Page 70 of Betrothed To Love

“We making chuttery board,” Niya announces proudly but I don’t know what the hell that is.

“What’s chuttery?” I ask.

With a grin, Mireya says, “A charcuterie board but I actually like chuttery better. It’s easier to pronounce. We are having a girl plate for lunch.”

“Yeah and it’s good. We got strawberries, crackers, cheese, a bunch of stuff,” Niya lists off while holding a finger up for each item. The smile on her face is big; she’s having fun.

“It’s going to be real good but I made something else for you. Just come home; you don’t need to stop anywhere.” The phone lifts and it’s only my kyau on the screen. “Sweetie, place the graham crackers on each board while I talk to your daddy for a minute.”

“Okay. I got it,” Niya assures her.

Mireya walks off and I see she’s out of the kitchen. “Are you okay?”

“Not really.”

“I can tell. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t even know what’s wrong, kyau.”

“Whatever it is has you looking like that, and for that, I’m sorry. Come home so you can tell me. I don’t want it on your mind while you drive,” she says with so much sincerity and concern.

“I really love you,” I tell her.

“I love you too,” she replies.

“I’m coming now.”

“We’re here.”

I end the call then start my ride. Before getting on the highway, I stop for gas at the C-Mart and grab a bottle of water. A little over an hour later, I’m parking at The Millennium and heading up in the elevator.

“Daddy,” Niya says when I walk through the door. “You came fast.”

“I couldn’t wait to see you,” I tell her.

The perfect vision is right before my eyes. Niya and Mireya are sitting on the sofa with food trays in their laps, eating their charcuterie stuff. The bond between these two seemed to have happened overnight and I love every part of that. Niya absolutely loves my wife and she adores Niya. Niya does a lot of little things to mimic my wife and it’s so cute. Seeing them together is an actual dream come true.

When I step over to them, I lean in and kiss Niya’s forehead. My wife’s lips are next and she kisses me back lovingly.

“We missed you,” she utters when our lips part. Her hand caresses the side of my face, and for a moment, she studies me. Whatever she sees prompts her to sigh. “Baby.” She pecks my lips, then says, “Get comfortable. Let me get your food. We’re eating in here and watching a movie.

“The Smurfs,” Niya says excitedly.

“Are those the little green things?” I tease.

“No,” Niya says with a laugh. “Blue! They’re blue.”

“That’s right. Blue,” I say with a smile. “Let me get comfortable and I’ll come watch it too.”

“Put on your jammies,” Niya says and my wife nods in agreement.

“Gotcha. I will,” I agree.

I straighten up and my wife places her tray on the ottoman. She stands and steps into my arms, placing her arms around my neck.

“Put on your jammies and I’ll get your food. Niya is already nodding. She’ll be knocked out in a minute and you can tell me why you’re frowning,” She places her hand on my chest. “You know you can tell me anything, right?” she says lowly.

“I know.”