Page 30 of Anchor

He grins wide, a grin that’s so much like mine, and states, “I always kick your butt, old man.” I laugh, knowing he has no idea I let him win every time, something my beautiful wife has discouraged me from doing, not wanting our son to grow a big head.

Too late….

Chuckling at how quickly he fell asleep, I shut my son’s bedroom door after wishing him a good night, and head down the hallway to see my wife.

I know we can’t have sex, something the therapist also agreed about, but I’m not leaving tonight. I want to hold her in my arms, but I know I have a fight to get into that bed with her.

I walk into the living area but frown when I don’t see her, so I head to the kitchen, but again, there is no sign, and I start to panic until I see her silhouette in the yard, sitting on the deck steps. I sigh with relief.

Grabbing a beer out of her fridge, I frown at how empty it is before I turn and walk outside.

“Why don’t you have food in the fridge, Angel?” I ask as I close the door and take a seat beside her.

“I haven’t had the chance to do a big trip. I was supposed to today, but obviously, you know what happened,” she replies, not looking at me, focusing on the lit-up night sky.

I sigh. “I’m sorry, Heaven. I don’t know how many more times I can say it, but I will continue until you believe it.”

She nods before looking my way, her tears breaking my heart as she asks, “How am I supposed to look after two children, Travis, when I don’t trust you anymore? Bringing up one was hard enough, especially with the constant calls from your mother telling me to grow up.”

Fucking Mom….

I flinch at her words but reply, “By learning to build that trust for me again, to lean on me. But Heaven….” My words trail off when I realize what she just asked, and my eyes widen in shock. I stutter, “Are you, I mean, you’re….”

She nods slowly. “I’m pregnant. According to the test I took when we got back from the game, I'm roughly eight weeks.”

My mouth parts in shock, and I confirm, “But you had a period.”

She nods again. “A light one, yes, which is something that can happen during the first trimester, so thanks, Travis. I’ve just applied for several jobs, and you’ve purposely knocked me up. As usual, it’s always about what you want, not me. Your mom called me the selfish one for keeping our family divided, yet the only selfish one I see right now is you.”

I wince at her words. I know she’s right, but I also know she wants me. She just has to open her eyes and her heart to realize this.

“Angel, please. I know I fucked up, but I miss my wife, and if you’d just lean on me a little and put everything on me this time, you’ll have your career. You gave up so much when we had Micha, now it’s my turn, and I know I can earn your trust back, even if I have to get Piston to set up the camera feed on your phone so you can watch what I do, I’ll fucking do it.” I grip her chin and force her to look my way, and I say, “All I’m asking for is a chance. We’re doing therapy, you’re allowing me here for dinner in the evenings but, selfishly, I need more, I want more, but only with you.”

She sniffles. “We’re not having sex, Travis. You’ve already knocked me up.”

I smile and say, "But you can let me hold you at night. You can allow me pillow talk, to get to know my strong wife again, and fall even more in love with her.”

Her eyes race between mine before she says, “I don’t want anyone knowing about the baby, especially our moms.”

I nod, knowing this has to be kept hush-hush, and gently lean forward, pressing my lips against hers. I promise, “It will be kept between us, I promise, but I’m still sleeping in our bed.”

She snorts, and I kiss her hard.

I won’t lose this girl, or our children….

I deepen the kiss before I peck her one, two, three more times, then stand up. I pick her up bridal style, making her gasp.

I whisper, “In order for your trust to rebuild, you need to let me in, Angel. Can you do that?”

She wraps her arms around my neck, her beautiful eyes racing between mine, and she answers, “I can try.”

And I smile, knowing it’s better than nothing, and a little hope builds….

12

Heaven – One Week Later

“Heaven, I know you hate floor work, but we’re short-staffed; Honey called in sick again; I need you to cover,” Timmy says with a little bit of hesitation from the other side of the bar, and I look up to scowl at the man. I wince at how rowdy the crowd is today. Starlight is on stage, currently removing her bra, and the men are going insane; several are slapping the other floor staffs’ asses.

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