Still Breathing

Chapter 5: Full of Grace

Marley Pov present day 2022

Stephen rolls from on top of me and get up out the bed and heads into the bathroom. I pull my nightgown back down and stare out the window. I lay here and try to work up the courage to ask him if I could go visit my dad, pepper, and Morgan. I practice the speech for days. Since the dinner, he has been in a good mood. As he went through my phone over dinner last night, he even complimented my most recent pictures. He just spent the morning on top of me, so I figure, there is no better time than now.

When he comes out the bathroom, has whistling. I think this is my chance. "Love..."

"Hmm" he says while picking out a tie. When I don't say anything, he looks over his shoulder at me.

I chicken out and say, "...Would you like me to make you breakfast this morning?"

He smiles at me and says, "You know you're on a diet..."

"I know." I cut him off. he frowns and I immediately say, "I just thought... I wanted to do this for you... and we can, spend the morning together. That's all." I start to panic.

He stares at me like he's trying to figure what I'm up to. Then he smiles and says, "Of course. 2 fried eggs and 3 strips of bacon."

'Yes sir." I smile and get out of bed and practically run to the kitchen. I curse myself for being a little chicken shit. I decide I will try again before he leaves. I take out the eggs and the bacon. I fry them up perfectly for him and put it on a plate. I pour him a glass of orange juice and I'm so tempted to drink some. But I put it away. Then I turn on the coffee maker. I set the table and place his food and juice on the table. I go back into the kitchen and cut a grapefruit in half. I put each on its own plate. The one for him as a scoop of sugar and a cherry on top. Mine is just a plain cut grapefruit. He cut sugar out of my diet because when he weighed me the day before yesterday, I actually gained a pound.

I set my plate and cup of water on the counter in the kitchen, not in the dining room. He says he hates the faces I make when I eat grapefruit. I roll my eyes at the thought. So I'm not allowed to eat grapefruit in front of him. I stand in the kitchen, and I wait on him to come out before pouring the coffee. He doesn't like warm coffee. When he does finally come out, I perk up and smile at him. I should receive an Oscar for this performance, I think to myself.

"Sorry Babe, I go to go. No time for breakfast."

I look at him disappointed. He kisses me and smile. He thinks it's because I actually want more time with him. I just want this chance to butter him up to ask a favor. He tells me to have a good day. I hear the front door click and I slump on the counter and hope he will still be in a good mood later tonight.

I go into the dining room and pick up his breakfast and his grapefruit and place them on the counter. Then I go back and get his orange juice. once I'm back in the kitchen, I take a bite of the bacon and throw the rest in the trash. I pick up his grapefruit and lick the sugar off the top and eat the cherry. Then dump the rest in the trash. I drain the orange juice and get my grapefruit. when I'm done, I clean up and go take a long hot shower to burn off the memory of him inside me. I let my hair air dry. He will be working late tonight so I will have plenty of time to straighten it later. I decide to plan a romantic dinner and basically whore myself out for him tonight. If this is what it take to see my family, it will be worth it.

I throw on a Black maxi dress with a cardigan sweater. Its white with black roses printed on it. I pair it with a black hat. I braid my hair and pin it up. I head out and decide to go to the flower shop first. the woman behind the counter greets me with a sweet smile. I smile back and look at her latest creations. I tell her she is very talented. And she blushes.