K. Golland: Attainment

“Listen to this riff I’ve been practising,” Brayden says to his nineteen-year-old brother before diving right in to some guitar chords.

Nate looks up from tuning his base, impressed with Brayden’s ability to compose so simply, this natural talent obviously passed down from his father. “Not bad, little bro.”

“I like it, Bray. Are you gonna show Mum and Dad?” Charlotte asks before returning to warm up her vocal chords by humming her scales.

“Not yet, it’s not finished.”

All three of them continue to prepare their instruments as Bryce and Alexis watch adoringly from the upper level. Bryce, having just listened to Brayden’s roughly composed riff, couldn’t be more proud of his eight year-old son. In fact, he couldn’t be more proud of all his kids. He never saw Nate and Charlotte as his stepchildren, having always loved them as a father should.

“He’s so much like you,” Alexis says to her husband of seven years while dropping her head to his shoulder. Every time she is faced with her youngest child she is reminded that he is the epitome of his Dad, this is both a good and bad thing where she is concerned.

“Yeah...well...he has to get his talent from someone,” Bryce playfully boasts, knowing Alexis will fight him back. He adores when his wife puts up a fight, he always has and he always will. Baiting her is one trick he has perfected over the years when wanting to be buried inside her, his taunts always resulting with them both passionately making love.

“Oh, so I am talentless, am I?” she says as she turns to face him. “What I just did to your cock was something taught in everyday school?”

“Fuck! I should hope not,” Bryce laughs.

“I can guarantee, Mr. Clark, that what my mouth is capable of is more than just a talent.”

Bryce pulls his wife to his chest and nudges her nose with his own. “I know, my love. It’s a gift.”

“Mum! Dad! Hurry Up!” Brayden bellows.

“We’re coming,” Bryce retorts.

Laughing, Alexis pulls away to join her children downstairs.

“Where are you going?” Bryce asks, securing his wife’s back to his chest. “I said we’re coming and I didn’t mean in an adjective sense.”

Alexis’ body ignites, a natural reaction to her husband’s dirty and promising words. “We’ve come twice already. A third time is a bit greedy, don’t you think?”

“I’m a voracious man.”

“I know, but your voracity will have to wait. We have three eager youngsters down there who want to jam with their parents.”

A battle of choice begins to forge a dilemma within Bryce’s mind, having to choose between his two favourite pass times; making love to his wife, and jamming with his family. Knowing deep down that his sense will prevail over his lasciviousness, he lightly nibbles Alexis’s ear and then let’s her go. “I know. Come on then.”

Bryce seats himself at the piano, now comfortable to play after so long. He had refused to touch the keys following his mother’s death, feeling the attempt to be too painful. But when he’d asked Alexis what she wanted for their one year wedding anniversary, she had said just one thing. ‘Play the piano for me. It’s time, my love.’ Ever since that night, he has found a renewed love for the instrument and no longer feels the heart wrenching pain he once did.

Pressing the keys to start the song, he looks to Charlotte who is sitting beside him. On perfect cue, she begins to sing the lyrics to “Fix You” by Coldplay.

When Alexis hears the first song that she sang to her husband many years ago, she nearly chokes on the emotion which is held so deeply for the man she risked everything to be with. A man she was inevitably drawn to and could not be without, a man who is and always will be her soul mate. Standing behind him, she leans into his back and drapes her hands down his chest, resting her chin on his head as she joins in and sings with her daughter.

The moment Alexis presses herself against Bryce’s back and her beautiful voice fills his ears, he knows he has picked the perfect song. His wife and stepdaughter sound like angels, the perfect accompaniment to the piano notes filtering the air. But it isn’t until the chorus when both Nate and Brayden join in with their guitars, that Bryce truly appreciates his life. He honestly feels that he is the luckiest man alive, and for someone who never believed in luck, this sentiment in itself is a true testament to how far he has come.

His life, his wife, and his family, are his ultimate attainment.

THE END

As always, I need to first and foremost thank my husband and children. Thank you for tolerating the long hours I put into my writing. For tolerating my crabby attitude when I have not allowed myself enough sleep. For tolerating the fact I have been so submersed in writing that I have forgotten to pick up fresh bread and milk. And, for tolerating the constant sight of me in PJs with a laptop permanently attached to the tips of my fingers.

To the three loves of my life...I adore and appreciate your toleration of our newfound lifestyle. I adore and appreciate YOU. ♥

Mum and Dad, your support means the world to me. Thank you for always being just a phone call away, no matter what time of the day or night.

To my gorgeous and outrageous friends, Franny, Lea Lea, Gab, and Renee. You provide the perfect balance of support when needed: a shoulder to cry on through frustration, an ear for listening when I’m confused and shitty, and a night out to make me laugh. But most importantly, your friendship and encouragement are a blessing.

Sarah, once again your comments and advice during the beta reading process are not only extremely helpful but incredibly hilarious. One of the thrills I get when writing ‘The End’ is not only the satisfaction of finally finishing my book, but the knowledge that your feedback is not too far away.

To my totally awesome and wonderful fans, thank you so much for all your beautiful messages and constant encouragement. For your fantastic reviews and for spreading the word. I have enjoyed creating and delivering Brylexis to you and adore the fact you love them as much as I do.