My Best Friend 47

Author's note: No one in the story was under the age of 18 at the time of sexual activity. What is even more amazing, no one under the age of 18 ever thought of sex. Literotica is a weird place!

To those who love a second time.

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My life has been blessed by two great loves.

Jim was my best friend, starting in kindergarten. His parents moved in next door the summer both of us turned six, so we started school together.

We were in the same class all through grade school, and had most of our classes together, even through high school.

I'm not sure how we managed to remain friends all those years, even when boys and girls didn't much like each other. We were an odd pair, I guess. Totally loyal to each other.

We sat next to each other in our shared classes in high school, even when I was dating someone. Everyone seemed to get that we were best friends.

Jim and I shared secrets, like how sad he was when his little brother got leukemia and died. Jim put on a brave face and then came over to see me and cried.

Jim played basketball and played on the varsity team in high school. He started all three years, and I was a cheerleader, so I got to see most of his games.

Through all of that, we never dated.

After graduation, Jim left to go to college over a thousand miles away, and I stayed at home to attend the state university in our city, but I was lonely. I missed Jim. We talked at least once a week, usually two or three times.

I remember asking myself whether I had romantic feelings for Jim, but I was afraid to pursue it or even talk about it. I couldn't bear the thought of losing that friendship.

I told him about my crush on a guy who didn't seem to know I existed. Jim told me about a Latina from Florida he dated a couple of times, but she broke things off.

In October I met a cute guy in one of my classes and we started dating. The first week of December he proposed to me. I called Jim before I called my parents.

Mark and I got married in June, and Jim was there to wish us both the best.

Mark worked three nights a week as a security guard at some warehouse. There were two of them on every shift, so I wasn't worried. I should have been.

One night, Mark got home from classes, and I had fixed a special dinner. I was still in school, but that was a day when I only had two morning classes. I had something to tell him. He was going to be a father!

Mark and I hugged and kissed, so happy to be starting our family. Two hours later, I kissed him goodbye for the last time.

At about three in the morning, our doorbell rang. I was immediately filled with fear, because usually only bad news is delivered at that hour.

I shouted through the door. "Hello? Who are you?"

"Mrs. Wilkerson, I'm Officer Owens of the Police Department. May I speak with you for a minute?"

I opened the door. He had a kind face, but there were tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry to have to wake you at this hour, but I need to tell you your husband was shot and killed tonight."

The next few minutes were a blur. I remember the officer helping me to sit on our sofa while he closed the door. He sat on a chair, facing me.

"Do your parents live nearby? Would you like me to call them for you?"

I nodded my head and through my sobs I managed to give him the number. He called them, gave them the sad news and asked whether they could come over to be with me. He assured them he would not leave until they got there.

Soon I was sobbing in my parents' arms. That was a miserable day, made worse because I had not had a chance to tell them I was pregnant. What should have been joyous was bittersweet.

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A detective came over later and introduced himself and told me Mark's body had been released to the morgue.

"We don't need you to identify him. That was done by the other guard. They apparently took turns walking through the warehouse. He heard the shots and found Mark.

"I'm supposed to let you know you can see him if you want, but if you were my daughter, I would plead with you not to."

"Why do you feel that way?"

"Mark was shot three times, and I don't think you want to remember him the way he looks now."

Two days later, the day before the funeral, the detective called to tell me they had arrested two suspects and found in their apartment some of the items stolen that night, as well as the murder weapon.

The next day was the funeral. We had a family gathering in a private room before the funeral started. Jim's parents were there as well, and then Jim walked in. When our eyes met, they were full of tears.

I ran to Jim, and he wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight.

"Oh Heather, I'm so sorry about Mark. I had to come and see how you were."

"I wish I could say I'm ok, but every time I think I'm done crying, I start again."

"That's ok. I'm here because we've been friends all our lives. Well, almost all. You'd be here for me, too."

"That's true. I didn't ask, but I knew you'd be here."

I asked Jim to ride with me in the limousine to the cemetery. It was an odd time, but I needed to tell him.

