Honey And Sugar

Chapter 3 "Love"

Waking up to the sound to a baby's laughter is wonderful...unless you don't have a baby. But, thankfully, I do.

I woke to the smell of food cooking and sat up slowly, taking everything in. The living room was empty except for me and my phone was placed on the table in front of me. I picked it up and squinted at the bright light before my eyes eventually adjusted.

It was just after four in the afternoon. I stretched slowly and stood up, padding softly to the kitchen. Merissa would be getting home from school any minute now.

I leaned against doorway and watched as Cameron taste tested whatever he was cooking in the pot. My eyes traveled over to Sheba's high chair as Sheba babbled and smeared mashed peas on her face. My lips tilted upwards at the sight. "I could have did all that, you know. You could've waken me up."

Cameron jumped a bit and turned to face me as he registered what I said. "You were tired and I don't mind taking care of Sheba. She's a good kid."

I smiled and walked over to Sheba. She immediately grinned and raised her hands so I could pick her up. I wiped her face with her bib and heeded her request. "Thank you for feeding her."

"Like I said, it's no problem. Here, come taste this."  He held out a spoon and I walked over to him. Sheba tried reaching for it first but I moved her hand out of the way and grabbed it.

I hummed at the taste and washed the spoon off in the sink. "Add some more pepper and maybe some basil?"

He grinned. "Thanks."

Before I could answer, my phone started ringing. I grabbed it off of the table and smiled at the sight of the caller ID. "Hey, sweetie. What's up?"

"You sound better than you did this morning." Justin commented, effectively avoiding the question.

"Yeah, yeah. I got some good sleep in for a few hours. What's going on?"

Justin laughed dryly. "Why can't I just take a second to check on my wonderful girlfriend?"

"Cause you don't take a break to do anything when you're at work." I replied just as dryly.

"Touché."

"What's wrong, baby?" I asked, leaning against the wall and shifting Sheba in my arms.

"I- I got laid off, Destiny. I'm so sorry."

A soft frown placed itself on my features. "What, really?"

There was a deep sigh on the other end and a rustle. "Yeah, told me right before I started my second shift."

"Just come home, alright? We'll talk when you get here." I said trying to soothe him through the phone.

"Yeah, okay. See you there. I love you."

"I love you, too." I smiled softly.

Shortly after saying our goodbyes, the call ended and I sighed loudly.

Cameron, who was acting like he wasn't listening the entire time, looked up. "Trouble in paradise?"

"Don't worry about it." I shrugged the question off and moved out of the kitchen to go sit on the couch.

Sheba was fitting a piece of my shirt in her mouth and trying to chew on it. Merissa came barreling through the door with as much energy as she could muster and headed to the kitchen without giving me a passing glance.

"It's nice to see you, too!" I shouted sarcastically.

No response came and I rolled my eyes. That girl was a handful. Merissa came out of the kitchen with a proud smile and a bowl of steaming beef stew.

I raised an eyebrow and she shrugged. "He promised to feed me and he came through."

I narrowed my eyes. "Did you say, "thank you?""

She paused, spoon halfway to her mouth before she laughed nervously. "Thank you, Cammie!"

"No problem, short stack!" He yelled back and Merissa huffed at the name but said nothing.

"Destiny, when do you think I can get a phone? All my friends have one and-" She started and I cut her off.

"Can you do your chores without me telling you to?"

"No..."

"Have you been turning in your homework on time?"

"...no."

"Did you greet me when you walked in the house?"

"That's not fai-"

"Did you?"

"N-no, but-"

"Then no, you cannot have a phone. Until you can show me you're responsible and capable of taking care of things that are yours, maybe I'll think about getting you one."

Her lips stretched into a grin and I held my hand up. "But...!"

Her face fell.

"You've got to really work for it."

Her face lit up again and she pulled me into an enthusiastic hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank yo-"

"Alright, alright. Calm down," I said, laughing. "Finish eating and then go do your homework."

"Yes, ma'am!"

I shook my head and watched as Cameron came out of the kitchen, raising an eyebrow at her. "Is this normal?"

"Regularly." I shrugged.

The door opened and Justin walked in, looking worse for wear. I got up and meet him halfway. "Hey..."

He kissed my cheek and took Sheba from me, smiling tenderly. "It's good to be home."

"I bet. Come on and get comfortable." I said, walking back into the living room.

He kicked off his shoes and shrugged off his jacket. He sat down next to me with a sigh and I laid my head on his shoulder. "We'll work something out."

He kissed my forehead and we watched Sheba tug on his shirt. "I know. We always do."

I caught him up on what happened today and Justin was ecstatic to know that Chris and Orlan were finally getting married, indifferent towards me agreeing to give Merissa a phone, and was pouting about Cameron cooking dinner.

"You hungry?" I teased.

He huffed. "No."

"Yes, you are. I'll eat it with you, how about that?" I offered.

He looked up, grinning. "Feed me?"

I groaned playfully. "You big baby."

I knew I would do it, anyway.