Thrive

A week past and I was feeling better plus it was time for me to head to the doctor to have my stitches checked; hopefully, they would be removed. Recuperating from my appendectomy was difficult although Alex was here doing double duty taking care of Scarlett and I. I was hoping to have some time of our own before he leaves next week.

“How’s Mommy feeling today?” Alex asked as I walked out of the bathroom.

“Really good.” I said as he met me halfway.

“That’s wonderful.”

“It’ll be perfect when I get my stitches out. I’m optimistic that’ll be today.”

“If that happens, what do you wanna do?” he said, pulling me closer to him.

“During the day? I don’t know, but I do know what I wanna do tonight.”

I raised an eyebrow suggestively, hoping that he’d get the hint. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he kissed me. He smirked when we separated.

“I love the way you think.” he said, running a hand through my hair.

"Anyway, I'm gonna wake up Scarlett, if she isn't already, and go downstairs to feed her."

"...and I will start breakfast."

“Sounds perfect.” I said, kissing him one last time.

“See ya down there, hot stuff.”

Smiling, I turned around and walked toward the nursery. My girl was wide awake when I walked in to wake her up.

"Good morning, sweetie." I said, carefully picking her up.

She smiled up at me and I melted. I easily changed her and brought her downstairs to be fed. I saw Alex with his head in the refrigerator.

“Could you hand me a bottle while you’re in there?”

“Of course.”

He reached in and handed me a bottle that I quickly heated to the right temperature for Scarlett. I sat down on the couch and began to feed her.

“Pancakes sound good?”

“As long as they have chocolate chips in them.”

“Of course. Only the best for my amazing wife.”

I had a bittersweet memory of the day after I was raped. That morning, I woke up and saw bruises and scrapes on my body; not to mention, I had a headache due to a hangover. He brought up chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast when I knew I had to take aspirin for my headache; joy burst from me and I ended up having a great morning.

“Hey.” I heard.

I had just put our daughter in her swing and saw him plating up breakfast.

“Hey.”

“Ready for breakfast?”

“Of course.”

He walked in without another word and handed me a plate, including a kiss on the cheek.

"This is so fucking good. Thank you."

Alex laughed.

"Why are you laughing?" I asked between bites.

"Remember the day when you had that pain in your neck not long ago? You refused to swear in front of Scarlett."

"Where?"

I placed my hand at the spot and when he started rubbing it, I groaned.

"Crap. That hurts.”

“You know you can swear if you’d like.”

“I can’t swear in front of her.”

“Abby, she’s six days old. I’m sure she won’t pick up on it.”

I sighed.

“Well, in that case, it fucking hurts.”

“Now, doesn’t that roll off the tongue better?”

I laughed and I would’ve nodded, but that wasn’t an option.

I laughed when I didn't have any food in my mouth.

"How could I possibly forget that?" I said, looking over at our angel.

If she only knew what potty mouths her parents have. After eating, I hopped into the shower as Alex took our dishes out to the kitchen and watched Scarlett. I put on loose clothing and dried my hair before I heard a certain someone walk into our bedroom.

“Hey.” he said.

“Hey.” I said, styling my hair.

“You look so good.”

“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”

“Sure I’ll look better after a shower.”

“You know, bedhead looks sexy on you. Very, very sexy.”

“I could the same of you.”

When we were at the doctor’s, my knee was moving.

“Anxious, are we?”

“Very much so.”

He kissed my cheek as he held my hand. Five minutes later, the doctor came in and I smiled.

“Good morning.” he said, shaking my hand.

“Good morning.” Alex and I echoed.

“How are you feeling this morning?”

“Really good.”

“No pain? Discomfort?”

“None.”

“Let me check the stitches.”

I laid back and he lifted my shirt. As I had said, there was no pain and discomfort whatsoever while he gently touched that area.

“Everything looks great. How do you feel about removing these stitches today?”

I smiled as I answered. When we were out in the parking lot, I jumped into Alex’s arms out of excitement. He laughed and kissed me as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“I love you.” I said.

“I love you, too.”

He walked us toward his car as I remained in his arms. I let go when we got there and got inside.

“You have any idea on where you want to eat tonight?” he asked.

“Anywhere that has ribs. I need meat.”

“Not just mine?”

I bust out laughing; it felt so good to laugh.

“Not just yours, Alex.” I said, shaking my head.

“How’s it feel to laugh?”

“Amazing. It’s hard not to laugh with you in the room, so how I accomplished that is beyond me.”

He smiled and squeezed my hand.

“Ready to pick up our child?” I asked.

“Yep.”

He started the car and off we went to my mom’s house. I knocked on the door and was eager to pick her up.

“Hi, honey.” my mom said, answering the door.

“Hi, Mom.” I said, hugging her.

“How’d everything go?”

“Amazingly. Stitches are out.”

“That’s so wonderful! Ready for life to go back to normal?”

“Definitely. Not that I minded the special treatment or anything.”

This is when my phone vibrated.

“Hey, Alex."

While she greeted my husband, I looked at the text.

How about more special treatment tonight?

