I walked up to her as my eyes rake over her amazing body. “No worries, we have all night,” I said, kissing her softy as she moaned against my lips. When I pulled away, she groaned, disappointed.
“Fine,” she huffed and stepped into the shower, roughly closing the curtain.
After a second passed, I ran to the bed and pulled the laptop out from its hiding place. I smiled when I saw that they are coloring. Well, one bear had a view of the living room ceiling, and the other was sideways, facing the coffee table.
“That’s very nice, Madeline. What is it?” Lainey asked.
“It’s Mommy and Daddy,” she said, vigorously coloring the paper.
“And what are you making, Tane?” she asked, leaning over to look at his paper.
“It’s my teddy bear that Daddy gave me,” he said thoughtfully.
I felt sad, as I bought the bears so I could watch them. He really thought that I gave them something special. But I did give the bears to them as a special gift, didn’t I? Or was it for me, just being a paranoid father?
“So, babe, I was thinking. I want to try the Halibut tonight,” Tatum said from the bathroom.
Feeling bad about the bears, I failed to realize that she was already out of the shower. With no time to spare, I tossed the laptop under the bed.
“Yeah, whatever you decide, honey,” I said at the exact moment she walked out in her robe.
Oh, wow! That was close, I thought, smiling.
“You’d better hurry and get dressed. I’m starving.” Then, she pulled on her tight fitting black dress before walking back to the bathroom to finish getting ready.
***
Dinner went by in a blur. I felt guilty about those damned teddy bears. I was suddenly finding a lack of love toward technology. It wasn’t so great anymore.
“Want to dance?” Tatum asked, moving in her seat to the sound of the band playing.
“I thought you’d never ask, sexy,” I smirked.
She held out her hand for me to take, and I raised it to my lips, kissing her finely manicured fingers up past the bracelet I bought her up to her elbow.
“You look absolutely gorgeous, honey,” I said, smiling thoughtfully at her.
“Thank you,” she said, leading me to the dance floor.
After a few drinks, and dancing I started to relax, knowing the twins should be in bed. I had a feeling that I should let this whole thing go and enjoy the rest of my Valentine’s night with my beautiful wife. I’ll see Madeline and Tane in the morning. Everything is just fine.
Tatum swung her hips, rubbing against me in all of the right places, causing me to groan in her ear. She spun around and continued to dance against me, trailing kisses down my neck.
“I love you,” I whispered against her lips.
“I love you, too,” she whispered back, pressing her body tightly against mine.
I let my lips lightly trace her jaw, then kissed her softly down to her collarbone. It must have sent her body into overdrive because the next thing I knew, her lips came to my ear.
“I want you,” she purred.
That did it … I picked her up and carried her as swiftly as I could out of the restaurant without dropping her. When we got to the hallway by our room, I set her down on her feet, searching in my pockets for the room key as she kissed me fervidly. I was just as anxious as she was to get into the room and do things to her that you could only imagine.
“I found it,” I said, smiling.
“Uh, huh,” she said, breathing heavily as she jumped on me, wrapping her legs around my waist.
Heat radiated from her body as I unlocked the door, not breaking our kiss. After we entered the room, she let her legs drop and I set her down gently on her feet. She ripped open the buttons from my shirt, sending them flying to the floor. Reaching down, I pulled her dress up to her thighs as she unbuckled my belt. I pick her up and once again with all of her strength, she wrapped her perfect legs around my hips holding me tightly against her. As we kissed, I held her up with my right hand underneath her thighs while knocking everything off of the table with my left. We laughed against each other’s lips as we heard the very expensive crystal fruit bowl crash to the floor. She started to undo my jeans, but I pulled away to look into her eyes. I held her face in my hands, caressing her cheeks with my thumbs. “You know, I love you more than anything in this world.”
“I love you, too,” she said with a smile. Moments later, one long Valentine’s Day morning and afternoon turned out to be the best Valentine’s Day night I ever had.
***
“Owd McDonawd had a farm, ee-I, ee-I, oh...” One of the twins sang quietly as I rolled over.“And the farm had a wamb, ee-I, ee-I, oh...” the twins laughed. “With a baa here, and baa there …”
“No, Madewine, that’s not how it goes,” Tane argued.
