Page 62 of Jobe

The women quickly pulled Mackenna out of Jobe’s arms and hustled the men into the living room so that they could begin planning. Within a half an hour, the simple foods and decorations had been decided on.

“Mom,” Mackenna said, gaining her mother’s attention away from Jobe’s sisters who were busy with food ideas themselves. “I’d like it if you’d walk me down the aisle.”

Smiling, Penny said, “Oh, bab-y girl, I would love that. You dad would be so proud.”

In the other room, the men listened as the women plotted and planned. Joseph went to his cabinet and poured a glass of dark red wine for Jobe, Daniel, and himself. He then turned to his son-in-law and said, “Daniel, you’re a good man. You’ve loved my Hannah and brought her healing. You’ve given us two beautiful grandchildren and I can only hope that Miriam and Rebecca find men as good as you.”

Jobe nodded to his brother-in-law as they took a sip. Then he turned to his dad as Joseph began speaking again, this time to him.

“Son, no man was prouder than me when you joined the Army and then when you graduated from Special Forces training. A family is always afraid, though, wondering if their child will return safely from a war. You did, but you weren’t the same. I worried, but just prayed that God would bring you back.” Lifting his glass again, he continued, “You were man enough to know what you had lost and willing to get it back. And that woman in there has brought you back to us. So my prayers have been answered.”

The men lifted their glasses once more, this time the lump in Jobe’s throat keeping him from tasting the wine.

“Pop? We’re not having any attendants, but Mackenna is going to ask Penny to walk with her and I’d be honored if you’d stand up with me.”

This time it was the lump in Joseph’s throat that kept him from answering. Instead he pulled his son into his arms, offering a hug as a response to Jobe’s question.

* * *

True to their wishes, the next weekend found all of their friends gathered in the Delaro’s backyard. The spring flowers in the flowerbeds provided the perfect backdrop. Miriam had hung Christmas lights in the trees over where the vows would be said. Borrowed card tables with white tablecloths and folding chairs were scattered around the yard. A long table held food that the women had prepared. Once the plans were out, Sherrie, Suzanne, Annie, Jennifer, and Annalissa all pitched in to provide dishes. Penny’s cake sat in the middle of the food-laden table, making the perfect centerpiece.

Annalissa brought her harp and at the designated time began to play Pachelbel’s Cannon in D, as the gathering turned to see Mackenna walking arm in arm with her mother down the makeshift aisle. Joseph reached out to place a steadying hand on his son, noticing that Jobe’s knees almost buckled at the sight of her walking toward him.

She was radiant in a long, cream colored dress, the sweetheart neckline showing off the pearl necklace that her mother had given her. Her reddish-blonde hair hung in waves down her back, with only the front pulled away from her face. Her eyes sparkled as she never took her gaze off of the man waiting at the end for her at the end of the aisle.

Handsome in his tailored suit, hair swept back, his face smiling at hers. For just a moment, her mind flashed back to seven years ago when she first saw him on the dance-floor. A younger version of the man in front of her. She quickly put that memory to rest, knowing that as much as she loved the man in the past, she loved the man that he had become even more.

Reaching his side, she smiled as she placed her hand in his. Within a few minutes, they had recited their vows of love, pledges of faith, and promises of forever. Jobe leaned down, placing a sweet kiss on her lips as they were declared husband and wife.

Then with a whoop, he scooped her up in his arms and swung her around while kissing her the way he had wanted to ever since he had seen her. “I love you, Mackenna Delaro,” he said, still pressing his lips against hers. The kiss lasted until the shouts from their guests pulled them apart and, smiling, they walked back down the aisle to the good wishes of their friends.

That night, back at their apartment having chosen to wait until the New Beginnings Center had moved before taking a stress-free honeymoon, he pushed her hair to the side as he slowly unzipped the dress. As it pooled around her feet, he held her hand as she stepped out, wearing a strapless cream bra and matching satin panties.

“One of us seems entirely overdressed,” she said, running her finger down his white shirt. He had ditched his jacket and tie at the reception, but she impatiently began unbuttoning his shirt while swatting his hands out of the way. Pulling it down over his shoulders, it landed on the floor, next to her dress. Running her hands down his naked chest, she felt each muscle underneath her fingertips as they trailed their way down to his trousers.

“Stand still, soldier-boy,” she ordered, as her hands fumbled with his belt.

He lifted his eyebrow at her, smiling at her command.I can play this game…at least for a few minutes.She maneuvered his zipper down over his engorged cock then leaned forward to slide the pants down his legs.

Unhooking her bra from the back, she let it land on the growing pile of clothes on the floor.

Palming his dick, the silky thickness filled her hand as she wrapped her fingers around and began sliding her hand up and down his shaft.

He groaned, throwing his head back, the roaring in his ears drowning out the sound of her kneeling in front of him. Startled when her mouth replaced her hand, his head jerked back down to see her on her knees at his feet. Watching her slide his cock into her warmth, her hands on his hips, he fought to hold still and not fuck her mouth. His fingers splayed out on her head, the silken threads of her long mane sliding through his fingers.

She worked his cock, swirling her tongue around the head before sliding his length back down as far as she could go. She felt his hands move from her hair and down to grasp her shoulders, gently pulling his dick out of her mouth before lifting her to her feet.

“You done being in control?” he asked, a grin on his handsome face.

She sneaked a peek up, seeing his amused expression. “Yeah,” she whispered.

“Good, ‘cause tonight’s about me making love to my wife, and doll, it’s gonna be all about you,” he promised.

He lifted her in his arms, carrying her to the bed and laying her down after tossing the comforter back. Lying beside her, he caressed her body from her neck down to her full breasts. Slowly. Tortuously. His mouth trailing behind his hand, he moved his lips from the sensitive skin where her heartbeat pulsed at her throat to her rosy-tipped nipples.

As he sucked one in deeply, she gasped as the electric sensations vibrated throughout her core. Clinging to his back, she stroked the corded muscles that rippled underneath her fingertips. She felt his hand continue its downward path as she opened her legs for easier access.

Sliding his fingers through her moistness, he inserted a finger into her sex then soon joined it with another finger, beginning a scissoring motion. Eliciting moans from her lips, he smiled as his teeth nipped her breasts.

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