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Finally, I have my special baby back.

  Chapter Seventeen

  – A Few Days Prior –

  The kids are in bed and it’s now time for this momma to enjoy a very large glass of wine. Trey already has my glass poured, and as I lean across the counter to give him a thank you kiss my phone rings, Presley’s face appearing on the caller ID; Trey’s kiss can wait, this call cannot.

  I’ve just spent a month updating the décor in their home, on Presley’s dime of course, and sent her the pictures earlier this afternoon.

  “Oh, please tell me you like everything.” Trey chuckles and shakes his head, placing a kiss upon my cheek and swatting at my ass, eliciting a jump and a squeak from me.

  “Liv, the pictures of Cora’s room are adorable. Thank you so much for doing this for me.”

  “Absolutely. I loved it, and even Jax wanted to help. He still talks about her. This week it’s been Cora this and Cora that.”

  “He is the cutest, and most precious little boy every.”

  How could a mother not be proud of her son with a compliment such as that, but there’s more that she wants to say, I can feel it.

  “I thought this special baby thing would phase out Pres, but maybe there’s something to it.” I was right, I hear the deep breath that she takes when she’s about to say something honest, probably something I don’t want to hear, and I haven’t taken a sip of my wine yet.

  “Come on Liv. Do you really think this is healthy for him? He’s five, after all.”

  “What are you saying?” Why am I suddenly so defensive?

  “Liv, please don’t get defensive, but three years? That’s a big age gap, at least until their older, preferably in their twenties at the earliest. I know you and Trey are great parents, but I don’t want Cora holding him back from doing what he should be doing.”

  Come on Liv, get it together. Presley’s just trying to think about both the kid’s development. I take a big sip and sit down next to Trey who looks at me intently. “I know what you mean.” Trey tries to mouth something to me, but I brush him off. “He’ll be a senior in high school, and she’ll be a freshman. He’ll be turning twenty-one and she’ll be eighteen.”

  “You know I love Jax; and you and Trey are fantastic parents, but—”

  “Pres, you don’t have to justify anything to me. I totally get it. Maybe it is a bit much. Maybe we should try to distance them a little.”

  “Do you think that’s the best thing?” for as confident as Presley normally is, even she is unsure about what to do with the very evident relationship Jax is forming with Cora.

  “I don’t know. I mean, look at what your mothers did.”

  “Liv, we were four months apart. Not three years.”

  Another sip down, Treys eyes still haven’t left me. I know she’s waiting on me to come up with a definitive answer for a question that has been years in the making. “How about we try to cut their time together and see how it goes. They’re still young enough that it shouldn’t do any permanent damage and who knows, in a couple of years Jax may forget about this time. I mean, I don’t remember kindergarten.

  “We’ll get Cora to spend more time with the twins and I can talk to Jax’s friends’ mother and see about him coming over more. Robert and Trey can build…”

  I look at Trey who rolls his eyes, Presley’s snickering on the other end does nothing to stop my laughter.

  “Okay, Robert and Trey can hire someone to build the tree house Jax has been asking for.

  “Hopefully he’ll have so much fun in it with Jace that he won't even notice his time with Cora has been cut short.”

  “You think it will work?”

  “At this point I think it’s worth a try. I’ll call Jace’s mom and get everything set up for Friday. I can’t wait to see you guys.”

  “Oh, I can't wait to be back down there. Out of the city. Away from noise and people.”

  “Hey now!” I giggle and she does the same. “Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  I hang up the phone with Pres and before Trey can even ask a question, I’m on the phone with May, Jace’s mother.

  I was relieved when Jax came home the first day of Kindergarten talking about a boy he played with at recess. He needed another boy to play with.

  When May answered the phone I muddled through the small chitchat until I could strike. “Hey, would you mind if Jax came to your house to play after school on Friday? I promise to have Jace over to our house, but I think Jax is in desperate need of some time away from his sisters.”

