Live-In Position

by V. S. Tice

  As Collin walked Victoria and me into Connor’s room, I noticed how much older and pale he looked in the hospital bed. My heart ached. I made a mental note to call my dad as soon as possible.

  When the children started falling asleep in laps, on the floor, and in chairs, Amber and I prepared to take them home. Will packed up the coloring books and toys, and cleaned up the garbage we had created. Victoria and I were about to leave when Collin surprised me by leaving with us. He saw the look on my face.

  “Juliet and Mother are staying so I’m going to get some sleep before I come back tomorrow.” I nodded in understanding and picked up the yawning redhead in front of me.

  “Here,” Collin reached out and took Victoria into his arms.

  Climbing into bed, I was sure Collin was already sleeping. I barely had my second leg under the covers when he grabbed me and pulled me on top of him. His lips claimed mine and, without delay, his tongue sought access to my mouth. I, of course, granted it to him.

  His hands wandered under my clothes. I gave him a curious look.

  “I need this,” he whispered and sucked on my neck, “I need you.” His tongue slipped against my skin. I moaned.

  The shift of the bed early Saturday morning woke me. Warm moist lips pressed to my forehead. The sound of the shower and the familiar smell of his shampoo wafted into the room. It was the last thing I remembered until Victoria bounced onto the bed and began nudging me awake. Grasping at the covers to keep my body from being exposed, I looked at her with a brief moment of surprise.

  “Good morning.” She smiled small.

  “Good morning.” I yawned. “So what do you think would be a good breakfast?”

  She shrugged.

  “Hmm…” I tapped my chin. “Why don’t you go see who is awake while I use the bathroom and think of something to make?”

  “Okay.” She hopped off the bed and hurried out.

  I rushed to find my clothes and sprint to the bathroom before Victoria could discover me. I was clothed and brushing my teeth when Victoria returned and knocked on the bathroom door.

  “The twins are just waking up now,” she shouted through the locked door.

  I spit the light blue foam into the sink and rinsed off my toothbrush. Stepping out from the bathroom, she was standing there waiting for me.

  “Did you think of something?”

  I nodded.

  “What?” she asked.

  “It’s a surprise.” I held out my hand for her to take. We walked down to the kitchen hand-in-hand.

  I started some coffee and began pulling out bowls, mixing spoons, and ingredients. Victoria was trying to figure out what I was making. It was comical when she figured it out.

  “Blueberry muffins!” Her voice squeaked.

  “You got it.” I scooted her stool over to the counter. She climbed up and began mixing the batter. I set the oven to three hundred fifty and got the muffin pans out of the bottom oven drawer. She hopped down and rushed to the pantry, returning with paper muffin cups. We lined the pan with the pastel colored cups and then slowly spooned the batter into each one before placing the first batch in the oven. Once the second pan was ready, we set it on the side of the counter.

  “Now what?” she huffed impatiently.

  “Now we scramble some eggs.” I walked toward the refrigerator and pulled out two cartons of eggs. The sound of glass and plastic hitting the floor made me jump and jerk my body toward Victoria.

  “Sorry.” She looked worried and afraid.

  “Are you hurt?” I placed the eggs on the counter. Approaching her, I looked her over for injuries.

  “I tried to help get the bowl, but I couldn’t grip with my cast and…” Tears started to form in her eyes.

  “Hey, hey, calm down. It’s okay. I’ll get these put back in the cabinet.” Luckily the bowls that had fallen had not broken so I stacked them back up and looked back to Victoria. “See?” I grinned.

  She forced a smile.

  “Okay,” I placed a large glass bowl on the counter and pulled the carton of eggs toward us, “ready to talk to me about how upset you are?”

  She stayed silent.

  “Are you sad about your grandfather? I’m sure he’s fine. Your dad would have called if—”

  “That’s not,” she paused, “I mean, I’m worried about Grandpa,” she hesitated and for a moment looked embarrassed, “but I’m afraid we have to cancel Halloween now.” Her head dropped, and her fingers twisted together on the counter. “That’s awful, isn’t it?” she sniffed.

