I wake up when something tickles my toes, and the first thing I hear are giggles, and I recognize them.
I look at my feet and at Jesy and Brittany laughing next to them. "What are you doing?" My voice is raspy and I feel a lump in my throat. I fell asleep when I got home from work because I was exhausted.
They keep laughing, and I rub my eyes. I feel tired still, but I can see and realize my toenails are painted pink. I never paint my nails. I smile lovingly at them and chuckle. They're always trying to dress me up.
Brittany stops laughing first, and scoots, sitting on the floor next to my head on the couch. She pecks my forehead and rubs her cheek against it. "Hi, baby."
I exhale and listen to Jesy's giggles. Then close my eyes again.
"We didn't get to do your makeup." Jesy says.
Brittany hums and slides her hand over my chest. "Jesy, baby, get in the bathroom, I'll come in a few minutes and prepare the tub, alright?"
"Okay." She responds, and I hear her rapid footsteps over the hallway and an unintentionally slammed door.
Britt nuzzles her nose on my face and kisses me over and over again.
I smile. It just feels good.
"Sorry, I wasn't here. The kids had a parent meeting at school and I had to go. Why didn't you crash on the bed?" She mumbles softly.
I hiss. I forgot. "Shit, the meeting."
She kisses my face again. "Don't feel bad, I didn't even tell you about it. I know how hard it is for you to find someone to replace you. It was the same stuff again, anyway."
"If I don't go, they will think you're a single mom. And you're definitely not."
She laughs and it makes me smile. Her hand massages my chest over my shirt. "Are you tired?"
I nod.
"I missed you last night. Jesy was asleep and Ross and Carson were watching some scary movie so I had to sleep on my own."
I groan. "I'm so sorry, baby."
I open my eyes and she crawls on the couch, collapsing sweetly over me. She hides her face on my neck and I put my arms around her torso to keep her where she is.
"I love you so much." She whispers.
I rub her back and breathe her delicious aroma. "I love you too."
And just when it feels like we're falling asleep, I hear someone approaching and open my eyes to see Ross.
"Hi, mama." He says, combing his big brown curls with his hand.
He's my handsome young boy. The first kid I had with Britt. He was tough to tame, but now he's fifteen and has his own issues, so we just let him be.
"Hey."
Brittany groans and gets up from me, kisses Ross' cheek and walks to the kitchen.
He sits on the chair next to the couch. "How was last night?"
I shake my head. "Exhausting. Did you help your mom?"
"I cooked dinner."
"You should've told Carson to stay with her, you know she hates sleeping alone."
