pieces | ethma

They're Not Home

Emma

I leaned my head back against the pillow and closed my eyes as Ethan plunged deeper into me, my mouth falling agape as he hit the perfect spot.

"Damn, you feel so good around me, girl."

"Right there." I whimpered. "Ah. Keep going."

"Yeah, baby. That's it. You're so good under me."

"E-Ethan I'm almost there." I whispered.

"Go ahead, babe. Let it out."

I came with a shudder around Ethan as he continued to thrust in and out of me. Finally, a moment later he let out a groan as he sent me back over the edge along with him.

Then he pulled out and collapsed next to me on the bed.

"I love our kids, but damn I love when they're not home." I said, still catching my breath as Ethan giggled.

He moved so that he was hovering over me again, his lips pressing to my neck. "We have all night to be as loud and crazy as we want. In any room we want. In any way we want." He whispered the last part before licking my jaw.

So, I took him up on the offer. The kitchen counter, the couch, our bathroom counter. The study. The living room floor. The back porch. Ethan and I had one of the craziest nights of our lives since we had our youngest baby.

But once we were done, we cleaned up and got into some comfy clothes before sitting down with a bottle of wine on the couch.

Ethan checked his phone, because we had been a little (okay, a lot) preoccupied earlier.

"Look at this picture of Austin that Grayson sent me." He said. It was our baby boy with a huge smile on his face, Grayson's sunglasses barely resting on his little nose.

He was so cute. He had recently turned one, and I cried because he's our last baby. I'll never have another one year old after Austin. But four kids is enough for Ethan and I.

"He's the cutest baby boy ever." I said. Ethan smiled.

"Grayson said that Maeve and Milo have been trying to help take care of him today."

I laughed. "Of course. They really do act like their father, don't they?"

"Just like him. Man, I hope Austin ends up more like Grayson, and less like me."

"Why? You're amazing, E."

"I almost let you slip away. That's why."

"And when I got back, I met the most amazing little girl."

"Damn, I can't believe she's already gonna be eleven. Emma, what are we gonna do when she's old enough to go to college?"

"Cry. But she'll be okay. Tenley can handle herself."

"Let's convince her to go to Northwestern and commute."

I giggled. "Or University of Chicago."

"Right."

"Don't even get me started on Taytum and Reese. T's gonna be 5 in December, Reeseygirl 4 in June."

"Austin 2 in April."

I leaned my head on Ethan's shoulder. "They're all growing up so fast."

"Are you sure you don't want another one?"

I lifted my head to look at Ethan. "E, we already have four. Not to mention that three of them are under the age of four. Plus we'd have to move yet again."

"I'm just saying. But would it be a life-changer if you somehow got pregnant again?"

"Of course. It'd be a whole new baby in the family. Each one of our kids changed my life in a way. Tenley made me a mom when I adopted her, Taytum was my first real pregnancy, and the littlest baby. Reese was our 'how'd we get pregnant on the first try?' baby, and Austin was the only boy."

Ethan set our wine glasses on the coffee table before he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder. "You're right. Four kids is already a little crazy."

I giggled. "I love them and you more than anything. I wouldn't trade this family for the world.

Ethan kissed my shoulder. "I love you too, mamacita."

Again, I laughed. "I love our alone time, E, but I am gonna admit that I do miss the kids right now."

One thing I forgot to mention is that we call Taytum and Reese the twins because although they're a year apart, they look like twins. We always have to explain to people that they are a year and a half apart, but Ethan and I refer to them as the twins when it's just us.

"You think the twins are wreaking havoc at my parents' house?" He asked.

"I hope not. If they are, I hope Tenley's helping."

"I guess it is pretty late. They're probably sleeping." Ethan said.

I glanced at the clock, and it was eleven. "Right." I said. "We should probably go to bed. We gotta pick up the kids early tomorrow. At least Austin. Grayson and Alex have something going on tomorrow."

"Okay." Ethan said, giving me a long kiss before standing up and reaching for my hand. "Let's go."

-

We woke up in the morning and showered before Ethan went downstairs to put our empty wine glasses from last night into the dishwasher.

Then we got dressed and ready to go pick up all of the kids. First we picked Austin up, and then we went over to Ethan's mom and dad's to get the girls.

"Mama!" Reese said, running up to me when we walked into the house. I picked her up and have her a hug.

"Hi, Reesey girl. I missed you."

Next, Taytum was hugging my leg, so I kneeled down to greet her, setting Reese down before I gave Taytum a hug. "Hi, baby Tay."

"Mommy, I'm not a baby. Austin is a baby."

"You're still one of my babies, missy." I said, kissing her on the cheek. "Were you good?"

"Yeah. I was good. We watched movies with Grandma and Grandpa."

"Good. That's fun. Hi, Tenleygirl." I said, standing up and giving my oldest a hug as the younger two flooded over to their father. "Now, were Taytum and Reese actually good?" I asked. Tenley would tell me the real inside scoop.

"Actually, yes. A pleasant surprise."

I laughed. "Thanks, Lee."

"Okay, girls. Let's go. Brother's waiting in the car."

Taytum and Reese ran to the door, shouting their goodbyes to Lisa and Sean as Tenley quietly waved, and Ethan and I thanked them for watching our girls before we got them into the car, and went home.

Ethan made lunch as out three youngest kids ran around the back yard, our oldest trying to keep up with them, and me watching through the kitchen window.

I felt his arms wrap around me before he pressed a kiss to my cheek. "We're doing good." He said, lifting his head to watch our children playing together in the backyard.

"We really are." I said, leaning my head back against his chest.