Page 23 of Big Island Neighbors
What if life looked like this all the time?she wondered as Tenn filled two mason jars with milk.So full that it left no room to worry about what was happening up in Alaska.
Between the endless demands of parenthood and the warmth of Tenn’s attention, she felt wholly present for the first time in ages, fully here in her body and in the moment.
And it felt good.
Tenn added a lid and straw to each of the cups. Having both hands full didn’t stop him from kissing her in passing, another kiss that wiped her mind entirely blank.
She followed him into the living room.
He set the two jars of milk on the coffee table and asked, “Are you ready for a movie?”
“Almost,” Olivia said. “Would you tie this for me?”
“Sure.” He deftly tied off the bracelet she had made and then slipped it onto his wrist when she declared that it was for him.
“Can we make a fort?”
“That is an excellent idea.”
For the next few minutes they hauled chairs in from the kitchen, tore apart the couch, carried in sheets from the linen closet, and just made a general mess of the living room until the girls were fully satisfied with the fortress of pillows and blankets that they had collected.
They settled into their cozy cave, and Tenn started the movie.
Then he sat on the only remaining couch cushion and motioned for Lani to squeeze in beside him. She sat down with her leg pressed against his and her head resting against the inner curve of his shoulder, utterly content to put her feet up and relax into the warmth of him.
She couldn’t even see the movie past the blanket fort… but with Tenn’s hand tracing a line of fire up and down her arm, she couldn’t care less about what was on the screen.
Next thing she knew, the move was over… and there was utter silence from the blanket fort.
“I think they’re asleep,” she whispered. She felt him nod his head, his breath warm on her cheek.
“No sense in waking them.”
“Agreed.”
“Stay the night with me.”
She turned just enough to look at him, to accept the kiss that he planted on her lips. “Okay.”
They peeled themselves up off of the couch and tiptoed around the blanket fort to check on the girls. Rory was curled up under a cozy blanket, and Olivia was sprawled out across the pillows. Both were deep asleep.
Tenn paused to spread a blanket over his daughter. Then he turned to Lani, took her hand, and led her through to the kitchen.
“Do youwantto stay the night?”
She was quiet for a moment, weighing the question.
She knew what shewanted. But she still wasn’t sure of her answer.
“You could sleep in Livie’s bed,” he offered.
She lifted up on tiptoe and kissed him. “I don’t want to sleep in her bed.”
A smile softened his face. Gently he teased, “Do you want me to sleep on the couch?”
Holding his gaze, she looped her arms over his shoulders and shook her head.
“Tell me what you want,” he said against her lips.
