to her forehead, he spoke words she so hoped to be true: “It’s going to be all right, Mia.”
Step by step, she knew where he was taking her—their bedroom—and she would let him. That night she slept in their bed in the cocoon of her husband’s embrace and when she awoke, it was his eyes and smile that greeted her.
“Come join me in the shower,” he asked, a mischievous glint to his eyes.
“I’m not ready …” she responded, thinking about the last time she had sex.
“For a shower?” he asked, and then sniffed her and grimaced. “I think you are.”
An unexpected laugh bubbled out of her mouth at his silliness. Without fail, he could always make her laugh.
“Just a shower, suga. If you want more, then we can. Whenever you are ready. I won’t pressure you.”
His words made her want to cry with how absolutely wonderful he was and she couldn’t deny him this. “Let’s go,” she said, taking his hand.
The shower with Ethan helped to start her healing process. He held her as the water washed over her, camouflaging her tears, though as she cried he brought her in closer to him, his head resting upon hers. Those tears of hers fell faster when she felt Ethan’s hitting her shoulder, those drops felt so different than the water droplets from the shower. Each one that touched her seared her husband’s pain into her soul. He lost those babies too.
This was not just about her. This didn’t happen to her alone. He was hurting just as much as her and because she was stuck in her own grief she didn’t see his.
“I’m sorry, Ethan,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling his head to hers. “I’ve been—”
He didn’t let her finish. His mouth found hers with enough force to push her back against the shower wall. There was no passion in this kiss—just him seeking comfort from her. He just held her lips with his, not moving them, but there was force behind them—urgency.
I’m sorry I did this to you, she thought, opening her mouth to his and tugging on his upper lip. His eyes shot open in surprise and with her nod, he lifted her body higher, knowing what she meant. She wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling his cock against the bottom of her ass. He wasn’t hard but he was getting there.
“Let me help, Ethan. Let me be there for you.”
His cock twitched at those words. “Are you sure?”
“Whatever you need,” she responded, their eyes locked on each other. She meant it; she’d go through hell to make him happy—to keep him whole.
“I love you,” she said as the tip of his cock sought entrance inside of her. With one sure stroke, he and she were one and his eyes reflected that. They weren’t as turbulent as they’d been.
“I love you too,” he responded, slowly grinding into her.
And in that enclosed space, they gave the comfort the other needed and began to heal.
After their shower, Ethan hurriedly got ready. His mother and sisters would be arriving any minute. Mia sat down at her vanity table and slowly put on her makeup.
“Take your time. You don’t have to play hostess,” he told her. Recognizing Ethan’s grief and having sex with him didn’t mean she was ready to be with their family. Meeting his eyes in the mirror, she put a smile on her face and nodded. He kissed her cheek before dashing out of the room.
With a meticulous hand, Mia applied her makeup. After she was finished, she walked to her closet and tried on outfit after outfit, tossing each rejection in a pile on the floor—nothing felt right. Fed up, she chose a pair of black skinny jeans and a long, baggy white sweater. Walking over to Ethan’s side of the closet, she grabbed a pair of his wool socks. They were way too big, but a care could not be found.
Grabbing her glasses and putting them on, she took a deep breath and left her bedroom. Just yesterday she didn’t even want to be in here, and now, she really didn’t want to leave it. Interesting how the tides change.
As she walked down the stairs, the loud noise coming from her kitchen stopped her. They seemed to be having fun. She could and would join in it, she told herself as she continued down. She would get through this holiday for the two babies she did have and for her husband.
Mia turned and