Captivated Desires

52

As I was finally back home and freshened up, I was sitting downstairs. The kids were playing loudly in the living room, their laughter mixing with the sounds of their games and toys. They were clearly overjoyed to have me back home. Reign was perched on the arm of the couch beside me, his arm casually draped over my shoulders. His eyes were fond as he watched the kids, but I could tell he was still watching over me, worried about my recovery.

"They've missed you," he murmured, his thumb rubbing slow, soothing circles along my shoulder. "Been driving me damn crazy, asking about you every five minutes. But they've been good, keeping each other company."

I nodded slowly as I smiled for my response. "They're excited to have their mama back," Reign continued, leaning in to press a soft kiss to my temple. "And I know I sure as hell been missing you."

I leaned my head on his shoulder "I'm sorry, I am not responding. Just tired," I whispered. Reign's expression softened as I leaned against him, my exhaustion clear in my voice. His arm tightened gently around me, pulling me closer. "Don't apologize, darlin'," he said quietly, his free hand coming up to cup my cheek. "You've been through a lot. It's okay to be tired."

He shifted so he could sit on the couch next to me, pulling me into his lap. "Just rest, okay? You don't gotta say anything. Just knowing you're here, safe and at home, is enough for me." 

"I'm glad we are back at home, not in the villa," I said quietly.

Reign nuzzled his face into my hair, his lips brushing against my temple as he spoke. "Me too, darlin', me too. I prefer having you here, in our own place. Where it's comfortable and safe." 

Lionel got up and gave me a picture "This for me baby?" I asked gently before taking it. Lionel nodded eagerly, his eyes wide with excitement. "I made it for you, mama!" he exclaimed, his little hands gripping the edges of the paper. 

"Awe baby, it's beautiful. Reign go and hang it up," I said gently. Reign chuckled and took the picture from me, his eyes scanning over it briefly. "It's a real piece of art, isn't it?" he teased, his tone good-natured. He got up from the couch, taking the picture over to the nearest wall and carefully securing it in place.

"There we go," he said, stepping back to admire the picture. "Looks perfect there." He turned back to me, his expression full of affection. "Our little Picasso," he said with a smile, nodding towards Lionel.

The little boy beamed with pride, clearly pleased by his parents' reactions to his creation. "I'm an artist!" he declared, pumping his little fist in the air. 

"Damn right, you are," Reign said jokingly, giving the boy a wink. "Next Van Gogh in the making, right here in this house."

Lionel's eyes widened at Reign's words, clearly loving the idea of being a great artist like Van Gogh. "I'm gonna paint more pictures!" he exclaimed, his little legs already moving as if to go and grab more supplies.

"Whoa, whoa, hold up, little man," Reign chuckled, gently reaching out to stop the boy from running off. "Maybe let's take a break for a bit, huh? We wouldn't want the next Picasso to wear himself out before he's even made a second masterpiece."

Lionel pouted for a moment, clearly eager to keep painting, but he relented when he saw the amused expressions on Reign's and my face. "Just for a little bit," he grumbled, his bottom lip sticking out.

"Just a little bit," Reign agreed, ruffling the boy's hair affectionately. "Gotta give the creative juices a chance to refill before you start painting again."

Lionel seemed satisfied with that answer, nodding his head solemnly. "Okay," he agreed, settling back down on the floor with his toys for a bit.

Willow let out a soft cry as she stumbled and fell, her little body hitting the ground with a soft thump. Her eyes filled with tears, her bottom lip quivering as she looked up at me and Reign. "Oh baby, it's okay," I crooned, quickly getting up from the couch to scoop her up into my arms.

Reign was right there beside me, his expression full of concern as he gently reached out to smooth Willow's hair away from her face. "You're okay, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice soothing. 

"You just did a little tumble, where does it hurt and Mama will kiss it better?" I said gently as I kissed her cheek. Willow sniffed as she leaned into my kiss, her little fingers gripping my shirt tightly. "My knee," she said softly, pointing to the spot where she had scraped it on the fall.

I leaned my head down and gave her knee a little kiss "Do you want daddy to get you a princess band-aid?" 

Willow nodded enthusiastically at that suggestion, her eyes widening at the mention of a princess band-aid. "Please!" she exclaimed, her previous tears already forgotten in the face of the promise of a special bandaid.

 Reign chuckled at her eagerness, shaking his head in mild amusement. "Alright, alright," he said, feigning reluctance. "I'll go find the princess band-aid."

He got up and headed off to find the colourful band-aids, which he knew I kept in the bathroom. Meanwhile, Willow stayed in my arms, her little face now a picture of excitement as she waited for the promised band-aid.

Reign returned a few moments later, a small band-aid in the shape of a cartoon princess clutched in his hand. "Found it," he said, holding it up for Willow's inspection.

The little girl's eyes lit up at the sight of the princess band-aid, her bottom lip jutting out in a pout as she reached for it with grabby hands. "Gimme," she demanded, her small voice filled with adorable insistence.

"Daddy needs to put it on first, baby girl," I said gently to her as I rubbed her back gently in a soothing manner. Willow pouted for a moment but didn't protest further, her impatience tempered by the soothing motion of my hand on her back. She squirmed a bit in my arms, her little legs kicking as she impatiently waited for Reign to put the band-aid on her.