VIRIDITY • jb

thirty two.

          I slept like a baby that night.

          After fetching some blankets for extra warmth for my Liv, I asked her again to make sure if she wants to take my Mom's room instead. She said no just because we wouldn't be beside together if she did. Silly girl.

          Instead of me holding her, it was the other way around. We laid down on our sides, facing each other but her chin on the top of my head. Her legs are wrapped around my torso, her arms around my neck. Me on the other hand just had my arms around her waist still, my face nuzzled in her neck.

          The last thing she told me that night is she's obsessed with the mixture of the hardness of my body and the softness of the carpet we're on. I just kissed the side of her neck in reply and dozed off.

          It was the best-est sleep I've ever had in my life. I felt like a damn baby in her arms and I slept so deep that I almost don't want to wake up. Maybe Mom would freak a little when she sees us like this in the morning, but she knows that I'm not a boy anymore and keep her cool.

          I woke up from the dampness of my cheeks and some nudges on my nape. It was continuously taking place, making me fall even deeper in my sleep but the wetness doubled and the nudges became harder.

          “Tams, Pams, good morning,” my other hand reached for their heads to pet them. I felt them join to cuddle with Liv and I, making me laugh. “Merry Christmas guys. You'll get your presents later.”

          I opened an eye to check if Mom's around, staring at us. Before I saw her in the kitchen, mixing her tea for the Christmas morning, I knew it was still not after seven considering the sunlight wasn't that bright yet. There are still no noises coming from my children nor Wendy.

          Mom was eyeing us with her face supported on her wrist, her elbow on the countertop as she stirs her drink. I waved my hand at her and she grinned, pointing at the clock. I squinted my eyes and saw it was nine minutes before seven and the kids' alarm clock would be beeping to make them come downstairs in less than a minute.

          My fingers gestured and 'okay' sign and pulled my face away from my woman's neck, missing her scent already. “Baby? It's time to wake up.”

          I kissed her chin resulting her to smile and open her eyes to kiss my forehead. “I feel like someone's watching us.”

          Mom stifled a laugh, hearing what Liv had said. “Mom is.”

          Liv jumped on a sitting position, travelling her eyes around to find Mom. Mom waves a hand off with the same smile on her face, but before she coukd say anything, Liv apologizes with panic. “I'm so sorry you had to see that Pattie, I am not careful with my actions—”

          “Baby...” I laughed along with my Mom as she continued to babble reflections and apologies. She's irresistibly cute.

          “Enough of that, it's more than okay, sweetheart! I'm happy to see you guys make up. I should be sorry for watching you guys.”

          Liv glares at me and sent another apologetic glance at Mom, excusing herself to head to the bathroom. Mom and I stared at each other as she walks to the bathroom until the door shut.

          “Mom, I think I made her mad again.”

          Giggling, Mom shook her head. “Your present should be making it up to her for what you did exactly to make her mad. Tell her it's really fine for me to find you guys cuddling!”

          Sia and Bea's alarm clock finally beeped and I heard little voices from the hall upstairs while I sat on Indian style. Their arms are soon draped around me as they plant small kisses onto my face. “Mewwy Chwistmas Daddy!”