41. That’s the taste of forever
FORTY-ONE
THAT’S THE TASTE OF FOREVER
T he September air turns frigid as October passes and November fully lands. A lavender wool sweater replaces my favourite sundress. Livia insisted on dressing similarly to me today and she looks like she could be my daughter if not for the contrast between her blonde hair and my chestnut curls. In a pair of denim jeanswith a cotton purple sweater, she looks like a little fairy. She hasn’t asked for her mother and I’m grateful for it because Monica disappeared again after the trial. This time around, Lino isn’t trying to find her.
“Happy birthday to you, Livia. Happy birthday to you,” we all sing as she grins and blows the three candles on the chocolate cake we baked together this morning. This recipe has been a staple of our lives together. I don’t tell them that I’m scared to bake anything else for them and they don’t ask.
I smile at the love of my life, whose black cashmere turtleneck and wide legged beige pants make him look way too hot for a kids’ birthday party. He winks at me and I blush. Behind my back, his hand descends to grab a handful of my ass and squeezes, making me yelp and become indecently wet at the same time. I try to hide it behind a cough that fools absolutely no one except maybe the children.
“I want a bigger cake for my birthday,” Anton proclaims as he stuffs his mouth, leaving crumbs everywhere. Lino and I got rid of the plush beige sofa in the living room a few weeks ago because of this very issue. I love these two with all my heart, but they’re messy, like children are, and I’d rather not give their dad a heart attack any time he has to scrub the thing raw.
And secretly, I found it pretentious and impractical. I’m glad it’s gone. It might be petty, but the small changes around the house slowly erase Monica’s presence and replace it with mine, which helps me feel like this is also my home, not simply a place I occupy as Lino’s partner.
“We’ll make it together,” I tell him and Anton beams at me, launching into a drawing of exactly how he wants it to be. Considering it’s already four layers, and he’s only been at it for two minutes, I don’t think I understood what I bargained for, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I walk to the kitchen to clean up when Lino ventures behind me and crowds me against the sink, his hard-on pressing against my back. When he kisses the column of my neck softly and takes hold of my hip with one hand, I bite my lip so as not to moan.
“Not here,” I whisper.
He chuckles and nibbles on my ear. “I can’t wait to congratulate you properly on your exams, u mo sole .”
The first big exams for my catch-up year were mid-October, and I passed with flying colours. The workload is intense but now that Lino is doing better, I can dedicate more time to study and get on everyone’s level in one year instead of two. The antidepressants are working well, allowing him to be more focused. He’s back at work and our family is thriving. Which in turn makes me really horny because damn if I don’t love this man, who puts his family first.
When everyone leaves and the children are in bed, I settle in the office that I completely refurbished. The walls are painted a deep forest green colour that soothes away the lingering anxiety of the day. The bright yellow sofa calls my name, but I sit at the white desk instead, listening as the rain patters against the window with calming taps. I’m deep into my biology course when Lino traces the back of his hand alongside my arms, placing a steaming cup of chamomile tea next to me. He hasn’t forgotten it helps me sleep.
Without a word, he sits on the sofa, facing me, and opens his leather-bound journal. He looks so focused as he writes on a blank page. What is it with a man going to therapy that’s so hot? I try to refocus my attention on my studies, but I can’t. Every so often, my eyes come up to take him in, elegant fitted pants that hang loose on his hips and a simple light blue tee that has risen and lets me see a sliver of his muscled abdomen. He’s mouthwatering.
“Keep looking at me like that and see what happens, zitella ,” he says without looking up.
“I can’t help it,” I whine. “You’re so hot like this, Daddy.”
“Come here.”
He closes the journal, bookmarking the page with his pen, and places it next to him on the console. Every time he gives me an order, my heart beats such a drum in my chest, I feel it all the way to my clit. It’s like a Pavlovian reflex at this point. His voice drops low, and I’ll do anything he tells me to.
Lino grabs me by the hips. I land on his lap and don’t have time to breathe before he steals it away from my mouth, his tongue already demanding entry into my mouth. I let him and give in, turning soft under his warm hands. He threads his fingers through my hair and pulls lightly. I whimper; I need more.
“So needy,” he chuckles. “Before we get carried away once more, I want to tell you how proud of you I am. You did so well in your exams. I’m sure you’ll get in wherever you want. Have you set your mind on a school yet?”
My throat dries and any lust clears. A cold sweat drips down my spine, but then I remind myself that he loves me, and my decision won’t change that. From the beginning of our relationship, I vowed to never forget my goals and I know where I want to go next. No matter what happens, I know we’ll make it work.
I nod. “Melbourne.”
His eyes widen before his smile slowly lifts the corner of his mouth until he beams at me with joy. “Australia. That’s the best chiropractic school in the world. You’re gonna crush it,” he says, then kisses me with intentional and languid strokes of his tongue. My heart drops because I never planned on having a long-term relationship for so long, but we’re strong enough to withstand the distance.
“We’ll have to find a place that’s not too far from your school, so it’s not too much trouble for you to come back home every night. I’m sure I can find a good school for the kids, and…”
“Wait,” I interrupt him, “what are you saying, Lino?”
“ Zitella , I’m not letting you go. We’re coming with you. Where you go, we go.”
“What about the children? Isn’t it going to be too big of a change for them? And what if it doesn’t work?” I’m spiralling, a thousand questions invading my brain. But once again, Lino stops everything with a sweep of his lips on mine and a hold that would crush me if I didn’t need it so much.
“Where you go, we go,” he repeats.
Tears stream down my face and I laugh. I laugh so hard I can’t seem to stop, holding Lino to me like he might change his mind. I have found in him more than love. I have found a partner, someone so committed to being better that he does the work every single day without complaint. His smile and sparkling grey eyes take my breath away. I can’t believe I’m going to have everything I’ve ever wanted, all thanks to the man in front of me.
“I love you so much, Lino Marquesi.”
“I love you, Vanessa Winfrey. And you’d made me the happiest man if you became Vanessa Marquesi.” His eyes drop to his hand where he holds a pink-gold diamond ring in between two fingers. My eyes oscillate between his and the ring. More tears fall. I don’t care that I must taste like salt more than myself as I crash my lips to his.
“Is that a yes?” he asks in between furious kisses. I just nod and laugh and cry, but I don’t release him.
“Your kiss has never tasted so sweet,” he says.
“That’s the taste of forever, my love.”
THE END.