New Beginning

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

"Chrissssss," I yelled through gritted teeth.

"Just give me 5 more Ry come on," he shouted. I breathed in tightly as I squatted down once again. He had me doing the landmine squats and I just felt like I was going to collapse any moment. When I came to the gym today I was another emotional wreck. I told Chris everything in tears feeling so defeated. He gave me a pep talk then we started with my workout for the day. He's been pushing me, because he says sometimes one of the best ways to release stress, anger, and tension is through exercise. Although, I felt like I was going to die I also felt empowered. I felt great as I let my frustrations out on the exercise equipment and the various exercises I've been doing. Hate to admit it, but I think he was right. I wasn't worried about last night. I think this is one of the main reasons I like him. He doesn't let me stay in my toxicity, in fact since I've met him he's been the one pulling me out of it.

"Alright baby that's it," he cheered. A big grin grew on my face as he came embraced me in a hug. I pushed him off quickly.

"Eww, I don't want you touching me all sweaty and stuff," I frowned. He smacked his lips before pulling me back into his arms.

"Girl I don't care about all that. I'm just proud of you. You overcame depression, self pity, and negativity today. You deserve a hug."

"Thank you so much, you don't how much I needed that," I admitted when we finally let each other go. He handed me a towel and my water bottle before we began walking. It was a little after 1:00 and I honestly wasn't ready to leave him just yet.

"You know I got you. Aye, I won't have any appointments for the rest of the day. You trying to get a smoothie before it's time for us to pick up our kids," he asked. Excitement shot through my body because he read my mind.

"Let's do it love."

We decided on driving our own vehicles because we most likely wouldn't have any time to return to the gym and pick up the children from school on time. To show my appreciation I bought both of our smoothies, afterwards we went outside to enjoy them on the deck. The weather was really nice today so it was only right.

"Thanks again for treating your boy today," he smiled placing a kiss on the side of my temple.

"It's no big deal Chris," I blushed as he looked at me.

"It is to me. So anyways, besides the fuck boy you're dealing with what's been going on since we last spoke?"

"My life isn't that exciting, nothing has happened in 24 hours," I chuckled. "I've been shopping around online trying to figure out what I'm getting Naomi for her birthday. She's turning 26 so I'm really trying to do it big for my sis. You know the vibes."

"Oh shiiit, when is my future sister in law's birthday?" He rubbed his hands together while making this funny face. I rolled my eyes at his crazy butt before speaking again.

"You a fool boy I swear and it's February 9th so I don't have much time as you can see."

"I believe in you, I know you'll make something shake fasho. What's the plans?" We both placed our straws in each others smoothies  just to see if it was better than our own choices. It's an understood routine for us at this point.

"Ooh, I love yours," I told him. He quickly snatched his cup so I couldn't sip anymore. I stuck my tongue out at him. "Anyways, asshole, before we even met you and August we've been planning on a little girl's trip to Miami for the week since last year. Nothing too major," I shrugged.

"Miamiiii," Chris asked with an eyebrow raise. "Hell yeah we doing this shit. It's about to be a movie on Jesus Chroist," he yelled mimicking the Mexican street preacher that went viral months ago. I laughed so hard because that video has always been so funny to me. You just gotta stan a meme cultured King.

"Slow your roll my nigga, how you think you're going to go?"

"Uhh is your husband coming?"

"Nah, Naomi hates his ass," I admitted taking a sip from my straw. Chris moved some hair out of my face that's been bothering me for a while I just been ignoring it. It's the little things I swear.

"Say less, I'm in there. Call sis tonight and tell her to set it up. August and I will take care of everything."

"Damn so you ready, ready," I asked impressed.

"You fucking right! That's a whole week I'ma have with you to myself. I'm ecstatic to be real with you."

"What will I tell Danny though?"

"What you were going to tell him before you even knew me. You and Naomi will be spending a week in Miami together for her birthday," he shrugged like it was no big deal.

"So you want me to lie??" My eyebrows raised slightly as I thought about the possibility. His face fell slightly at my comment, but he masked it very quickly.

"I mean you don't have to Raya, I don't want to make you uncomfortable about this. At the end of the day you're married and this is definitely something I won't pressure you into. I just thought it would be nice."

I picked up his head making him look at me. "Nah there's no pressure Chris I'm with it. Like you said it's about to be a movie."
His beautiful smile returned back to his face as he embraced me in a hug. I could tell he was excited to spend some time with me and honestly I just couldn't disappoint him. It feels so good to have someone that gives you the same energy you give them. If I ever have any regrets later down the line I'll let that guilt hit me when the time comes. As of right now, all I'm worried about is how excited I'm about to be for the next month. We could only spend a few more minutes with one another until it was time to depart. I was bummed for sure, but I know our time together will be coming soon and I can live with that.
****

The twins ran at full speed for the car as usual and I just laughed at my angels. As on cue, they started shouting at one time trying to tell me how their day was. I stayed engaged as we drove through traffic. They bickered and shouted the entire time I swear, but things like this was the highlight of my days. When we arrived home I saw that Danny's car was along the driveway I rolled my eyes preparing to unlock the door. The twins were happy to see him as they searched through the house to talk his ear off as well. I put my smoothie in the freezer because it melted quickly since today was strangely very warm for a winter day. I went upstairs to get ready for a shower, unfortunately before I could get in there Danny had already made his grand entrance looking at me with a piercing stare.

"When are you going shopping for your parents dinner. It's a day from now you know," he was the first to speak. He took off his Nike's and placed them in the closet before grabbing his slides. I only shrugged placing my hair in a top bun.

"I guess I'm going to have to go today. "

"Cool, you can use my platinum card. Buy whatever you like," he placed the credit card on the dresser . I nodded before grabbing some sweats and a crop top. And just like that the tension dropped by 70%, but we were used to this. When things get this bad between us, we don't apologize we just move on and act like nothing happened although deep down we never forget it. We just bury it until we decide it needs to resurface again. By tonight we'll probably have some amazing make up sex and I'll be delusional once more. A toxic cycle we've grown accustom to . Will it ever change? Time will tell.

I hope these chapters are long enough 😩