Motion (Sequel to "Collide")

CHAPTER FIFTY NINE

A/N: Alright guys, here goes chapter 59! Initially, this chapter was 11K words long, but that was just too much, so I decided to split it in two parts. That means, next chapter should follow soon! Hope you enjoy this one in the meantime. Thanks again for the support and the love, guys. And if you're new, welcome abroad! I hope you enjoy the ride! 💕

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I looked down at my watch while wiping my sweaty forehead as I walked back to the house after a forty-five minute jog around the property. For the first time since I got back into jogging, I was satisfied with my performance. It took me a couple of weeks to find back the pleasure that came with jogging, and it looked like I finally did. Running had always been a good way for me to keep my mind off of things, and God knows I needed it.

It was eight in the morning when I returned to the quietness of our home, and the divine smell of coffee emanating from the kitchen invaded my nose. Before I headed in its direction, I went down the hall to check on my son. When I noticed his bedroom's door was open, I smiled to myself and went a few doors down to Michael and I's room. When I opened our door, my smile grew wider as I observed my son from afar. The TV was on, and Faraji was quietly watching cartoons, holding Rafiki close to his chest, patiently waiting for us.

Over time, this had become a habit of his. Anytime he was awake before we were, he would join us in our room, turn the TV on and wait for us downstairs. When he decided he had waited enough, he would climb the stairs and join us in bed where he gladly cuddled with us for a bit.

"Isn't that my baby," I said quietly, as I entered the room.

My son's head snapped in my direction, and automatically his face lit up.

"Good morning, mama," he greeted me, as he stood up on the couch to give me a hug. "I thought you were still sleeping."

"Good morning, baby," I greeted him in return, rubbing his back gently. "I went out for a jog, and guess what I saw in the mountains?"

"What?" he asked curiously. His interest was piqued. "Did you see the baby coyote again?"

"I did, and he was with his mama," I grinned, threading my fingers through his hair. "See? He found her back."

"Yay!" he cheered, jumping up and down on the couch. "I'm so happy they're together again!"

"Me too," I beamed. "Do you want to go get breakfast?"

"I'd rather wait for daddy to be up, so that we can have breakfast together," he let me know, and my heart was barely able to take his cuteness.

"As you wish, baby," I said, before I laid a small peck on his temple. "While you enjoy your cartoons, I'm going to go take a quick shower, okay?"

He gave me a nod, and sat back down on the couch where he rapidly covered his body and his plush tiger with the flannel blanket.

I headed to the door that led to the second part of our bedroom and climbed the stairs quietly. The room was still dark, but I didn't have any trouble navigating through it. I knew this room like the back of my hand.

I was immediately greeted by Michael's soft breathing, letting me know he was still sound asleep — which was a relief. For the first time in four days, he seemed to be sleeping peacefully instead of tossing and turning tirelessly.

Ever since he'd let Branca go, Michael had been a nervous wreck. I was aware that my husband had never handled confrontation well. He spent his life trying to make people happy, trying to avoid hurting anyone whenever possible. Needless to say that firing someone was uncomfortable for him. He'd done it in the past, but each time it felt like it was personal. And it probably was, especially with Branca who he believed was his friend, and had been for over fifteen years.