I bit my lip and replied.

Wouldn't expect anything less.

"So, how was Scarlett?' I asked.

"An angel, as always."

I knelt down to Scarlett’s level and caught her smiling.

"Mama's all better. Isn't that great?" I asked.

I smiled back at her and picked her up. We talked for a few more minutes then we took Kalea and left.

“Any more thoughts on what you wanna do today?”

“Aside from lunch? I don't know."

I laid my head against his shoulder and sighed.

"How about a drive? It's been quite a while since we've done that."

It’s only three days till the boys leave to tour in the UK for three weeks and I’m not ready for him to leave, but whoever is? Since I’m working the next few days until Alex travels to the UK, we’re spending the day together. I know I’ll be sleeping next to him until then, but we need quality time together.

“What do you wanna do today?” he asked as I did my hair.

He was sitting on our bed waiting for me to finish getting ready.

“I don’t know.” I said, sighing.

This never gets easier. A relationship with a musician is a difficult one, but it’s certainly worthwhile.

“Come sit.” he said, patting the spot next to him.

I finished my hair seconds later and sat next to him with him pulling me ever so close. He kissed the top of my head and I laid it on his shoulder. He knew exactly how I was feeling and what I needed without even asking me. Tears ran down my face and I sniffled and as much as I hoped he wouldn’t hear me, I already knew that he could. I heard his phone ring and I started to move away, so he could answer it, but he never moved.

“You can answer that.”

“It can wait.”

“It could be important.”

“They can leave a voicemail. You’re more important.”

I moved back toward him and smiled.

“A drive.” I said.

“I like the sound of that.”

After another minute, I separated from him and kissed him rather passionately.

“I love you.” I said, crawling into his lap.

“I love you, too. Are you sure you want to go for a drive?”

“There’s plenty of time for sex, Alex.”

I kissed his jaw and teased him.

“Abby...”

I smirked and got off his lap. He reached for me, but I just walked away and laughed.

“You’re mean.”

“I know. You ready?”

“Yeah.”

"It was three days before you guys left for the U.K."

“That was a great day.”

“That it was. That it was.”

I reached for his hand and intertwined our fingers; it felt like we were on a date as we sat in the diner parking lot.

“I love you. You know that?” he asked.

“I wouldn’t have married you if you didn’t.”

He chuckled.

“I love you, too, by the way.”

This time, he turned and I lifted my head to kiss him. In the middle of our kiss, we were interrupted by a crying baby. I pulled apart from Alex and tended to Scarlett, not bothering to comment on our disrupted moment.

“What’s wrong, Pumpkin?”

I took one sniff and realized she needed changed.

“She needs to have her diaper changed. I’ll do that inside.”

He nodded and we both got out of the car. I took Scarlett out of her car seat then he grabbed her baby bag. After telling Alex what to get me for a drink, I headed straight toward the restroom to change my stinky child. Once I was done, I put her in her wrap and slung the baby bag over my shoulder. I came back to find Alex looking through the menu.

“Hey.” I said.

“Hey.” he said with a smile.

“You order yet?”

“Not yet. Just got our drinks.”

I nodded and turned to my menu. He seemed to have figured out what he wanted because he began talking to Scarlett. I smiled as I heard her giggle; no doubt, Alex’s doing. When I decided, I saw him with a big smile on his face.

“What?” he asked.

I shook my head; he tipped my head up.

“You are adorable.” I said.

He blushed.

“Ya know, tonight can’t come any sooner. I want you all to myself. No distractions.”

It was my turn to blush.

“You’re right. I feel the same way about you tonight. I can’t wait to spend the entire night with you.”

“With and without clothes… especially without.”

I laughed and nodded.

“Especially.”

Seconds later, we ordered our food and were back to ourselves.

“So, earlier, you were talking about more special treatment… what were you thinking?” I asked.

“What fun would telling you be? I love seeing you surprised.” he said, smirking.

“Not gonna give me any hints, then. Huh?”

“None. Well… never mind.”

“You’re loving this. Aren’t you?”

“Just a little bit.”

After a nice breakfast, we decided on a hike at our favorite trail; this brought back more memories from that day Alex and I had before touring across the pond with the boys.

“It is seriously the perfect weather to go out for a hike. Don’t you think?” I said, unhooking Scarlett from her car seat.

“I do. I love that we’re out here together, too.”

I put her in her stroller that Alex had just gotten out of the trunk. I smiled as I heard her giggle once we got moving.

“Mmhmm…”

I was taking in the moment with blue skies, the sun and my whole world.

“You okay?” he asked after a minute or so.

“Of course. I’m just embracing today. Sorry if I had you worried.” I said, kissing his cheek.

“No need to say sorry.”

We walked for about fifteen minutes when Alex heard his phone ring.

“Who is it?” I whispered.

“Jack. Umm… give me a second. I’ll catch up with you two later. Ok?”

“Ok.”

He kissed my cheek quickly then answered his cell. I continued on, but I was confused as I didn’t get a clear answer as to why Jack called Alex instead of texting him like he usually does. Less than five minutes passed when I saw him catch up to us; he better have an explanation.

