Its A Long Road Ch 01

*Note: This is my first story, so I am sure I have made a plethora of mistakes. It is an interracial romance, and has a long build up. IF that is not your thing, you can skip ahead to the action or just not read it I guess.

*Ding-Dong*

The sound of the doorbell pulled Jasmine Walters' attention from her paperwork. "Who could that be?" she asked herself. Her voice warm molasses. Standing up she began walking to the front door. "Coming!" she called out.

Opening the door, she was greeted by a Fed Ex driver with an envelope.

"Please sign here miss." He asked, handing her the PDA. She signed and he handed her a large envelope. "Have a good day!"

Jasmine looked at the envelope and saw that it was addressed to her, but it came from someone named Shauna White, USN. Opening the envelope, she found a letter and a few pictures.

Sitting down on her couch she pulled the picture out first. The first one was a man in a hospital bed, he was almost covered in bandages. Surrounding him were a group of very pretty nurses giving the thumbs up. She looked close at the man and it hit her! It was Marcus! Marcus Reese! He looked so bad! What happened? She quickly went through the pictures, each showing him a little better, the bandages slowly came off, his emaciated body filling back out.

Picking up the letter she read:

"To: Ms. Jasmine Walters

From: Shauna White, USN

RE: Sgt. Marcus Reese, USMC

Dear Ms. Walters,

This letter is to inform you that Sgt. Marcus Reese will be returning home on May 3rd. I believe his arrival time to be between noon and 2:00 pm.

I am writing to let you know this as I have become quite close with the Sargent these last few months and know he had (and still has) strong feelings for you. I understand that there were some problems between you two that is still unresolved (at least on his part) and that contrary to his understanding, you are not married. I learned this from his sister, Alice, whom I was able to contact earlier today.

Ms. Walters, Jasmine, Sgt. Marcus is coming to town to set things right with both his family and you. I urge you to please go see him and try and work past your grievances. I do not know the full story, but I know that it weighs heavily on Sgt Marcus.

The pictures I enclose are of when he was with us. He was wounded badly in action and by now has made almost a complete recovery. I was with him for most of his recovery process, and am the nurse in every picture. He spoke about you often, and I know that he would love to see you.

Sincerely,

Shauna White, USN"

Jasmine stood up and went to make her a pot of tea. Jasmine was a very attractive young woman, being only 23. Her long black hair was currently pulled back into a ponytail with a pink scrunchy. Her skin was a nice mahogany, seeming to be without any blemish at all. She had a lovely face, with full ripe lips, a strong nose and deep almost black eyes with what looked like the longest natural eyelashes Shauna had seen. That girl had bedroom eyes.

Her figure was to die for, tight body, with large breasts, narrow waist and a nice flair to her hips with a bubble butt leading to a pair of legs that were firm and shapely. Her feet were dainty and the toenails had been painted pink, with a small silver ring on the middle toe of each foot. She was currently barefoot as she had been curled up at her couch doing paperwork. She was wearing what looked like sweat pants that had been cut off into shorts, ending just after her bubble butt, a Baggy T-shirt that had the local high school mascot on the back (A pouncing tiger). It also had a name on the back - Reese.

Sipping her Tea, she thought back to that fateful weekend so long ago.

It all started in our Junior Year of High School. Marcus was a new transfer student, his father was career Navy and had retired. Marcus and Jasmine became friends. As time went on they became closer, but never crossed the friend line. Jasmine was dating the captain of the basketball team - Tony Sanders. They had been together for a year by then, and Tony took an immediate disliking for Marcus. You could say it was a mutual feeling.

The night of graduation, there was a big party on 'the hill'. A part of town where the more affluent lived. The boy in question, one Thomas Birchwood, was home alone as his parents were off on a business trip. The bar was open, the music was kicking and the kids were having a blast.

Jasmine had told Marcus and a few friends that Tony had proposed to her. They were going to get married after college. Marcus looked as though he had been stabbed, and started drinking.

Tony was too cool to dance, so Jasmine had grabbed Marcus and told him he had to protect her from the creeps as she danced. Marcus was quite embarrassed to be out there with her, as he could not dance to save his life, but stayed as long as she wanted him there. After several fast songs a slow song started and Jasmine was looking for Tony when Marcus pulled her to him and started to dance with her. She looked up at him, and slid her arms around his neck, burying her head in his shoulder. Maybe it was the booze, maybe it was the moment, but the next thing they knew, they were making out.

