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Getting up from bed, I head to the kitchen to make coffee. Passing Damien’s door, I open it quietly to let Jack out, but he doesn’t even acknowledge my presence when I give a gentle whistle. Laying with Damien’s legs over his belly, the two snore in unison. Pulling it shut behind me, I carry on to my destination. It only takes a minute to get the strong brew going before opening the kitchen, dining, and living room curtains. It’s just after six in the morning, and there’s still no sign of the sun. It’s mornings like this that I usually sit on the front porch while drinking my coffee, but my desire is to be in the bedroom with EmaLeigh. Soon...soon, I’ll get to do that. For now, I collect my coffee in a mug, slip on my boots and a sweater and head out the back door to the barn, where I plan to carve out the trees on Damien’s clock and start burning the grains of wood to the right consistency.
Two feet of snow greet me when I open the back door, with more continuing to fall. Shoving the thermos in my pocket, I grab the shovel from the hook in the coatroom and begin moving the heavy snow until I’ve made a path out to the barn. Sweating by the time I get there, I drag open the large doors and flick on the light switch. Despite the freezing temperatures, I remove my sweater because my passion for woodworking always gets me perspiring.
Using my smallest chisel, I begin the painstaking task of getting every tree line right, every branch precise, and by the time I get to drawing out Ema and Damien on the surface, the sun is finally starting to rise. I check my watch to see that it’s mid-morning and decide to take a break and check on the little family in my house. A family I hope will one day be mine and grow.
Shoveling back through the newly fallen snow, I hear giggling as soon as I open the door. Jack races towards the entrance and jets out before I have a chance to walk through, causing Damien to throw himself back in a fit of laughter.
“Where’s your mom?” I ask him, and he stares up at me and blinks a few times from the floor in the dining area as I take off my boots.
“Sweeping,” he finally says, clutching the totem to his chest.
“You like that?” I nod at the wood piece, and he gazes down at it before nodding. “Want another?” He stands so quickly, he nearly falls over before toddling over to me.
Crouching down to his level, I wait for what he has to say or plans to do before moving. “More?” His one-word responses worry me a little because, surely, it should be more, but I know it’s not my place, so I won’t bring it up with Ema unless she does first.
“I’ve got lots. After breakfast, we’ll go pick out another one, okay?” He nods vigorously. “How do cereal and a banana sound?” He picked out some fruity stuff yesterday and grabbed three bunches of bananas, so I assume he eats both enough that it’s a safe option.
“Yes, pwease.” He doesn’t move as he waits for me.
Reaching down for his hand, I guide him around the kitchen to collect what we need before lifting him onto the counter. Letting him pour the cereal puts a dazzling grin on his cherubic face that makes me feel ten feet tall. Who knew pleasing a kid could be so satisfying?
After peeling the banana for him, I grab one for myself, and we eat in silence. Me standing, him sitting on the counter and spilling milk everywhere. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect moment if I tried.
* * *
EmaLeigh
Slowly opening my eyes to the feeling of warmth from the sun shining through the windows facing Sebastian’s bed, I realize I feel rested. For the first time in more years than I can remember, I feel refreshed, and not like I spent the night tossing and turning, constantly waiting for Damien to wake up screaming.
“Damien!” I gasp, sitting up. Guilt assaults me as I toss the covers off and pull down my nightshirt. Rushing to the room he slept in, I find the door open and the bed empty. “Oh god!” Horror washes over me as I run through the house, only to slide to a stop when I see him sitting on the counter in front of Sebastian, eating his favorite cereal and making a big milky mess.
“Mamma!” Damien grins at me but continues to eat.
“I’m so sorry. You should have woken me.” I’ve never slept through one of Damien’s night terrors, and I can’t believe I did this time. “Did his screaming wake you up?” Biting my bottom lip to try and prevent it from wobbling, I’m shocked by his response.
“Nope. I’ve been up since about six, went to work, came back in, and he was on the floor playing with Jack. Laughing up a storm.” Sebastian frowns when he sees tears forming in my eyes.
“He didn’t have a night terror?” It’s been nearly eighteen months since he’s gone without one.
“Not as far as I know. Figured we’d eat breakfast before we woke you up.” Using a cloth to wipe Damien’s face, Seb helps him off the counter before going to the back door and letting Jack in.
“Mamma!” Damien runs to me, and I drop to my knees to catch his warm embrace. There is nothing in this world more genuine than my son’s hugs. Closing my eyes as he wraps his arms around my neck, I savor the moment, needing to get myself grounded and push my emotions away.
He’s okay.
I’m okay.
We’re all okay.
Pulling back, I don’t want to let him go, but as soon as he sees Jack, they’re running off down the hallway towards the room he slept in and holds the few toys we brought with us.
Sebastian walks over, offering me a hand up. As soon as my fingers touch him, he drags me to my feet, hauling my body into his arms. “Good morning,” he murmurs before bending down to kiss me.
Placing my hand over my mouth, I stop him, and he frowns. “Morning breath,” I utter behind my palm. He rolls his eyes, pulling my hand away and stealing the kiss he wanted anyways.
It’s not light or sweet this time. It’s passionate and makes my toes curl and my heart rate spike to an uncontrollable beat. Our tongues touch, and it’s like my body explodes as I wrap my legs around his waist. His hands move to my ass, and his fingers push beneath my panties, taking a firm hold of my ass cheeks.
“Want to know a secret?” he groans as I feel him treading before sitting down on the sofa.