  “Oh, of course.”

  I roll my eyes; this is much too easy. I haven’t had an opportunity to use my powers of manipulation ever since putting Robert and Presley back together.

  “We would love to have Jax over. He could stay for dinner if that’s fine with you.”

  “Thank you May. That would be wonderful. I can pick him up at seven, unless that’s too late.”

  “Not at all.” I smile and say my goodbye.

  Almost downing the rest of my wine while I feel Trey’s eyes burning holes into the side of my body. “Liv?” he drawls out “What are you up to? What was all that with Presley, and now getting Jace involved, and on Friday of all days. You know Jax has been looking forward to seeing Cora for weeks. He knows they’ll be here on Friday.”

  “Well, who told him that?” I was hoping to just skim over the fact that Cora would be home this week.

  “You did! That day you told him we would discuss the tree house. Which, by the way, I don’t remember us discussing and yet apparently I’m about to ‘build’ one.”

  He places ‘build’ in quotes, and I can tell he’s frustrated with me.

  “Oh. Well, I think we should let him have a tree house.”

  “Liv, you know why he wants one, right?”

  I roll my eyes. What kind of question is that. Of course I know why my son wants a tree house, it’s the same reason any boy wants a tree house. “It’s so he has his own space. Away from the twins.”

  Trey chuckles, running his hands through his hair before dropping his head against the back of the couch. “Oh woman.” He shakes his head and once again I roll my eyes at his patronizing tone, “It’s so he and Cora have their own house. Just like you and I do, and Robert and Presley do.”

  “What!” This little tidbit of information is enough to send me jumping to my feet, pacing in front of the couch, “He’s five Trey! She’s two! Has he lost his damn mind? Why didn’t you tell me before I suggested it to Presley!”

  “I thought that’s what we were about to do. Discuss it, but no, you just signed us up to build our son a home for his infant bride.”

  I make my way back into the kitchen. Wine. I need wine, and lots of it.

  Trey attempts to pry the bottle from my lips but stops as a growl sounds from my throat.

  “Your son is trying to put me into an early grave.” He chuckles and hesitantly moves the bottle to the other side of the counter.

  Settling between my legs, his mouth works against my neck trying to calm me down. I’m so close to giving into him, but I know I need to talk to him about Presley’s and my plan. New rule: discussions happen the same day we say we need to discuss something. “Presley and I think it’s best if we try to separate Jax and Cora now.”

  Trey steps back, seeming almost shocked. “What’s wrong with Jax and Cora’s relationship? Do they think he’s not good enough—”

  “Trey, don’t you finish that sentence.”

  He settles against the other counter, arms folded over his chest.

  “Look at it this way, he’s a freshman, she’s in sixth grade. He’s a senior, she’s a freshman. He’s twenty-one, she’s—”

  “Eighteen. I see your point.” He drops his arms, and I pull him back to me.

  “Presley doesn’t want him missing out on all that he should be experiencing by waiting around for Cora. After she turns twenty, they can do whatever they want to, but this is for their own good.”

/>   “How does Robert feel about all this?”

  “She’s talking to him tonight.”

  My lips press against his, running my fingers up through his hair, he pulls my hips to the edge of the counter, it’s still just as easy to get him excited as it was when we were in high school. I pull back the smallest amount. “You and Robert are definitely building that tree house, and you’re getting Jax involved.”

  “But I thought you said you wanted to separate them, not let them start living together?”

  “That’s why you two are going to make the best tree house for a little boy money can buy. Once he has it, he can invite his friends over and hopefully Cora fades from his thoughts.”

  He chuckles and rest his forehead against mine. “I don’t think it will work, but once you and Presley set your minds to something, there’s no use arguing with you two.”

  “God, I married a smart man.”

  * * *

  I hang up the phone with Liv and feel Robert’s arms wrap around my waist, his lips hot on the back of my neck, “Who do you love?” he whispers seductively against my ear.

