Trent
SEVEN YEARS AGO...
“You’ve got this.”
I glanced at my wife over my shoulder. She laid propped against a multitude of pillows on the bed, braiding the second of her two plaits. I loved that look. It reminded me of those first days when I met the pretty, withdrawn eighteen-year-old sitting on the curb outside Nicky’s, the local diner, waiting for her father to fetch her. She’d waitressed there after school.
I’d just turned twenty-two and had a bit of a rebellious streak in me. When friends and I rode in on our bikes. The noise disturbed her reading. Something about those blueish-gray eyes drew me to her. Maybe it was the mystery I read in them or the lurking sass behind the innocence when she stared at me dead-on. Even though I tried for a few days, she wouldn’t give me the time of day until I scared away boys from her school who’d attempted bullying her into giving them her notes. Turned out, she’d seen me as the bigger bully because I wouldn’t leave her alone and only earned my first genuine smile a month later.
“Trent?” Krisha threw a cushion, hitting me square in the face and yanking me out of my reflections. “Did you hear me?”
Smiling, I nodded. Five years later and she still retained the same simplicity except her pregnant state had added a little maturity. Dark circles beneath her eyes, the only indication it’d been a rough one, especially the last month. I sighed. “My place is here with you, Pixie.” Giving up on the tie I’d been knotting in front of the mirror, I crossed the room and eased myself down gently on the bed, next to her. “This is a crucial time for you, I shouldn’t be leaving you alone.” She had a whole three weeks to go before she gave birth, but the twins became a handful for the last three months and Krisha’s doctor had ordered her off her feet.
She palmed my cheek with a soft smile. “I’m not alone. Carol’s here remember?” she coaxed, referring to my grandmother. “You’ve put this off long enough, Trent. They’re about to hand that deal you’ve wanted to someone else. This is yours for the taking. And it’s only an hour and a half flight.”
“That’s two hours too far.” I nuzzled her neck. “And other deals will come.”
“You’re using me as an excuse,” she scolded.
I pulled back, grinning. “Why would I do that?”
“Because it means putting away your motorcycle, cutting your hair, and wearing a suit every day for the rest of your life,” she teased. “And we both know you hate that Chartered Accountant role. Your place is in the kitchen as weird as that may sound to you.”
Turning on my side, with my head on her thighs, I rubbed her belly. “First, there’s nothing weird about it, you love my cooking. Second, even if I sign this deal, nothing stops me from riding my bike. Lastly, there’s nothing wrong with wearing your hair long with a suit. The only difference is I make it look good.” I winked.
Laughing, she stroked my shoulder-length hair. “Such arrogance. You’re going to be a daddy soon and there will be no more motorcycle—”
I faked a shocked look. “What’s wrong with them riding a motorcycle.” I rubbed her stomach. “Hear that boys, you mommy’s already laying down the rules and you haven’t even popped out yet.”
“Popped out?” She punched me lightly on the chest. “This is not one of your ovens.” She rubbed her stomach. “And who said anything about them being boys?” We’d chosen not to know the sex of the twins, relishing the anticipation yet constantly teased each other about what they’d be. “It’s a girl and a boy.” I shook my head, and she clutched my hair in a firm grip. “Agree it’s a boy and a girl else there’s no sex for a year.”
Grinning, I raised a brow. “Notwithstanding we haven’t had any in the last four months, I’d like to see you try, Pixie.” Pushing up, I straddled her while supporting my full weight on my flat palms on either side of her. “This body belongs to me, baby and you know I can make you beg.”
“How can I forget.” Laughing, she cupped my face and pulled me closer for a kiss. “I love you,” she whispered against my lips when we broke apart.
“I love you, too.” My eyes locked with hers, I drew in a labored breath. “You’re the beat of my heart...” I kissed her brow. “And the whisper of my soul.” I kissed her lips.
“And you’re the air in my lungs...” She kissed one cheek. “And the light of my smile.” She kissed the other cheek.
This was how we said goodbye every morning. By reciting our wedding vows.
“Now go before Drake is convinced you’re too chicken shit to keep your word.” She pushed lightly at my chest.
Chuckling, I dropped a quick kiss to her brow. “Take care of mommy, boys.” I kissed her stomach then slid off the bed. “Ring me if anything happens, even if it’s twinge, okay?” She nodded. Taking a moment to study her face, I couldn’t stop the hammer in my chest. My heart was begging me to reconsider but I knew she’d push me to go. I didn’t want to cause her any more stress. Sighing, I turned away, knotted my tie, and reached for my jacket. “I look good?” I asked after slipping it on.
She made a show of running an appreciative gaze over me from head to toe. “Always.” She pursed her lips and blew me a kiss.
Smiling, I returned the gesture. “See you later.”
I was at the door when she stopped me. “Hey, handsome.” I turned. “Twins are a handful. I don’t think you’ll have time for sex.”
“I’ll always make time to fuck you.” I laughed when her cheeks bloomed with the rosy blush my crudeness always elicited. Five years together and she still hadn’t gotten used to my dirty mouth.
Downstairs, I found my uncle, Drake, greeting my grandmother. She lived with him but insisted on staying with us for the last month to take care of Krisha.
“You ready?” he asked when he noticed me on the bottom stair.
“As ready as I can be.”
