Page 67 of Seduction

“Don’t worry. Your momma and I are gonna take care of you.” He turns his gaze to me. “Did you give him anything?”

I explain to him the symptoms, temperature, and let him know what medicine I’ve given Mikey. I know he’s a doctor, but this isn’t my first time at the rodeo.

“Okay. For now, we’ll watch him and see what happens.”

I move closer so that Mikey is sandwiched between us. Jon curls his arm around me, and I lay my head on his shoulder, looking down at my son’s head on his stomach. Being here like this, it’s as if we’re a real family. After Eddie, I never thought I could want this with anyone else, but getting a taste makes me realize I don’t want it. Ineedit.

Mikey falls asleep in that position, long before the end of his movie. Jon checks his temperature and, satisfied with the reading, takes him to his bedroom. I follow, tucking him in and kissing his forehead.

“I’m gonna go,” Jon tells me at the top of the stairs. “Call me if you need anything.”

“Don’t.” He stops, turning back to me. “Go, I mean. Stay. Please.”

“Are you sure?”

I take his hand, leading him back to my bedroom and climbing into bed. He stands at the foot, watching me, searching for something… maybe a sign that I won’t do another one-eighty. Keeping my eyes on his, I extend my hand to him, hoping he’ll see the gesture for what it is—no more running. It’s time to take his hand, accept his offer.

Slowly, he undresses down to his boxers, then encloses my hand in his, joining me on the bed. I sidle up to him, hoping I haven’t pushed him too far, that he hasn’t given up on me. All I’ve given him so far are reasons to leave; it’s time to show him why he shouldn’t.

He removes his glasses, pulls me close, and turns off the light.

“Good night, beautiful.”

***Einstein***

“Ice-tie!”

I haven’t even opened my eyes before the little boy climbs onto the bed and springs at me.

“Wake up, wake up, wake up!”

I crack one eye open, watching him jump on the bed. I grab him, pulling him down while I move to my knees. His giggles turn to outright laughing as I tickle him.

“Stop, Ice-tie, stop!”

“Nope. You woke up the tickle monster!”

“No, tickle monster. Please… I beg, I beg!”

His laughter is infectious. I join in, dropping down next to him.

“Where’s your mom?”

“Kitchen. Let’s go!”

“Gimme a sec there, buddy.”

I slide off the bed, grabbing my jeans on the way to the bathroom. There I find Ellen’s laid out towels and a new toothbrush for me.How long has she been up?I’m a light sleeper, so I’m surprised I didn’t hear anything. Then again, I haven’t slept that well in a long time.

Back in the bedroom, Mikey takes my hand, pulling me downstairs. In the kitchen, Ellen is busy whipping up a breakfast feast.

“Good morning.”

Mikey looks up at me, then grins as he repeats the greeting to his mom.

“Good morning, you two.” She smiles, this one seemingly unburdened. “Sit.”

“Ice-tie, you have to kiss Momma.” We both look to him in surprise, smiling when he lets out a tiny, frustrated sigh. “Sophia said her daddy kisses her mommy every morning.”