"Love you too!" I yelled, blowing a kiss as he whisked my baby away.
Dane's precious face filled the screen, his eyes soft and warm.
"How you doing, baby?"
Dane was my mountain husband. Deep and soulful, a stone mountain on the outside, burning fires within.
"I'm… I'm okay," I replied truthfully, feeling tears fill my eyes. "I'm anxious and worried and I miss you guys so much. I can't wait to be home."
"Baby…." Dane's face turned fierce. "Soon, baby. Soon you'll be back here."
"I know," I sniffled, wiping at my eyes. "Sorry, it's just… God. I miss you guys so freaking much."
"Same here, Blue." He turned showing me Matt and Drake, the kids around them doing star jumps in clearly marked circles the appropriate length apart. "If you haven't guessed, we're all going a little stir-crazy here."
I chuckled, swiping at my face again. Dane turned the camera around, his voice lowering as he stepped away from the kids.
"You need me to make you feel better?" he asked, his voice low and deliciously gruff.
I hesitated. God how I wanted that. I wanted him to guide me to the bedroom, to tell me to strip while he watched, ordering me how to touch myself, when I could come.
"No," I finally said with a sigh. "I'm exhausted. I should probably eat, get some washing done and try to nap before tonight."
"What time's your shift?"
"Eight till four." I made a face. "The only upside is there's no traffic on the roads that early in the morning."
"You be careful." Dane rubbed a hand over his chest. "Not sure we'd survive without you."
We said our goodbyes, my voice choking again on the I love you and goodbye.
I spent the rest of the morning pottering around the small apartment, washing my clothes, then laid down to nap.
I awoke a few hours later, refreshed but still achingly lonely.
Dressed in what a referred to as my travelling to work gear, I stood in front of my fridge contemplating what to have for lunch.
"God, this is so much easier when there are three of us to cook."
My phone buzzed before I could settle on the same thing I'd been eating the last three nights—a grilled cheese sandwich.
"Hey, honey," I answered, glad to see Dane's name. "Everything okay?"
"You wanna come to your balcony?"
I blinked. "What?"
"Come to your balcony."
I did as told, confused. "Is there something—"
My voice caught in my throat, my heart exploding. Below, standing in the flatbed of our pickup with signs in their hands, stood my two men, Matt propped on Drake's hip. Streamers fastened from one end of the pick up to the other, the signs written in black paint on bright blue paper.
You're our hero
We love you
I lifted the phone, tears streaming down my face. From the cab of the truck, Mr. Henderson poked his head out, grinning as he beeped the horn.
"Love you!" I sobbed, gratitude for these two amazing men overwhelming me.
"We love you, baby!" Drake yelled back, dropping the sign and propping Matt up higher. I waved as he screeched excitedly, likely not able to see me but glad to be a part of the celebrations all the same.
"There's chicken curry at the door, with naan bread and rice," Dane told me down the phone. "There's also groceries. It'll take two trips so you be careful."
Gratitude for these beautiful men filled my heart, the ache so sweet and glorious.
"I love you," I whispered down the phone. "I love you guys so fucking much."
"We know," Dane whispered back. They blew kisses, watching as I went down stairs, picked up my groceries and made the trek back up.
"Oh my God," I cackled, pulling a giant pack of toilet paper from one of the bags. "How much do you think I need?"
"You can never be too prepared," Dane replied.
They spread a picnic blanket in the back of the truck, helping Mr. Henderson up, then left the phone on loud speaker as we ate, sharing our first dinner physically 'together' in over a month.
"I gotta go," I told them sadly, getting up to pack away the leftovers of my meal. "If I don't head off now, I'll be late."
"Okay, honey." Drake took the phone while Dane called goodbyes in the background, taking care of Matt and Mr. Henderson. "You go be a hero tonight."
I chuckled, knowing these men were my heroes. "Love you."
"Love you too. And don't forget to call us when you get home."
"Never," I promised fiercely. "Gotta get my daily dose of vitamin D."
I heard their laughter from across the causeway, and just like that, I knew everything would be alright.
Double Trouble
Blue
"I don't know… it just… seemed like a good idea at the time."
Beside me, Ella sniggered, her head bowed over her wine. "Four kids seemed like a good idea?"
"To be fair—" I tilted my glass in her direct. "—it was only meant to be three."
"Twins." Collins shook her head. "You never see that coming."
"So exactly how long is long?" Ella asked. "One week? A month?"
I hesitated, wondering if I should admit.
"Oh God, Blue! Not two months!"
I swallowed, anxiety churning in my gut. "Nearly six months. We haven't had sex in nearly six months."
There were gasps at my proclamation.
"I mean…." A lump formed in my throat, making speech difficult. "They're amazing, don't get me wrong. But four kids, the guys working around the clock to build the business…." I shrugged, feeling oddly helpless. "It's just hard."