Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CALEB
"You want me to help you with your homework?" I question Molly as she huffs out a frustrated breath. It's been a while since I offered to help her, but I used to do it often.
"Yeah, it's this stupid math problem," she admits, sliding her notebook across the kitchen table towards me. The numbers and fractions jumble on the page, but I catch the gist quickly.
"Okay, let's see here," I say, pulling a chair beside her. "It's like a puzzle, right? We just need to figure out where everything fits."
Molly leans in, and I can see the tension in her shoulders easing just a bit. "It’s hard," she mutters.
I nod. "I know it feels like that sometimes, but you’re smart. We'll work through it together."
As we dive into the problem, I guide her step by step. We talk about multiplying fractions and finding common denominators. Her eyes light up a little as she starts to get it, that spark of understanding flickering to life.
Ruby stands by the doorway, watching us. I catch her eye for a moment, and she smiles warmly. I know she’s proud of this—proud of us. Her presence feels like a comforting backdrop, and it gives me strength.
Molly finally manages a smile of her own when she solves the equation correctly, her initial frustration turning to triumph. "I did it!"
I ruffle her hair playfully. "I knew you could."
Ruby steps forward, wrapping her arms around us both. There's a softness in her gaze, a silent appreciation that echoes louder than words. It's in these moments, surrounded by the quiet assurances of family, that I feel the depth of our unity.
"You're an amazing dad," Ruby whispers, and I feel the fullness in her words, in her heart. I pull them both closer, grateful for this family we've built together.
We linger in the moment a little longer, the warmth of Ruby's embrace grounding us. Molly quickly extricates herself, youthful energy bouncing back as her task is complete.
"Thanks, Dad!" she chirps, snatching her notebook from the table. "Can I go text my friends now?"
I chuckle, nodding. "Yeah, go on. You've earned it."
"See y'all." Molly darts out of the kitchen, leaving behind a trail of youthful exuberance. Her retreating footsteps echo lightly, followed by the soft thud of her bedroom door closing. I can almost picture her eager fingers flying over her phone, sharing gossip with her friends. It’s a part of her world I don’t fully understand, but it brings her joy, and that’s enough for me.
Ruby steps closer, her eyes tracing the path Molly left before returning her gaze to mine. There’s a mix of admiration and affection in those deep, beautiful eyes of hers. "You’re so good with her, Caleb. It’s really something to see."
I shrug, trying to play it cool, but her words hit home. "I just try to be there when she needs me. You know how it is." I playfully breathe on my nails and then buff them on my shirt.
She tilts her head slightly, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "You make it sound easy, but it’s a special gift. Not everyone has that, and don't be a smartass. You're a great dad, You're pretty damn good at everything you do, to be honest."
I grin, pulling her nearer. "Well, I learned from the best," I whisper, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face.
Ruby laughs softly, the sound as warm and inviting as a crackling fire on a cold night. "Are you trying to charm me, Caleb? Or are you talking about your dad?"
"Charm you. Is it working?"
She pretends to think about it, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Maybe a little."
We move in sync, like dancers who have practiced this routine countless times. I wrap my arms around her, and she nestles against me. The world outside fades, leaving just the two of us and the gentle rhythm of our hearts beating in unison.
"You know," Ruby murmurs, "I love seeing you with Molly. It's one of the things that made me fall for you."
I kiss her forehead, breathing in the subtle lavender scent of her hair. "And what about you? You're the one who holds everything together. I couldn’t do any of this without you."
She pulls back slightly, just enough to meet my gaze. "We make a pretty good team, don’t we?"
"The best," I agree, leaning in.
Our lips meet in a kiss that feels like coming home. It's deep, passionate, and reassuring all at once. In that moment, the universe narrows down to this, to us, bound by something as unbreakable as love itself.
When we finally part, the room feels lighter, charged with a quiet energy that only true connection brings. We stay close, foreheads resting together, breathing each other in.
"So," Ruby whispers, "what’s the plan for the rest of the evening?"
I smile, possibilities playing out in my mind. "Maybe dinner on the porch? We can watch the sunset."
She nods, eyes gleaming. "I'd like that. But first, there's something I've been meaning to talk about."
A hint of curiosity tinges my mind. "Oh? What's that?"
Ruby steps back, hands still loosely linked with mine. Her expression turns thoughtful. "Just...thank you for coming back to us. I was worried you wouldn't, and I'd almost given up on it."
"Thank you for being patient with me." I steal one more kiss.
Ruby smiles against my lips. "I didn't want to. There were so many times I was beyond frustrated with you, but I'm glad I stuck it out."
"It would've been easy to let me go," I remind her.
"But I didn't, and that's why we're here now." Her bottom lip is working hard, and her eyes are moving across my body, enough to let me know she's interested in what we could do now that the kids are occupied. They're both in their rooms, and they won't be out for the rest of the night.
"C'mon, let's go have a good time." I wag my eyebrows at her. "We'll have to be quiet, but neither one of them really care about what either one of their parents are doing right now."
Ruby's eyes widen. "Alright…"
As soon as we come through the door, and lock it, our clothes are on the ground, and our bodies are connected as we embrace on the bed.
Picking up speed, I continue to plunge into her body, and then withdraw. Keeping a steady pace, I push up on my knees, grabbing her around the shoulders and pull her up so we face one another.
“Oh my God,” she sighs.
My sigh answers hers. I’m deeper in this position; it allows me to feel every part of her body, every grip of her pussy against me. “Don’t close those eyes,” I command, holding her face in my hands. “Let me see what I do to you, Red. Let me see it.”
Our gazes drill into one another, and it’s the most intense thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. I can see her pupils get darker, bigger as she continues thrusting against me. Letting go of her face, I move one hand behind her back, letting her recline partially as my other hand goes to her breast. My fingers, with that wedding ring, pluck at the taut nipple, and that’s all it takes for her to grind against me, moving her hips in a circle. As I thrust and thrust harder, each time letting her pull me deeper, she’s smashing her clit against my body. As hard as she came before, I think we’re both about to come even harder.
“Feel good?” I twist her nipple harder, grinning as she groans, trying to close her eyes against the sensation. “Keep those beautiful eyes open, baby.”
“You know it does,” her voice is strangled again.
“Feels good for me, too. You wanna come, Red?”
“Fuck yes,” the words are ripped from her body. There’s always something so hot about hearing her say fuck. The image she presents is so buttoned up. When I can pop one of those buttons, it makes me feel like the manliest man in the world.
Grabbing her hips, I piston into her without slowing, even as hers start to match mine. Sweat rolls down my body, sliding against hers as I push her back to the bed, and climb on top of her again. I stop thinking about everything and let my mind completely blank out to concentrate on how good the act between us feels. I don’t expect it when my rhythm falters and the orgasm takes me by surprise. Not wanting her to be left behind, I stick my hand between us, flattening my thumb against Ruby’s clit as I continue to pound into her. That’s when I feel the rush of wetness against me, the loss of tension in her body, and the small moan she makes. As we stop pushing against one another, she fights for breath, and the buzzing in my head quietens to bearable levels.