  “Just Liv.” I giggle and turn to face him. Kissing him back, his tongue slips between my lips and I’m lifted as though I were a feather and placed on the counter. How is it that this man still makes my heart race after all these years together. “Did you get everything turned in?”

  “Yep. I’m cleared until February. Time to go home.” His mouth works down my neck, pulling at my sweater to gain access to my collarbone. My heart pounds against my chest, conjuring a heat within me.

  “Wanna go celebrate?” His fingertips brush against my center, and I drop my head back, giving him better access. He nips at the unconscious vibrations pulsing from my neck and chuckles against my skin. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  “Wa..wait...” He stops his advances and I take a moment to think clearly. “We can celebrate in a minute, but first I need to talk to you about something.”

  “Ahh.” He moves from my legs and opens the fridge.

  “Ahh, what? You don’t even know what I’m going to say.”

  He pulls out two beer bottles, pops the top on both and hands one off to me. “I have a feeling this is about Jax and Cora.” He takes a long pull from his as I play with my bottle.

  “You don’t think it’s wrong to separate them, do you?”

  He comes back over and sets his bottle next to mine, his hands gripping my knees. “Look, we always knew this day was gonna come. Might as well do it now than potentially have to break them apart when they’re teenagers. The last thing we want is them running away together. Besides, if they’re truly supposed to be together, then they can wait till they’re in their twenties. We found each other after eight years and then we came back to each other after some time apart. You can't mess with fate, babe.”

  I crash my lips against his, wrapping my legs tightly around his waist, his fingertips digging into my bare flesh. He chuckles as I wrap my arms firmer around his neck and ease back the tiniest bit, “God I love you.”

  His eyes turn dark and he slips a finger under my lace boy short panties. “Now about that celebrating…” A hard bite to my neck and I know what I’m in for, for the rest of the night. I giggle as we make our way to the bedroom and I’m in awe of how completely head over heels in love I am with this man. How after everything we’ve been through, there is still no one else I would rather do life with.

  * * *

  – Present Time –

  Robert, Liv, Trey, and I are all waiting in the living room for Jax to come down from Cora’s room.

  “So we’re all in agreement, right? This is what’s best for them.”

  “Like Robert said, you can’t run from fate.” I look at him, and he gives my hand a firm squeeze.

  “We can just prolong it.”

  “Robert and I will get started on the tree house tomorrow and will have Jax help.”

  We all nod in agreement and wait a few minutes longer. Cora was exhausted when I put her down, it shouldn’t have taken this long for her to fall asleep.

  I lead the way upstairs and crack open Cora’s door. The sight before me shatters my heart and I push the door open wider. “I don’t know if this is going to work.”

  Jax has fallen asleep completely wrapped around Cora. Her head still resting on his lap, the top half of his body is tucked behind her, and her arm is tightly wrapped around his leg.

  Our eyes dart to one another, thinking the same thing, but no one brave enough to say it. They’re going to hate us.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The next morning I wake up in my bed. Mommy and Daddy must have carried me home last night, but I don’t remember anything except falling asleep next to my sweet Cora. She was finally home and once again all was right in the world; at least for the next couple of months, anyway.

  I stumble out of bed and make my way downstairs. The house is perfectly quiet. I think this time of day is the only time I can really hear myself think.

  I peak into mommy and daddy’s room and they’re still asleep, so I pour myself a bowl of Cheerios and settle in on the couch, turning on the cartoons I want to watch. Peace and quiet.

  I’m able to make it through almost three monster truck shows before the screeching and wailing of the twins trickle down the stairs.

  “Morning buddy.” Mommy musses my hair as she walks by the couch on her way to let the demons loose from their room.

  “Morning.” I mumble back with a mouth full of cereal.

  A loud crash of thunder rocks the house, causing the heathens to scream bloody murder.

  “Guess there’s no soccer today.” Yes! I didn’t want to play today, anyway. “You ready for the girls?”