“Yes, huh, it is, too,” Madeline insisted.
“No, I’ll ask Mommy when she comes.”
“No, don’t say it to Mommy,” Madeline said, starting to cry.
“I'll go see what’s going on,” Tatum groaned as she staggered out of bed.
“Okay, babe,” I mumbled.
“Uh, Lance?”
“Hmmm,” I say as I flip over onto my stomach.
“Were not at home, what is that? Where is it coming from?” she asked wearily.
My eyes sprang open with a start as I stared at the knocked over lamp on the bedside table. Oh, no … the laptop. I didn’t close out of the teddy-cams! Oh, this is not happening, say this isn't happening!
“Oh, no, no... don’t fight, you two,” Lainey said, in a sleepy voice.
“Madewine singing the Owd McDonawd song wrong …” he complains.
“No, I am not, Tane,” Madeline replied, defending herself.
“Okay, okay … now shh …” Lainey said, trying to stop their fighting. “You know what Auntie Lainey says?”
“What?” they said in sync.
“The song goes however you sing it, just go with it. Now, let’s make some breakfast. Who wants pancakes?” she asked cheerfully. I could hear them laughing and running down the hallway following Lainey.
“Wait, Autnie Wainey … my teddy bear,” one of the twins said. I could hear the ruffle of the bedding as Mr. Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear slid roughly across the bed. When I look at Tatum, I guaranteed they’ll disappear when we get home.
“Okay, kids, who wants to help Auntie Lainey?” she asked loudly.
“I do, I do!” they both yelled, making the speakers on the laptop roar.
“What the hell is that, Lance?” Tatum asked me again as she searched around the room. “Where is it coming from?”
I bury my head into the pillow as the air from her swiftly walking by the bed rushed past. She looked under her side. Warm ... she walked around to my side, warmer … I peeked to see her kneeling on my side of the bed, red hot ... Ah, I am so screwed! I groan into the pillow.
“Lance, what is this?” she gasped. “Teddy Cams?”
“I’m sorry, I couldn't help it, babe,” I said, rolling over onto my side to sit up.
“You couldn’t help what? Giving our children a toy that they obviously love and are guaranteed to carry around … just so you could spy on them?” she yelled, her voice raising an octave.
“I know you’re upset, but honestly, Tatum, I didn't do it to spy on them.” I ran my hands through my hair as I got to my feet. “I did it because I was worried about them. Any time I had any doubt, I looked and saw that everything was okay. Please … I’m really sorry.”
The look on her face scared me. “Anytime you had doubt? Lance, how many times did you look?” she asked curiously. “Wait, no …” She shook her finger and started pacing. I knew I was in so much trouble. “The shower … you wouldn’t shower with me … and the beach … you left me at the beach … alone! Oh, and when you ran to the bathroom because of your ‘eggs’?!” she asked, plopping into the chair at the table to look at me. “Really, Lance?”
“L
ook, I never meant to keep it from you. I just thought you’d be upset if you knew I bought those,” I said, kneeling in front of her. “I can’t help but be anxious being away from them … please try to understand.”
“Oh, Lance, I understand perfectly that you’ve been lying to me! You totally sabotaged our Valentine’s Day so that you could spy on my best friend and our children because you were worried about being honest with me? Nice!” She nodded as she stared at the bracelet on the table. She picked it up. “So, let me guess … this is yourself pity present to me? For lying?”
“No, no... babe, it truly was a gift from me to you. I mean … yeah, I felt bad about everything when I bought it, but, I didn’t do it out of guilt.” I just contradicted myself, didn’t I? Then, she stared at the scratches on my forehead, pointing.
“That scratch, you didn't get it from tripping in the valet, did you?” she asked. “Did you Lance?” She asked louder this time as she stood up.
I was honest. “No,” I said in defeat.
“How did you get it?” she asked quietly. Was this the calm before the storm? It had to be because when I tell her how I got it, she is going to hit the roof.