They came to their senses and broke apart. Marcus mumbled an apology and went to get another drink. Jasmine walked over to her friends in a daze. She was trying to calm herself and hoping no one could smell how hot she had gotten. Her panties were soaked.

Tony must have found out and came up to Marcus later and started shoving him, cussing him out for making a move on his girl. Marcus got really quiet, and just kept saying for Tony to back off. Tony's buddies were yelling for him to kick the shit out of Marcus, so Tony threw a punch to Marcus' head. Marcus just stood there and took it, rocking back a bit then standing firm again. He asked Tony if he was satisfied. Tony was kind of shocked. He had hit Marcus hard, and it did not seem to affect him. Tony went to swing again and Marcus blocked it, saying that ONE punch he deserved, any more and he would fight back.

Tony swung again, and Marcus dodged it and punched him hard in the stomach. Tony fell over gagging and Marcus leaned over and whispered something in his ear. Marcus stood up and walked over to Jasmine to apologize. Jasmine was angry and crying. Marcus walked away saying that he was sorry.

The next night Jasmine was notified by a friend that Tony was in the Hospital with two of his friends. They had been riding motorcycles and had an accident. Jasmine rushed to the hospital and found Tony high on pain killers. He had been hurt the worse of the three boys, he had broken collar bones, a few broken ribs, his left leg was broken as was his right arm. When he heard her crying he looked over and said that it was not over, that Marcus would be getting his. When Jasmine asked what he meant, he just acted like he fell asleep.

Jasmine heard from her friend Betty that Tony and some of the team went looking for Marcus the day after the party. Apparently they found him running down by the creek and jumped him. Marcus put Tony in the hospital along with two of his friends, but Tony got the worse of it.

Marcus left town that very night.

Jasmine had dumped Tony the moment she found the truth out. They boys never filed a report to the police out of both fear (they had jumped him first) and pride (they sure as shit did not want everyone to know that one white boy kicked all their asses).

Now Marcus was coming home.

Chapter 2

It had been 5 days since the letter from Shauna had come. Five days of hectic activity for Jasmine. First she called up her friends and found out when Marcus was coming home, then she went shopping. She had everything she needed now, along with the reservations at the hotel down town. Marcus would be arriving home by 1 O'clock Friday afternoon. Jasmine was going to crash the family gathering and come hell or high water Marcus was going to be in that hotel with her by 8 pm Friday night.

If she had her way, they would not be leaving that bed for the next 2 days.

With this plan in mind she gazed out at her purchases.

For Friday at the party she had a ribbed sleeveless turtleneck that fit her almost like a second skin, it was cranberry red and set off her mahogany skin perfectly. Along with this went a black bandage dress that was several inches above her knee. Not short enough to be a mini dress, but enough to let her seamed sheer black stockings catch the eye. A golden ankle bracelet on her right leg and a pair of 6" stiletto heeled Christian Louboutin platforms would round it off nicely. He would have to be dead to resist that outfit she thought.

Next would come the dress for dinner, the dinner that she would either convince him to ask her out to, or she would just ask him. For it she had picked a very sexy red sequined dress. It had a low cut front and slits up the sides for her legs. It fit her like a second skin. The color would rock with her skin tone and the 4" stilettos she had for it (a pair of red strappy heels, also Christian Louboutin) would bring a man to his knees. She was going to forgo the stockings with this outfit, and instead had some stripper oil, to make her legs glisten.

Then there was the lingerie. For the first night – she was going with white. A very fucking sexy merry widow with white sheer seamed stockings, white 4" open toed stilettos and a G string. The corset had bra cups that would peel off as they were attached with Velcro.

She had 3 more sexy outfits lined up, ready to go. On Thursday she had taken a spa treatment, having a pedicure and manicure (French style nails), mud bath, the works. Friday morning, she was scheduled for her hair apt at 9 am. Yes, indeed, Mr. Marcus Reese, you won't know what hit you.

She thought back to the Monday after that fateful night. She looked for Marcus at the restaurant that he was working at for summer, to tell him she had dumped Tony and wanted to know if he meant it when he had told her that he loved her. He had already left though and she never got the chance.

