[Don Henley’s recording "Taking You Home" is perfect for this chapter.]
It was close to Midnight when the newlyweds drove from the airport to the home Lance owned in Mississippi. They had slept on the private plane, comfortably stretched out on the leather sofa. Lance and Mercedes felt warm and fuzzy underneath the woolen blanket provided in the cabin. She was lulled to sleep listening to his heartbeat, cradled in his arms. Lance didn’t fall asleep right away, but instead cuddled up close to this woman and thought about all the beautiful changes their life together would be witness to in the years to come. He lay with her, his face close enough to breathe the same breath. And he kisses her softly so as not to disturb her slumber.
There was nothing more he desired in his life. Nothing that she couldn’t provide. Her laughter, her comfort, her passion...and the babies they would make together. It had been a long road, and there were times that he must’ve seemed like quite the fool. Believing it would happen, keeping the faith. But, he did believe. Lance kept the faith. Here they were, husband and wife. And he was taking her home.
Mercedes opened her eyes. She smiled. Lance passionately kissed her lips. Mercedes opened her mouth and was engulfed by his lips. She rose to meet him in his passion. The press of her body against his, and the heat of her kiss stimulated the bridegroom. Lance began to unbutton her shirt with trembling hands. When he wasn’t working on her buttons, he was reaching his fingers up into her tresses and touching her soft curls. Mercedes started to unzip his jeans.
She gently touched his penis. Lance’s head jerked backwards in sheer ecstasy. Lance took his two hands and released her breasts from the bra she was wearing. He smothered his face in her cleavage. And then licked from her nipples to her neck. For a loving moment in time his lips attached themselves to her breast while he unfastened her jeans, pulled them half way down and slid his fingers into her rubbing her clitoris. With his other hand he grabbed her tush. Then his lips slid down her torso leaving a trail of saliva. He took her nipple in his mouth and exchanged his penis for his fingers . Mercedes moaned. Their clothes mangled, their bodies hot and sweaty, Lance came quickly.
"You FEEL SO GOOD without a condom. Baby, what you do to me." But, he continued to molest her body until she came with such force that Lance covered her mouth with his lips to muffle her moans.
After the initial orgasm passed, Lance placed little kisses on her neck and face as they held on tightly to each other. The feeling lingered and they rubbed against each other. There was something incredibly sexy about all that sweat, saliva and semen mixed together.
As they both attempted to regulate their breathing again, they smiled and shared a laugh, Lance wiped the sweat from her face. Mercedes wiped his brow and noticed how the sweat beaded up in his hair. They just couldn’t touch often enough. Mercedes had no idea how she was ever going to behave like a good girl in public again. All they seemed to want to do was hold each other. Or touch one another. Mercedes would play with the blonde spikes of hair on top of Lance’s head or put her hands in his back pockets. Lance had always enjoyed scrunching up Mercedes curls in his hands, but now he had a difficult time keeping his hands off her tush. He would find himself rubbing her tush without even realizing it. They had a hunger and an overwhelming need to be physical with one another.
Lance looked forward to being home and remaining in bed the entire day with his wife.
The pilot announced that they would be landing within 15 minutes and it spooked them. Lance chuckled as he kissed her neck and ear. "Oh my Gosh, Baby it’s a good thing he gave us some warning. I was just about to try and interest you in round two." The way he began to kiss her lips and touch her, made it clear that he wasn’t talking about a boxing match.
The pilot had a set of keys for Lance as they disembarked. He told them where Lance’s SUV was parked. The pilot gave Lance a phone number to call to set up a time to take them to Kansas City the next day. The newlyweds practically skipped to the car.
The lights were on as Lance turned on to his long drive way. The gates opened after he punched in the code, and they continued up the drive to the house. Mercedes smiled. Lance had the house renovated a lot over the past year. In part, he said, to put features in that he knew Mercedes would like. He had enlarged the kitchen, and added on a Great Room all enclosed with windows. Floor to ceiling, bright and airy. Lance couldn’t wait to have breakfast in there with the children some day. Lance told her his dream of eating breakfast with his family in there.
"What about the Mom and Dad eating breakfast in there tomorrow?" Mercedes asked.
"Tomorrow, we’re having breakfast in BED...and lunch..." Lance looked her over, "And LOTS of snacks." Mercedes clung to his arm. He reached over and touched her face. "Welcome Home, Mercedes."
"I had a good life
Before you came
I had my friends and my freedom
I had my name
Still there was sorrow and emptiness
Til you made me blessed
And in this love I’ve found strength
I never knew I had
And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known
Take my hand, love
I’m taking you home.
