Page 237 of The Bonus

The urgency is real. Undressing Grace is my favorite thing in the world. I take the stairs two at a time and walk in to find the kids hugging Grace good night, and I smile as I watch them from the door.

She’s such a good mom. They absolutely adore her.

Sadness falls over me. How has she done this alone for so long?

I have so much to make up to her…and them.

“Into bed.” Grace smiles.

They both go to their rooms. I tuck in Lucia first. “You happy to have Mom home?” I ask.

“Yeah.” She puts her little arms up and hugs me. I hold her in my arms for a moment. “You’re such a good girl.” She lies down all happy with herself, and I pull the blanket up over her and kiss her forehead. “Good night, angel.”

“Good night, Daddy.”

Daddy.

I walk into Dominic’s room and he’s already in bed. I sit on the edge and pull the blankets up over him. “You happy Mom’s home?”

He nods. “Thanks for taking care of us,” he mumbles.

My heart.

“I’ll always take care of you.”

He gives me a stifled smile, and I bend down and kiss his forehead. “Good night, Son.”

“Good night, Dad.”

This could be the very best day of my life.

I turn the light off and walk up to Grace’s bedroom, “Where’s your nightgown, babe?”

“It’s in the top drawer.”

I look through the drawer. “I’m not going to come face-to-face with that dildo in here, am I?”

She smiles sleepily. “He’s gone into hiding after the last time he met you.”

“So he should.” I grab the nightdress and sit down beside her. “And when I say come face-to-face. I mean…you…come on my face.”

“Stop.” She smirks. “I am in no mood for your sexual inuendo.”

“I know, I know.” I take her shirt off over her head. “Just making sure you’re listening.”

I go to unfasten her bra. “Just put my nightie on first, thanks.”

“I’ve seen your boobs before.”

“This is…different.”

I roll my eyes and pull her nightie over her head and then reach around and undo her bra underneath it.

“How can you undo a bra from underneath clothes around the back of me?”

“I don’t know, it’s a fluke, I’ve never done it before in my life.” I pull the blankets back and slide her pants down.

Don’t look.

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