I open my thread to Mom.
I decided it was worth the fight.
She doesn't see it straight away, a solid five minutes passing before her avatar slides into place to say that she's opened the message.
So did I.
She sends a photo of her suitcase, presumably packed and sitting next to the bed.The hell?She wouldn't leave Dad. Surely not.
Explain.
I booked the surgery. Your father's taking me in tomorrow.
He even booked time off work. Only a few days when I get home, but he BOOKED TIME OFF.
I laugh, filled with equal parts joy that she's putting herself first under the recommendation of the new specialist and sadness that I'm no longer there to help her.
Do you think he'd let me back to help you with recovery?
One miracle at a time, okay? Spend some time with your man. I'd rather know you were there where he can keep you safe than alone in your house.
I can't stop the tear that tracks my cheek, thumb stroking the side of my phone as I re-read her words. She may not have stood up for me as much as she could have in the early years, but I'm glad she's there for me now.
"Who do I need to have a word with now?"
I glance up and smile, wiping away my tear. "No one. It's good. I promise."
"Better be." Jinx stalks into the room before swearing under his breath and turning back to close the door. "Force of habit."
I laugh again, not sure how much happiness I can take in one day before I crack.
"You better not be laughing soon," he teases, stripping off his cut. "I need to head out for a bit, but I negotiated time with you first."
“Did you really?” I set my phone aside on the nightstand and then lean back on my elbows.
"I did." Jinx crawls atop the bed, prowling over me.
"What was the trade-off?" I tug at his T-shirt, urging him to take it off.
"Nothing special," he says, nuzzling at my neck. "Told Chaos I've covered his ass enough times when he's been caught up in Vanessa, I figured it was high time he returned the favor."
"Sounds fair to me." I tip my head back and sigh as his lips make a path to my ear.
"Fuck you smell good," he rumbles against my neck. "Been driving me wild since you came back."
"You know what's even better on me?" I ask.
He rears back to look me in the eye.
"You."
Jinx growls, moving down my body to grasp the waist of my leggings, stripping them as he goes.
He's a whole new man since his confidence returned. Assertive, playful… happier.
I guess I found what he was missing.
I shimmy my hips to help him get my clothes off, skin heating at the promise of what's to come when he strips naked at the foot of the bed. I didn't lie to Jinx: I would have been happy to have him even if he hadn't seen the doctor. But this definitely makes things better, if not for what he can do physically, but for having him fully present with me. Out of his head and focused on us. Only us.
