“Mommy Hayden is having baby foot for breakfast,” Mom said with a smile when I walked into the room nibbling on tiny pink toes. Even though our family was staying at the cottages, our house was the gathering point. Iris had brought in breakfast, and our home was alive with laughter.
I put Kaia in the highchair where she accepted a kiss from her other mom, then she looked at me, and it was all business. Her expression clearly said, “start shoveling it in, I’m hungry.” She accepted every spoonful like a vacuum cleaner, sucking the spoon clean.
“We have to decorate the tree today because tomorrow is Christmas. Santa needs a place to deposit his gifts for a certain Buddha belly baby we all know and love.” I glanced over at Dad, and he hid his face behind a magazine.
At the mention of Santa, Teddy came to sit next to me. Kaia’s eyes lit up when she saw him. “How does Santa know what to bring Kaia? She can’t talk, so how does he know what she wants?”
“When you’re too young to write your own letter to Santa, your parents do it for you,” Adrienne explained as she joined us.
“So what is Santa bringing Kaia?” Teddy asked.
“Oh, we can’t say. It’ll spoil the surprise.” I held my finger to my lips. “It’s a secret.”
Teddy shook his head. “She doesn’t know what we’re saying, she’s a baby.”
“How can you be so sure?” Adrienne said with a smile.
Teddy moved close to me. “Whisper it in my ear.”
I did as he asked. He looked at me oddly, then whispered loudly. “Baby girls don’t like trains, they like dolls.”
“Train?” One of Adrienne’s eyebrows shot up.
“Shh, Kaia’s gonna hear you.” I looked at Teddy. “We have to work on your whispering skills.” When I looked back at Adrienne, she was still regarding me with that lone eyebrow. I shrugged and grinned.
After Kaia finished her breakfast, she took a bath in the kitchen sink with the entire family watching. I filmed the whole fiasco. Later on in life, I would use it as blackmail material. “This is Kaia’s first Christmas,” I said as I zoomed in on her. “Next Christmas, we’re gonna ask Santa for hair because Kaia’s is still on backorder.”
Kaia splashed Adrienne, her grandparents, the wall, and the window above the kitchen sink before Adrienne took her out and wrapped her in a towel that had a pocket in one corner and two little round ears. She was already yawning and heavy lidded as Adrienne took her down the hall to dress and nap.
“Before you put anything on that tree, we need to anchor it to the wall,” Dad said as we looked at it.
The tree was listing to the starboard side and took up nearly one whole wall, even though we had it in a corner.
Mom came to stand beside us. “Does that mean you’re gonna put a hole in the new wall?”
“More like two or three,” Dad said.
I waved them off like it was no big deal. “I’ll ask Jacob to patch when we take the tree down a few years from now. The walls will need to be repainted by then anyway.”
“Will you need my help? No? Good then, I’m going to Nassau with Elaine and Kristen anyway.” Mom turned on a heel and vanished.
Dad and I went to work, and an hour later, we had the job done. Jacob would have four holes to repair, three anchor spots and one the size of a grapefruit where dad lost his balance and buried his elbow into the sheetrock.
*******
Even though the house smelled of spruce pine and Kaia had hung her first ornament on the tree, it didn’t really feel like Christmas. “There’s no biting chill in the air, no fire in the fireplace…and no fireplace,” I said to Adrienne as I bounced Kaia on my hip.
“We have no fireplace because there’s no chill,” Adrienne said with a smile. “You, my love, have to adapt to island Christmas.” She turned to everyone in the room. “It’s time.”
“Time for what?” I watched them all gather gifts and go out the door.
Adrienne wrapped an arm around my waist. “Let’s go.”
No one complained as we hiked a little ways and followed a trail down to the beach to where a small campfire was surrounded by blankets and one chair. Everyone but me seemed to know what was going on and put their gifts in a pile before settling on the blankets.
“We’ve always gone to your parents’ house for Christmas,” Adrienne said. “Now you get to experience it island style.” I took a seat next to Adrienne and watched as Iris lit a torch next to the chair and sat down.