"The night before Mark died, I told him he was going to be a father. I'm pregnant."

"That's wonderful! Congratulations. Imagine that! My best friend is going to have a baby."

"I was excited. Now I'm not so sure. It lost some meaning when Matt died."

"When do you find out the gender?"

"I have an appointment in 5 weeks."

"Will you stream it so I can watch?"

"Sure, that'll be fun."

I realized I had smiled.

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That evening, after a big dinner with my aunts, uncles and cousins, Jim and I sat alone on our deck.

"When do you leave to go back to school?"

"Day after tomorrow."

"Do you have time to spend with me tomorrow?"

"As much as you want."

It was mid-October, and the weather was still nice. I called Jim and asked whether we could go to the park. I wanted to get away from the gloom at my parents' house, and I wasn't about to go back to my apartment.

Jim jogged over when he saw me get in my car.

When we got to the park, we walked for a while and finally sat under a tree.

"How are you feeling today?"

"I'm doing ok."

"This week will be harder for you. People go home. I'm leaving. Are you going to move back in with your mom and dad?"

"Yeah. I don't want to be alone and can't afford the apartment now anyway. I withdrew from school, and a counselor there was wonderful. Jim, can I ask you something?"

"You know you can."

"You looked sad at my wedding. Was it because we would never be that close again."

"I was happy for you, but yes, I knew things were changing."

"Was there another reason? Be honest with me."

Jim didn't answer right away, but there were tears in his eyes.

"Please. It's important."

He started slowly.

"Remember the first time we met, the day we moved in?"

"I helped carry boxes. Then we became best friends. When did your feelings change?"

"You knew?"

"Suspected. At the wedding."

"When I went away to school. I missed you terribly and realized I loved you. I thought of calling you to tell you how I felt, but I decided to wait until I saw you again."

"Then I called, all excited, to tell you I was getting married. You must have been crushed by that news."

"I had waited too long."

"I saw it in your face. How long now until finals?"

"About eight weeks."

"And when do you fly back after Christmas?"

"January 3rd."

"I'm going to miss you. Let's talk often and text."

"I'm worried about you for the next few weeks. You're going to be lonely."

"That's one of the reasons I need to move home. That and the pregnancy. ... Jim, here's where I think we are. You have romantic feelings for me. I began to realize I felt that for you just before I met Mark.

"It's way too early for me to make any decisions, but if you were to ask me out for our first real date while you're home for Christmas, I'd love that."

"Consider it a thing, and let's talk a lot until then. Promise me if you're having trouble sleeping you'll call me, ok?"

"Promise."

We talked a lot.

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Jim was back at school, and he was on my mind. I was happy every time he called.

"Hi, Heather. I was thinking about the day we almost flipped over your swing set."

I was laughing. "We were trying to set a world record for jumping out of a swing. You had a massive jump, and I was determined to beat it."

"How old were we? 7? 8?"

"About that. My dad bought me a new swing set. I asked you to push me higher than ever, and then everything felt weird."

"I pushed and then moved to the side by the legs. The back legs came off the ground, so I grabbed that crossbar and hung on."

"I think that was when we quit trying to set records."

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I called Jim a couple of days later, because I was thinking of a time he was sad.

"I was thinking about how you comforted me when Mark died. How old were you when Danny died?"

"You and I were both 10, but almost 11. Danny died in April."

"I think his funeral was the first one I ever went to. I remember watching you, and you were sitting by your mother. She was sobbing and you were trying to be so comforting for her. You weren't crying but later that day after the funeral you called and asked if you could come over. We sat in the basement in our family room, and you put your head on my shoulder and sobbed."

"I remember you held me like that, and you were crying, too."

"Watching you sob made me sad. I never saw you cry like that again."

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I had given Jim the date and time of my sonogram, so he cut a class to be in on the video call. I was holding the phone so he could watch everything.

"Cute little baby bump, Heather."

I was excited to see the image of my baby on the screen. The technician announced I was having a daughter. I was crying, but so was Jim.

