Chapter 18 #3
There’s a wooden plank across the bed. On the plank are two large bouquets of purple roses.
In the middle of the bouquets there’s a light gray, huge stuffed rabbit with long floppy ears.
There’s something on it but I can’t see it.
So I ease onto the bed, careful not to tip my roses.
I grab the rabbit and the moment I realize what’s on it, the floodgates open and I start bawling.
“Tyriq,” I cry.
“Did you read it?” he asks and I just shake my head.
My tears manifested the minute I spotted the picture of our first ultrasound.
It’s embedded on the white belly of the rabbit.
My eyes are too cloudy to decipher the words.
Thankfully, he joins me on the bed and reads it for me.
“Dear Mommy, This Mother’s Day, I’m comfortable, snuggled up in your tummy.
But soon, I’ll be cuddling with you. So hold this bunny until you can hold me tight and kiss me goodnight.
Mommy, you are doing a great job, Love, your gummy bear. ”
The words are just as beautiful as the thought he put into all of this. Overcome with so many emotions, I climb onto him, straddle his waist, and wrap my arms around his neck. Staring into his sexy eyes, I almost get lost but I hold steady and get my words out.
“Where did you come from?” I ask, not expecting an answer.
“Everything you do is so thoughtful and intentional. I didn’t even think about Mother’s Day for me,” I admit.
I had been so focused on making sure I had my mom’s concert tickets, card, and candle set from Light My Flame.
It didn’t register to me that Mother’s Day is for me too but it clicked for him.
“Why? You’re a mommy,” he says and I smile at my reality.
“And you’re a dad, a great one already. Thank you for all of this: the cabin, the roses, and my bunny. I love you.”
“I love you too,” he says.
My lips crash into his and I try to express to him how I feel through my kiss.
It starts off slow, moves to passionate, and lingers on nasty.
His big hands move from my back to my ass and my hands caress the top of his head as I melt into him.
Right when I feel him start to lift, there’s a loud chime throughout the cabin. “Fuck!” he mumbles.
“What?” I ask.
“I almost forgot. The rest of your present.”
“I don’t need anything else.”
“You need more than I prepared. I hate that my flight is tomorrow. I don’t want to leave you on your actual day.”
The bell chimes again and I slide off his lap.
We both ease off the bed. He grabs both bouquets and we walk back to the main area of the house.
He places both vases on the leather coffee table in the living room then treks to the door.
Not knowing what’s next, I just sit down on the extra-large plush sofa and wait to see.
When he opens the door, a team walks in.
Three women dressed in black and hot pink scrubs walk in first carrying huge black bags followed by two more women and a man dressed casually but with chef coats.
Each of those three are carrying large cooler-looking bags.
Tyriq directs the two ladies in scrubs to the living room and leads the others to the kitchen.
“Where do you want to set up the tables?” one of the ladies in scrubs asks.
“Massages?” My internal thought slips out of my mouth.
“In here is cool,” he says but I have another thought.
“Can we look outside?” I suggest. There’s a large deck outside, and if it’s cool, I think a massage out there would be perfect.
So I stand and walk over the door. Tyriq follows.
When he opens the door, I see just how perfect it is: the view of the mountains, the large ceiling fans cooling the deck, and the quiet.
“Definitely out here with our heads looking out at this view.”
“Our? This is all you, baby.”
“I saw two tables and there are three therapists. I want a couples’ massage.
You deserve a massage too, especially before you leave for a week of going hard at the combine.
” Before he can object, I walk back inside and tell them where to set up.
The shortest woman hands me two plastic wrapped disposable gowns and tells me to undress down to my comfort level.
When Tyriq walks in, I hand him one of the gowns.
“We need to get naked,” I tease and he adamantly objects.
“Don’t try me,” he grits and I grin.
“You can leave your boxers on. So can I ask what they are doing in the kitchen?”
“Go be nosy,” he says and I don’t hesitate.
When I enter what my mom would consider a dream kitchen, the pretty mocha sister with braids wrapped in a high bun lifts her head. She’s standing in the middle of a marbled wrap around island. The other woman is standing at one of the sinks and water is running. I don’t see the man.
“Miss Teaira,” she greets me.
“Hey. You are?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Mona with A La Carte. I would shake your hand but,” she shrugs because she’s chopping bell peppers, “We’re your cooks for the weekend. We’re preparing brunch now. We can discuss dinner later and we’ll be back in the morning for the Mother’s Day brunch?”
“Mother’s Day brunch?” I question and her eyebrows raise.
Tyriq steps behind me. He wraps one arm around me then kisses the top of my head.
“I invited your mom, my mom, and Quay so my ladies can enjoy Mother’s Day together after I leave.
This cabin is yours till Monday so you can let them stay after brunch or you can make their asses dip.
I’m leaving that to you.” His hands tap my hips.
“Let’s go change. They’re ready for us.”