Taking you home.
There were days, lonely days
When the world wouldn’t throw me a crumb
But I kept on believing
That this day would come.
I’m taking you home
Where we can be with the ones
Who really care
Home
Where we can grow old together
Keep you in my heart forever
This love is like nothing I have ever known
Take my hand, love.
I’m taking you home.
Yes, I am taking you home, Baby
I’m taking you home."
Lance opened the door to his house and swept Mercedes up into his arms.
"Let’s leave the bags in the car." Lance said, "You won’t need any clothes."
She giggled and snuggled up against him. He swung her around and then put her on her feet in the Great Room. He threw his keys on the counter, and looked at her face to gauge her reaction to the house.
"I love this. Be, this is such a beautiful room." Mercedes said touching his arm.
Lance smiled, "I had always hoped you’d like it."
They noticed some baskets of food. And a note which read:
"The least we could do is try to make you and Mercedes as comfortable as she made us that night in the loft. Check out your accommodations lakeside. Love Always, Stacey & Ford"
"I wonder what they’re talking about?" Lance commented and looked out the back window. "Oh Gosh, Mercedes look!" He held out his arm to her and she stood next to him.
When she saw the loating "honeymoon suite" with the netting, the tall candle stands on the shore and the floating candles on the water...she leaned her head into her husband’s chest and sighed. "That’s beautiful." Lance held her close to him.
"This night I think I must be dreaming. It’s all too good to have actually come true. If I am dreaming, darlin’ I beg you not to wake me." He said.
Lance kissed her warm and wet. His mouth easing into it with progressively more and more pressure. Side-to-side his head moved as he angled his mouth, sucked on her tongue, and dipped his tongue into her mouth for her to taste.
He held onto her head, fingers entangled in her soft, curly hair. Lance had backed his bride up against this lovely antique hard wood sewing table. It now touched upon her upper thigh. He could lean her against it and her tush would rest upon it. "Baby. This furniture suits you."
Lance gasped for air as he laughed and kissed her with his open mouth at the same time. He pulled at her shirt, as his mouth moved down her neck. "Baby, let’s make love right here."
Mercedes moaned her approval as her hands worked at unfastening Lance’s jeans. Lance whispered, "Let me help you get naked."
The sewing table must’ve been made of hearty stock, because it stood the test of time and withstood more abuse in the ensuing 15 minutes than in the preceding 25 years. Lance was still so primed from the jet that all he needed to concentrate on was bringing pleasure to Mercedes. When she released something close to a primeval scream, Lance joined her in a matter of moments. They banged that sewing table against the Great Room wall in a rhythmic rocking motion that got faster and harder. Mercedes and Lance were breathing so hard and working so hard that the moaning and passionate grunts were practically drowning out the banging of the table against the wall.
Mercedes took to chewing on her fingers again as she rested against the wall and released her pleasure in a gigantic spasm. She positively shook. Lance held onto her, so that she wouldn’t fall and continued to kiss her neck and collarbone as he ejaculated. Sweaty, close and still passionate. Lance brought her over to the couch in the Great Room and laid her down.
"Oh Baby. How good it is." He folded his arms around her exhausted body, "How very good it is." Lance laid her head against his shoulder and protectively embraced her.
They were silently basking in the after glow for the longest time. Content to just listen to the other breathe, and clasp hands together. Skin touching skin. Connecting body, mind and spirit.
The moon shone in from the night sky. From their vantage point they could see the rays of light reflecting over the lake. There was just enough moonlight to see one another, lying totally disrobed on the Great Room sofa.
"You have really good taste in antiques, lover." Mercedes chuckled. Lance grinned and hugged her tighter.
"Baby, I’ve got good taste period."
Lance kissed her forehead, "Are you sleeping?"
Mercedes giggled sleepily. "What would make you think that, Be? It’s only the middle of the night."
Lance sat up and grabbed his shirt. "Here, you can wear this...temporarily." Then he pulled on his jeans. "Let’s go check out the boat...okay?"
"Definitely. I’m game." Mercedes gave him a sly smile that Lance could see in the moon glow.
"Baby, we’ve got to talk about what you do to me. There’s no way I’m EVER gonna be able to act like a good boy in public again."
Mercedes smiled, because she had thought the same thing not too long ago about herself. But, she answered him seductively, "Lover, you can’t help but be good. Even as BAD as you are!"
It was a warm night, the temperature hadn’t dropped below 75 even at 2 am in the morning. The house had been cool, due to the central air, but outside it was your typical Mississippi summer heat.
