Kissing Her

I take another step back and her hand falls away. She sips her drink and for a moment I wonder if there’s alcohol in it. Did Bee give out drinks for the party and not tell me?

“I need to find my wife.”

“What’s your rush?” She looks at me over the top of her cup and her eyes are glassy. “We could always find a cozy place to chat until she comes back.”

“No thank you,” I say, and then I feel someone come up behind me and wrap their arms around my waist. I sigh in relief because I know it’s my Bee.

“Hey, Sherry, how are you?” Bee asks with concern in her voice. “I’m so sorry to hear about you and Rick.”

She shrugs and takes another gulp of whatever it is she’s drinking. Bee must have the same realization I have because she pulls out her phone and sends a quick text. I see that it’s to a lady named Eloise, but I don’t know who that is.

Bee steps from around me and slides her arm into Sherry’s elbow. “Hey, just so you know I asked your mom to stop by. I thought you and little Michael might need a ride home?”

Bee forms it as a question, but she and I both know that Sherry doesn’t need to be driving. Sherry nods and allows Bee to help her away from the kids and into the house. Bee had the whole backyard converted into what looks like a paintball arena so the kids could have an epic Nerf Gun battle. They’ve been hiding behind the obstacles and capturing the flags for hours and I think Sherry had one too many while out in the sun.

Our oldest twin boys are having their birthday today, but their little sister who just turned six is the one running the show. She even asked Bee to put war paint on her face so she looked scarier. In a lot of ways I think she’s like the kid Bee would have been if she had been raised in a place where she was free to be herself.

I’ve watched my wife blossom over the years and I’ve seen her grow into a strong woman who leans on me when she needs to and not because she has to. She’s become the person she always wanted to be and I got to be by her side as she did that. There aren’t many husbands who get to see that kind of transformation and it’s been one of the greatest joys of my life.

“Everything okay?” I ask as Bee comes back to my side and I put my arm around her shoulder.

“Yeah. Sherry is just having a hard time right now. Ever since she and Rick split she’s been getting drunk. I can’t say I blame her, but she drove Michael here for the party. How was she planning on getting home?” Bee shrugs. “I got her mom’s number the last time this happened, so at least there’s that.”

“I feel sorry for her.” I hold Bee closer to me and kiss the top of her head.

“I don’t. She was hitting on you.”

“What?” My eyebrows pull together as I look down at her. “When?”

“I love how oblivious you are.” She gets up on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek. “It’s adorable.”

“I’m far from adorable,” I growl, and it makes her laugh.

“I’m just saying she can fall apart on her own time. There’s no need to make a pass at my husband while doing it.”

“It wouldn’t have mattered if she did.” I shrug and Bee shakes her head. “I’ve got the only woman I ever want.”

“And that’s why I love you.” She puts her hand on my stomach and the place she touches warms. I’ll never get tired of having her wrapped around me.

“If you love me so much let’s sneak upstairs,” I say, pulling her close.

“Ragnar.” She pretends to be offended as she hits my chest, but I see her look around to check where our kids are.

There are plenty of parents around in case something happens, and it’s not like we’re not close by if it does. As if she’s having the same thoughts I am, she turns in my arms and walks away from me without a word.

I stand there for a second and look at my watch to give her a head start. I look around and say hello to a few other people, slowly making my way back inside. Most of the party is out back, and as I close the door to the kitchen, the noise from the backyard is silenced.

Walking up the stairs, I feel a smile pull at my lips when I see the cardigan she was wearing on the banister. I pick it up and bring it to my nose, inhaling her sweet scent. I walk to our room and close the door, and when I don’t see her on the bed I walk over to her closet.