24. ~ Mia ~
Sitting in the softly lit nursery, I gaze down at Faith nestled in my arms.
Her tiny fingers curled into a fist, her serene expression on her face as she fed.
The argument with Jake in the car replays in my mind, but looking around at the room he”s prepared, a space out of a dream with gentle hues and soft, playful designs, it”s hard to hold onto my frustrations.
I can”t help but wonder, amid the quiet of this moment, if I”ve been too obstinate. Too caught up in the principle of the matter.
The truth is, Jake”s house, with its spacious rooms and sprawling backyard, offers Emily and Faith a lifestyle that my cramped two-bedroom apartment can”t compete with.
Once Faith”s little sighs tell me she”s finished, I gently burp her, savoring her warmth against my chest. Then, with a care that comes naturally, I lay her down to change her, and she falls asleep almost immediately, her chest rising and falling in a rhythm that eases my racing thoughts.
As I gently place her in her crib, I can”t help but pause. Watching her sleep, a feeling of contentment washes over me.
The door opens with a soft creak, and Dylan peeks in, his movements cautious, eyes bright with the respect and wonder of a new older brother. ”Is she asleep?” he whispers, tiptoeing closer to confirm for himself.
I nod, placing a finger to my lips, and he mirrors the gesture with a wide smile. ”Thank you,” he says, his voice barely a whisper but laden with sincerity. ”For giving me another sister. Emily”s already like a sister to me, and now Faith... I just wanted to say thanks. And... thanks for being so nice to me and my dad.”
His words, simple and heartfelt, strike a chord deep within me. I open my arms for a hug, and he rushes in. The hug of a child so pure and unguarded nearly brings tears to my eyes. In his embrace, in this room, in this house, the earlier coldness that had settled in my heart begins to thaw.
”Thank you, Dylan. You”re an amazing big brother, you know that?” I whisper back, my voice thick with emotions I hadn”t expected to feel so powerfully.
Dylan pulls back from the hug, his youthful curiosity now fully ignited. ”Can I ask you something?” he says, his gaze shifting between me and Faith”s peaceful form. ”How many times do babies sleep? It seems like Faith is always asleep.”
I smile, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. ”Babies sleep a lot, Dylan, up to 16 to 17 hours daily. But they only sleep for a few hours at a time. That”s because they must eat so often, even at night.”
His eyes widen in amazement. ”Wow, that”s a lot! Does she know when it”s night or day?”
”That takes a bit of time for her to figure out,” I explain, lowering myself into a chair next to the crib. ”Right now, day and night don”t mean much to her. But eventually, she”ll adjust and sleep more at night. We hope.”
Dylan inches closer to the crib, his fascination apparent. ”And what about eating? How often does she do that?”
”About every two to three hours,” I say, watching his reaction. ”Faith needs to eat very frequently. It”s a full-time job keeping her fed and happy.”
He nods, thoughtfully processing this influx of information. ”And when will she start talking and walking?”
”Talking might start with babbling around six months, but real words? That might take a year or so. Walking will happen sometime after she learns to sit and crawl, maybe around her first birthday. Every baby is different,” I add, wanting to instill in him the beauty of individual growth.
”Do I need to be quiet all the time now? I don”t want to wake her up when she finally sleeps.” His concern is genuine and touching.
I chuckle, reaching out to ruffle his hair affectionately. ”You don”t have to walk on eggshells, Dylan. Normal household sounds are okay. It”s good for her to get used to a bit of noise. It”ll make her a sound sleeper. Just maybe no drum solos in the living room, okay?”
He laughs, the tension easing from his shoulders. ”Okay, no drums. I got it. Can I help with anything? Like, when she cries or needs something?”
”Absolutely. Just your being here and talking to her helps her know she”s loved and safe. You”re already doing so much by being a fantastic big brother.” I admire his eagerness to be involved, his willingness to adapt to this new family dynamic warming my heart.
”Dylan, you”re going to teach her so much. And she’ll look up to you, you know. Big brothers are heroes in the eyes of little sisters.” My words strike a deep chord, and he beams with pride.
”Really? I”ll be her hero?” he asks, his voice a mix of excitement and awe at the responsibility.
”Really,” I affirm with a nod. ”And you’re already mine for being brave and caring through all these changes.”
His smile could light up the darkest night as he looked back at sleeping Faith and then at me. ”I have many more questions, but we have time for that, right?”
”All the time in the world,” I assure him, a promise not just for him but also for myself as I commit to this new chapter of our lives.
He grins, steps back, and, with a final look at Faith, sneaks out as quietly as he enters, leaving me with my thoughts. The realization begins to crystallize in the stillness of the nursery, surrounded by the evidence of Jake”s love and effort.
Despite the disagreements and my fear of losing my independence, Jake”s house feels more like home than anywhere else.
It”s not just the physical space but the love and family that fills it, making it more than just a house. Maybe, just maybe, this is where Emily, Faith, and I truly belong.
I ensure the baby monitor is on, gazing at Faith”s peaceful form before leaving the nursery.
