“We won’t as long as we work together and communicate.”
We shared a kiss before Janiyah shifted to make herself more comfortable.
I stared at the ceiling as Janiyah’s breath slowed down. I didn’t have a problem communicating with Janiyah and figuring things out. I wasn’t losing my wife again.
I woke up feeling inspired, so after I freshened up, I checked on Mikayla, then I grabbed my laptop and headed to my favorite spot on the couch in the living room.
Arsel’s parents had dropped Mikayla off early in the morning because they had to be somewhere. As soon as she was settled, I went back to sleep as well. Arsel wasn’t in bed when I woke up, but knowing him, he’d left for his morning run. It was how he stayed so damn fit and fine. I tried going with him before, but I couldn’t keep up. I chose to walk or do light calisthenics, but I hadn’t done much of either lately. I needed to find a balance with everything I needed to do in a day.
Life had gotten a little easier since Mikayla came to live with us. It felt like things with Arsel had been getting better, too,and it was all I ever wanted. I was finally living out my dreams. Mikayla adjusted to things faster than I thought she would. I guess it was easier since she was so young.
I had the music playing at a low volume since it was still early in the morning. Since it was so early, I didn’t even get my normal writing snacks. I wasn’t sure when Mikalya would wake up, so I didn’t waste any time typing. I had my legs tucked underneath me with a blanket around my shoulders. I only turned on the lamp on the table. Arsel had specifically gotten the lamp for me for my early-morning or late-night writing sessions.
I managed to get two chapters done when I heard the front door open. I looked up when he entered the living room. As soon as his eyes landed on me, he smiled. I watched him as he walked across the living room to me. He wore tight black pants with shorts over them, a hoodie to match, and a black beanie. I loved it when he wore those pants because they showcased the thick muscles in his legs.
“Good morning, baby.” His neck tattoos peeked through the neckline of his hoodie.
I tilted my head up to meet him halfway when he leaned down to kiss me.
“Good morning.”
He smelled like bodywash and sweat.
“I got you some coffee and breakfast. How long have you been up?” He kissed me one more time, then sat next to me. He placed the coffee and the bag on the table in front of the couch.
“A minute. I felt inspired, so I wanted to get some writing done while the house was quiet. I managed a couple of chapters.”
Arsel looked at me and smirked. “I’d like to think that good dick inspired you.”
My eyes glanced down to his dick as heat spread through my body. The same pants I loved were also pants I hated, because sometimes his dick would be front and center. I wasn’t insecureat all, but I didn’t need bitches looking at my husband’s dick and getting any ideas.
“I mean, you might be right.” I shrugged, then giggled when he tickled my side. It was moments like this that I missed about us. We used to play around with each other all the time. Somewhere between work and life, we lost those small moments.
“Stop, you gonna make me drop my laptop.” I continued giggling. I tried to get away from him, but he moved my laptop to the table and laid me across his lap. I turned my body and wrapped my arms around his neck as he cradled me like a baby.
Arsel pushed my hair out of my face. Since I’d taken my scarf off, it was all over the place.
He got serious as he looked into my eyes. His face was a little dewy from sweat.
“Are you happy?” He rubbed the side of my face. “Like, truly happy?”
I traced the freckles across his nose and his cheeks with my index finger. He closed his eyes as his breathing slightly hitched. I loved the effect I had on him even after all these years.
“I am.”
Arsel’s eyes opened. “Good, because I am too. Let’s eat before little mama wakes up.” He kissed my forehead, then helped me sit up. He kept me on his lap as he reached for the bag on the table. Once he had it, he placed it on the couch next to us. With one hand, he opened the bag and pulled out breakfast sandwiches.
My stomach growled when he opened the sausage, egg, and cheese on a croissant. I knew he’d gotten it from the deli that wasn’t too far from our house. They always made mine with extra cheese.
“Open.” Arsel held the sandwich up to my mouth.
I took a bite, with my eyes on him. He took a bite of the same sandwich. The sun had slowly risen, casting a glow over the living room as we shared the sandwich. When we were done with the first one, he pulled another one out.
“Remember we used to share our food all of the time because we didn’t have enough for two meals?”
“Yeah. I thought you wouldn’t fuck with me because I couldn’t afford to properly wine and dine you.” Arsel chuckled.
“I liked you too much. Plus, I trusted the process. Look around us.” I spread my arms and looked around the room. “Those shared meals were worth getting us to where we are.” I leaned forward and dropped a kiss on his lips.
