Chapter 5
“Your body is here, but your mind is somewhere else…”
Harbor
Free texted me that he and Ivy were on the way home.
He also wanted me to get dressed so that we could go out and have dinner together.
As I got ready, my heart fluttered, reminding me of the way he had swept in and got me sprung off him like I was hooked on drugs.
My babies were in their bouncers chilling, and I was in the bathroom with music playing as I got ready.
Choosing a mauve-colored ruched corset-styled dress from Vera Wang, I left it on the bed along with the gold-strapped heels.
I was doing good postpartum, losing most of the weight.
I couldn’t wait to be able to dance and work out again, but I was confident in my new body.
Knowing what I was capable of after childbirth felt like I had fucking superpowers.
I beat my face and styled my hair in a braided bun on top of my head with some banging ass bangs that crowned my face.
Stepping into the bedroom, I heard footsteps near the door, and then the sweetest sound I had heard in months other than my babies.
“Hello!” Celine called out, and my heart raced.
She was in the doorway, and her face lit up when she saw Misa and Maze, both wide awake and kicking their little feet while watching their colorful toys sway above their heads.
“Look at these little angels,” she gushed, drawn to them like a magnet as they pulled her toward them.
Damn that; I rushed to hug her myself because I missed her so much.
Laughing, she held me back with both arms encasing me.
Slowly, I drew away and looked her over.
She was in one piece, holding me in place in front of her and taking me in like a proud mother.
Her gentle hand grazed my cheek, and my eyes misted. My hormones were still tripping.
“I missed you so much,” I whispered.
“I missed you too. You have been busy.” She smiled, and I turned so that we could admire my children together. “They are pure perfection, Harbor. You did so good. I can’t believe they are real. They are so precious.”
“Yeah, I have to agree. I didn’t know love like this even existed. Don’t get me wrong; I love Frequency, but this…” I shook my head. “I was made to love them.”
“Well, introduce us,” Celine told me, and I snickered.
“Well, this is Maze. He’s stubborn. He was born last. But he’s so chill and only cries when he’s wet or hungry.
Misa here, she’s the one we have to watch.
She moves fast and doesn’t look like she’s slowing down any time soon.
But whatever she does, Maze is right behind her. They are going to be quite the pair.”
“I bet they are. I am so in love.” Celine knelt in front of them and played with their little feet in their sleepers.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, wondering where she had come from and where she’d been.
“Free came to see me,” she answered, taking a seat on the foot of my bed.
Our eyes linked, and I could see that there was clearly more to the story.
“Okay, you going to elaborate on that, or do I have to play twenty questions with you?” I teased, easing down beside her.
“He came to see me, and we had a good talk. He asked me to come home. I couldn’t object, especially when I learned of these two.” A huge grin lit up her entire face as she studied the twins again. “So here I am.”
“Just like that?” I questioned.
“It’s like that with family.” Celine beamed and threw an arm over my shoulders.
My head dropped down, and relief filled me inside. She had no idea how much I needed her. She had become something like the mother I’d been missing.
“Thank God.” I sighed, and she giggled.
“Oh, the place doesn’t look too bad. It looks like you held it down just fine, and I knew that you would,” she articulated.
“You made it look easy.” I pouted. “It’s definitely not. Ivy, all of her school stuff, work, and now these two, and trying to spend time with Free when he isn’t busy, it’s all a lot.”
“I know, but you did good. And I am back now. You are a lot stronger and capable than you think you are.”
“Please don’t ever leave again; I don’t care what Free says.” I brought my head up, and she chortled.
“I promise not to ever leave you again.” She cupped my chin. “What are you in here doing?’
“Getting ready. He texted me and said he wanted to go to dinner. It’s the first time we’ve been out since the babies. He and Ivy are on their way home from her auntie’s place.” I rose, heading for the bathroom.
“So I, uh… heard about Ivana,” she concluded.
“Yeah, crazy, right?”
“Very. How are you holding up?” Celine narrowed her eyes with questions dancing around them.
I didn’t know what she wanted from me. I was doing my best to keep a mature attitude about the situation and not turn into a raging bitch, even though I kind of had a right to it.
Telling myself that it wasn’t worth it was all that I kept replaying in my head.
I was trying to take the high road with this bitch, and she wasn’t making it easy.
