He didn’t have to force me to put on one of his army shirts. I got a kick out of wearing them around, knowing that they were his. Brooks put on a pair of shorts before walking downstairs, pulling me behind him.
Two adults were at the table smiling when we walked into the room. B saw us, but she was too busy shoveling food into her mouth to say anything. We both headed for the coffee pot and I watched as Brooks poured me a cup and made them both the same. Cream and one sugar was the perfect blend. He handed me mine and winked. “Just how you like it.”
I took a sip before walking over to the table and sitting down.
“Did you two sleep well?”
Brooks sat his cup down and started filling his plate with food that had been set out on the table. He didn’t look up at either of them when he replied. “Go ahead and ask the burning question. I’m sure you all heard Kat. Apparently we need to watch giving her wine, because she takes all of her clothes off and hides in my closet.”
They started to laugh.
“Oh, it gets better. She put on my boots and jacket and thought that she was going to be sexy. After two steps she fell down face first. After that, we slept pretty good, right Kat?”
Even though he’d told them about my embarrassing attempt at being sexy, it had eluded them from thinking that what they heard was us having sex. They weren’t stupid and obviously we were plenty old enough, but I still didn’t want them thinking that we’d disrespect them, even if that’s sort of what we did, or what I did.
I smiled and covered my face with my coffee. “I’m okay, if anyone is concerned.”
After that they seemed to not even care about the loud moaning coming from Brooks’ room. Instead, they wanted to let us know that they’d already gone ahead and contacted Branch.
“So I sent Branch and email this morning asking them to come to dinner Friday night. I’m waiting to hear back, but they both get off early during the week, since they live on the other side of the bridge, but work over here. The traffic gets so bad on the weekends that sometimes they get stuck in it for hours. I let them know that there is plenty of room for them to stay the night and go home on Saturday.” Walt seemed excited, as did Danica, me not so much.
Brooks, who was busy sticking his tongue through a hole in a pancake to make B laugh, didn’t even act like he heard his father talking. He was too amused with teaching our child everything she shouldn’t do at the table.
“Brooks Michael, don’t teach her that!” I had to laugh when Danica brought out the middle name, like we were kids and he was in for it.
“I’ve decided that since I’m a parent now I can make my own rules. If B wants to play with her food she can, as long as she still eats it.”
I rolled my eyes and started making my plate.
“So, we were talking last night, and Mom and I want to know if the two of you have any plans yet? Are you going to finally get married?”
They thought we were already living together, and I guess at this point we sort of were. We’d been together every night since I’d left Bobby and I planned on him moving in with me when we got back, as long as the protective order was issued and I could feel safe taking B there. The last thing I wanted was Brooks walking around with military issued weapons. That didn’t sit well with having a toddler running around.
“We’re not in a hurry to do it.” Brooks began. “I mean, I’ve been gone a long time. We’ve just found each other again. We’re happy the way things are, and when the time is right, I suppose we’ll get that piece of paper. For now I’ve got everything I want already.”
The Valentines weren’t old fashioned, but they knew me. They knew I’d always wanted a big wedding.
Thankfully they never mentioned it.
After breakfast, Danica and Walt asked us if they could take B to meet a couple of their friends. I was nervous about her going somewhere, since we didn’t live near a big city, but knew they’d take care of her.
As soon as they left, Brooks had ideas to occupy ourselves. “Get your suit on and meet me out back.”
“It’s ten in the morning. You want to go swimming now?”
“We’re home alone and there’s a pool outside. If you don’t feel like changing then take off your clothes and come as you are. The choice is yours.”
I flashed him a dirty look. “We have neighbors.”
“Actually, my beautiful lady, there’s nobody living in your old house. Dad told me last night. Since the pool is on that side, you’re out of excuses.” He pulled me close, removing the distance between us. While his lips teased mine, he reached his hand down the front of my pants and started rubbing me between my legs. Immediately, I closed my eyes, becoming a victim to my own self need.