The soft hum of the device reassures me as I head downstairs, the weight of the evening”s revelations still pressing on my shoulders. Time seems to slow. Each step is a bridge to a conversation I know we can”t postpone any longer.
The glow of the television illuminates the living room, casting shadows across Jake”s stern face. His expression, a remnant of our earlier discord, tightens something inside me, a mixture of regret and determination. I take a deep breath, approaching him with a hesitant yet purposeful stride.
”Jake,” I start, my voice breaking the silence like a whisper against the storm. ”I think we need to talk... I”m ready to sort this out, to understand each other.”
He looks up, his gaze softening at the edges as he meets my eyes.
There”s a moment”s hesitation before he nods, turning off the TV. ”You”re right, Mia. But, uh, not here,” he suggests, a cautious glance directed toward the backyard where laughter and distant chatter float through the open window.
”Dylan and Mia, they”re out there with Joanie. We should probably have this talk upstairs. More private, you know?”
I nod, appreciating his consideration. The walk to his bedroom feels like crossing into new territory, our steps synchronized in a silent agreement to mend what”s been broken.
Jake closes the door gently behind us, the click of the latch marking the beginning of something pivotal. We sit on the edge of the bed, not too close but close enough to share the moment”s weight.
”Mia,” he starts, his voice steady but laced with vulnerability. ”I know we”ve had our missteps, our fair share of misunderstandings. And I... I want to apologize for not listening to what you”re going through earlier.”
I turn to face him, the proximity bringing into focus the earnestness in his eyes. ”Jake, I understand where you”re coming from.”
“This entire situation has been a whirlwind for all of us. And I”m sorry too for not seeing things from your perspective,” I confess, a thread of hope lacing my words. ”But if we”re going to make this work for Emily, Dylan, and Faith, we need to be on the same page. Truly.”
He reaches for my hand, his touch grounding. ”I couldn”t agree more. Mia, I want you to know, this house, this family—it”s as much yours as mine.”
His sincere and forthright words weave through the remaining distance between us. ”And I”m here, ready to listen, to understand what you need from me, from us, as a team.”
The warmth from Jake”s touch seeps into my skin, a gentle reminder of the many layers between us still waiting to be unwrapped.
It”s moments like these, charged with raw honesty, that remind me of the man I fell in love with—kind, considerate, and utterly devoted.
”Jake,” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper, ”I think... I think I jumped to conclusions too quickly. It”s just—after everything, with the baby coming and Emily needing stability, I felt like I was losing control of my life. And when you talked about us moving in, about your house, I panicked.”
The words tumble out, a confessional stream I can”t seem to stem.
He squeezes my hand, a silent pledge to understand. ”Mia, I get it, I do. I can”t even imagine how overwhelming this must be for you.”
“But that”s precisely why I thought—hoped—moving here would be the best option. Not to take control but to offer support.”
“This house, it”s big, yes, but it”s empty without you. Without our family.” His eyes hold mine, a mirror to the sincerity shaping his words.
A small, incredulous laugh escapes me. ”I”ve been so wrapped up in not wanting to lose my independence that I didn”t stop to consider what you were offering—support, not control.”
The realization hits me with the gentle force of understanding, clearing the fog of stubborn pride. ”I accused you of not listening, yet here I was, doing the same.”
”It”s a two-way street, Mia. We both missed a few signs along the way.” Jake”s chuckle melds with mine, a harmonious sound that fills the room with lightness.
Slowly, I lean into him, my head finding a familiar spot on his shoulder. ”Your house, our home... it sounds pretty amazing. And thinking about Emily running through those halls, us preparing the baby”s room together—it feels right.”
Jake wraps an arm around me, pulling me closer. ”It”s all I want, Mia. For us to build a life together. A real family. And whatever decisions we face, we”ll tackle them as a team. Always.”
”Always,” I echo the word, a vow sealed in the room”s quiet.
In this moment of reconciliation, the world outside fades away, leaving only the promise of new beginnings. For the first time in what feels like forever, I allow myself to lean into the future we”re paving fully—one of unity, understanding, and unwavering love. The path won”t always be smooth, but with Jake by my side, I find solace in the certainty that we can weather any storm together.
The huskiness of his voice breaks the silence, ”And Mia, know this—whatever you need, wherever you want to go - I”m with you. This home, my heart, it”s all yours.”
The tenderness in his words wraps around me, a soothing balm to the fears and uncertainties that once clouded my vision. With a renewed sense of clarity, I understand now that our bond”s strength lies not in where we are but in the togetherness of our journey.
”Yes,” I whisper, the decision as clear as the conviction in my heart. “Let”s make this house our home—for Emily, for the baby, for us.”
His hot breath sears my ear like a brand, sending electric shocks of anticipation through my body. I press myself into him, every nerve ending crackling with desire as we stand locked in an embrace of pure heat.
The scent of his musky cologne engulfs me, overpowering my senses and igniting a primal need within me.
Our hearts beat in unison, a chaotic symphony of longing and desperation that drowns out the noise of our past.