  I sighed. “Victoria—”

  “I know I shouldn’t be worried about such stupid things when Grandpa is sick. I feel horrible, but I can’t help it.” I stopped her with my hand over her mouth.

  “Listen, I’m sure Grandpa would want you to go trick-or-treating, okay?” She nodded, reluctantly. “Hey, look at me.” I uncovered her mouth and lifted her head with my finger until her eyes met mine. “How about I see if everyone can come earlier and we go see your grandpa first and show him your costume? If he is feeling up to it.”

  Her eyes lit up. “That would be so great!” Her arms wrapped around my waist.“Thank you! You’re the best mommy I could have ever asked for!”

  I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her to me. She lifted her face to mine with a huge smile.

  “I’ll talk to your dad about it today.” I cupped her head in my palms. She nodded. “Okay, now let’s get started on these eggs before everyone shows up hungry.”

  She nodded and reached for the whisk.

  Chapter Twenty

  -EIGHT

  MY STOMACH FLUTTERED when I looked at the appearance reflecting back at me in the full-length mirror. How had I let myself get into this situation? I was such a damn sucker.

  “Look!” Victoria burst into the room. “Meeeeoowww!”

  I chuckled. Red curls stuck out from under the mask secured around her head and face.

  “You look amazing,” I purred.

  “Wow!” My head shot up. Miranda was standing in the doorway. “Who are you and what did you do with my best friend?”

  “Rand!” I screamed and hugged her tightly. I put my hands on her stomach, but she smacked them away.

  “I’m not even really showing so stop it.”

  “Oh, come on, I want to see if I can tell,” I pouted.

  “Fine,” she groaned. “You’re as bad as Benji.” I laughed. “Seriously, he really believes my stomach is noticeably bigger each morning.”

  Victoria ran up and replaced my hand with hers after I pulled away.

  “Well, I don’t hear anything with my super cat hearing.” She beamed at Miranda.

  “Okay, so back to this costume.” Miranda motioned over me.

  “I know, I know, don’t remind me.” I turned back to the mirror and groaned.

  “Oh, no, honey, you look fan-freaking-tastic in it, but well…I just wasn’t prepared for super tight, dominatrix, black vinyl.” She fought a smile.

  I smacked her arm playfully. “Zip it, Wonder Mommy.” I waved my hands over her Wonder Woman outfit. “That skirt is a little short for a soon-to-be mom, don’t you think? What about all of this?” I motioned to her larger than normal breasts.

  “Gotta flaunt it while I can,” she winked. “I never had boobs this big before.” She pushed them out.

  “Let’s go,” Victoria whined. “I don’t want to be late for Grandpa.” She rushed out of the bedroom.

  I groaned.

  “What?” Rand questioned. I motioned to my outfit.

  “Would you like to walk through the hospital in this outfit?” I raised a brow.

  “If I could wear it like you, hell yes. Now let’s get going and don’t forget your whip.” She slapped me on the butt. I squealed and she giggled.

  Coming down the staircase, I heard the crowd in the entryway but didn’t look up until the first cat-call. I glared directly at Will who feigned innocence.

  “Well, well, looks like we have a foe, my
boys.”

  I glanced to the twins. They were both Batman, and Will was dressed as Robin.

  “Should we attack now?”

  “Yes!” The boys ran after me.

  “Oh no, save me,” I shouted playfully. Victoria went into action, jumping in front of the twins and hissing.

  My stomach was in knots on the drive to the hospital.

  “You have to put the mask on,” Victoria informed me from the backseat. Miranda snickered from beside me. I gave her a playful scowl.

  “I can’t drive with it on. I’ll put it on when we go trick or treating.” I tried, I really did.

  “We are supposed to match,” she whined. “You have to put it on before we go into the hospital.”

  I groaned for probably the twentieth time since I tucked myself into this costume.

  “Okay.”

  After we parked, I pulled my braided hair back and put on the mask. I noticed Miranda fighting a smirk.

  “Do I really look that ridiculous? I do, don’t I? I don’t think I have ever felt so insecure in my life.”

