Tell Me You Love Me [COMPLETED]

Chapter 32: Still In Denial

Aesha POV

*DING*DONG*

As fast, but as carefully, as I can, I make my way down the stairs and glance at my watch.

4:30 PM

I unlock and swing the two large front doors open and I'm instantly engulfed in the arms of Galina, Joelle, Jonathan, and Junior, the two twins hugging my legs tightly.

"Oh my God! I missed you guys so much!" I say excitedly into the loving group hug.
"I missed hugging you like this!" Joelle says and I laugh and kiss her cheek.
"You look so much better out of that hospital bed." Galina jokes breaking the hug.
"Hell, I feel better outta there."
"ShaSha! ShaSha!" I look down to see the twins pulling at my caftan and smiling brightly up at me.

My God, I love these kids so damn much.

"Pick me up!"
"No! Pick me up!" They argue but Galina picks Junior up.
"Now now, I told you guys that ShaSha's not better yet and that we need to take it easy on her, right?"
"It's okay Lina, really. I'll hold one of you at a time, how 'bout that? So, since you have Junior, Jonathan, would you like me to hold you first?"
"Yeah! Yeah! Up pwease!"

Anytime one of them wanted me to pick him up, he'd come to me and say "Up, ShaSha, up!" I've even made it a point to hold them simultaneously. It's safe to say that Joe's kids have stolen my heart.

"Up ya go, baby! Ah, is that better?" I say situating him on my hip and brushing his hair out his face.
"Very better." He says and kisses my cheek a few times and I giggle at him as I let them all in.
"Come in, come in, Joe made some lasagna last night."
"With his stolen lasagna recipe?" Galina asks shutting the doors behind us.
"It's not stealing if he gave it back."
"Suuure."

After some light conversation with the kids about school and what they did while I was in the hospital, Lina and I have gotten them situated at the dining table while we're in the kitchen serving out lasagna for them.

"Y'know, I didn't even notice how much he made until just now; this has fed me, him, my sisters and parents, and now you and the kids. Damn, boy can throw down, huh?" I say cutting out a sizable piece for Jojo and placing it on her plate.
"He really can, just wait until the Fourth of July rolls around; girl, you gon' be ready to put a ring on him."
"Ugh, again with this ring talk. He and I aren't even together and people already talkin' 'bout us gettin' married, like, can I breathe for a second first? Eight years with someone isn't something you can just 'bounce back' from. Damn."

I put the plate of food in the microwave, slam the door, and begin to warm it.

"Um, I was only joking, sorry if that upsets you." Galina says leaning back into the island. I look at her, see the concerned look on her face, and sigh.
"I'm sorry, G. I'm just so on edge. How 'bout we talk later? Let the kids eat, take 'em out back and let 'em run around while we chill in the jacuzzi."
"Throw in some mimosas and you've got yourself a date."
"Deal."
"It's a date."

I laugh and we shake on it before getting back to warming the food for the children and serving it them, sitting down at the table to spend time talking to them while they and Galina eat.

*~*~*~*

"I tell you what, ain't nothin' better than a drink in a jacuzzi. Mmm."

Having gotten the kids fed and happy, Galina and I are chilling in Joe's jacuzzi watching the kids play in the large backyard. I let out a relaxed sigh and sink more into the bubbly warm water as Galina sips on her mimosa. I love to drink but my body is still too tired to handle any alcohol at the moment so I settle for just a cold glass of orange juice.