"This would be a good night for a swim." Lance stood on the crest of the bank above the lake, his hands on his hips. Mercedes was wearing his shirt, but nothing else.
"I say, let’s go for it!" Mercedes said. Briskly walking ahead of Lance down to the lake, and diving in off the dock.
Lance pulled off his jeans and followed her.
"Whooow!" Lance screamed upon hitting the water. He shook his head and rubbed the water out of his eyes. "Man that’s so great!" He looked over at his wife, hair slicked back, shirt all soaked. "Woman. What did you do to my shirt?" Lance started to tease.
Mercedes laughed. "I’m serious. I really LIKE that shirt. I must’ve hunted all over some mall in middle America looking for this particular shirt and now LOOK! It’s all wet. I think you better fork it over, woman. Come on! Hand it over!"
Mercedes shook her head, ‘NO’ laughing hysterically. "You come and get it...MAN."
Lance looked SO good his naked body glistening with beads of water in the moonlight. Mercedes had a rush of adrenaline thinking about him chasing after her...and catching her. And what they could do to each other when the chase was over. She wanted him to work REALLY hard at catching her...and she was thrilled when he finally grabbed her and nailed her to the dock.
It was a good thing Lance had no neighbors nearby, because the whooping and hollering was LOUD. Mercedes SCREAMED as Lance swam after her. She actually made it to the floating dock before he caught up to her. "You are a good swimmer, Darlin’" he said as he pinned her down on the plank boards of the wooden floating structure. "That’s good because we’re going to have to teach our children how to swim. Between your farm on the Vineyard so close to the Ocean and this house with the lake, they’ll have to learn early."
"Shut up." Mercedes laughed, her arms pinned up above her head.Lance made a shocked face, "Is my bride yelling at me to be quiet?"
"I’m telling you to shut up!" She yelled laughing harder. "Shut up and teach me something."
"What would you like to learn, baby?" Lance was poised over her, and started kissing her. The wet shirt was revealing her heightened state of excitement.
"Teach me how hard you can get even when you‘re cold and wet."
Lance pretended to be shocked. Even lifting his hand to his mouth. "Oh!"
Then, he smiled and leaned over her again. Slowly, but methodically unbuttoning each of the buttons on the shirt she was wearing.
"Let’s rock this dock, baby."
"There is such a freedom in loving you. I feel so incredibly alive. It’s like all my senses have been released." Lance was talking to Mercedes even though he was pretty sure she was sleeping next to him in the boat. "Baby, it feels so good when I lay with you. I love you so much."
He cuddled her. He rolled over on to his back and looked up at the moon. They were floating in this boat, all outfitted for a comfortable night. Pillows and mattresses and netting over the top keeping them safe from any buzzing creatures. An electric lamp, and by a rope, hanging into the cooler water, a bottle of wine. Even a copy of Mercedes’ favorite book of poetry was there. Luckily there was a silk bed sheet, since Lance’s jeans were over on the grassy lawn and the shirt Mercedes had been wearing was laid out to dry on the floating dock.
The earliest rays of dawn crept over the horizon. Lance heard birds chirping as if to welcome the two of them to the first full day of the rest of their lives as husband and wife.
Lance leaned over and kissed his bride. Ever so softly. Then he placed his lips on her forehead. "God knows how much I love you, Darlin’" Mercedes eyes opened. Once again, Lance saw her smile. His day was made.
"Awake my heart, to be loved, awake, awake;
The darkness silvers away, the morn doth break,
It leaps in the sky: unrisen lustres slake
The o’ertaken moon. Awake, O Heart, Awake!
She too that loveth awaketh and hopes for thee;
Her eyes already have sped the shades that flee,
Already they watch the path thy feet shall take:
Awake, O Heart, to be loved, awake, awake!"
Mercedes was so overwhelmed with Lance’s romantic gesture that as he finished she clung to him and began to weep.
"What’s this?" Lance said holding her. "You can’t cry. If you cry whenever I read you poetry, I won’t be able to read it to you any more!" He added half in jest.
Mercedes gave him a pout, because a nagging question still remained.
"What present have I brought to this new day for my groom?"
There was a positively blissful giggle that sang forth from the boat. Then stillness. A gentle rocking motion. Some soft moaning. A loving gift for the newlyweds to share at the start of this new day.
"Aaaaaaaawwwwww, Good Morning to you, too." Lance said stretching.
"Shh..shh...hh!" Mercedes said through her giggle.
"Oh and who’s going to hear us this morning that couldn’t have heard us last night...may I ask?" He laughed.
