living on a fault line

VIII

July 12th, 2022.

The kids run around the house, and Roseanne keeps an ear on their laughter, the knowledge that everything is currently fine. Eli's hasn't been 4 for long enough yet that Roseanne feels comfortable letting her to her own devices even in a locked house, so she keeps an eye on her and knows that Lisa is doing the same.

Her eyes trail after them as they all barrel through the living room, crawl underneath the coffee table, and come out the other side. Jay and Eli try to keep up with River, and the 7 year old is as accommodating as a child can be. She's definitely Kai's kid.

Mike squirms in Felix arms, obviously wanting to get down and join the fun, but at 2 he'd only get hurt. Roseanne waves at the baby, distracting him for just a second.

"He's adorable, isn't he?" Lisa asks quietly in her ear, and Roseanne can't help the shiver that runs through her body at her wife's warm breath near her neck. It's a reflex.

"Mmhm," she nods. They've agreed to try again, but they want to wait until Eli is in school. Not long now.

Lisa kisses her neck, and Roseanne smiles to herself and sinks back against her wife's embrace. Her wife's arms settle comfortably around her waist, and Roseanne feels completely surrounded by warmth. Love. She feels safe.

"You gonna do special hugs?" A squeaky voice asks, and Roseanne laughs as she turns to look at Eli. Lisa hides her face in her neck.

"No, baby. Go play."

"Special hugs?" Kai chuckles, like he's guessed what it's about.

"Caught you doing the nasty, did she?" Jisoo asks, and Roseanne flips her off. Jisoo laughs. "God, I'm so glad I don't have those problems."

Jennie takes a drink from her wine, before settling against Kai.

"Kai and I went with wrestling'," Jennie volunteers, and Kai laughs, hearty and deep. Lisa giggles against her neck.

"You're all a mess," Jisoo says. "Any stories to share, Felix? Somi?"

"He's 5," Felix says, handing little Mike to his wife. "We told him what sex is."

"Oh, come on," Roseanne says.

"Exactly!" Lisa exclaims. "I wanted to do that. But Roseanne said 4 is too young to explain the concept of human sexuality. Half the fun is in confusing our children, isn't it?" Lisa asks Roseanne, pinching her side.

"We're preserving her innocence!" She argues, slapping Lisa's hand away. She can feel her wife's a second away from tickling.

Eli had caught them having sex in the early morning last week, and Roseanne's mind had blanked out. It was bound to happen, she guesses, given that she and Lisa's sex drive hadn't changed all that much after getting married or after Eli was born, but still.

Roseanne's at least thankful she didn't have the strap-on on or was doing anything other than a good ol riding Lisa's thigh. She and Lisa pulled underwear on at top speed, trying not to laugh. It was still mortifying. Even worse was the fact that Eli kept making questions, and at 4, she wasn't satisfied with flimsy answers.

Sospecial hug.

Roseanne still wants to face-palm just remembering it. Lisa had mouthed special hug, seriously?' over Eli's head while she pulled her underwear on, and Roseanne tried hard not to laugh.

Eli had clamored for hugs too. But why are you nakey?'

Lisa had lost it then. Roseanne had thrown a pillow at the back of her head when she disappeared into the bathroom.