She nodded as best she could with my hand covering her neck, but I needed her to tell me.
“Are we clear?”
“Yes, baby, we’re clear. Can we celebrate now?”
“We sure can. Let’s start by you sitting on my face.”
When I woke up the next morning, Russell had already left for work. He still had no groceries, so I went to the main house to see what I could find.
Russell and I spent the previous day and night making slow, gentle love. After not having had sex for a year, I was out of practice, and although he wasn’t rough with me, every muscle in my body was sore, and it had nothing to do with being snatched up by Preston.
I entered the code to let myself into the side door and followed the aroma of bacon to the kitchen. Mama Rush was moving through the kitchen with Bliss hot on her trail. When Bliss saw me, her eyes lit up, and she ran in my direction.
“Titi Wose.” Bliss greeted me, wearing a bright smile.
I kneeled and scooped her into my arms when she made it to me, planting kisses on her chubby cheeks.
“Hey, Titi’s baby. Are you being a good girl for your Nani?”
She nodded her head. With her on my hip, I greeted Mama Rush with a kiss on her cheek and a one-armed hug.
“Titi, why you face hurt?”
I reached up and touched my cheek.
“Titi had an accident, but I’m okay.”
She leaned forward and gently kissed my cheek.
“Okay. All better now, Titi.”
“Yep. I’m all better. Thank you. It smells good in here,” I said.
“Thank you. Are you hungry?” Mama Rush asked.
“I’m starving, actually. Russell needs to go grocery shopping. His cabinet and fridge look like a college student just trying to make ends meet.”
She giggled. “He’s been eating most of his meals up here since you two broke up, so I don’t think grocery shopping has been a priority.”
Her comment made me feel bad, but I was sure that wasn’t her intention. I didn’t address it and changed the subject.
“Why weren’t you and Papa Rush at the gala the other night?”
“Papa Rush and RJ are sick, so Briar didn’t want to go. I stayed home to take care of them and figured I might as well keep Bliss so Rocky and Rue could enjoy themselves. How are you feeling this morning?”
“Considering what happened, I feel okay. My jaw is still sore, but that’s it.”
“That’s a nasty bruise, but it looks better than it did yesterday.”
Mama Rush had come to Russell’s place to check on me and was nice enough to make the tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich he’d fed me.
“It feels a little better too.”
I sat at the table with my niece on my lap while Mama Rush continued to move around the kitchen.
“Russell and I are working things out,” I blurted out.
“Oh, thank God. I’ve been worried about him because he’s been miserable. I’ve never seen my grandson so sad.”
