Chris
It’s still me.
I'd be lying if I didn't say a small, well a pretty big part of me, thought that after I slept with Lauren I’d wake up days later, but as I open my eyes and the sun is shining in on us and she’s lying next to me, I feel like the happiest man alive. She’s so beautiful, so amazing. I didn’t expect what happened to happen when I went in her room last night. I intended to tell her what happened earlier that day with Dexter, not all of it but at least some. I didn’t want any more secrets between us, but when I saw her everything changed. I’m different with her, I can’t pretend or hide my feelings, they take over and I’m not so sure it’s a bad thing. Something that feels this good can’t be bad. Last night was greater than I ever imagined it being. She’s perfect, every inch of her. I wouldn’t change one thing about her. Having her next to me, in my arms makes all of this not seem so bad; everything that’s hanging in the air over us isn’t so bad when she’s with me. We can do this. Together.
Do what? Get rid of Cal because she’s definitely not going to help you do that.
She could, it’s not as ridiculous as it sounds. I just have to show her that I’m the better man, it should be obvious. I’d be the better father for Caylen, not him. He’s a future murderer heading for prison. Having him gone is what’s best for everyone. Except she doesn’t know about his plans, or what he’s done. If I can remember what he’s done…but then he is me. I’ve been trying to think of that more and more, trying not to see us as two different people, he’s a side of me. I have to tell her, but what is telling her going to do other than worry her? She has enough to be worried about. Why am I even thinking about this right now?
I’ve got to learn to live in the moment. I have a woman who I’m crazy about lying right next to me, in my arms, she’s beautiful, smart, funny and already my wife. This makes things easier, no more worrying about how to make my family work, it’s all fixed. Things are going to be okay. God this feels good, having her here, right next to me. I kiss the back of her neck and she starts to stir.
“Good morning,” I tell her. She turns to face me and she looks at me as if she’s observing me as she touches my face.
“It’s me, Chris,” I say jokingly and for a slight moment I panic, what if she doesn’t want it to be me? What if she’s disappointed?
“Good morning Chris,” she says a wide smile spreading across her face.
“What time is it?” she asks quietly. I glance at the clock on my desk.
“It’s a little after six,” I tell her.
“Your parents are probably already up. I should get back down stairs," she says, sitting up in bed.
“Stay. Just a little longer,” I say, surprising myself. I know my parents bumping into Lauren coming from my room isn’t the best way to announce we’re together but, right now I don’t care. This…it feels right. She cups my face, leans over and kisses me, it’s light, and soft but intense. I don’t want it to end. I slide my hand across her back and pull her onto me.
“If we do this we’re going to get caught,” she laughs as I bury my face in her neck, trailing kisses across her shoulder. She lets out a soft whimper, and I have to have her. I’ve never wanted a woman so bad in my life.
“Just a little while,” I promise her. What have I been missing?
“Just a little while?” she mumbles, our lips pressed against one another.
“Chris I need…” I practically jump out of my skin. By the time I turn around the door is closing.
“Oh my God, was that your dad?” Lauren says, covering her face.
“Pretty sure it was,” I groan, getting out of the bed.
“Great,” she says, hiding under the covers.
“This is going to be a great way to start the morning,” she laughs, as she peeks at me from under the covers, her hazel eyes sparkling in the sunlight. It makes the awkward and uncomfortable conversation I’m about to have with my parents worth it.
“I’ll go down and handle it,” I tell her, searching for my clothes.
“No I can’t let you do that alone,” she protests, getting out of the bed and searching for her things. She’s completely naked and it stops me in my tracks. Last night I didn’t take time to really see her, and it was dark but right here in the morning light she looks amazing. She catches me staring at her and she blushes.
“We better hurry, I know they’re waiting on us,” she says, pulling her shirt over her head.
“You’re beautiful,” I can’t help but tell her and she laughs.
“Thank you,” she says bashfully.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” she says with a wink and heads to the door. Before she opens it I take her hand.
“Are you sure you want to do this with me? I have no idea what might be said down there,” I warn her. She lets out a deep breath.
“We’re in this together,” she says, taking my other hand and I can’t help but kiss her again.
“I mean how bad can it be? We’re adults, we have a child and we’re married. I-it’s going to be fine.”
When we make it down stairs my mom is at the stove frying sausage and my dad is at the table, his arms folded. They both look up as we enter. My mom with a grin on her face my dad with the biggest scowl I’ve ever seen.
“Good morning you two,” my mom greets us.
“Morning mom,” I say, glancing over at Lauren who's smiling nervously.
“Are you two ready for breakfast?”
“Yes,” Lauren says quickly.
“Come on, you both sit down,” my mom says cheerfully. I wonder if my dad told her. I can’t tell. I know she’s happy for us to be home and everything is relatively normal again, but if she knew she definitely wouldn’t take it how my dad is taking it. He’s like a spoiled kid.
“Is Caylen awake?” Lauren asks before sitting down.
“You’d know that if you were down here with her,” my dad mumbles.
“William,” my mom scolds.
“Wow,” Lauren sighs in disbelief.
“Well I guess we better just get this out the way. Mom, Lauren and I had sex last night,” I blurt out, almost surprising myself. My mom’s mouth drops open a little. Lauren looks down at her plate but I can see a small smirk on her face.
“I gathered that,” my dad spouts.
“And there should be nothing wrong with it. We have a daughter, we’re together and we’re married,” I continue.
“There isn’t a problem with it at all,” my mom adds quickly.
“Really, Gwen. You don’t see an issue with this?” my dad says sardonically.
“No, I do not William. Have you ended things with Jenna, Chris?” she asks.
“Yes I have,” I add quickly.
“Well, what is the problem William?” she asks simply.
“I’ll tell you all what the problem is. The problem is the large elephant in the room,” he says and I let out a deep breath.
“Lauren, would you care to enlighten them on the conversation that we had about the exact problem?”