“Welcome to Cat Island Christmas, my family,” she said in a strong Caribbean accent. Everyone applauded, including Kaia, with a little help. “Christmas morning is for the children to enjoy the surprises that Santa is sure to deliver, but tonight, we celebrate our togetherness. Before we all begin opening presents, I’d like to tell you all about the gifts I have already received, and I’m sure you will all see that you have been given the same.”
Iris pointed to Kaia. “To us all has been given a precious new life to nurture and love. I hope you all cherish this gift as Colie and I have treasured our blessing, Teddy.” Iris pointed to Kristen. “We have been blessed with a gifted artist and a sweet soul who has made our island family even bigger.” And then she pointed to Elaine. “And this precious woman, a mother and I am proud to say a sister.” Iris pointed to the huge pile of presents. “In those boxes are only things, but in each other, we have the greatest gift of all.”
Our family erupted in applause.
“Now each one of you must say what you are thankful for.” Iris raised a hand. “This is difficult because you may only say one thing, and you cannot repeat what someone else has said.” She pointed to my dad first.
Dad grinned at Kaia. “My granddaughter, though I could say more.”
Mom went next. “I’m thankful we still have Hayden after her accident.”
Iris nodded at Colie, and he held up his hands. “My family, of course.”
“I think we can all say that one,” Mom agreed.
It was Teddy’s turn. “I’m thankful for Gibbs, my goat.”
Iris groaned and turned to Kristen. who thought for a moment. “Since family is already taken, I’d have to say acceptance.” She smiled at Adrienne.
Everyone looked at Elaine. She too smiled at Adrienne. “I’m thankful for second chances.”
Adrienne was up next. “This is difficult because I’m thankful for everything all of you have said.” She pursed her lips for a second. “I’m thankful for my gift because it called my family into my life.”
That one got a round of applause, then it was my turn. “I was saving this for Christmas morning.” I grinned at Adrienne. “I’m thankful that Adrienne has legally changed her last name to Tate.” My heart melted when the most enthusiastic applause came from my parents.
“Momma, that was fun,” Teddy said as he did a dance. “May I give out the presents now?”
Iris nodded. “You may.”
With the exception of Kaia, who attacked the paper on the first box put in front of her, we all waited until the gifts were passed out to unwrap. The fire grew higher with each piece of wrapping paper tossed in it, illuminating the joyous faces around us.
Adrienne opened a box with our names on it from Elaine. Inside were a journal and a pen.
Elaine came over and sat next to Adrienne as she turned the empty pages. “I bought this for you and Hayden to write letters to Kaia. Record day-to-day things and your impressions because one day it will be precious to her.” She handed Adrienne a much older version of the same journal with a red bow on top. “I hope you will find this precious, too, because in it is what I thought every day I was apart from you.”
Adrienne held the journal to her face and inhaled deeply. “Mom, it’s definitely precious already. I love you.”
Kaia and I started crying at the same time, though her reasons were different than mine. She could not get past the tape on one of her gifts and enjoy the feel of paper ripping.
*******
“What are you thi
nking?” I asked Adrienne later as she sat quietly watching Elaine and Teddy roast marshmallows.
She turned and looked at me. “I was thinking that we’re not rich by the world’s standards, we don’t have a lot of money in the bank, but…” She looked down at Kaia, then back at me. “We are the wealthiest two women on the planet.”
I leaned over and kissed her. “Yes, we are.”
Iris brought the evening to a close by reading ’Twas the Night Before Christmas with Caribbean flair.
Chapter Twenty-six
When I emerged from the shower, Adrienne was not in bed. I smiled thinking that she was in the nursery staring down at the baby like I often caught her doing. The nursery was empty, however, and I went into the living room thinking that maybe they were in there. I noticed Adrienne in the kitchen pouring wine into two glasses.
“Where’s our Buddha?” I tried to keep the rising panic from my voice.