I wondered whether he was thinking what I was.

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A few days later, he called me.

"I was thinking about my most embarrassing moment."

"Was it when we were 16?"

"Yeah. You called me at 3 am. For some reason you were alone at home."

"My parents were out of town for a wedding. I woke up and my period had started, but I was out of tampons."

"I wrote Mom a note in case she heard me leave. I remember you read the label to me and I wrote it down. The only saving grace was there was no other customer in the store."

"You were my hero that night. I didn't know anyone else who would do that for me."

"Or was crazy enough."

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"Hey Heather, I thought of a great question for both of us to answer, but I'm not going to ask the question. Instead, I'm going to tell you my answer. The question will be obvious.

"This is background. How many times would you say we've used my swimming pool together? 100 times?"

"At least that many. The first three or four summers we probably were in it 30 days each summer. The total could easily be 150."

"Ok, in all those times, there is one that stands out in my memory. One I will never forget. We had both just turned 18.

"I called you and we decided to hit the pool. I was in the water, and you came through the gate wearing your normal coverup. When you took that off, my mouth dropped open. It was that red bikini you bought. It was the moment I realized my dear childhood friend was incredibly sexy. Your boobs were amazing, and I was hard."

I was laughing. "I bought that suit to get your attention. I guess it worked. The moment I saw you differently was the cause of me buying that suit. We were in the pool the week before, and you got out to get us some sodas to drink. As you came back I saw how ripped your body had become. I was wet from looking at you."

"We both had the hots for each other that summer. Why did neither of us act on it? Were we afraid of losing our long friendship?"

"I think that was it. I was afraid of losing my best friend ever."

"Heather, are you still afraid?"

I paused to think about it.

"I am, but I also know how wonderful it might turn out if we do fall in love. It's worth it to me to find out."

"I agree. Scared but hopeful."

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"Hi Jim! You're down to two weeks until finals are over. When is your flight, and can I be the one to meet you?"

"Let's see. I get in at 2:45 pm on the 20th, and I'd love it if you came to meet me. I'll tell my parents you'll do that. Will you go out with me the next night? I was thinking about a dressy restaurant for dinner. Would you like that? Do you have something you can wear?"

"I have a classic little black dress, if you're wearing a suit, but how can you afford this?"

"I have a sponsor."

"What does that mean?"

"Dad called me and suggested I ask you out. When I said I didn't have any money, he said he was giving me a hundred dollars for our first date."

"I'm excited to go out with you, and this is probably the last time I can wear my sexy dress. A month more and I'll have a larger baby bump."

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I was excited as I waited at the airport. This time, Jim coming home was different. We both sensed it.

Although it had only been about 9 weeks since that awful night when Mark died, I knew I had to look forward, especially with a baby coming in June.

It seemed forever before Jim came out from the secure area. I ran to him, and he hugged me. I looked into his eyes, so happy to be with him again.

I wanted to kiss, but not there. Not in the airport for our first kiss. I put my head on his chest.

"I'm so happy you're home."

"I've looked forward to this moment for eight weeks."

We talked all the way home, talked like the two old friends we were, but there was something new as well. We had started opening our hearts to each other in a new way. We often spoke in a kind of code we had developed in those eight weeks, with phrases like, "in the future," or "after the baby is born."

When we got home, I parked in his driveway and helped him carry things into the house. His parents, Ryan and Holly were waiting for us and hugged us both. I had gone next door a few times when Jim's mother invited me for lunch. I appreciated getting to know her as an adult now. She insisted I call her Holly, instead of Mrs. Thomas.

"Heather, will you join us for dinner? I'm making lasagna. Jim's favorite."

I agreed to come back for dinner and smiled because I knew Jim's favorite was steaks his father grilled.

I moved my car and Jim walked across to meet me and see my parents.

"It's too bad our pool is covered for the winter."

"I know, but I have a surprise to show you. Let's go through the side gate."

There, on a new extension of our deck, was a hot tub with a gazebo over it. Jim was smiling.