“Hmm, that’s a loaded question,” I replied.
“Then don’t answer.” She put her hand up to stop me with a firm stare. “If you need to talk, I am here,” Celine offered, and just like that, everything felt right.
“Thank you. Can you keep an eye on them while I get ready?” I nodded to the babies while shuffling past her into the bathroom.
“I would love to,” Celine said, getting up to wash her hands first.
By the time Free and Ivy arrived, I was dressed and ready, and Celine was in the living room with Misa and Maze.
Ivy was excited to see Celine back, and she rushed to hug her.
Accepting all the love, she held her back and closed her eyes.
Remaining on the sofa, cradling a twin in each arm and looking back and forth into their little faces, Celine glowed with pride.
Frequency remained in the doorway, head down in his phone as Ivy kissed the babies’ faces and went to grab Maze from Celine’s arms.
“Hi there, little man,” she cooed, rubbing her nose against his and smiling at him.
She was in love, and a very good big sister and help with them.
Even in the middle of the night, she would get up and assist with rocking one of them while I nursed the other or giving one the bottle.
Clearing my throat, I rested my hands on my hips and waited on my man to acknowledge me in front of him, but he was preoccupied.
The deep crease in his forehead forming a frown said so.
I strolled right over to him, stepping into his space, finally gaining his attention.
He soaked in my breasts first, which were swollen, thanks to me breastfeeding.
“Damn,” he groaned, one arm immediately hooking behind my back as he brought me in.
“Can I have your attention for the night?” I asked, batting my eyes and looping both arms behind his back.
“Shit, you got it.” He palmed my ass.
“Ugh, Daddy, get a room.” Ivy turned her nose up.
“Just might.” He nestled into my neck and pecked it gently. “Come on, let’s go.” He intertwined one hand with mine, and I turned to wave over my shoulder to everyone else.
“Be good, and call me if you need anything. They have a huge supply of milk in the fridge and freezer.”
“We will be fine. I’ve held a baby or two and taken care of them.” Celine smiled. “Have fun.”
We were in the car with the windows down within minutes.
The drive was peaceful, and Free kept a hand on my thigh as we rode.
Every now and then, he would peer over at me and smile.
The music set the tone for the night, and we even shared a blunt, which got me good and relaxed.
By the time valet took our car and we entered the restaurant, I was on a cloud and couldn’t stop smiling.
Free walked behind me, arms around my waist, as he guided me to our table in the back.
He pulled my chair out for me and joined me on the other side.
“You wearing the shit out of the dress.” He complimented, leaning forward.
“Thank you. How was your day?” I asked, caressing his hand gently.
I could tell that something was bothering him, but I didn’t want to press if he wasn’t ready to discuss it. He was still pensive, narrowing both eyes at me while grabbing my hand.
“It was cool. Getting a few things in order.”
“Speaking of...” I hinted, and he tilted his head. “About the budget for Ivy’s party.” I winced, waiting for him to spaz on me.
“You mean this damn circus event?” he said, shaking his head. “I can’t believe you let her talk you into all this. How you getting all this done and taking care of the babies, Harbor?”
“I can multitask, and Celine is back.” I perked up. “I want her to have everything that she wants,” I communicated with a pout.
He kept a blank face, trying to remain strong against my brat behavior. I watched him bring one hand to his face, smoothing it down his shadowed beard.
“Fine. I’ll write the check,” he agreed as a waitress approached.
Clapping my hands together happily, I leapt from my chair and grabbed his face in both hands. Planting the sweetest kiss on his lips, his tongue brushed mine and he damned near tried to pull me across the table and into his lap.
“Hello, welcome to Ryerson’s Steakhouse. What can I get you two to start off with?” Our waitress was blonde, and perky.
I settled back down into my seat and smoothed my dress out.
Her gaze kept wandering over Frequency like she didn’t see me there, or she did and didn’t care.
The black skirt and white shirt she wore accented her model curves, but she looked bought, not built.
Clearly she had a pass to a top notch plastic surgeon because there was no way all that ass was real.
Her lips were overdone, and her skin was so tight I gave it five to ten before she needed another fucking procedure.
“I’ll take a glass of Pinot Grigio.” I announced sternly, making sure she heard every damn syllable since she looked like she was about to break her jaw grinning at my man.