"We should start every morning off like this."
Lance tucked the sheet around his wife and kissed her. Then he sat up. "Where’re you going, Be?" She asked him.
"I’ll get us something to eat. And I think I may have to go and get you something to wear for later...or not."
They had been sleeping for a little while since dawn. Mostly they had been talking. Talking about all the plans. Their future. Discussing the hows and wheres. Lance knew he wanted to tell the fans about his marriage, but he also wanted to savor their privacy as long as he could.
At least they were able to get married without paparazzi spoiling their day. He was grateful for that. And for the most part all the stories that had been printed lately, even in THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER, were a mild flirtation with the potential scandals.
His living in the house temporarily when he was 16, was winked at...but nobody wrote about Mercedes being in a mental hospital. Yet. For that Lance was also grateful. However, that might still come out.
Especially after the marriage was revealed. Lance was determined that nothing was going to hurt Mercedes. He was determined to be her rock. Whatever came their way, they would stand together.
"Wait." Mercedes put her hand on his arm. Lance looked down at her. Mercedes looked rather pale. "This floating bedroom is beautiful, Be...But, can we go inside? I’m not sure about all this...motion...this morning." Mercedes was so sure that she was going to lose her cookies, even though her stomach was empty. That was most likely the problem. She hadn’t eaten anything yet.
"Oh, Darlin’ I’m sorry." Lance couldn’t help but grin, "I completely forgot what mornings must be like for you." Lance pulled the boat towards the dock with the robe that was attached. "We’ll go inside."
He stood up in the water, and reached for her. With the sheet barely covering her, he carried her to the shore. Mercedes expected him to put her down once they got to the shore, but he brought her right into the house. She felt so safe and secure in his arms.
"Toast?" Lance suggested. "Will that help your tummy?" He gently placed her on the Great Room sofa.
Mercedes nodded. "Thanks, Be."
"You know, Darlin’, we ought to talk to your Doctor about all of our "activity"...make sure it’s alright for the baby." Lance opened the basket and took a bite of an apple. "Want some fruit?"
Mercedes was smiling.
"What?" Lance looks down at his naked stature and grins, "Should I get something on?" Lance gets out the kitchen knife and begins to cut an apple into sections.
Mercedes shakes her head grinning and says, "Noooo. Not on my account." Lance hands her a slice of apple. "Thanks, Be."
"You take such good care of us." The look in her eyes was breathtaking.
"Baby, it’s like, how can I explain this...when I’m taking care of you, I’m taking care of the best part of myself. Instead of being a selfless act. It’s actually very selfish. You are my heart." His beautiful green eyes were glistening with moisture. "You really are."
"Mercedes?" Lance whispered in her ear. "Sorry, Darlin’ it’s time to get up."
Mercedes looked at the clock, "Be. I slept a long time."
"Well, you really needed to."
"I hope you slept, too." She reached for him. "Do we have time for a shower?"
Lance put his head on the pillow next to her. "I think so." She made a seductive giggle and nuzzled closer to him. "The rest did you good, I see."
"This is a comfortable bed, Lance. I definitely approve."
"Sleeping was NOT what I had in mind when I brought you up stairs to check it out!" Lance laughed and lightly bit her earlobe. "But, I guess it wouldn’t be right if I took advantage of my wife in every room of our home on only our first day here."
"Lover, I think we go for more unusual venues. Sewing tables, elevators, boats...we seem to like couches. A bed? Now that is not our usual spot."
"Don’t forget the floating dock. I think that was...one of my favorite locales." Lance smiled. "I am anxious to check the calendar and see when we can come back and go skinny dipping again." He asked kissing her neck this time.
"I certainly hope it‘s soon." Mercedes answered. "But, meanwhile, If you’re going to kiss my neck like this...you better get naked, husband."
Lance glanced at the clock, "Ummm. Are you suggesting ‘making it’ in a very traditional venue?" Lance laughed and placed his hand on the sheet covering her breasts. "Let’s try it, you know we just might like doing it in bed." Mercedes lifted up the sheet and welcomed him underneath.
As the jet landed in Kansas City, MO, Mercedes put her hand in the palm of Lance’s hand. "Be, put my ring on my right hand now."
"Mercedes, I don’t feel right about that."
"It’s just a symbol, Be...it means exactly the same on either hand. Please. I want you to do this. It’ll mean so much."
Lance took the ring and placed it on her other hand. Then he kissed her hands. "Wherever either one of us goes from now on, we’re a team. Our life is no longer a solitary journey."