  “Oh, dear lord, Sophia, you don’t look ridiculous. You look gorgeous,” Rand tried to reassure me.

  “You keep laughing at me,” I argued. Victoria took my hand on the sidewalk in front of the hospital.

  “It’s only because of the looks you keep making. It’s clear you aren’t comfortable, and I just can’t help but laugh at your faces.”

  “Quit worrying about it, Soph,” Will interjected. “You look hot.”

  I eyed Will skeptically. Then a small smirk formed on his face.

  “See! Not you too! That’s it, I’m getting a coat.” I started toward the car.

  “No,” Victoria cried out.

  “Stop.” Miranda grabbed my arm.

  “Soph,” Will chuckled lightly, “I’m only smiling because I want to see how Dr. Bishop handles himself when he sees you.” His chuckle became a full belly laugh. Amber smacked his arm, but she also had a smirk on her face.

  “He hasn’t seen it already?” Miranda gasped.

  I shook my head, cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

  “Oh dear baby Jesus,” Miranda exclaimed. “Do they rent rooms here by the hour?”

  I shifted my eyes down to Victoria and Nessa, who were standing right next to us.

  “Why would a hospital rent rooms for an hour?” Victoria asked me curiously and then looked to Miranda. Everyone burst into laughter, and I couldn’t help but join the hysterics. The stress eased a little, and I did my best to suck up my reservations as we entered the hospital.

  Wide grins formed as hospital staff and patients watched us pass. The kids looked amazing. Nessa was Supergirl, the twins were both Batman, Ryan was Superman, and MJ was The Flash. The adults were also pretty incredible. Rand was in an authentic Wonder Woman costume, Amber was Batgirl, and Will was Robin. We were quite the sight when we stepped onto the ICU floor and into the waiting room.

  Allison “ooh-ed” and “aah-ed” over the twins with Ilene, while Larissa and Max cooed at Ryan and MJ. Then Ilene moved on to Victoria.

  “Oh my, aren’t you darling.” She smiled wide and then did a double take in my direction. Warmth spread on my face and the costume suddenly felt a great deal tighter.

  “Oh my.” She straightened her spine and looked at me with large eyes. “Has my son seen you yet?” A small smirk played on her lips, growing larger when I shook my head.

  “I can’t wait to see this,” Max blurted.

  Scanning the room I saw all eyes had fallen on me. I covered my face.

  “He’s going to pass out,” Larissa giggled.

  “Who is?” I knew his voice and wanted to run back into the elevator. Sweat began to form under the mask.

  “You are,” Max spit out.

  “Why would I do that?”

  Max motioned toward me, but Collin first took in the costumed group as a whole.

  “Well, don’t you all look…heroic,” he smiled and then focused in on Victoria. “You look fantastic my little Cat Girl.

  “It’s Catwoman, Daddy,” she corrected him.

  “Sorry, my mistake,” he chuckled and then looked over his shoulder to Max. “Why would I pass out over this?”

  My groan drew his eyes to finally focus on me. The sound of Max’s snickering rose and echoed off the walls.

  “I told you,” he chuckled between breaths.

  “We dressed alike,” Victoria boasted and grabbed my hand. That was enough to make me open my eyes. I couldn’t avoid him any longer. A green fire ignited in his eyes. A throat cleared, which I believe was Allison, and he turned his attention from me.

  Collin moved to his mother and spoke for a few moments before he talked to Miranda and then Max. It was pretty obvious he was avoiding me. I wondered if he was mad about the costume.

  “Sophia, why don’t you take Victoria to see Connor?” Ilene motioned for us to head through the doors.

  I was thankful to get away from Collin’s cold shoulder and took Victoria’s hand. We headed toward Connor’s room. When we walked in he was awake and the head of his bed was raised. He looked better than the day before. Some color had returned to his cheeks and his eyes were much brighter. We were relieved to see the life back in him.

  “Oh, look here.” Juliet pushed up from her seat next to him and walked toward us. We both hugged her.

  “Uh-oh, Catwomen, huh?”

  Victoria meowed. Both Connor and Juliet grinned.

