Hello

The Spaghetti House

Just a warning that this chapter contains a lil bit of adult content. If you're uncomfortable with reading anything about sex, feel free to skip this chapter completely. I usually skip most of the chapter that include these kinds of things myself, but have decided to give it a go. -Ace xo

"Whatcha reading?" Roger asked, sitting down next to me with a bowl of frosted flakes and milk. Before I could reply, the magazine was snatched out from under my elbows.

"Rog, what the heck?" I demanded, glaring at him. He frowned at me, reading the headline of the page I was on.

"Celebrity post-baby bodies and workouts? Not worth your time." He looked over at me and rolled up the magazine, bopping me gently on the head with it before taking it to the bin.

"I was reading that!" I yelled, watching him sit back down.

"Not anymore. There's no point reading that, Lulu. It's impossible to look like them. You never cared before. What's brought that on?" He asked, eating his cereal.

"Nothing." I avoided, standing up. Two pairs of bright blue eyes watched me leave the room before looking at each other. Roger shrugged at Henry from across the table.

"I dunno either, Guac. Who knows?" He asked, continuing to eat.

I returned to the garage and distracted myself, cleaning out my BMW that was freshly back from repairs. All the scratches and dents were gone, the windscreen and headlights were replaced, and a fresh coat of midnight blue paint had been sprayed, returning it to its former glory. I sat in the passenger seat and finished cleaning the rear-vision mirror before I looked over at the driver's seat, contemplating.

I have to get back in. I have to drive it again.

I got out of the passenger seat and walked over to the other side of the car. As soon as I sat down, I felt sick. Even though the car wasn't moving, I could feel everything again. The fear, the shooting abdominal pain, the air getting caught in my throat: I could feel it all. I pushed the door open and fell onto the cement, landing on my hands and hip

"Lucy, are you okay?" Winifred yelled, rushing over to me. Her car was parked behind mine, and yet I hadn't noticed.

"I'm fine." I replied, slowly standing up. She closed the door on my car and wiped dust off my shoulders.

"Don't rush yourself into it, Lucy. From one Mrs Taylor to another, it never helps to rush into anything." She advised as Roger joined us.

"I'll go and see my beautiful grandson for a bit. If he's anything like his father, he will like attention." Winifred laughed, walking past Roger and tapping his cheek.

"You good?" He asked, leaning against my car. I walked past him and released the chain on the roller door, letting it fall shut. Roger walked over to the stereo and jammed in my Led Zeppelin tape. Since I've Been Loving You flowed through the room like liquid.

"I'm fine." Roger pulled my hand and hugged me, holding my body against his.

"You know, we never got to have sex last night." He whispered, kissing my cheek. From the reception to getting Henry settled, we were way too tired to do a bit of "aggressive cuddling". But who consummates the marriage in reality anyway? Not us. When you're a parent, sleep becomes so much more important than bringing an al dente noodle to the spaghetti house.

"I'm not wearing that uncomfortable underwear set." I joked, putting my fingers in the belt loops of his jeans.

"Don't worry. I like you better when you look like you."

He guided me back towards the workbench, pushing me up against the wood. I unbuttoned his shirt and hooked my arms under his shoulders, his lips tasting of sugar and milk.

Fricking frosted flakes.

"What about your mum?"

"The music's loud enough. I think she'll get it."

He lifted me up onto the bench and started to kiss my neck. His hands tangled themselves in my hair as I felt the fly of his jeans rub against my thigh. That noodle was definitely al dente.

I heard his belt buckle come undone and I grabbed his hands.

"I'm not ready yet." I breathed, lacing my fingers with his.

"You're right. We've got to get you more naked."

Roger lead me to the couch on the other side of the room and kissed me with less urgency. I peeled off his Flannel shirt and pulled the rolled up sleeves down his arms and off him gently. He returned the favour in the same manner, slowly lifting my dress up and over my head. His jeans clung to his hips for a moment before falling to the ground in a disturbingly loud pile, sending echoes through the room. He looked me up and down in my non-matching black undies and white bra. I looked down at my feet, feeling extremely self conscious. The stretch marks were still visible on my hips, my inner thighs, and my breasts. My thighs loved each other and wanted to be together - and they were getting their way. Roger lifted my head with his fingers.

"Absolutely perfect." He reassured, kissing my slowly. This kiss was different than the one before. This was slow, burning, hungry and passionate. I tilted my head to the left and let my hands slide up his arms and rest on his shoulder blades, feeling the downy hair on his skin. He drowned me in the smell of his deodorant and the taste of his minty mouth. Part of me felt as though we were reconnecting, as if the skin to skin contact was healing something, even thought there wasn't anything to heal. I guess it just felt nice.

We took a moment to breathe, to just rests our noses together. I felt completely exposed in the cold under the fluorescent lights.

"How do you feel now?" He asked breathlessly. I nodded slowly, keeping eye contact. I let my right hand fall back onto his chest, letting my fingers skim the contours of his collarbone and chest.

"I feel very naked. Like I'm stripped down to my liar bones." He kissed my neck and shoulder, putting a small amount of force on me in the direction of the leather couch. His breath and touch were hot, both leaving me craving more.

But doesn't everything good in life leave you craving more?

Roger laid me down gently on the leather couch, draping the polar fleece blanket that sat on the arm of the sofa over us. We remained in the same position for a moment, feeling each other breathe. He hovered over me, looking worried.

"What is it?" I asked, running my hands down his front.

"We haven't done full-on me on top sex since Henry was born. Are you sure?"

I wiggles myself down so my neck was resting on the arm beside his elbow. I nodded at him as he dived down and kissed my neck. His hands seemed to be everywhere at once and I had no idea where he ended and I began.

"Rog. Baby." I breathed, feeling him take me. He breathed into my shoulder in puffs and grunts, keeping his hands in fists under my back. I focussed my eyes on the baby skin on his shoulder as the final waves destroyed my composure. I dug my fingernails into the back of his neck and ribs as he bit down on my shoulder.

"Shit, Rog!" I yelled out as he laid down on me and relaxed himself.

"Bit quick to shoot, weren't ya?" I joked. I ran my fingers through his sweaty hair, feeling very in love. He giggled along sarcastically, kissing my collarbone.

By the time that night came, all special honeymoon-esque feelings were completely gone.

"Lucy, if you don't go the fuck to sleep I swear to god I will carry you out to the couch and leave you the fuck there." Roger grumbled through the darkness, rolling away from me.

"I'm as tired as you are, sailor mouth. I'm just more squirmy when I'm tired." I replied, fluffing my pillows and trying again. Nothing felt comfortable, no matter where I had my limbs.

"Right. Come 'ere." He said softly, rolling over again and opening his arms.

"Is this what it feels like to be married?" I asked, inching myself into his grip.

"I dunno, but I'm ready to find out."