“I … uh …” I stuttered as I sat down in the chair in front of me, looking into her eyes. “I ran home to check on them when you were at the beach and I fell, landed in a bush, and Buster was there, it was a wet mess and I …” I stopped talking instantly when I saw her face change. Shutting up would be the best thing for me to do at this very moment.
Her eyes got so wide that I thought they were going to pop out of their sockets. Not one word came out of her mouth except for a loud growl as she threw her arms in the air. Then, she walked into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her.
I sat on the edge of the bed, sulking a few minutes, reflecting on my actions when the bathroom door opened. Tatum came stomping out, fully dressed. “I want to go home. This trip, is seriously over, Lance,” she grumbled as she started packing her suitcase.
“Babe, please, let’s have breakfast and try to talk this out,” I begged, grabbing her elbow.
She stood up straight and wriggled her arm out of my grip. “Don’t touch me right now,” she said with her eyes closed, highly irritated. “I’ve tried and tried to be patient with your anxiety over the children. I really have. But you need to understand that I am not mad that you bought those Teddy Cam’s, Lance. I’m livid because you felt that you had to hide it from me and lied for our entire trip.” She zipped her suitcase. “I am going down to get a muffin and some juice. Pack your things and let’s just go home.” She stopped as she placed her hand on the door. “I'll be waiting in the lobby for you.” With that, she walked out with her suitcase, slamming the door as I jumped.
***
I got dressed, put everything in my suitcase and headed to the lobby. Tatum was sitting in one of the white chairs in front of the fireplace, staring at nothing as she ate her muffin.
“Are you ready?” I asked, standing behind the chair with my suitcase in hand.
She only responded to me through her actions. She got up and walked out the door as I followed.
“Please, don’t shut me out, Tatum. I’m seriously very sorry,” I pleaded, looking over at the valet. “Mitchell, Lance Mitchell,” I said to him before turning back to Tatum. “I know that keeping it from you was wrong, but I didn’t know what you would say.” I stared at her, but there was no response. What can I say? I really messed up and I deserved the silent treatment.
The valet pulled up with the truck a moment later and before I could open the door for her like I always do, she grabbed the handle, swung the door open, hopped in and slammed the door. It made my heart ache as we headed home.
We were about ten minutes away from home when I tried again. “So … what about last night, right?” I asked, smiling at her before looking back to the road. “We rocked that room,” I said, dancing a little in my seat. I watched her, but she didn’t smile, smirk, eye twitch … nothing. I sighed.
“Look, when we get home, we act as though nothing happened, understand?” she ordered, looking me in the eye. I nodded. “If Lainey found out that those teddy bears have cameras in them, her feelings will seriously be hurt, Lance.”
“Okay,” I said quietly. I didn't even think about how all of this would make Lainey feel. I felt horribly guilty. She loves us … our kids … and would do anything for us if we needed her to.
I pulled up to the house and parked in the driveway next to Lainey’s Accord. Guilt grew like a demon shadow coming for my soul within me. I look over at Tatum and she hopped out of the truck. I jump out to get the suitcases and followed her inside.
“Hey, kids,” I yelled.
“Where are you guys?” Tatum hollered toward the stairs.
Just then, I heard their little feet running toward the entry way. As they bounded toward us, flour covered their faces and pajamas.
“Mommy, Daddy!” they both said, taking turns hugging our legs.
“What’s all over your faces?” Tatum asked as she places a hand on each of their backs guiding them into the kitchen.
“We made pancakes with Auntie Wainey, Momma,” Madeline said.
Tane turned toward me. “You want some, Daddy?” he asked.
I wiped the flour off of his nose gently. “You bet I want pancakes,” I said as his little face lit up, then followed him into the kitchen.
“Hi, Lance!” Lainey greeted me as I entered the kitchen. “I hear you both had a fabulous time! That’s awesome.” Then, she looked from me back to Tatum, who was biting her lip.
“Oh … uh … yeah … it was really relaxing,” I said, smiling.
“Here, Daddy! Try it,” Madeline said, handing me a cold pancake. I took the biggest bite I could and was shocked that it was actually pretty good. I kept eating it, making Tatum and Lainey laugh at my chipmunk cheeks.