  “You’re really good at that.” Juliet sat back down next to Connor.

  “Mommy dressed just like me.” Victoria looked up at me.

  I swallowed a large lump in my throat, not only from the embarrassment of my costume but also because Victoria had just called me mommy in front of Connor and Juliet for the first time. Neither of them batted an eyelash at the label she’d given me. Instead they both took in my costume.

  “Collin has seen this?” Connor asked with a little rasp to his voice.

  I nodded. “Yeah, why does everyone keep asking that? Do I look like a wh…er…that bad?”

  Both Juliet and Connor laughed.

  “Um, no, however, Collin was a very big fan of Batman as a child.” Connor voice was raspy, like he had lost his voice.

  “Oh.” I was a little dumbfounded. “I didn’t know.”

  Juliet giggled. “I’m sure he’s very happy with your costume choice.”

  Both of them grinned. I buried my face in my hands again. Would the embarrassment never end?

  Victoria talked about her broken arm and how her costume choice covered the cast perfectly. Before we left the room, she promised to bring her grandpa his favorite Reese’s Cups. When we returned to the waiting room, Larissa and Max took Ryan and MJ back to see Connor.

  Collin still avoided me, and I felt certain “happy” was not the word to describe his feelings about my outfit. He seemed cold and angry. We spent an hour at the hospital before we all climbed back into our cars. From the time we left the hospital throughout our two hours of trick-or-treating, nervousness sat in the pit of my stomach.

  Finally home, Victoria and I put her candy into a large bowl before strolling up to her room. She took off her costume and slipped into pajamas. I couldn’t wait to do the same. With a kiss to her forehead, my exhausted little redhead’s eyes fluttered shut.

  “Night, Mommy,” she yawned and curled up with her blankets.

  “Night, baby.” I brushed some stray curls from her cheek before kissing her again.

  With the black boots, mask, and gloves in my hand, I walked into my bedroom. Two steps toward the bathroom, I started to pull at the zipper.

  “Don’t.”

  I gasped and spun. “Good god, Collin,” I heaved. “What are you doing in the dark?”

  Stealthily, he approached me. Before I could catch my breath, his lips were on mine and his hands were sliding over the second skin costume.

  “Put the mask back on,” he murmured against my mouth.

  I pull
ed back. “What?”

  “You heard me.” His eyes scanned my body. “Do you know how hot this costume is?”

  “What?” My eyes widened.

  He grinned slyly.

  “Catwoman is a personal favorite. Did you know that?” He examined my face as I shook my head. He grabbed the mask and brought it up to my head. “Please?” His eyes were intense.

  I would never have been able to fight him. Not with the way he was looking at me. I slid the mask back on. He smiled large.

  “Where’s the rest? The gloves, the boots?”

  The laugh I’d been holding back erupted out of my mouth. I couldn’t help it. He was like a teenage boy in a wet dream. He found the items without my help and rushed them back onto me.

  “You know, I was looking forward to taking this outfit off, not putting it back on,” I deadpanned.

  His mouth captured mine. The kiss seared through me. His hands moved down over the suit, teasing me. I wanted to feel his bare fingertips on my skin, not through the material. When he reached my thighs, he dipped down and lifted me around his waist.

  “Don’t worry, it won’t be on long.” A boyish grin spread across his mouth.

  That was the night I tapped into the inner teenage Doctor Collin Bishop. Said teenager lived out his fantasy and made sure I kept the costume hanging in the closet, “for next time.”

  CONNOR WAS SCHEDULED for his bypass two days later. The day of the surgery I promised to meet Collin at the hospital after I took Victoria to school. On our way there, we talked briefly about what was going to happen with her grandfather, telling her only what I thought she would be able to process at her age. She seemed to be in high spirits when I left her in the morning.

  Back in the car, it took me a moment to figure out my purse was vibrating. I grabbed my cell from inside just as the call was transferred to voicemail. Looking at the screen, I realized I had five missed calls – one from Rand, one from my father, and three from an unknown number. There were three messages. I hit the number one and then talk before pulling away from St. John’s School.