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“And then what?” Her nostrils flared.
“I’m going to fuck my wife on the new dining table she just ordered,” I said. “Fuck her until she screams for mercy.”
13.A GRAND ARRIVAL
Daphne
We returnedfrom paradise sunkissed and well-rested. I worried about coming back to 500 emails and Davey in a tizzy, but to my surprise, he took care of everything, sending me a message saying it was all good and to take the day to rest up. Instead of bothering with my email, we surprised everyone by attending Saturday dinner at my mother’s.
As we arrived in the drawing room, Mum stood, dumbfounded.
“What are you doing here?” She gasped.
“We thought we’d come over,” I said. “We got back this morning.”
“You’re so tan,” Dahlia said, giving me a tight hug, then pulling back. “And really pregnant.”
“Let me tell you, I was a little nervous wearing a bathing suit, but I got over it,” I said. “It is what it is.”
“Not a single person complained,” Cal assured.
“And they wouldn’t. Your tits are… fab. I’m jealous,” Delanie giggled.
“Thank you?” I asked. “Why are you like this?”
“Because you know it’s true.”
“Well, sit,” Mum said. “Cal, do you want a drink?”
“I’m good,” Cal said.
To his credit, he hadn’t really tied one on in ages. Cal wasn’t much for getting particularly tipsy. When he was in public, he kept himself on a short leash like the good boy he usually was. But now that I couldn’t drink at all, he was acutely aware he should not rub it in my face. I was desperate for a sip of whiskey from my mother’s stocked bar cart, but I behaved myself.
We sat down across from Davey.
“I told you to relax,” Davey said.
“And I did, brother. Promise. I appreciate you covering for me.”
“I got used to it. Now, we are desperate to have you back, but it was a good tester for when you go on leave.”
“Please tell me you’reactuallytaking leave,” Delanie said.
“Yes, of course,” I said.
“She’s taking three months. So she says,” Davey said. “But I suspect she’s going to try to come back.”
“Are you taking any leave, Cal?” Mum asked.
“Oh, sure,” Cal said. “I am sure a bunch of assholes will grumble about how I am not doing my job by parenting my child and supporting my wife, but… they can bitch all they want. I’m going to take a straight month, then we will see. I probably will go back part-time. We’ll make it work, but I’m not giving up that precious time.”
I beamed at him. This is why I loved him—even when it was politically dicey, he chose us. He always chose our family first. I never expected it, but always loved him for it.
“Good. Your father always made time.”
“David cared,” Cal said. “And he stood by his family.”
“Well, if you have six kids, you better show up,” Davey said. “That’s not normal.”