Page 78 of Where We Found Our Home
She crosses her arms over her chest but smiles. “You’re lucky you’re in a weakened state right now or else I would put you over my knee for that. I suppose you’re forgiven.”
I laugh, but it fades into a cough. Mom gives me another few sips of water. “Thank you. I really thought I knew what was best. But honestly, I don’t know shit.”
“Finally, she gets it.”
“Ha ha. Seriously. I did this all wrong. I was trying to save everyone, but I was only making it worse. And it was all for nothing because he was so unhinged he was never gonna give up anyway. I regret pushing everyone away. I’m so sorry, Mom. I really hope you can forgive me. I hope everyone can. I hope Lincoln still loves me.”
“Girl, do you honestly think that boy doesn’t love you?”
Then where is he?
“Where is he?”
“He just went down to the cafeteria to grab me some food. He’ll be mad when he comes up and sees he wasn’t here when you woke up.”
He still loves me. I didn’t push him too far. I didn’t ruin us. Thank fuck.
“I guess I could pretend to still be sleeping but…I won’t.” We share a laugh, but the moment sobers when Mom speaks again.
“There is nothing to forgive, Ciara. Everyone knows your heart is too big and your mind is too stubborn to listen to reason. We all love you. I am so proud of you for fighting through this.”
Lincoln enters the room, and his eyes immediately lock on me.
“Angel.”
That name settles deep into the marrow of my bones. It feels so good to hear him call me that again. “Hi.”
Mom grabs the food from Lincoln and steps out to give us a minute of privacy. Lincoln never takes his eyes off of me as he crosses the room and kisses my forehead.
“There are those eyes I love so much.”
I clear my throat and gather strength for what I’m about to say. “I want to make something clear.” He eyes me curiously. “I was an asshole. I didn’t mean what I said about you only wanting me to stay because you were thinking with your dick. If you want me to, I’d like to do what I said I’d do in the first place. I’d like to stay.”
He chuckles. “I mean, maybe I do think with my dick when it comes to you. That’s just not the only part of me that stands at attention for you.”
“This is becoming painfully cheesy now.” I smile.
“Good. Of course I want you to stay, Ciara. I want you to stay forever.” He shakes his head as if talking himself down from continuing our conversation on this path. “Besides, who’s going to eat my flats if you leave?”
“Someone with some fucking sense, I guess.” I roll my eyes. He just laughs and pulls me in for a kiss. He breathes life back into me with every second the kiss lasts until a throat clears behind us.
“You two lovebirds done? We’d like to love up on her now,” Nina proclaims. Everyone files into my room. The nurses are probably going to lose their shit, but it’s so good to see everyone.
“And now that you’re awake, it should be noted that if you ever hang up on me and block my number again, I will drag you,” Simone says with her finger pointed at me.
“Jesus, Simone.” Sarah rolls her eyes. Simone shrugs and I laugh, thankful to have these people in my life.
Six weeks later, Lincoln and I are sitting in his condo. I still have my apartment, but I haven’t spent a night there since coming home. Everything feels right here with him.
“Stop stressing about it, Ci.” Lincoln flops down on the couch next to me, handing me the bowl of popcorn and M&M’s.
“Of course I’m stressed about it, Lincoln. Christmas is in a couple of weeks, and I don’t have all the gifts I need. I’m so behind.” I made sure to get all of the kids’ gifts, but I still have to get gifts for everyone else, and I’m running out of time. Being in the hospital really put a dent in my plans.
“Yeah, you’re in recovery. No one is expecting anything.” He slides his hand up my thigh, and my core is on fire. We haven’t had sex in six weeks, doctor’s orders. You’d think I’d have better composure considering I went through a two-year drought before Lincoln, but I am unraveling, and if his hands aren’t on me tonight, I’m going to snap. Better yet, I’m going to get Lincoln to snap. He’s been so gentle with me since everything happened and that’s so sweet. Really. But I want the toss me around, rip my clothes off, up against the wall Lincoln back. He tilts his head at me, and I realize I haven’t answered him.
“Yeah, it’s just that you all made Thanksgiving so special for me. I want to make Christmas special for you.” I was still in recovery during Thanksgiving so both families brought dinner to Lincoln’s. Lincoln’s mom taught me how to make both jollof rice and egusi soup, as much as she could while I had to sit down often. The guys served me all night long. My mom extended our tradition of watchingSoul Foodand one cringey Hallmark movie to Lincoln’s family. It was beautiful watching both families come together. “Anyway, everyone is getting gifts. It’s going to happen. I got this shit.” I turn back to my laptop to continue my Amazon search. I mean, if I’m going to get everything in time it’s probably best to stick with Amazon Prime.
“I only want one gift from you this year, Angel.”
