Living Life to the Fullest

I was in Zack’s bathroom, checking myself out after waking up from a nap. I was the happiest I had been since Everly was born and didn't want this feeling to ever go away.

“So, this is where you wandered off to.” he said, wrapping his arms around my waist.

Luckily, I could feel ever single inch of him against me and I loved it. I touched his hands and leaned back into him while he kissed the top of my head.

“You wanna go back?” I asked, showing him a seductive look in the mirror.

Zack smirked so I turned around and kissed him. Then, I tugged on his hand after we parted. I made my way onto the bed and waited for him to approach me; my heart raced as I saw him reach into his nightstand drawer for a condom. He put it on and ventured on top of the bed.

“Hey there.” I greeted.

“Hey.”

He swiftly moved me and I got comfortable in his lap.

“You feel like going for a ride?” he asked.

“If you wouldn’t mind helping me accomplish that.”

He smirked and placed himself inside me. I shut my eyes for a brief moment before I moved upward. As I kept moving, the grip on my hips grew tighter and moans began pouring out from the both of us.

“You-“ he started.

“You-what?” I asked, panting.

“You are amazing.”

“I thought you have already told me that.”

“You’re really amazing.”

I smiled then leaned down and kissed him. His hands migrated to my curves as he began pounding into me.

"Fuck." I moaned, throwing my head back.

I honestly don’t know how I lasted as long as I did with all the times he hit my g-spot, but I somehow managed to do that. He pulled me on top of him moments later and I melted into him as he wound his arms around my body.

“I love this.” I said softly.

“So do I. I could definitely get used to this.”

“Mmhmm…” I said into his chest.

His hand slid onto my hip and his lips landed on the top of my head.

“Is somebody comfy?”

“Yeah. Maybe a little too comfy.”

“That’s perfectly fine with me.”

“As nice as that is, I do have to get back to Everly at some point.”

“You’re right. The center of your universe.”

I smiled, knowing he understood how much she means to me.

“Exactly. You come in at a close second.”

“That’s great to know.” he said, running his hand up and down my leg.

We laid in bed and watched television for a few hours before I heard my phone rang; it was my Mom. A feeling of worry washed over me immediately.

“What’s wrong?”

Was I that transparent?

“It’s my Mom. I gotta take this.”

He nodded. I sat up and stayed beside him as I answered my phone.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hey, honey.” she sounded off.

“Is everything okay?” I asked as his arms enveloped me.

“Your father and I are on our way to the hospital. Everly’s temperature is way higher than it should be and she's visibly upset."

“I’ll meet you there as soon as you can. Tell her Mommy’s on the way.”

After an exchange of goodbyes and see you soons, I pulled away from Zack and climbed out of bed to get dressed.

“Zoey. What’s going on?”

“Everly’s on the way to the hospital. Her temp is off the charts and she is not her feisty self. I gotta go.”

I was dressing as fast as I could, not even bothering to look at Zack while I was talking.

“You want me to come with you?”

I bit my lip as I turned toward the man who was now at the foot of the bed.

Have we reached this point? This level of seriousness?

“Yes.” I squeaked out with tears threatening to pour out.

He kissed my cheek then got dressed. I was on my way down the stairs in full panic mode; the second my shoes were on, I rushed out to my car and got into it, not even bothering to see what Zack was doing. I heard the passenger door open as I started the car.

“Are you okay to drive?”

“Yeah. Of course I am.”

“You sure?”

“Again. Yeah.”

I pulled the car out of the driveway and drove to the hospital, going well over the speed limit. I ran into the building, not being able to wait for Zack. When I saw my parents in the waiting room, I rushed toward her immediately going into my mother’s arms.

“Have you heard anything?” I said as the dam broke.

“Nothing. We’ve only been here for a few minutes.”

I turned and saw Zack, standing at a reasonable distance; I gestured for him to come over.

“This is a horrible time to introduce him, but this is Zack. I’ve been seeing him for about two weeks.”

It’s felt so much longer than that.

“So nice to meet you.” my mom said, hugging him.

My dad echoed her. I was worried that they’d act negatively toward him; I mean, we’re not even official yet and I can only imagine what you would think about him being here during a family emergency.

“Hey.” Zack said, sitting next to me.

“Hey.” I said, reaching for his hand.

“I know this is probably a stupid question, but how are you right now?”

“Honestly? I don’t know how I’m not falling apart. I haven’t been this emotional since my husband died. I mean, the center of my universe… my reason for living is sick and I have no idea how bad she’s feeling.”

He squeezed my hand and kissed it.

“You’re gonna get through this. I know I haven’t known all that long, but you’re such a tough and strong person and your daughter clearly loves you. If you can power through, so can she.”

I was smiling and wiping tears from my eyes.

“How’d I get so lucky to meet someone like you, let alone be with someone who can deal with all the grief, immense emotional pain and is a mother on top of all that?”

“I’m the one that’s lucky. I’ve never met someone like you before and I don't wanna lose you."

There he goes making my chest flutter when I need him the most. I placed my head on his shoulder and sighed, trying to remain calm; he placed his head against mine. We must've waited for thirty minutes or so when we finally got answers.

"Ms. Gerber?"

I stood up and walked toward her.

“That’s me.” I said, slightly raising my hand.

“We figured out what’s going on with Everly. She has an ear infection…”

A wave of relief went over me and I sighed as she spoke about what I needed to do.

“When can I see her?”

“In five minutes or so.”

After a series of thank yous, I turned around and hugged Zack.

“I don’t know what I would’ve done if it was something more serious. I mean, this sucks because she doesn’t feel good, but I can help her get better with just antibiotics and ear drops. She’s gonna be okay.” I said, looking up at him with blurry vision.

He smiled and wiped my tears. I stayed by his side until I was able to take Everly home. I held her close and consoled her as she was still fussy. He was in the same place when I came back which caused me to smile and walk over immediately. She managed to look up long enough to see Zack looking back at us with a smile; she reached out to him and he took her hand. This was cuteness overload and I almost couldn't handle it, but it did have me realize how much I like Zack and where I wanted this relationship to go. She smiled for a brief second and he let go soon after.

"So..." he started.

"So..."

I felt like a teenager out on her first date. Everly interrupted us; I laughed.

"We should be getting home... after I drop you off, of course."

He nodded in agreement. The drive back to his house was quiet but not awkward; the silence was comfortable.

"Feel better soon, Everly." Zack said to the sleeping toddler.

He was about to get out of my car and I desperately did not want him to go.

"I hate that this night has to end." he said.

"Me too."

After a pause, he spoke up again.

"Will you let me know when she's feeling better?"

"Of course. The very second. Well, maybe not the very second, but I will."

I leaned into him and we kissed one last time before he had to leave. Once he got inside, I put my car in reverse and left his driveway. By the time I laid Everly in her bed, I was exhausted both emotionally and physically. I quickly got ready for bed and laid down, falling asleep in no time after such a crazy and eventful day.

Notes