The Wanted Short Stories (Wanted 5.5)

She stopped talking and looked back down the hallway. Her mouth dropped open slightly as a tear rolled down her face.

“Earlier this evening, when we were driving in, I kept thinking about my parents. I wished my mother were here, so I could ask her questions about Libby and Will. I know I have your mom, but I wish I could get some advice from my own mother.”

I felt the tears building in my eyes.

Heather smiled and whispered, “My parents. I know that makes me sound crazy, Josh.”

I looked back down the hallway. I took off running to catch up with the couple. I turned the corner, but no one was there. I turned and ran back to Heather. I took her by the hand, and we made our way to our room.

Once inside, I picked up the phone and called the front desk. There were only four suites on this floor, so it should be easy to find out which one the couple was staying in.

“Hi, um…this is going to sound weird, but we rode up in the elevator with an older couple, probably in their mid- to late sixties. He dropped something in the elevator, and I’d like to return it to him. Do you know which room they’re in?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Hayes. It is only you, Mr. Reynolds, and a young woman staying in the suites. There is no older couple.”

I sat down on the bed. “Okay…thank you.” I hung up and looked at Heather.

She was smiling the most peaceful smile I’d ever seen on her face. “My parents.”

I slowly nodded my head. “Your parents.”

Last night had probably been the most amazing night of my life. I smiled as I touched my lips and thought of Josh softly whispering against them, telling me how much he loved me. I thought of the couple on the elevator and how I’d had the most overwhelming sense of peace wash over my body after she talked to me.

Josh and I had made love three times throughout the night. The first time had been the most beautiful. It had been slow, passionate, and full of nothing but pure love. The second had been in the bathtub. Josh had taken his time giving my body such careful attention. The third had been early this morning when I woke up to him tying me up and then blindfolding me. It had been hot and passionate lovemaking, the kind where I could totally just let myself be free.

I smiled and shook my head as I looked out over the breathtaking garden. I took in a cleansing, deep breath. I would miss this house, but I knew what we were doing would be better for us and for the kids. We would make beautiful, sweet memories in the new house.

“Mommy! Mommy, I’m up!”

I stood and headed back into the house. I opened the door to the twins’ room and smiled when I saw two beautiful faces looking back at me. Libby began clapping, and she jumped out of bed following Will. He always stopped and let Libby hug first. It warmed my heart that he was already so kind and generous at his age. When Libby pulled back, Will showed his true three-year-old boy side. He pushed her to the side and bear-hugged me.

“Will, you do not push your sister. Apologize now, please.”

Will looked down at the ground. “I’m sowwy.”

Libby smiled and kissed Will on the cheek. Life was good again—until they both ran to the bathroom and began fighting over who would pee first.

I closed my eyes and thought, Just a few more weeks.

I flopped down onto the sofa and let out a long, drawn-out moan. We had been unpacking for hours in the new house and I was exhausted.

“Good Lord, we have a lot of shit.”

I laughed and agreed with Josh. “Yes, and most of it is the kids’ stuff.”

“Did you see Libby’s face when she walked into her room?”

I nodded my head and giggled. “I don’t think she had any idea that when she’d said pink and green, that was what she was getting.”

Josh chuckled. “When she saw the butterflies that Ari had painted on the wall, I almost shed a tear from how excited she was.”

“What about Will and his horse-themed room?”

“I’m telling you, Ari could make another career out of painting murals. Did you know she could paint like that?”

I giggled. “Yeah. With Matthew having Fragile X, he is a visual learner. Ari began taking art classes when she was really young. She used to draw things for Matt. She actually taught Matt how to paint.”

“Jeff told me that Matt was asked to be in an art show in Austin.”