Page 19 of The Taste of Charity

Which she promptly denied, telling them with tears in her eyes that what they did was all their hard work.

That’s what she is. Selfless, giving and so full of love for the world that sometimes it makes me a little jealous.

I wish I was as good as she is but I’m only human. I have flaws. I’ve gotten jealous. I’ve pushed her to spend more time at home. I’ve practically thrown fits when she refuses.

But through it all, she’s steadfast in her dedication. To me and our family. And to all the other people out there that she wants to help.

“I love you, princess.”

“I love you too. Now go get changed. The kids are dying to see Santa tonight.”

I scrunch up my face but kiss her cheek and wander off to do her bidding.

Anything she wants, I’ll do it. Because making her happy, makes me happy. Fulfills me in the craziest ways.

And after the crazy night with toddlers tugging on my beard and older kids asking why I came with Charity instead of taking a sleigh, I’m exhausted.

But as soon as her curvy little body turns to me and I feel her hands caress my thigh, I’m awake and hard as a rock.

And when she leans in to kiss me, I lose myself in her sweetness. Devour all the goodness she pours all over me, letting her take me into heaven until stars and fireworks explode around me and I can’t breathe from the desire that’s driving me to take her.

Hold her. Love her. Forever.

“I love you!” she screams as her body cradles me, tugs at me, dragging me down into a whirling pool of ecstasy.

“I love you too, Uptown!” I whisper roughly as my body jerks and trembles, my own release jetting into her soft, velvety heat.

Collapsing, I pull her into my arms and then close my eyes, smiling happily.

Heaven. “You know, baby. I thank heaven every day that I found you. I was lost and then as soon as I saw you, I knew that I’d found my reason for living.”

Her beautiful face turns up to mine and she kisses me softly. “I was dead inside until I found you. You brought me to life and I couldn’t be any happier than I am now.”

“Good. Because that’s all that matters to me. Just you and our family. Nothing else matters.”

“I wouldn’t say that. Helping people means a lot to me. But never as much as loving you. And the kids. I’ve been blessed.”

And we have. So blessed. Bad times lead to good and all we can do is follow the trail that we’re given. Follow it and make the best of our story.

Together. We can do anything.