Extraction

9 - Tiger Stripes

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THE KIMBERLEY, AUSTRALIA
Jane

2017

"Daddy's home!", Oliver jumped off his chair and ran to the front door. I sat there with his little fork and an annoyed look on my face. "You need to eat, Oliver. Come back!"

"No mommy!", he yelled back. I stood up and threw his blue fork back in his pasta dish, sighing.

I stepped in the living room and saw Oliver gripping Tyler's legs. He lifted one leg up, making the little boy clench tighter as he dangled from there, laughing as if it was the most fun activity.

I leaned against the doorframe, shaking my head a little. Tyler set his bag on the floor and walked towards me, limping as Oliver's body weighted him down. Once he was standing in front of me, he smiled a little.

"Hello, wifey.", and then he pecked my lips.

"He didn't eat again.", I told him and raised an eyebrow. "You should reorganise your timetable and come home at least ten minutes later."

He smirked at me and moved his face closer to mine. "That's not how I'd like to be greeted.", he muttered, making me roll my eyes.

I leaned my forearms on his shoulder, taking him by surprise. "Hello, hubby.", I kissed him, his hands moved to my waist, making Oliver squeal.

"Ewww, mommy and daddy are kissing!"

Tyler pulled away and leaned his forehead on mine. "Now you can scold me.", he murmured, making me smile a little.

"You little shit.", I murmured, making him smile.

"Good.", his eyes moved to look at mine. I looked away and simply hugged him, with my face in the crook of his neck. His arms now around my body.

Oliver hopped off Tyler's leg and put his hands on his little hips. "That's not fair.", he said, making us look at him. I pulled apart and smirked at his reaction.

"What's not fair, buddy?", Tyler asked, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

"Mommy gets a hug and I don't."

"I'll tell you what's unfair, darling.", I started. "You not eating what mommy cooked for you.", I tried to make my voice sound stern and deep. Oliver looked down, his little hands behind his back.

"Can daddy eat with me? Please?", he murmured, looking up at me. Tyler bumped his hip to mine, making me glare at him.

"Of course, baby. Daddy is hungry too, isn't that right?", I picked Oliver up and looked at Tyler, who smirked at me.

"Of course I am. Tigers are always hungry, right buddy?", Oliver squealed and threw his hands in the air, hitting me in the forehead.

"Ow.", I muttered and walked back to the kitchen.

"Smells good in here.", I heard Tyler compliment. I set Oliver in his chair and then prepared two other plates. I rapidly set them on the table and sat down beside Oliver again.

"Please, baby?", I begged him. "One small bite? Look, even daddy is eating.", I motioned to Tyler who was already savouring every bite.

Tyler nodded with his mouth full, he quickly swallowed. "Like a tiger.", he said making Oliver grasp his little fork and eat on his own. I smiled, shaking my head. It worked every time.

Though I could give that a shot - making Oliver eat while mentioning tigers, which were his favourite animals. I knew that it was a reference just between Oliver and Tyler. With Oliver's sassy mouth, he would probably tell me something along the lines of "you don't get it mommy" or he would roll his eyes at me. Bless his little heart.