“What’d my brother-in-law want?”

“Oh, he was asking about how you were doing, especially since you had an appendectomy and were possibly getting your stitches out. He worries and cares about you; you’re like a sister to him. I’m surprised Miranda hasn’t texted you or called you, actually.”

I raised an eyebrow as he was on somewhat of a rant and immediately assumed my best friend hasn’t gotten a hold of me or vice versa.

“That’s so sweet of him. I oughta talk to him soon. Oh, and I did text your sister-in-law, by the way. I love her just about as much as I love you.”

I was beginning to feel defensive and didn’t want to engage in front of Scarlett; she doesn’t deserve to hear her parents fight.

“Are you mad at me or something?”

“You seem to be on a rant and you should know I would talk to Miranda already. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“That can’t be it? He did ask about you and I’m sorry about what I said of Miranda. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Clearly. If something serious was going on… something other than my health, you’d tell me right?”

“Of course. Lying to you certainly isn’t on my to-do list.”

“That’s good to hear.”

I still had a feeling something else was going on, but I didn’t want bother him with it. I’m sure he’ll tell me in due time. The rest of our day with Scarlett went without fail and phone calls; a day which ended at three. While Alex put her down for a nap, I dropped my purse and phone on our bed and headed to the bathroom for a well-needed potty break. I heard him walk into our room as I opened the door. He shut it with his foot and pressed his lips to mine; I didn’t complain.

“I love you.” he said.

“I love you, too. What’s with the sudden kiss? Not that I’m complaining or anything…”

“You know how I spoke about giving you special treatment and that I loved seeing you surprised?” he said, guiding me to our bed.

“It’s been on my mind all day.” I said as he kissed my neck.

I was becoming bothered as he laid on top of me, pressing down on a certain area… a very sensitive one.

“I love hearing that, Mrs. Gaskarth.” he said, bringing his lips back to mine.

His husky voice was making my panties wet.

“Is that so, Mr. Gaskarth?” I said, threading my fingers into his hair.

“It is. You need some help down there?”

“Ask my pussy.”

He lifted my blouse slightly then quickly took care of my pants, but when it came to my panties, he slid them off and spread my legs.

“Perfect.” he said, running up-and-down my labia with his finger a few times.

I was beginning to pant and had a feeling that it wasn’t gonna take long till I would start moaning. He moved away from my pussy and started sucking and nipping at my thighs which was something that he knew would drive me crazy; I’m ultra sensitive.

“Please.” I said, tugging at his hair.

He must’ve listened because within a second or two, his mouth was paying much attention to my pussy and I let out a soft moan, knowing how quiet I had to be. When that tongue darted in-and-out, I about lost it… not just a moan you could hardly hear, but one where everyone could hear.

“It’s taking so much for me not to lose it.”

“You can lose it as much as you want to tonight… for the whole city to hear.”

I was speechless as he truly went to work, feeling him suck on my labia then flick my clit; my body let loose as I reached an orgasm. After a couple breaths, Alex brought his lips back to mine.

“I love you.” he said, smiling.

“I love you, too. Thank you. That felt so fucking good.”

“My pleasure.” he said before flipping us over.

I rested my head in the crook of his neck.

“What’s that surprise you were talking about?”

“Remember that call at the park?”

“Yeah?”

“I got Jack and Miranda to watch Scarlett instead of your mom and stepdad. They will have her for the night until the morning because I booked us a hotel room.”

I was smiling from ear-to-ear.

“And you did this without me knowing. Very sneaky.” I said, kissing along his jaw.

He groaned out of pleasure; I smirked, moving away.

“You’re a tease.”

“We can’t possibly have all the fun now. We need to save the rest for tonight.”

“You’re right. Can we take a nap, though? Rest up before tonight’s festivities?”

I nodded and snuggled into him, quickly falling asleep. I woke an hour later to a sleeping Alex, so I let him be and dressed from the waist down and made a trek to the nursery.

“Hey, baby girl.” I said, reaching for Scarlett.

She was ready to get up, but was fussy. It was time to feed her, so I took her downstairs to the kitchen to feed her. By the time I heated up a bottle for Scarlett, I heard Alex’s footsteps come downstairs. I turned around and saw him with a huge smile on his face.

“Hey.” I said, feeding her.

“Hey. How’d you sleep?”

“Great. You?”

“Fantastic. Can’t imagine how I’ll sleep tonight, though.”

He winked before kissing Scarlett’s cheek. I chuckled as I fed our happy daughter.

“So, when do we plan on dropping her off?” I asked.

“I was thinking six and us leaving for dinner at quarter till seven. What do you think?”

“I like that. Who’s dropping her off?”

“I was thinking me since the last time we did this type of thing, I dropped her off.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Seal it with a kiss?”

I nodded and leaned over and kissed him.

“Ya know, I wonder how she’s gonna be without us for a second time.” I said.

“I wonder how she’s gonna be with our best friends for the night.”

“Me too. Should be fun to hear how it goes.”

Notes