Wanted For Pleasure

Chapter Fifty-two: that's not what I wanted to hear

"I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says 'Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.'"

Morgan Ann Bennett

"Here's the last of your clothes," Teddy said to me out of breath. "I can't keep doing this, Mo'."

I stopped bouncing Quinn on my hip to turn and look at him.

"What? What's wrong?"

Teddy held himself up on the wall, panting for breath after just having to tote two suitcases.

"It's too risky. Malcolm's been on my ass, asking where you've been, where all your stuff's gone. I'm not tryna lose my job. Or my life," he explained.

I understood.

With a nod of my head, I put Quinn down and walked over to the big bear-man.

"Here," I sighed, opening my arms for him.

Teddy walked into my hug and broke my back in it.

"A-hem, how 'bout a little love for us?" Callie chimed in.

I looked over my shoulder and saw she and Jesse standing over my niece like a happy family.

The smile broadened across my lips at the sight of them.

"Oh," I whined in the group hug. "I wish you guys could come with us!"

"I know," Callie whimpered.

"But someone has to work," she added, elbowing her boyfriend.

He shrugged. "Guilty. But I did say you could go."

Callie bobbed her head, revealing a coy smile. "Yes, but, I rather be with you. Besides, Quinn is no good with long car rides."

That, I remembered from the drive here. Quinn was an ornery mess, nearly intolerable, the whole way. She's a kid, though, it's expected.
And while I wish she was coming, it's says a lot that Callie isn't jumping at the chance to ship her off with me for the weekend.

Things are getting better, it looks like. . .

"Alright," Chris grunted. His voice was sleepy as he was in the bedroom trying to rest after a taxing day at work.

He exited his room in nothing but a pair of pajama pants and slowly blinked at all of us.

"It's time to go," I predicted my boyfriend's next words.

"Time to go," he boomed, showing everyone the door.

The collective groaned and headed towards the exit.

"Good night, Morgan," Callie, Jesse, and Teddy all rang.

"Night," I returned with a small yawn.

"Good night, Squirt!" Quinn shrieked, bending her knees.

I grinned. "I love you!"

"I love YOU," she squeaked, wanting a hug.

I scooped her in my arms and gave her the biggest kiss and hug of life.

"Night night, Chrissy!" The two-year-old exclaimed, blowing him a kiss with both her hands.

I didn't hear Chris say anything but I'm sure he waved because she giggled and blushed as her mother carried her out of the apartment.

Once the door clicked shut, I turned on my heels and followed Chris to the bedroom. Well, after I grabbed my pack of Ritz crackers and two liter of apple juice.