I watched her leave the room, wondering about her mood change. The woman had cancer, but tonight, she seemed to be lighter. Was she savoring life because she was sick? Had our night of passion the night before reawakened her in some way?
I hoped it would last, and I redoubled my efforts to find a way to spend more time with her so I could be sure she was living her happiest life.
She was still in the tub when I finished, although the water was tepid and her fingers showed signs of pruning.
“I was worried you wouldn’t make it,” she said as I climbed in with her.
I pulled her over me to straddle my thighs. “I was motivated by the idea that you might fuck me.”
She snorted. “Men and their one-track minds.”
“It’s my dick, not my mind.”
She settled over said dick, putting her tits in perfect sucking position. I had a moment to wonder if I should focus on them. I didn’t want her to worry about what it would do to our newly found sex life if she didn’t have them.
But as she started to ride me, she said, “Suck my nipples, Brayden. Make me come.”
My purpose in life was to make my wife happy, so I did as she asked.
I’d planned to wake up first and deal with the kids. Terra had a tough road ahead of her and I wanted her to get all the rest she could. But I woke to jumping on the bed and children’s voices chiming, “Get up daddy.”
I popped one eye open and then the other. “What’s going on?”
“We brought you breakfast.” Lanie pointed to a tray sitting on the bedside table.
Both kids plopped down beside me.
“Eat it, daddy,” Noah said handing me a piece of toast.
I looked up to see Terra leaning against the door jamb. She had a sweet smile on her face like she was taking in the scene of her kids and her husband.
“Is it good?” I asked Noah. “I don’t like yucky toast.”
“It is good,” Lanie said. “We made it for you.”
“Well then.” I took the toast and bit into it. It was perfect. Sopping with butter. “So how is it that I’m getting breakfast in bed? It’s not my birthday.”
“Because.”
“Because?” I quirked a brow at each of them. “What’s the catch?”
“We want to go fishing,” Noah said. “Remember when you took me to see the fish?”
I nodded. “We can’t fish there. But there is a spot down at Mt. Baker Park.”
“Yay.” The kids were up and jumping again. Noah fell, nearly landing on my groin. “Careful.”
I looked up at Terra who winced.
We got up and dressed, and drove down to the fishing area at the park. This was another thing that had gotten away from Terra and me; taking the kids on outings. Seattle was loaded with fabulous activities, events, and more. For some reason, we’d stopped our regular adventures with the kids to explore all that the area offered.
“Daddy, daddy!” Lanie squealed as she yanked on her pole, the taut line indicating there was a fish on the end.
“Hold on, baby,” I said handing my pole to Terra, who was helping Noah. I went to Lanie. “Okay, turn the wheel and reel him in.”
“I got a fish.” Her body vibrated with excitement. I hoped that the line and hook held. It would be a disappointment if it got away.
A little fish wriggled at the end of her line.
“Mommy, mommy, look. I got a fish.”
“You did honey.”
“I want a fish,” Noah said.
“We just need to sit quietly and wait,” Terra said, kissing Noah on the head.
I helped Lanie get the fish to shore. Still on the hook, she laid it in the sand where it flopped.
She squatted down. “What’s he doing?”
Dying, I thought but didn’t say. I imagined it was uncomfortable for fish to be out of water. “Dancing. But I think he misses his dance partners. We should throw him back.”
“Do we have to? Can’t we take him home?” Lanie said, her pretty little eyes looking at me.
“This is his home. He’ll miss his family if we take him with us.” I picked up the slick squirming fish and removed the hook.
“Does George miss his family?” Lanie asked of Noah’s fish.
“That’s different. George was an orphan. We’re his family now.” How that stuff came to me, I had no idea. I suspected there was something triggered in the brain when I became a dad that allowed me to concoct such strange tales. “Do you want to throw him in or me?”
Lanie reached out to the fish, but then it flopped and she jumped back. “You do it.”
I tossed the fish in the water. “You know, finding your mom was sort of like fishing. I had to toss a lot back before I found the one to keep.”
Terra snorted. “The truth is, I lured your father to my hook with bait.”
I looked at her and winked. “Thank God you didn’t toss me back.”
“When can I catch a fish?” Noah asked, oblivious to the moment between Terra and me.
It took a long time. I was beginning to think it wouldn’t happen, but finally, a fish bit Noah’s line. We reeled in another little guy, and tossed him back.
“Can we go to the playground?” Lanie asked, now bored by the whole thing.
“Yep.” The playground was at another part of the park, so we loaded up the car and drove to the area.
As they played, Terra and I sat on a bench.
“When should we tell them?” Terra asked.
I hated bringing her cancer into a perfect day, but of course, we had to tell them at some point. There was much to consider and prepare for with her treatment starting next week.
“We don’t have to today. Let’s just enjoy this. We’ll have time before your first treatment.”
“Yes, okay.” She leaned over to rest her head on my shoulder. “Did you really toss a lot of fish back?”
“A few.”
She sighed. “I
