. "I wanna take it off you. Can we go home now?"

I closed my eyes and smiled, my heart was already racing. "Okay."

He slowly smiled and then turned to the host and hostess of the evening, "Well this evening was fun, but I think it's time for my wife and I to go home. Again, congratulations you two, we'll see you later."

As if my beet red face didn't already give it away, everyone began giggling, knowing exactly the reason we were going home early, but right now I didn't care; we needed some alone time.

"Oh Hudson, it's been too long." I moaned as he panted, holding my hips with his hands, digging his fingers hard into my skin, as he achingly slow thrusted in and out. I gasped as he leaned down and flicked his tongue against my nipple before sucking hard and slow against it. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead and had dropped onto my chest. I was biting my lip till I could taste blood; my body felt electric.

I asked him to pull my hair, so he indulged me and roughly fisted my hair and pulled me into a rough and wet kiss; his tongue invaded my mouth and I welcomed it. He groaned into our kiss and my hips bucked to meet his. I dropped my head back despite his fingers knotted in my hair and let out a long sigh.

His grip softened and he released my hair, giving a satisfied smiled before pulling out and sitting back on his heels. I smiled back at him and lay there on the bed, smoothing my hair back and trying to make it look presentable. He laughed and got off the bed to toss the condom away, but when he came back, laying down and snuggling closely against me, he stopped my hand from trying to fix my hair.

"That was good." I hummed into a soft kiss, gently stroking his face, seeing the bruises were becoming more visible now.

"It was long overdue. Three weeks without you was pure and utter torture. Physically and emotionally." He closed his eyes and I watched him as he held my hand against his face. "I was scared."

My expression dropped and I turned my eyes down, knowing that he was lonely and insecure. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head and gave me a quick and chaste kiss, "No, please stop apologizing. I'm tired of apologies. All that matters is that you're here with me. I'm never letting you go."

I smiled and hugged him, holding him as close to me as possible. "Thanks for fighting for me."

"Anytime." He murmured as he nuzzled my neck.