"That's going to be fun, isn't it?"

I put my arm around him. "It is."

I wasn't certain what he envisioned, but I imagined myself in his arms.

"Thank you for asking me out. Isn't it funny? We've known each other for about 14 years and tomorrow will be our first date. I'm nervous."

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Jim insisted on driving from his house to mine the next evening to ring the doorbell. I was so excited, I had been ready for half an hour.

Mom was teasing me. "I've never seen you this excited about a first date. It's not as though you just met him."

"No, but I feel like I've spent fourteen years falling in love with Jim."

"Does he love you?"

"He hasn't told me, but he does. I think he's worried about it being too soon."

"That's an appropriate concern, and for marriage it is too soon, but I doubt it's too soon for love. Especially after fourteen years."

When the doorbell rang, Mom told me to let her answer it. She opened the door and there was the most handsome man standing there. My date tonight.

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I suppose we were both surprised to feel awkward as we drove to the restaurant. Apprehensive. I'd never felt that with Jim.

Of course, I had never looked so hot around him. Short dress, low cut. I caught him looking, and that made me happy.

Jim was very handsome that night. I was thrilled to be dating my best friend.

Once we got to the restaurant, Jim opened the car door for me and then held my hand. We relaxed and had a great time.

"I've been so nervous about tonight. Have you?"

"I thought I was alone in feeling that."

"I guess we both know we're standing on the edge of something new."

"You're gorgeous tonight."

"Thank you. I wanted to look nice for you."

"Nice? You're sexy as hell."

"There's something I want to ask. You know my due date is June 10th, so you'll be back from school. I'd like you to be with me in the delivery room and hold my hand. Can you do that?"

"I'd love that. I need to tell you something. I've decided to transfer to the university here starting next Fall."

"Why."

"To be close to you. Picking up where we left things in October, I love you."

I wiped away tears and reached for his hand.

"I've had so much fun talking with you since then, and it's helped me realize how in love I am as well."

"Are you going back in the Fall?"

"I'd like to, but there will be a lot to figure out first, like how to care for my daughter."

"Have you thought of a name yet?"

"Not yet. I was hoping you would help me."

"Why me?"

"I want to ask you another question, but I know I'm pushing the edge. If you don't want to answer, I'll understand. Where do you hope this first date leads? I don't mean where it leads tonight, but long-term."

"I hope this doesn't frighten you, but if I'm honest with myself, I hope this leads to us marrying. Is that why you want my help in naming her?"

I nodded. "If we marry, I hope you would have helped name your adopted daughter."

Now Jim was wiping away tears. "This is sure unlike any other first date I've had."

"Jim, you're unlike anyone I've ever dated."

"Here we are, talking about marriage, and we've never even kissed."

"I think that's something you can cure."

"What names are you considering?"

"Well, here are several possibilities: Amber, Savannah, Isabel, and Sophie."

"Those are all good names, but I like Sophie the best."

"Then so do I."

"Heather, if it weren't for two things, I would have been on my knee proposing to you tonight. It hasn't even been three months since Mark was killed, and I don't want to do anything to disrespect him. Nor should you."

"I know, plus his parents have been so good to me. I don't want to hurt them."

"The other issue is Sophie. I'm not comfortable with his parents knowing I had anything to do with picking her name. Her birth closes the book on your marriage, and it involves her parents."

"Are you also worried about me? I mean, I can see how people might worry I'm scared about being a single mother, so I'm grabbing hold of you. Do you feel that way?"

"Not at all, but I know our history. Not everyone does or would understand fully."

"You mean we can't move forward until Sophie is born?"

"I know that thought frustrates you, because I find it frustrating, but there's something I want to do tomorrow that I hope will help you see how serious I am about marrying you.

"Will you go with me to pick out an engagement ring? It's too soon for me to propose, but I want to have a ring you love when that time comes."

My eyes filled with tears. "I'd love doing that with you, but you aren't going to propose yet, so I can't wear it?"