“With my mom.” Adrienne handed me a glass of wine and touched it with her glass. “Merry Christmas, my love.”
I took a sip, then asked, “Is she coming back tonight? Because, Adrienne, I don’t know if I can sleep without her being under the same roof.”
“Sleep is not what I have in mind.” Adrienne took my hand and led me toward the bedroom. “Are you wearing anything under that robe?” Adrienne put a hand in the center of my chest and gently pushed me toward the bed.
“Why, no, Mrs. Tate, I’m not.” I took a sip of wine and set the glass on the bedside table. “Want to see?”
Adrienne nodded.
I opened the robe and let it slide off my shoulders onto the floor. One of Adrienne’s eyebrows shot up, something I thought was incredibly sexy when I was not found guilty of something. “Are you wearing anything under that robe?” I reached for her, and she stepped away.
“You’ll have to get into bed to find out,” she said seductively.
I was on the bed in a flash. Between my accident, Kaia, and family, we’d barely had anytime alone. When we made love, it’d been in a hurry, and now, we had all night. I watched as Adrienne slowly undid the belt and let her robe slide to the floor.
“Oh. My. God. Does that have Brees on the back?”
Adrienne grinned at me, sporting nothing more than a New Orleans Saints jersey. “It’s my gift to you. I thought you’d appreciate it more if I modeled it.” She turned, allowing me to see the back. “You like?”
“I love it, but at the moment, I’d be happier seeing it on the floor.”
Adrienne crawled onto the foot of the bed moving slowly. “No baby monitor to listen to, no company in the next room to be quiet for.” She licked the inside of my thigh. “No interruptions.”
I felt like I was on fire.
Adrienne straddled my legs and pulled the jersey over her head. The jogs on the beach had served her well. She was nearly at pre-baby weight, but as perfect as she was then, she was even hotter now. She was carrying a bit more weight on her hips and stomach and I loved it. “Don’t lose another pound,” I said as I ran my hands over her hips and thighs. “I love the curves.”
She planted her hands on the bed just above my shoulders and slid her slick center up my stomach. “Do you know what really excites me?”
Heat and wetness melded into my skin. I could think of nothing else. Her question slipped out of my brain in a whisper.
“Do you,” Adrienne dragged her finger lightly across my lips, “know what turns me on?”
“Tell me,” I said breathlessly as our gazes locked.
Her full lips quirked into a smile. “Touching you, tasting you. It’s been on my mind all week as I planned this night.” She ran her hands across my chest, avoiding the flesh that craved her touch the most. “I’m not interested in making love, though.”
I’d never been able to do the lone eyebrow arch, though I’d spent more time than I was willing to admit in front of the mirror coaxing it up. At hearing Adrienne’s words, one eyebrow shot into my bangs. “What?”
Adrienne chuckled and pinched one of my nipples. “I want the sex we used to have, mind-bending reckless abandon. I want to take you to that place where you couldn’t form a coherent sentence if you tried.”
“Oh.” I was already there. “Yes.”
She released a shuddering breath as she moved her hips higher up my body. I knew what she was going to do, and my eyes nearly crossed with delight. I slipped my arms through the opening between her legs and pulled her tightly against my face. Euphoria. I loved the feel, the taste of her. She loved the control. Regardless of how tightly I held her, she could still shift and have my tongue exactly where she wanted it and when. I would deny her nothing.
Adrienne allowed me to push my tongue inside of her before she moved back until it was on her clit. I could see the muscles in her stomach go rigid and hear that ragged intake of breath. She set the pace, and I complied as the heels of my feet dug into the bed and pushed at the blankets. I wanted her to go slow, but the way she ground into my mouth, she had anything but slow on her mind. I clamped my eyes shut wanting to focus solely on the pleasant task and groaned loudly when she pulled away.
“Either you’re a masochist or I’m doing something wrong.” I tried to pull her to me as she backed away.
“I like to be on the edge,” Adrienne said breathlessly. “It makes me crazy.”
