Page 64 of Straight, No Chaser

He nods, certain in his decision. "Bananas."

"Then let's give it a try."

I pop off the lid and hold the container out to him from the fruit I pureed this morning. Letting him scoop out a small bite on the tip of the pink spoon. Hesitation must creep in, because he glances at me with a frown. Seeking confirmation, which swells my heart from how protective he is of his sister. "Go ahead. I think she's ready."

Even Luciano comes over, pausing in his mushroom chopping, and chuckles at her puckered mouth, her delicate neck straining forward to taste the new food. His huge hands slide around my waist. My body responding immediately from his touch. From his lips on the crook of my neck. Trying my hardest to ignore the heat flaming between my legs, I watch our children. Not only by blood and love, but by law too, now that Eli's adoption is final. The fear of losing my husband never wanes. This vengeful world could steal him away from me at any moment. Yet knowing that Eli will always be mine if anything ever happens to Luciano makes the uncertainty almost bearable. But for tonight, I push all of those thoughts away.

Refusing to let my worries ruin our perfect evening. Some may say boring but I'm not one of those people. Eli and Luciano will finish topping their homemade pizza. We'll all cuddle on the sofa and watchStar Warsfor the hundredth time. And once the kids are asleep, Luciano will feign exhaustion to get me into bed that much sooner. For one of the rare times I still allow him manipulate me. Although he doesn't realize, even after all of we've endured, that I don't need to be tricked to be alone with him. To accept his tender affection and unwavering generosity, inside and outside of the bedroom.

My fingers entwine with his, stroking over the rugged texture of the dark gray band encircling his finger. A ring as unique as the man who wears it. Which I hope provides him with a constant reminder that I accept him for who he is. Surprising, complex, and unbreakable. Exactly like my love for him.

"Mom!" Eli's excited voice pulls me out of my thoughts. "She likes it!"

Luciano jerks our coupled hands away from trailing lower when Eli wheels around to face us. "Good job, buddy. You made a great choice."

He nods, his little cheeks glowing with pride, and turns back to her. Getting as much mush on her chin as in her mouth. Both of them beyond ecstatic. I lean into my husband's erection bulging against my back. Just like us.

The End