Chapter 13
It took a minute, but once Pops assured River he would be okay, I was able to get her out of his place. By the time we left, her eyes were red and puffy from crying.
“Are you okay with going back to my place?” I asked once we were in the car.
Her head rested against the seat with her eyes closed as tears continued to fall. My baby was going through it, and I hated that there was nothing I could do to help her.
She nodded, so I pulled off toward my house. I knew she wasn’t in the right headspace to talk, so we rode in silence. The only noise was the occasional sniffle from River.
I couldn’t imagine going through what she was.
We all knew death had to come one day, but knowing that someone’s time was coming sooner than expected could really fuck with a person.
The shit would hurt me as well since he’d been in my life for so long, but I knew I had to be strong for River and Jordan.
I needed to check in with him, but after I got River situated.
I wasn’t sure if she would be up to eating, but I had some soup I could fix for her just in case.
Sometimes when she was too upset, she wouldn’t eat.
I had her favorite snacks at my crib, too, so hopefully, she would at least have that.
Once we got to my house, I pulled into the driveway and got out. After helping River out of the car, I got her situated on the couch while I got some shit together for her.
“Do you want to watch TV?”
“No,” she whispered. She grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch and curled herself into a little ball.
“Do you need some water? Are you hungry?” I pulled the cover further over her body, then leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
“No.”
Even though she said no, I would put a bottle of water on the table for her just in case.
“Okay.”
I left her on the couch, then went upstairs to my bathroom to run some bath water for her. I told her pops that I would take care of her. I knew there wasn’t much I could do, but I would do everything in my power to help her feel better for the time being.
When I made it to the bathroom, I started the bath water, then added a lavender bath bomb.
I noticed she kept some at her house, so I wanted to have some at mine, and I was glad I did.
I had some eucalyptus oil, so I added a little to the water as well.
While the tub filled, I lit a couple of candles around the bathroom.
I was sure her eyes hurt from the crying, and the bright light in the bathroom probably wouldn’t have helped.
Once the water was close to where I wanted it, I went downstairs and found River in the same spot.
“Baby,” I called as I approached. I didn’t want to startle her in case she was asleep or deep in thought.
She rolled over and looked at me.
“Do you feel like walking upstairs? Or you need me to carry you?”
With all that crying she had done, I knew she probably felt weak. I had no problem carrying her if she needed me to.
“I can walk.”
I removed the cover from her and held my hand out. I led her upstairs to the bathroom. She looked around at the setup, then back at me. Her lips curled into a very small smile, but I was okay with that. I wasn’t expecting her to say anything.
I stood in front of her and pulled her hoodie and shirt over her head. Then I pulled her pants down, placing light kisses along her thighs and legs. It wasn’t sexual, just enough to let her know that I was there.
Standing back to my full height, I reached behind her and unhooked her bra. Her puffy eyes watched me as I pulled her panties off, then I helped her into the tub.
After she got in, I took my clothes off and joined her.
I slid in behind her, and she leaned against my chest. I spotted tears falling from her eyes while she kept her eyes closed.
“You don’t have to go through any of this alone, baby.
I’m not leaving your side if I don’t have to.
If I’m not around and you need me, don’t be afraid to call me.
You are strong, but if you ever feel weak, I’ll be all the strength you need.
” I kissed the top of her head, then ran my fingers through her hair.
“I can’t lose my daddy, Coye.”
“Baby, if there was anything I could do to keep that from happening, I would. Unfortunately, no one can. Only God knows when he’s ready for any of us to come home. You’re Pops’ favorite girl, and he’s so proud of you.”
More tears fell, and I used my dry hand to wipe them as best as I could.
We stayed in the bathtub for a little bit before I washed River’s body, before I washed mine. Afterward, we took a quick shower to rinse off.
I wrapped River in one of my big towels and walked her to the bed. The tears had finally stopped, but her eyes were still swollen and red.
As she lay on the bed, I grabbed the bottle of lotion and began applying it all over her body.
“Turn over,” I commanded after I moisturized both of her feet.
I squirted more lotion into my hands as she turned over. I took my time rubbing it in, making sure I got the stress out of her shoulders.
When I was done, she turned back on her back.
“You need anything?” I asked as I lotioned my own body.
“Can you make me feel better?”
“What you need me to do?”
I put the lotion bottle on the table, then pulled the cover back more so River could get under them.
“I need to feel you, Coye.”
“Are you sure?”
I wasn’t opposed to giving her whatever she needed. If dick was what she wanted, dick would be what she got. If she wanted me to hold her, I would do that too.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
The only light in the room was a dimly lit lamp on the opposite side of the room. I looked down in her eyes.
“Okay.” I climbed on top of her and kissed her. The kiss was slow and deep as I tried to portray everything I felt for her. One of my hands was intertwined with one of hers over her head as my hard dick rested against her inner thigh.
I slowly slid my way inside of her and waited.
When she looked up at me, I saw my whole life in her eyes.
The adoration in them made my stomach flutter.
I believed she felt the same shit I felt, but neither of us was ready to utter those three words.
I damn sure felt it, though, and it wasn’t just because of the grip her pussy had on me.
My feelings for River got deeper each time I was around her.
Slowly, I rocked in and out of her. No words needed to be exchanged, but it was said with every stroke of my dick and every moan that escaped her pretty lips. I licked each tear that fell from her eyes as her pussy cried on my dick.
I stared down at River, loving the pain and pleasure on her face.
I paid attention to the movements that made her eyes squeeze tight, and her mouth slightly form an O.
Or the ones that made her open her eyes and stare at me as she bit her lip.
Each scratch on my back got harder as I went deeper.
The shit burned but felt so good. Her body relaxed with each stroke.
She could drain my dick every damn time she felt sad, happy, or angry.
My dick was hers to do with as she pleased. That was how gone this girl had me.
When we finally came together, I held her in my arms until she fell asleep. Once her breathing completely evened out, I was right behind her.