The Years Disappeared

Hold Me

"Sitting at this desk all day can't be helping your back Linds," I fretted, smoothing his tense shoulders.
"Hmmm it's not," he complained, straightening up and leaning his head on my shoulder.
"Go take a shower and I'll give you a rub afterwards."
"Uh...When you say rub...?"
"Linds!" I pinched his cheek, running out to take the children to bed.

***

"Feeling better?" I asked as he came out into the bedroom in his towel.
"A little."
"Come lie on the bed," he obliged, yawning. "No, face down you idiot."
He rolled over as I stepped out of my slippers, straddling his back and using my weight to apply pressure at certain points, reliving the tension in his spine, enjoying his appreciative moans.
"Good?"
"Hell yeh."
He continued to thank me as I began to rub oil into his smooth, tan flesh in circular motions.
"You can stop now baby, I feel much better," he said turning round underneath me.
"I wanted to talk to you about something actually," I announced, stepping off him as we both sat up against the pillows.
"Oh, uh, what?"
"I heard you and Don this morning." He rubbed his temples, releasing a long breath.
"Stevie...He's talking shit...He just wants to pretend he cares so he doesn't get tied upon the case too much."
"Really?"
"Yes, & as we already discussed, I'm done with this job, I can't wait to leave this goddamn city, we need to go home."
"Ok, I just...You know I worry." He placed his arms around me.
"You are my priority, don't even question that," I nodded.
"Where do you think you are going mister?" I asked as I felt his hands move to the sides of my breasts,
"They were calling out for me Steph, I couldn't leave them lonely," he passionately argued, bring his palms to take them both.
"Maybe you should kiss them better?" He sniggered, delving to remove the straps of my nightgown, making me moan as he did everything I'd asked for and more.

***

"Mommy? Mommy?" I heard as I bolted awake, covering my exposed body with my hands.
"Joe, what's upset you?" I hurriedly noticed my son in the door, wrapping the gown Lindsey passed me around my chest and legs.
"I dreamed about the nasty men again! They took you away!"
"Oh honey no one will take us away from you, I swear."
"I'm a big boy, I'll go back to sleep in my bedroom. I was scared it might be real so I came to see you." I could see his eyes were a little puffy and red.
"Oh baby we're proud of you, want me to read you a story?"
"Please mommy?"

***

Becoming curious at Stevie's whereabouts and Joe's wellbeing as the clock's hands surpassed midnight, I went to peer into his bedroom; finding Stevie spaced out with her lower body hanging off the end of his car-shaped bed, one dainty hand propping up her cheek, the other covering her stomach as our son slept at her side.
Knowing this position would leave her aching the next day, I attempted to scoop her into my arms as I balanced on one crutch. She stirred a little once I'd got her secure, nuzzling into my neck as we progressed down the corridor, nudging open our door with my knee.