I think I took care of all the apologies except for my wife. I've been trying, but she's not budging. My comment I made about her not being there for Julia and I, plus me calling her wack, really stung. Its been a week since.

She's spending more time with Julia, even though she's always exhausted. Then it's straight to work and home.

We only talk about Ju when I'm in her presence. The moment I bring us up, she walks away.

I heard the front door open then shut.

Julia was asleep in my arms on the

sofa. We stayed up watching Rugrats. I wanted to put my daughter on to this show for nostalgic reasons. She finally said yes, and she loves it.

I held her tight while getting up to meet my Diri at the front. She watched me enter as she took off her coat.

"Hi." I greeted her, not expecting a response. She placed her coat on the coat rack by the door, then walked over to me. I assumed she was about to get Julia. I couldn't find any other reason why she would want to get close to me.

I took this time to look her over, taking in her appearance. Something about seeing her in that white coat with her name stitched in does something to me. She noticed me eyeing her. "I'll take her."

For a second, I had hopes she would finally talk to me. I handed Julia over. She wrapped her arms securely, then moved around me to head for the stairs.

While cleaning up near the sofa and turning off the tv, I tried thinking of ways to get through to her.

I heard footsteps approaching the bottom step as I was folding the furry brown and white throw cover. I placed the comforter on the back of the chair. Then stood in place waiting to see what her next move would be.

I felt hands sliding around my torso. I quickly put my hands on top of hers, squeezing them.

We stood this way filled with contentment. I was hoping this would last forever.

She rested her head against my back. I felt her cheek caressing my T-shirt covered spine. I didn't want to say anything to ruin the moment. But I finally felt like I could breathe again.

"Let's sit." Is what she said as she pulled away and turned me around to face her. "I'm ready to talk."

I grabbed the blanket I folded and led us to one of our grey, velvet tufted sofa. This couch was like a sleep magnet; sit on it too long you're doomed.

We made ourselves comfortable with me facing her and her feet in my lap. She sat long ways. I took this time to take her shoes off to knead her overworked aches. She smiled appreciatively. "Somehow, we lost our way. —We need to find our way back. Things shouldn't have gotten to a point where you're calling me wack and basically a bad mother."

"I didn't call you a bad mother, and I didn't mean to say you were wack. I was pissed, but that was inappropriate." I chimed in to clear things up but stopped so she could continue telling me how she feels. She paused waiting for me to finish before she spoke again.

She had a look on her face that read I'm not done and please don't interrupt me. "You embarrassed me. You said all of those things in front of your family."

"I'm sorry. That was bad. I'm—"

She held her hand up to stop me again. "I thought you would cheat on me. I had gotten so low to that insecure place where I was questioning your loyalty to me. I started feeding into the blogs. Everyone is saying you can do better. I'm basic and wack. I should do this and do that."

I was about to speak again, but she continued holding her hand up. "I took this time this week to think. I realized I projected these feelings of insecurities into our marriage. I know you wouldn't cheat. I understand our foundation and what we've built together. That should've been enough to ease my mind. But it wasn't. And for that, I've neglected quite a bit. My daughter, my husband, and myself. I've been focusing on the one thing I knew I was good at, work."

"What you said to me in front of your family was harsh, but true. I need to fix me so I can be a better mom and wife." She sighed, "I took some time off from work."

I was shocked. Since she started her residency, she hasn't taken any time off. All except for our wedding and honeymoon.

I noticed her breathing picked up. I knew the decision wasn't easy for her. She felt defeated.

"I'm exhausted, and I need help." She confessed as a tear rolled down her face. I reached in and pulled her into my arms. "I need your help Zo."

"I'm here, and I'll always be," I whispered to her while squeezing her tight. "I'm not participating in the All-Star game this year, so I'll be home."

She nodded as her head was pressed against my chest.

"I'm so sorry. You're not wack, and you're a great mom with a lot on her plate. I shouldn't have said those things and especially in front of everyone. I'm supposed to protect you and your heart. I've been failing at that." I caressed her arm. "And you're right. You don't have to ever worry about me cheating. I love what I have at home."

I nuzzled my chin against the top of her head.

"Thank you, and I forgive you." She whispered, snuggled in the warmth of my neck.

I lifted her chin, tilting her head to the side so I could finally get my kisses. Those soft lips slowly connected to mine. It's like I could feel the love she had in her running through transferring to me. She was reclaiming her husband from that lost man yearning for his wife.

As our tongues wrestled together, I began leaning her back against the sofa, making my way on top.

It's been a while since we've been like this. She wanted me again just as much as I've always wanted her.

Both of us shut our minds off and let our bodies take over.

Yes, she just got off from a long shift, and yes she's tired, but my baby wanted her man —right here on our sofa.

Successfully stripping her down to her nude-colored bra and panties, only disconnecting our lips in between to do so. She watched me admiring her silhouette. It was semi-dark here with a little moonlight peeking in.

