Debt

24: From Me To You

Abrielle awakened before her husband and leaned on his chest, watching him. She couldn't resist it. There were few times she got to watch him sleep.

He was so beautiful in his sleep, even more than usual. His guard was down. He didn't have to worry. He was just at peace. And she liked to see him that way.

He woke up and she kissed him. "Good morning, daddy." She smiled, her eyes bright. "Oh, and merry Christmas."

He chuckled and sat up, kissing her again, running his fingers through her hair.

"Merry Christmas."

He got up out of the bed and went to pee and brush his teeth. She waited for him to come back to bed.

When he did, he put his arms around her and kissed her again, deeper now that his breath was fresh.

She moaned, wrapping a leg around him. But he stopped her. "Not right now, Bri," he whispered. So she backed off. But she was horny. She was always horny.

"I have your gift," she told him.

"I know."

"Why do you know?"

"Because you're predictable, baby."

He kissed her head and just watched her a moment, stroking her hair. Sapphire pawed at the door, and Abrielle got up to let the puppy in.

The dog stood on her hind legs to be picked up and Abrielle obliged her.

"I got you a gift too, puppy," she told the dog, nuzzling her as she brought her back to bed.

"Your mom is at the door," Shawn told Abrielle.

No sooner than the words left his mouth than there was knocking on the door and her mother singing, "Miel ¡feliz Navidad! Tengo un regalo por ti."

"Uno momento, Mamá."

Bri looked at Shawn, and he shrugged, taking her dog as she put on her robe and went to let her mother in.

"Good morning, Ms. Chavez," Shawn greeted from his post, petting Sapphire.

"Good morning," she said stiffly, her tone and face looking like she was pained to speak.

"Hey, Mami, I'll be down in a few minutes, okay?"

Erma just made an about face, and Abrielle closed the door with a sigh. "What am I going to do with her?"

"Keep her away from me," Shawn suggested, getting back up to start getting dressed.

His tone made her feel like he was upset. Maybe with her for not keeping her mother in a constant and better check.

"Shawn," she said, cowering back inside. It had been a long time since he was this cold to her.

She went and touched his shoulder, causing him to turn and look at her. "I don't know how many times I can apologize on her behalf, or get her to chill out some. But... She's my mother. And no, we don't have the best relationship, but I love her. And she's being my mother. But you're my husband. And you come first. And you know you come first. Please, don't let this come between us."

"What if my family didn't like you, Abrielle? What if after you had fell in love with me, Shayla kept pushing and pushing you? Do you have any idea how many ways I've killed that old lady in my head? And I'm trying, Abrielle. For you. I'm trying so hard. I killed my own mother. What do you think is stopping me killing yours, buzzing around like a annoying fly?"

Abrielle backed up and left the room. That was the first time she had heard a real, full confession of him having killed his mother. And she didn't want Erma to be next.