Now her chance was here, and that damned old Hag Nurse was not going to get in her way!

Marcus arrived home at 12:15 Friday afternoon to a house full of family and friends. He was mostly healed up from his wounds, just a bit underweight and had a slight limp that would soon be gone. He walked into the house and was attacked by his sister and mother as they ran to hug him and welcome him home. He saw his father standing there and removing his hat he snapped to attention and saluted the man. His father Saluted back before coming up and grabbing his boy in a bear hug. It was the first time Marcus could remember his father hugging him, he felt his neck getting wet and saw that his dad was crying. This too was a first. "My Boy! My Boy came back home."

"Tried to make you proud dad." Marcus said. "Got a clean record, will be getting an honorable discharge."

"Son, you always made me proud." His father said, chocking on emotion. Grabbing him and pulling him back into a tight hug the father whispered in his ear "You are all I could have ever hoped for and more, I love you son."

"Holy shit! Look at those medals!" Yelled Alice, his sister. "My nerdy brother is a freaking war hero! Who would have thought that skinny kid who I used to feed mud pies to would grow up into a damned war hero!" She hugged him again. "Word is that Jasmine was asking about you." She whispered in his ear.

"What?" He asked as she smiled a knowing smile.

"Come here baby brother, I have someone I want you to meet." Alice said as she pulled him to a Young man sitting on the couch drinking a coke. "Mark, this is my fiancé Scott Wallace. Scott THIS is my brother the war hero."

Grinning self-consciously Marcus stuck his hand out and said "Nice to meet you Scott."

"Glad you made it home in one-piece man. Thank you for your service to your country." Scott answered shaking the hand.

They were just finishing a quick lunch when the doorbell rang.

*ding dong*

"Now, WHO could that be." Alice said with a grin, as she walked to the door. Cracking it open a bit her grin widened into a huge smile as she called out in a sing song voice "OH Marcus, there is someone here who wants to see you."

Marcus came to the door and stood stunned by what he saw. It was Jasmine! It was Jasmine who he had dreamt about every night for 4 years! It was Jasmine looking so damned sexy that his pants instantly became uncomfortable.

She stood there in the sun, shyly smiling at him, drinking him in as he stood with his mouth open, frozen by her beauty. Her curvaceous and fit form was on display in that outfit, her large breasts causing the ribs in the sweater to make wonderful curves around them, the skirt fit her perfectly, showing off her hips and legs. His eyes roamed down the sheer stocking covered legs to the fuck me pumps and he felt his balls clench.

"Hello Marcus." She said quietly, her voice sounding to him like that of an angel whispering in honey. "Can I come in?"

Marcus was standing there staring, when he felt a jarring bump in his back.

"Invite her in dummy!" Alice said behind him.

"Oh, sorry, yeah. " *clearing throat* "yes, hello Jasmine, it is so good to see you! Please come in! " He said extending his hand to her.

Jasmine reached out and took his hand as she stepped into the house. Marcus was staring at her the whole time, never letting go of her hand.

"Jasmine it is so nice of you to come." Alice said. "Isn't that right Mark?" Then looking at her brother's moon eyed look she said louder "I said isn't that right MARK?"

"What? Oh, yeah. Sure sis, whatever."

Jasmine had a small smile on her lips as she looked up at Marcus, noting that he had no idea what his sister had said. "So Marcus, how are you? I heard you were hurt; you are okay now right?"

"Oh, yeah. I am not quite 100 percent yet, but getting close." He replied as she reached up to touch his chest.

"You certainly look 100 percent." She smiled. "You filled out since you have been gone. You were fit before but now you look like the Rock or something." She stared up at him, not quite 6' tall, pure lean muscle. His chest felt like it was carved from rock. His skin was a deep tan from the time in the middle east, his black hair close cut. She gazed into his green eyes, emerald pools that she wanted to drown in. His full lips were moving; he was saying something but she was lost gazing at him for a moment. "I'm sorry what?" she asked.

"I said how is Tony? Is he coming?" Marcus asked.

"Tony? Coming? I have no idea; I broke up with him the night after the party." She said honestly.

"you did?" Marcus asked his eyes looking hopeful.

"Marcus, I think there was a misunderstanding between us, we really need to talk about it."

"And who is this Marcus?" his mother asked archly.

