Fix My Feet When They're Stumblin'

Chapter 67

    The sound of soft footsteps on hardwood floor woke Brandon, and he blinked blearily in the dim light, trying to determine his location. He was lying on his back on a couch, his knees bent awkwardly to force his frame to fit within the confines of the cushions.

    Long strands of golden hair lay across his chest, and he moved his head slightly, just able to make out his wife's petite nose through the mess of tangled hair over her face. Her head rested squarely on his chest, one arm wrapped firmly around him. She had squeezed herself onto the cramped couch alongside him, wedged between his body and the back of the couch in a way that seemed distinctly uncomfortable.

    Why are we...here? We're not supposed to sleep here. A quiet rapping of knuckles on wood interrupted his musings, and he looked up to find another slight blonde woman standing in the hall archway, her hair glowing in the light of a lamp behind her.

    "Anyone awake in here?" she whispered while she tiptoed across the large woven rug, squinting in the darkness.

    "Hi, Liv."

    Olivia lit up, a bright smile blooming across her face as she drew closer. "Oh, Brandon! Lovely to see you this morning! Ron and I made everyone breakfast - we've already eaten and so have the kids, but you and Tana looked so peaceful that we all voted not to wake you up too early."

    Brandon snorted weakly, and Olivia grinned and shrugged sheepishly. "Just telling the truth, honey. Anyway, we're keeping everything warm for you both in the kitchen if you're hungry...once she releases you," she winked, smiling at Tana's arm locked securely around his chest.

    "Thanks," he said quietly. He felt his wife's arm tighten around him as he spoke and watched her eyes flutter open drowsily. She pushed her hair from her face and lifted her head, looking between his face and Olivia.

    "Morning!" Olivia chirped, a hint of mirth bubbling in her voice. "Tan, I was just telling Brandon we made you guys breakfast. It's waiting for you in the kitchen, if you want."

    Tana stared blankly at her, then let her head fall back to his chest with a grunt. "...'Kay. Thanks, Liv."

    Olivia only giggled, then turned on her heel and padded down the hall and out of sight. Tana closed her eyes briefly, then opened them and smiled at Brandon.

    "G'morning, baby."

    "Morning," he said softly. "Tana, w-why are we...here?"

    She blinked at him for a moment, apparently pondering something. "We all played Monopoly last night, and you wanted to sleep here when you got tired. I wasn't gonna leave you out here all alone, so..."

    She trailed off, fiddling absently with the collar of his t-shirt. "So we're here."

    "Oh." He closed his eyes. "I don't...d-don't remember."

    "Oh, that's alright, baby," she whispered, struggling to sit up. "That's okay. Ronnie won, if you wanna know. I'm sure he'll be bragging about it all day."

    "That's...good." He felt her fingers run through his hair, then she kissed his cheek softly.

    "I love you, you know. Let's go get some food, honey."

    Brandon swung his legs over the side of the loveseat and sat for a few seconds while Tana stood and stretched lazily beside him. Gripping the armrest, he pulled himself to his feet.

    Smiling back at him, Tana started slowly toward the archway that led to the rest of the house, taking tiny little steps. Brandon stared down at his own feet, concentrating hard, and followed his wife through the halls. He barely noticed where they were headed, and stopped in surprise when she did, looking up.