She moved off the bed when I reached for her again, and I pounced, refusing to be denied. I pushed her against the wall and molded my body against hers. “I want you. I want to be inside of you.”
The breath that Adrienne expelled came out in a hiss as I reached through her legs and entered her in one hard stroke. One hand gripped at the wall, the other reached behind her and grabbed a handful of hair. Neither of us was gentle. Something primal had been awakened like an animal that had been caged far too long.
“Your fight for control isn’t going to last,” I said against her ear as I withdrew and slipped my hand between her and the wall.
Adrienne leaned her head back against my shoulder. Her groan was a mixture of relief and frustration at the truth of my words. My fingers slid easily on either side of her clit, and after a few strokes, I felt her legs begin to shake. Adrienne gasped a breath and held it as her body went rigid, then I was rewarded with a long, loud, unrestrained cry.
“Run from me, will you?” I said against her ear when she calmed and sagged against me.
Adrienne laughed. “I had no plans to go far.” She turned in my arms and pulled me close. Her kisses were breathless and bruising. She nipped at my bottom lip before saying, “Go back to bed.”
I turned and took her hand, intent on climbing in, anxious to feel her body beneath me. I didn’t expect her to grab me by the hair and force my face down onto the bed. “Stay on your feet.” I turned my head, gasping for breath through strands of hair that covered my face.
I’d always enjoyed putting Adrienne into every submissive position I could imagine. Her willingness to give me complete control had been a supreme turn-on, but finding myself subject to her whim was disconcerting. Adrienne leaned her body over mine and pressed her lips to my ear. “Do you trust me?”
“Absolutely. It’s me that I’m having the problem with.”
Adrienne threw my words back at me. “Your fight for control isn’t going to last.” She stood and raked her nails up the back of my thighs and ass cheeks, sending bolts of electricity through my body. I shuddered violently under her touch. “Tell me I can have you like this.”
I wanted it, but I didn’t want to be made to say it. “Yes.”
“No.” Adrienne ran her fingertips up the inside of my left thigh, grazing lightly over my center. I clamped my jaw to keep from crying out. “Say, ‘take me like this.’”
I was trapped between wanting to defy her and begging her to do anything she wanted.
“Playing hard to get?” Adrienne said in a voice that gave me chills. “You’re so wet. How long will you be able to hold out because I can…” She ran her fin
gertips up the inside of my right thigh and teased my opening for a second before pulling away. “I can do this all night.”
“Do it,” I said between clenched teeth.
Adrienne pressed into me again. Her breath was hot against my ear. “Do what? Tell me.”
“Do it. Fucking take me any way you want.” The words were out of my mouth so fast, I had no time to be shocked before she was inside of me. I buried my face in the bed, afraid to hear the things I was saying. Adrienne was relentless until I begged her to stop.
I crawled the rest of the way onto the bed and flopped onto my back, hoping my strength would return soon. Adrienne buried her face between my legs. I grabbed her hair as her tongue grazed the most sensitive part of my body. “I’ve got to start jogging with you. You’re—oh, damn. You’re killing me.”
*******
I awoke the next morning on the rug in front of the couch covered in Christmas garland. Adrienne stood over me sporting a smug grin and wet hair from her shower. “Look what Santa left me by the tree.”
“I’m sorry to tell you this, but you can’t play with this toy for at least a week. It’s broke. Santa will have to take it back to the shop and reassemble it.”
Adrienne extended her hand. “If you don’t get up right now, you’ll have to explain that to our parents and family who’ll be here soon.”
I stood and looked down at my stomach. “Did you give me a hickey next to my belly button?”
Adrienne nodded. “Payback for the one on my inner thigh. Now go shower and I’ll make coffee.”
*******
We were grinning like two teenagers in love when Elaine, Mom, and Dad came in with Kaia. “Buddha belly,” I exclaimed, and Kaia reached for me with a grin on her face.
Adrienne and I kissed and hugged her like she’d been gone a year, and our daughter acted like she missed us equally as much.
Gloria's Legacy Page 20