“What do think, Daddy?” Tane asked.
“Well, I don’t know …” I say as I think about it.
“Here, Daddy! Eat this one,” Tane said, handing me another pancake. I shoved the entire thing into my mouth. Good thing they weren’t large pancakes.
“Oh, yeah …” I say as I rub my belly. “These are the best pancakes ever!” The kids burst out laughing, falling to the ground.
“Daddy, you funny,” Madeline said between laughs.
***
I spent the rest of the day trying my hardest to apologize to Tatum, but she refused to talk to me. Like earlier when I came out of the bathroom, there was a pillow and a blanket on the couch waiting for me as my heart sank. Is this really how she feels? I tried to apologize several times, in fact. I even made her dinner and picked some flowers out of the flower bed, but she ate her dinner silently, not giving me so much as a thank you … nothing. I just didn’t know how to fix the Valentine’s Day that I ruined for her. What was I supposed to do?
I sighed as I lay upon the couch. Trying to get comfortable, I rolled over and over until I finally throw the damned pillow onto the floor. “Jeez,” I mumbled, annoyed.
“Daddy, why are you on the couch?”
I jumped and sat up as fast as I could to see Tane standing at the bottom of the stairs with a curious look on his face.
“Hey, buddy! You’re supposed to be in bed?”
He ignored me. “Why are you not with Mommy? Are you mad at her?” he asked sullenly.
“Oh, no! Not at all … come here,” I said, patting the cushion next to me for him to climb up. “I’m not mad at Mommy. Why do you think that?”
“I heard you say sorry a wot today,” he replied with a shrug.
I nodded, Okay, so he watches everything. It is very easy to take for granted, the little ones. You would think after having kids that I would know better, but I don’t. Each one is a challenge with their own ideas and personalities.
“Hey, this isn’t something you need to worry about, Tane,” I remark, pulling him onto my lap. “It’s just that Daddy did something to upset Mommy, but
it will be alright. She’s not that mad.” That was the understatement of the century.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
I laughed. “Yes, buddy, I’m sure.”
“Young man, you’re supposed to be in bed. Let’s go,” Tatum said sternly. She is so sexy when she tries to be tough.
“Otay, Mommy,” he replied, hugging me tightly and whispered into my ear, “She’s mad. I wuv you Daddy,” He hopped off the couch and ran off to bed.
“Love you!” I said as he climbed up the stairs. “Goodnight.”
Tatum turned to run up the stairs after him, but I hopped quickly off the couch and caught her. “Hey … wait … can we talk?”
“About what, Lance? I’m mad, okay? Can’t I be mad that you lied?” she asked with a sigh.
“Yes, you have every right to be mad, just …” I said, shrugging. “Just tell me what to do to fix this … please.”
“Ever since you found out that we were going on this trip you’ve been acting weird,” she said, placing one foot on the first step and her hand on the rail as she turned to face me. “I miss you, Lance. When you find you … let me know. You’re the only one that can fix it.” She shrugged. “Goodnight.”
“Wait, I am me. I’ve just been nervous about leaving the kids,” I said as she kept walking up the stairs. “Tatum, wait,” I called after her, but she disappeared into the dark hallway.
“Mommy!” I hear Tane yell excitedly in the distance as I plop back down onto the couch.
***
I spent the rest of the night laying on the couch thinking about everything. I didn’t quite understand what in the world she meant by finding myself. I ran through all of my actions in the last few weeks and okay, yeah, I could see where things have been a little crazy. I’ve been a little distant with so much on my mind while worrying about this whole trip, but I’ve always been me, haven’t I?
Not being able to sleep, I turned the flat screen on and stared at the commercial break. I got up to get a beer out of the fridge, hoping that after one or two I could get to sleep. I twisted off the top and threw the bottle cap into the trash can, then make my way into the living room. I sat down, got comfortable and started flipping through the channels. After looking for a while, I finally gave up, tossing the remote onto the cushions. I took a sip of my beer as I watched a scene of a Hawaiian beach come on.
Novel Hearts Page 25