I trail my fingers along the sharp lines of his jaw, feeling the rough stubble scrape against my skin as I pull him impossibly closer.
He holds onto me as if he”ll never let go, his grip is possessive and all-consuming. In this moment, there is only us—our bodies fused, our souls entwined in a fiery bond.
As our mouths merge in a greedy kiss, it”s like being caught in a whirlwind. It starts slow and seductive, teasing and taunting, before erupting into an all-consuming blaze that threatens to consume us both.
Our tongues engage in a fierce war, each trying to conquer and dominate the other as we consume each other with an insatiable hunger.
His hands become a wildfire, leaving trails of heat wherever they touch my body until they finally settle on my hips, holding onto them possessively and pulling me closer in a desperate attempt for more.
A guttural moan erupts from deep within me as our bodies collide and grind together, searching for heightened sensations and an escape from reality.
In a frantic daze, our mouths devoured each other as Jake and I fought to remove the barriers between us.
Buttons popped, fabric tore and our clothes were tossed recklessly in every direction as we desperately tried to reach each other”s skin. Every second felt like an eternity as our need for one another burned hotter and hotter. Finally, we collapsed onto the bed, naked and gasping for air.
His body against mine, slick with sweat, felt like pure electricity coursing through my veins. My legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer and urging him inside me.
The tension between us was palpable as his throbbing length met my dripping core, sending shivers down my spine. It had been far too long since I had experienced this level of primal desire and pleasure.
My heart raced as Jake”s lips met mine, his hands roaming down my body. I was ready for him to take me, but just when I thought he would push inside, he suddenly stopped. His eyes widened with panic, and he pulled away from me abruptly.
”Wait!” he gasped, his face contorted with guilt. ”I”m sorry, Mia. We can”t do this now.”
Confused and frustrated, I tried to understand. ”Why?” I whined, my arousal quickly turning to disappointment. ”You said you wanted—”
He shook his head, running a hand through his hair in frustration. ”No, it”s not that,” he interrupted. ”It”s too soon after you gave birth... I forgot.” His expression was filled with remorse. ”I should have remembered... I”m so sorry.”
A surge of heat floods my face as the reality of our situation sinks in. How could we have been so lost in the moment that I forgot about the one crucial rule - no sex until later? But before I can dwell on it, another thought forces its way into my mind.
A naughty one at that, as I lick my lips in both excitement and anticipation.
My body trembles with anticipation as I gaze hungrily at Jake”s chiseled form. His perfect muscles taunt me, daring me to resist the primal desire coursing through my veins. But I can”t hold back any longer. Dropping to my knees, I am drawn like a magnet to his powerful presence.
Our eyes lock and I can feel the fire burning within him, mirroring my own.
Leaning in, our lips nearly touch before I pull away, a devilish smirk playing on my lips. My hand reaches out, eagerly grasping his throbbing member.
It pulses with heat and raw power, driving me wild with need. My fingers trace every curve and vein, savoring the smoothness of his skin like a precious gem. As my tongue darts out, licking my lips in anticipation, I can sense his growing desperation for release.
And with each teasing stroke, his frustration grows until he can take no more and surrenders himself fully to me. The intense hunger and longing that has been building between us now consumes us both as we give into our desires without hesitation or restraint.
With a slow, deliberate movement, I lean forward and claim him with my mouth. The taste of his salty skin mingles with the raw heat of our desire, igniting a fiery urgency within me. My tongue dances around him, teasing and tasting as his low growl urges me on.
Each stroke of my tongue sends shivers down my spine and intensifies his need. I take him deeper into my mouth, feeling him throb against my lips.
It is surprisingly effortless to move up and down, my mouth fully enveloping him. Jake”s grip tightens in my hair as he pulls me closer, urging me to take more of him.
With each thrust, he hits the back of my throat without resistance, my body completely focused on driving him wild with pleasure. My own desires fade into the background as I surrender to the intoxicating sensation of pleasing him.
With each primal thrust, my body trembles as I feel myself becoming drenched with lust. My insatiable desire for him grows stronger with every movement, my entire being craving his touch. I yearn to be consumed by him, to have him fill me completely and make me whole.
But until then, I take pleasure in giving myself over to him in this way, knowing that it will make the eventual lovemaking that much more intense and fulfilling.
I slide his length out of my mouth so that I can whisper his name, a needy plea, begging for release.
Jake”s body convulses with pleasure, his hands gripping the sides of my head tightly as he releases into my mouth. I eagerly swallow, my tongue swirling around his sensitive tip to extract every last drop of his essence.
As I rise from between his legs, his eyes blaze with desire and satisfaction.
He pulls me up to him, our frantic lips meeting in a passionate kiss that leaves us both breathless. Our bodies writhe together in a frenzied display of our insatiable hunger for each other.
Collapsing onto the bed in a tangle of limbs, we know that this is only the beginning of our intense journey together, fueled by an unquenchable thirst for each other”s pleasure.
I then remember that the kids are outside with Joanie as we quickly get dressed again, fix our hair and then return downstairs like the steamy moment upstairs never happened with mischievous glints in our eyes.