Her fingers trailed down to the stitching of my shirt near my waistline. I went ahead and removed it, then the same with my joggers.

A faint moan escaped her lips as I pressed my fully erect print against her thin nude panties.

She wrapped her legs securely around me. I could feel her warm juices spilling through. That only excited me further.

She quickly snapped the front latch of her bra, freeing her sensitive nipples. I couldn't take waiting any longer. From the vulnerability in her eyes to the panting of her chest, my body was aching for hers.

Her breast sat more natural, less close together, each perfect and sculpted to fit her form.

Easing my satisfaction, I leaned in and traced the outline of her nipple. Then lightly sucking it, making sure I did the same to both. She tilted her head back while biting harshly down on her bottom lip, enjoying the intense pleasure.

As I started making my way down lower trailing kisses, she stopped me. I had only gotten below her belly button. I furrowed my brow at her to see what was wrong.

She didn't have to say a word from the very readable expression on her face. She wanted me now.

"Scoot up a little for me." I kept my eyes on her. She did as told while opening her legs further.

I hurriedly freed my painful erection then grabbed the blanket to cover us.

I pulled her panties to the side, seeing she was all ready for me. Entering her, I noticed we were holding our breath.

Pushing further and deeper inside, I had to take a little pause for both of us. It had been too long since we've been this close. I needed to contain the animal in me.

She leaned in covering my lips with hers, pulling me down closer.

She wanted the animal in me to come out.

This wasn't a delicate take your time moment. This was a hungry —no holding back —passionate lovemaking type of night.

"I hear you, baby." I gripped my hands tight onto her waist and buried my face in the crook of her neck. Oozing my way in and out of her, I made sure she felt every stroke equally.

I hissed, feeling her nails digging into my lower back as she tried to steady my pace.

I didn't care to be precise with it. I loved the sounds of our skin slapping and the moans escaping Diri's lips matching my heavily gruntled breathing. I also didn't care about the fact we were close to falling off the sofa.

I felt her tightening up around me, resulting in me thrusting into her even rougher. She was close and was losing the last bit of control she had.

"Oh, oh, shoot Zo." I covered her mouth with mine to muffle the loud moans and panting sounds.

Didn't want to wake baby girl up upstairs.

We were both close, but those nude-colored panties we're getting in the way. I grabbed them with both hands ripping them off. All while still kissing her and remaining inside of her.

Everything was intense. Sweat dripping, both of us close to our peak and barely hanging on to the chair. I felt her legs lock in around me. She was right before the finish line. I was too, with my messy, sloppy, and uneven strokes.

The anticipation to spill inside of her were coming to the end. I was entering the point of no return, those strokes right before I release. My body stiffened, making my muscles tense.

"Oh, Godddd!" She squealed into my lips as her body jerked. "Mmm." She hummed as she rode her high.

"I'm right here with you, baby." I moaned out as I released all of me inside of her. It's a feeling too worthy of words.

I slowed down, barely moving, allowing our bodies to ride out the severe sensitivity.

Our breathing slowed, I laid my head on her chest, snuggling her breast. She caressed the scratches on my lower back.

"I love you so much," I stated, catching my breath. "I promise always to protect your heart and make you feel safe. I only have eyes for you. What we have can never compare to anything else out there. We'll get through this little patch in our marriage together. —We need each other equally." I pulled the blanket over us. I knew we needed to get moving and head upstairs to the bedroom and even freshen up. Somehow that was the furthest thing from my mind. I needed my wife to know and feel it in her heart that we're a team.

"Together." She held up one of her pinkies. I looked at it and smiled before locking mine in with hers. We both laughed. "And no groupies."

"You just had to throw that in there." I laughed again.

"Yep," she giggled, placing her hand back on my lower back.

"That lady complimented our daughter's hair. I thanked her, and then that's when I realized she was flirting after she complimented me on being a good dad. I laughed it off and walked away." I spoke low. I knew she wanted to ask me about this but didn't want to come out and ask directly.

"I don't know why it bothered me." She shook her head.

"I think that moment along with everyone else's opinion is what got to you. On top of us not being able to spend time was what did it. Usually, you're confident in us. If it weren't brought to my attention, I wouldn't have known it affected you. The thought didn't cross my mind. I was upset that you were on your phone. I thought it had to be something work-related because lately, that was all you talked about or did." I realized how badly our communication had been off.

"I was feeding my insecurities. Reading negative comments about me. Filling my head up with doubt even further. From my point of view, it felt like you loved that attention from those ladies." She stopped rubbing my back, awaiting my response.

"I wanted that from you. I wanted your attention. I don't care to get it from anybody else. I missed getting it from you. Even if only given an ounce, I wanted it." I squirmed a little, wanting her to continue massaging my back.