"The lady is a friend of Marcus, obviously." Donald Reese replied, turning to Jasmine he added "And a very beautiful one at that." With a smile he stuck his hand out to her "Donald Reese, it is a pleasure to meet you . . . Jasmine, Right? You are the girl Marcus was friends with in High School."

"Yes sir." Jasmine replied slipping her hand into his only to have Marcus take it back when they were done. "I am that Jasmine."

"Alice tells me that you are graduating this semester in Accounting, is that correct?"

"Yes sir. I have been working my butt off to get out. I have an offer here locally that is pretty good, not made any final plans yet. How did Alice know that?"

"Oh I know LOTS of things." Alice replied with a grin. "My roommate is dating Kyle Wilson."

"Kyle? Beth's brother? Oh, okay." Jasmine said blushing. Turning to Marcus she said "I should let you guys get back to the party, I just wanted to see you again."

"You are not leaving are you?" Marcus asked alarmed. "But, you just got here!"

"This is a family thing Marcus, maybe we can see each other later?"

"Sure!" Marcus led her out to the front porch. "How about we go to dinner tonight?"

GOTCHA! She thought. "Dinner sounds wonderful! How about we meet at the Walden Hotel, it has that really nice 4-star restaurant in it. It will be my treat! Say 6?"

"So late? I was thinking earlier; How about we meet there at 5 and get a few drinks first?"

SO eager! She thought. "Sure, 5 sounds great. I will go home and change into something nice. I want to be pretty for your first night back."

"You already are!" he said. "I have not had time to shop really, only have my uniforms with me, will that be okay?"

"Ooooh a man in uniform! How can I resist!" she laughed. "Don't be late!"

"Wild horses can't keep me!" Marcus swore as he bent to hug her good bye.

"See you soon Marcus." She whispered in his ear, lightly kissing it as she pulled away. She noticed how he seemed to shiver at the touch of her warm breath on his ear.

Smiling she walked slowly to her car.

Marcus stood and watched her walk away, his eyes devouring her sexy walk, as her bubble but swayed left and right. The sexy sounds of her heels on the walk getting further and further. Marcus was in a daze as he reentered the house. He noticed his mother and father were in what looked like a quiet argument and made his way over.

"You know that girl was the reason he left. I heard rumors that they had some kind of fight." His mother hissed quietly.

"Pat, now is not the time." His father whispered.

"Mom, Dad, I have something I need to say." Marcus said firmly. "When I was a young boy, I always tried to make you proud. I took classes that I knew you wanted me to take, I did not run around with my friends because I knew you were worried I would get into trouble. I never dated, because the person I wanted the most - you would not have approved of."

"The night I left was not because Jasmine and I got in a fight, it was because I put Tony Sanders in the Hospital with two of his friends."

"I KNEW YOU DID THAT!" His sister Alice screamed. "No one really bought that motorcycle accident story! They had been seen earlier asking where you were, and it was clear they were going to do something to you. THEN they show up in the ER looking like they had been hit by a truck and you were gone."

"Why? Why would you do that Marcus?" His mother asked.

"Tony was mad that I had kissed Jasmine at the party. I was mad that he was cheating on her." Marcus replied. "They found me by the creek and made it clear they were going to beat the shit out of me. Tony told me to stay the hell away from 'HIS' woman. I told him he was damned lucky I did not tell her about him and Sally Whitfield going upstairs together at the party. They came at me and I let my anger get the best of me." Marcus looked down briefly then back up, looking his father in the eye. "I could have just gotten away sir. I could have hurt them less. I did take it easier on Billy and Tay, but Tony...Tony I punished."

"You damned near killed him son." Donald stated. "He was hurt really badly."

"I know dad, and that was why I left. I knew that they would eventually come after me, or go to the police AND come after me. I also could not look Jasmine in the eye after that, so I left." Marcus replied nodding. "When I found out that the police were not involved and they were going to be okay I hitched to San Diego and joined the Marines. I figured I needed to get my shit in order."

"One of my nurses convinced me to come back and set things right here before moving on." Marcus said. "And so here I am. But just seeing Jasmine again ... finding out she is not married. She's not right?" he asked looking at Alice.

"No. She broke up with Tony that weekend, I think she knew what really happened. She dated off and on for a year or so, but the last few years she has just been going to school and working." She replied.