Page 4 of Her Sweetest Desires
“Yeah, baby, it’s me.” He reached into the water and lifted me up. “Come on so you can shower with me. This water cold as hell.”
“I don’t even remember falling asleep.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “How long have you been home?”
No response was given because Truce covered my face, neck, and shoulders in kisses.
I leaned into him more and realized that he, too, was naked. With a six-year-old and an infant, I couldn’t afford deep sleep, but I must have been really out of it to have missed my husband coming home and getting undressed. Truce’s mouth found its way back to mine, and I wrapped my arms and legs around him as we stepped into the shower. He lowered me to my feet and used his body to pin me against the shower wall.
I looked up into my husband’s eyes as he cupped the side of his face.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
I blushed and licked my dry lips.
“Hi, handsome.”
“I don’t like how tired you look. I’m about thirty seconds away from saying fuck this, getting everyone a hotel, and catering dinner. You’re overdoing this, and I get it . . . I do, Sweets, but you know I have to put your peace over everybody else’s comfort. Falling asleep in the bath . . . come on.”
I didn’t want Truce to take this from me.
This year was special because it was my turn to host, but it was also the first year without our matriarch. As if reading my mind, Truce’s face and body relaxed, and I knew that he understood where my mind had gone without me ever having to say anything. Without words, my husband washed me from head to toe. When I tried to return the favor, he shook his head and held my eyes captive as he washed himself. The direction ofour night shifted, with Truce coming home to me asleep in the tub, and I felt bad, but he never complained.
After drying and moisturizing, we climbed in bed, and I immediately wrapped myself around Truce.
“I promise to speak up if I need help.” I kissed his bare chest.
“Sweets.” He sighed. “You need help right now and haven’t said anything. I don’t want it to get too late and something happens.”
“Nothing will happen. I promise, with you home, I’ll lean on you more instead of trying to be so many things at once.”
Truce’s eyes bounced around my face, then he pulled me closer and kissed my forehead. He was skeptical but would give me space to stay true to my words. No other words were needed as we shared space until sleep took hold of me for a second time tonight.
“Don’t cry, Brother.”
I heard from the baby monitor and turned over to see TJ patting Tristian’s back and trying to put his pacifier into his mouth.
Billie moved beside me, and I reached onto the nightstand and turned the volume down. I kissed her shoulder, slid from bed, and slipped on my sweats. My body was tired after being on the road for the last five days, but I was glad to be home.
I poked my head into Tristan’s room and chuckled at TJ checking his diaper the same way Billie did.
“You know what you doing?”
TJ looked up and nodded, but I wasn’t too sure.
“Aight. Is he wet?” I walked further into the room.
“Yes, Daddy. I put his diaper and wipes on the table. Want me to change him?”
I crossed my arms over my chest and nodded.
For a six-year-old, TJ was very smart and quick learning. I was aware that he watched his mother and I with his brother, but this would be his first time taking over. TJ ran out of the room then came back with his stool. I grabbed Tristian from his crib, kissed his chubby cheeks, then laid him on the changing table.
With one hand on Tristian’s stomach, I used the other to motion for TJ to get started.
“You want to go spend the weekend at Nana’s house?” I asked as TJ opened the new diaper and set it next to Tristian’s legs.
“Yes, if I can take Mommy’s pound cake with me.”
I chuckled because this boy had the same sweet tooth as his mama.
