I open my eyes the next morning to Roseanne beaming at me from where she's lying on her side, mirroring me. Her hand is on my hip. Mine on hers. 'What's got you so happy at this time of the morning? Because I'm yet to put my cock inside you.'
She chuckles, moving in closer until her breath is spreading across the skin of my neck. 'I love watching you sleeping. You look like an angel.'
I smile sleepily and close my eyes again, wrapping an arm around her naked back and pulling her closer. 'Like an angel? You mean like a goddess, right?'
'Right. And I'm happy I remembered something.'
She's on a high, so happy with herself, just for remembering that small thing. I forbid myself to dwell on the fact that she might not be so thrilled when everything else comes back to her, the good, the bad, and the downright fucking hideous. It's kind of crazy. On the one hand, I'm willing the memories forward, begging they come to her. On the other, I'm dreading it. Part of me is hoping they continue to drip through, little bit by little bit, giving her a chance to grasp it all, rather than them flooding back and probably sending her head into chaos.
'Is that your phone?'
I frown, listening. 'I must have left it downstairs.' She's out of my arms speedily, and I'm not too pleased about it. 'Hey!'
'It might be the kids.' Her naked back disappears out the door, her urgency hampered by that lingering limp.
On a groan, I drag myself up, not bothering with any clothes either, and make my way downstairs. I find her with the phone to her ear. 'That FaceTime thing isn't working,' she says down the line, her fingers in her hair.
I grin when I look down at her naked body, grabbing the coffee down from the cupboard. 'Put it on loudspeaker,' I demand.
'Hey, Momma!' Jacob sings, followed by Maddie.
'Hey.' I grab the cups down and Roseanne fetches the milk. 'You missing us?'
'A little.' Maddie sniffs, and I smile. 'Nan said we're coming home on Monday.'
'That's right.' I look at Roseanne and see she smiles to herself. 'What have you two been up to?' Don't ask about the boy. Don't ask about the boy.
'I've been shell hunting on the beach with Hugo,' Maddie declares, bold as fucking brass, almost proud, because she knows she's well out of trampling distance. I grind my teeth and throw a glare at Roseanne, one that suggests she should take the reins before our daughter ruins my mood.
She takes the phone quickly and walks off, getting herself away from my bristly presence. Hugo. Fucking Hugo.
'That's nice, darling. What about you, Jacob? Caught any more fish?'
'A twelve-pounder today, Mom!' He sounds so excited. Why can't Maddie find something she's passionate about – something other than boys?
They chat happily for a while as I busy myself with the coffee, and then she says her goodbyes, a sad edge to her voice. I look up as she disconnects and sighs. She's falling into despondency. I need to distract her.
'Hey, eyes up here, baby.' They instantly flick up and find me. 'I have a surprise for you.'
'Oh yeah?' She gives a cheeky grin as she places the phone down and wanders over to me, and it fills my heart with all kinds of feel-good shit.
'You have a one-track mind, lady.' And I'm so fine with that, but for today I have a date planned.
Resting her hand on my stomach, she beams at me. 'Is it any wonder?' Her hands stroke down toward my . . .
