“You got this, baby. Take your time.”
“Three, four, five,” she says with a smile. “I did it, Daddy. Yay.”
“You did. That was great. What kind of cookies did you bake today?”
“We have sugar and chip.”
I chuckle as she calls the chocolate chip cookies chip. Her sisters sit along with us with proud looks on their faces. I love how invested they are in playing with their little sister.
“I’ll take three sugars and four chocolate chip, please.”
“Okay,” she sings as she counts out my cookies.
“The chocolate chip cookies came out so good today,” Jess says as she looks longingly at the plate as if real cookies are on there.
I have to bite back my laughter. However, the smile that comes to Karen’s face makes me so proud of Jess. She’s so good with her younger siblings.
At thirteen, she’s become so mature. Megan is right along with her. My girls have grown up so fast. I can’t believe I will have two teenagers by next year.
I glance at my oldest son. Sammy will be eleven soon. His special day is coming. I’m so proud of him and all the progress he’s been making.
Suddenly, as if feeling my eyes on him or as if knowing I’m thinking about him, Sammy freezes and turns to look me in the eyes from where he’s sitting with his younger brothers.
“She wrote a letter for this birthday. You will have to give it to me. There will be one for you this year too. Don’t ignore it. That may have been their final major challenge against you.
“It is me they will challenge head-on next. Her words will free you for what’s to come, what the others have to do. Who I must become,” he says.
With that, he hands Elijah the controller, then stands and turns to walk off as if he said nothing. I look after him with my brows knit. After a moment, I shake it off and turn back to the girls to finish our teatime.
However, my thoughts remain with my son.Something is about to change.
CHAPTER 8
Next Play
Tasha
I waketo LaSalle dropping kisses all over my face. Opening my eyes, I lock on his gray ones as he stares back at me. A groan leaves my lips as I smile and reach to cup his cheek.
“What time is it?”
“Four thirty.”
“Oh wow. After that bath, I couldn’t hold my eyes open. I hadn’t planned to sleep that long.”
He pecks my lips. “You deserved the rest. If you’re not feeling up to it, we can reschedule and spend the night in.”
“We will do no such thing. I’ve been excited about tonight for weeks now. I want my time before life calls you away from me.”
This time, he leans in and takes my lips in a passionate kiss. I moan into his mouth and grasp the back of his neck to hold him to me. LaSalle cups one of my breasts and squeezes.
“I said nothing about not spending time together. I would be happy to stay home in an empty house with you. I think we can find something to occupy our time.”
“That sounds very enticing, but the house won’t be empty.”
“What do you mean? Bobby and Paige are taking the kids for a sleepover, aren’t they?”
“They are, but Maldonado will be here. Sammy might not stay the night. Maldonado will be here in case he wants to return.
