Chapter 33

Jane

Driving my way through the Wester Woods, Benny and Natalie played away at their Android phones in the back seat of my 2019 Honda Accord. “You two better put those away when we get home,” I warned politely as I was able. “Your father hates when I let you play on those,” boy did he. Still, I knew that they needed to have their fun.

Natalie sent a hand over to Benny’s face and tried to block him from seeing his Punch Club game. “Okay mom,” she called back politely, but I knew that she’d try and sneak more time out of it before long. She was craftier and better at listening just the right amount than her younger brother. Being seven years of age, I could scarcely remember what growing up was like when I was that young - aside from having my knuckles rapped by a ruler whenever I said a word that my parents didn’t care for.

I’d never go that far with either of them.

Benny rustled in his seat, trying to get away from his big sissy. “Stop it!” He called out to her, “you’re gonna get me killed.”

“Oh you were going to die anyway,” she sassed at him, making me roll my eyes as I turned down the familiar dirt, rock laden road.

“Seriously you two put them away,” I said with my strict voice, and thankfully they didn’t give me any fuss once they saved or got to where they needed to be, turning them off and putting them back in their school bags. “Must be a miracle since you two listened. Thank you,” I looked back at them with a smile, and they returned the gesture, though a bit defeated from having to obey me.

Once I parked in the garage, I led the two inside with their backpacks, instructing them to go and start some of their homework in the Great Room before I make them something to eat.

By the time that I made it to the foyer, Abigail had found the children and followed after them, more excited to see them than to even acknowledge me.

I watched them all go out of view as I ascended up the steps, rounding the corner and seeing Michael scoop up Benny in his arms, throwing him over his shoulder and playing with him. Abigail and Natalie moved on past their father, where Benny could only laugh and ask that his dad put him down.

“You sure you want down?” Michael asked, spinning him around, keeping his loving eyes looking at me. “Alright, alright,” he insisted, letting our boy get back down to his feet and follow along after his sister.

When the hall was clear of everyone except for us, he strode over towards me, pulling me into an affectionate embrace, just holding onto me for a good long while. “I missed you,” he revealed to me in a husky whisper, rubbing his hand up and down my back, letting me sink my head into his shoulder.

“I missed you too,” I told him, and he pulled his head away to look at me.

“Always?”

“Always,” I replied, noticing the purple paint all over his jeans and white shirt and hair. “You said you were working,” I told him. “Why are you covered in purple?”

Michael smiled. “I’ll show you.”

He led me over to Morganna’s old room, flicked on the lights for me, and I felt the air wanting to leave my lungs at the sight of the redone room. Michael took my hand and led me down the stairs, glancing over to me. “Thought it was time to give it a new coat,” he revealed, “I want it to be your study, now, Jane. Don’t have much of a need for it anymore,” he raked his fingers through his exquisite hair. “It’s all your’s now baby.”

“You didn’t have to do this for me,” I told him, admiring how new and fresh the whole place looked. He even put in a new bookcase with most of my collection.

“Yes I did,” he confided, “and I wanted to. I wanted to do it for you,” he picked me up and had me wrap my legs around him like we’d done so many times before, pressing his lips to me and kissing me with a relentless hunger. Even after all this time, it felt like each kiss was new, like each touch could set me on fire.

Michael sat me down then, and worked his way purposefully back up the stairs, locking the door so that the kids wouldn’t be bothering us.

Even after all these years, we never stopped appreciating each other’s body.

***

When night time rolled around and Michael got home from a late meeting at his office, he exhaustedly made his way to the bed, crawling in next to me and being the big spoon.

Metro News at eleven got back from commercial break on the 55 inch Sony TV and Beth, with her short, curly black hair showed up; she had become a respected and recognized anchor for the station last year, surprising neither Sayla nor myself.

Michael placed his hand over my belly and pulled me against him, “Jane?” I shuffled around in the bed, turning over to face him and gently lean into his lips, our noses touching briefly. “I want to have another,” he whispered, keeping his hand pressed to my belly.

I slowly smiled at him, letting the warmth of his words fill me inside.

When I touched his lips again, we melted into one another perfectly, and I knew that our forever, was simply,

Forever.

THE END