"I hear you loud and clear." She went back to moving her hands. "I will without a doubt reach my goals. I will also be more aware of all that I take on. Things will be hectic at times, but it doesn't always have to be that way. I miss my family too. —I miss feeling beautiful for myself. I miss our love and basketball moments. Even though I win every game." I giggled making him suck his teeth. "We have an enormous court built-in, and we never use it. I want to take our daughter horseback riding. I want to ride my husband more."

We took a moment thinking about all the things we wanted to do and places we wanted to see but hadn't yet.

"And I hear you as well. We'll make all of those things happen. —I'm proud of you, and I know Ju is too." I kissed the top of both of her breasts before laying my head back down.

"I'm proud of you too." She said just above a whisper. She was dozing off.

The magic of the sofa began to work. She fell asleep. I held on to her until I eventually doze off as well. After our intense climaxes, we were both spent. I wouldn't have been able to get us up if I tried.

****

I felt taps on my shoulder. I groaned, not wanting to move. Then I heard my baby girl whining saying, "Daddy, mommy wake up."

My head popped up. I quickly flopped it back down, realizing it was covering Diri's breast. Oh shit.

The sun was out.

I peeked up at Di. She was knocked out. "Umm Ju, go ahead and brush your teeth baby. I'm coming."

She peered at me than her mama. "Why are you on the couch?"

"Go brush your teeth like I told you. Mommy and daddy fell asleep on the sofa last night." I checked making sure the blanket had us covered. We were.

She eyed the clothes on the floor. Then looked at me with her lips poked out as if she didn't believe me.

Damn.

"Go, Julia."

"I already brushed my teeth. See." She smiled big displaying them. Sigh

"You missed a few spots. Make sure you use your floss and mouthwash." I knew she didn't do that. She never did unless we made her.

Her smile disappeared, she groaned, turning on her heels. She stomped up the stairs. As soon as I heard her slam the bathroom door, I hopped up, scrambling for my clothes. "Babe, we gotta get up."

I quickly got into my underwear and joggers. She squirmed a little pulling the blanket over her.

I knew then I was better off carrying her upstairs. I gathered her clothes then scooped her up in the cover.

Getting to the top step upstairs, Di woke up in my arms. Really?

"What's wrong?" She was trying to figure out what's was going on.

"Ju's up. She saw us on the sofa. I made her go brush her teeth again."

Di hopped out of my arms, grabbing hold of the blanket and ran into our bedroom. I picked up the clothes that fell out of my hands and made my way in there behind her.

"Did she see anything?" She said on her way to our bathroom.

"No, only our clothes on the floor. That's it."

"Good. We should've come upstairs last night. But I was too tired to move." I heard her say after turning on the shower.

We washed up quick together. Then rushed out to brush our teeth, lotion, and get dressed.

I finished up before Diri. Downstairs I found my daughter helping herself to a bowl of crunch berries and a glass of OJ.

"Morning, baby girl." I made it over to her and kissed the top of her head. "You sleep ok?"

"Mm-hm," she stuffed her mouth full with her extra-large spoon.

"That's good. Daddy did too." I went over to grab two more bowls. "Guess what?"

She looked at me, waiting.

"Mommy and daddy are going to be off for a few days. We get to spend some time together. I know you're tired of going from house to house and staying with daddy all the time."

"Both of you are off?" She raised her brows in disbelief.

"Yup." I poured cereal in the two bowls. "So hurry and eat. We're leaving after we clean up and pack a bag."

"We're going on a vacation too?" A smiled crept on her little face as she chewed.

"Yup." I poured the milk in my bowl. "Valentine's Day is coming. I want to be with both of my girls. Head up to the mountains. Somewhere private, we won't be bothered."

"Ooouu, and we can make a fire and cook outside?" She was getting all giddy.

"Mmm, maybe. We'll have to see about that." I sat down next to her.

"Maybe what?" I saw Diri walk in, holding some cleaning supplies. I guess she sanitized the sofa.

"Make a fire and cook outside." Ju quickly informed her mother.

Diri furrowed her brows at me, wondering what she's talking about.

"I was hoping we could take a trip? Greenhorn Ranch? Not too far but away from everybody." I waited to see what she thought of the idea.

With no uncertainty she spoke, "I would love that."

"Yay!" Julia danced in her seat. She was happy, and my wife was happy, so therefore I was super ecstatic.

"Can Rose come with us?" Ju asked, referring to her nanny. They've grown close over the years. But I made it my business to make sure she didn't get too close. We only called her when we take trips or if no one else in the family is available to help with Ju.

"I'll call and see if she can. Go ahead and finish up."

Diri hugged and kissed Ju then poured milk in her bowl, then found her seat beside me.

I admired her as she ate her cereal. I thought about last night. She caught my stare and immediately started blushing. I leaned in and kissed her cheek.

Ju gave us that look she gave me earlier.