“To show him how great it can be. That it’s not all disappointment and separation, but closeness and security.” She trailed her finger across one of his still taut pecs.
Liam shifted again, that time putting Erica to her back. “Have I told you I love you?”
She pretended to concentrate. “Not in the last two hours, no.”
“Then, I should do something about that, shouldn’t I?”
“I think so,” she smoothed back the rich salt and pepper that fell across his wide brow.
“I love you.”
“I love you back,” she sighed.
They sealed the declaration with a kiss and another session of lovemaking.
***
“I hope this isn’t a bad time, child?”
Imani sent a mental order to her brain to tell her mouth to either close or make words.
“No,” she managed and then took a slight glance over her shoulder. “Roman isn’t home.”
“Well that’s wonderful,” Athena smiled, her violet eyes sparkling with invitation. “I didn’t come to see him, but you.”
Again, Imani sent a rapid message to her brain to summon speech. “That’s a surprise,” honesty took hold of her response.
Athena reacted at first with laughter. “Yes, I know and I’m sorry, child,” her expression sobered. “A peace offering,” she said.
Imani observed the exquisite lavender clay pot the woman offered. It was filled with rich, black soil and a cluster of skinny yellow flowers.
“It’s not nearly enough of an apology, I know, but I hope it can be a start.”
“I’d like that,” Imani accepted the plant.
Athena’s nod was encouraging and she smiled even more brightly. “These flowers usually thrive in the kitchen where the light is better.”
“Oh yes, I agree,” Imani pushed the front door shut behind her mother-in-law and headed into the house. “We have two large windows in the alcove near the table and one above the sink,” she explained.
“You know a lot about plants, then?”
“Oh no,” Imani shook her head quickly. “Not nearly as much as my mother and aunts.”
“Well that one requires little to no expertise.”
Imani set the pot to the wide window sill and inspected it. “It’s sweet,” she said.
“Yes,” Athena moved in for closer observation as well. “Lovely and strong. Like you.”
Imani sent the other woman an appreciative look. “Thank you.”
Athena gave a start then. “I shouldn’t overstay-”
“Oh no, please,” Imani put out her hand. “It’d be nice if you could stay for dinner.”
“Oh no, I couldn’t.”
“Well a cup of tea, at least?”
Athena considered the offer, nodded.
Imani beamed a smile. “We can discuss what Roman was like as a child so I’ll know what to expect of this one.”
Athena laughed. “Well I don’t think Roman will be challenged with having a child as wild and headstrong as he was.”
“And rebellious,” Imani added.
“Mmm...” Athena quietly agreed. “He and I have butted heads often over the years because of it, but I suppose a man should be somewhat rebellious. It means he has a mind of his own and can’t be controlled.”
“A man who knows what he wants,” Imani commended.
Athena smiled. “He’s very much like his father there,” a pensive look held her expression as she shook her head over old memories long passed. “I drove Liam silly-always asking him whether he was sure about me. I was certain he was making the wrong choice. Sometimes...sometimes I still am,” seeming disquieted then, she pulled at the fingers of the dainty white gloves she wore with an equally dainty white dress. “I suppose it’s a woman’s nature to question such things when it involves the man she loves. When it involves her children, well...” she gave a resigned shrug. “I guess I’ve been a little more crazed there,” she took a handkerchief from one of the multitude of pockets on the dress and pressed it to her face.
“You’ve raised dynamic sons,” Imani said encouragingly. “Of course you’d want the best for them.” She pressed both hands to her waist and looked down. “I only hope I can do half as well.”
“Oh, my dear, you'll have nothing to worry about. I’m sure the baby will give you none of the trouble its father gave me.”
There was laughter and then easy silence while Imani prepared the tea.