  “Nope.” Mommy laughs at the directness of my tone.

  Soon the pitter patter of their little feet on the stairs drifts into the TV room. Two little girls come running in demanding some type of princess show while attempting to steal my Cheerios. Why mommy thought it would be a good idea to release the little hellions from their cages was beyond me. Why did mommy have two girls? One I could handle, but two…

  “Mooooom!” I yell in irritation as I’ve been told kicking them off the couch at this age is highly frowned upon. Daddy says I’m not allowed to push them or kick them, or hit them because they’re girls, they however can do whatever they want to me and not get in trouble. Such a double standard.

  “Sorry buddy. I’ll get them their own breakfast in just a minute. I talked to your daddy, and we have decided to give you the tree house you wanted.”

  My now partially empty bowl of dry cheerios gets thrown in the air due to pure excitement as I jump on the couch and start bouncing around. “What! Really? Really?”

  Mommy snaps her fingers and gives me the look. I hop over the back of the couch and run into the kitchen with her. “There’s just one condition.”

  I knew this was too good to be true.

  “Uncle Robert and Daddy are gonna need your help.” My little heart pitter patters against my rib cage. “Think you can help them?” She smirks at me and I take off running.

  “Absolutely!” My feet hit the bottom of the stairs before mommy calls after me.

  “Where are you going bud?”

  I take the steps two at a time and yell behind me, “They’re going to need my drawing. I have it all planned out Mommy, it’s gonna be perfect.”

  The little banshees have finished forging for floor food and have made their way into the kitchen. The sound of plastic plates and spoons being thrown onto the floor signal their location. I have become an expert on using sounds to identify which rooms are safe to go into and which rooms to stay away from.

  My lungs expand and contract due to my sudden exertion as I dive under my bed and pull out the shoe box that holds all my important treasures. My favorite race car, the picture of Cora and I from the hospital, and my most recent addition, the plans for Cora’s and my tree house.

  Once I have the plans in
hand, I securely close the shoe box and slide it back to the farthest reaches under my bed, away from the prying hands of little sisters. I high knee the steps, making my way down to mommy and daddy’s bedroom just as fast as my little legs can carry me and make a running leap onto the bed. I pounce on Daddy who makes a funny oomph sound and pry open his eyeballs. “Daddy! Daddy! Wake up! Wake up! Mommy said I get to help you build my tree house!” I bounce on the bed next to him. I know he’s awake because he gives me a funny smile before rolling over me and crushing me like a little bug. I push against him with all my might, squeaking out my last words, “It’s gotta be perfect, Daddy.”

  He cocks his head just a little and I’m able to squirm my way out. “Perfect, huh? Perfect for who exactly.”

  Not this time old man; you can't trick me. “Perfect for me and my friends, Daddy. Mommy said it can be my little man cave like you have.” Technically I’m not lying, because Cora is a friend, and even though she’s not big enough to climb in the fort this year, one day she will be, and I want it perfect for when that time comes.

  I pull hard against Daddy’s hand, trying to coax him out of bed. “Come on. We gotta go!”

  “Hang on there, buddy. First things first, you need to get dressed,” Daddy says through a deep chuckle. I look down and realize I’m still in my superman pajamas. That would be embarrassing to go to the hardware store looking like a small unkept child on a man’s mission.

  “Right! Be right back.” I run to my room and put on some play clothes and come back downstairs only to find Daddy sitting at the kitchen counter, still in his pajamas, leisurely drinking his coffee. I’m beginning to feel like he doesn’t quite understand the sense of urgency for this project. I tap my foot and Daddy just looks at Mommy who shakes her head at the two of us. “Umm, hello…” I say waving my plans high in the air, “Tree house, remember?”

  “I haven’t forgotten Jax, just give me a minute why don’t cha. Why don’t you go check on Uncle Robert while I get dressed. Make sure you give him the same nice wake up you gave me okay.”