“I make no promises,” Vic said.
“Me, too!” Kian quipped.
“You all have a good night, you three.” She waved and dipped back out of the room.
You three.
Those words hit Tachina in the chest. It took her breath away. She glanced at Kian who was sitting on the floor kneeling at the table, digging into his food, while Vic was seated in his recliner looking the exact image of Kian as he ate.
She smiled.
The three of them made her heart sing.
While they ate, Vic had put the television on a sport channel where the commentators were talking about the last few sports games that had occurred in recent days. One thing Vic had passed on to their son was the love of sports.Even at home, Kian wanted to watch games. Vic and Kian were engrossed in the show and laughed and chatted about it while she sat back and watched and ate.
After they’d finished eating, she and Vic quickly cleared the mess, then he put the movie on. She and Kian had settled on the couch once it started. They were twenty minutes into it when she shivered for the fourth time. She hadn’t wanted to say anything. She didn’t want to be that guest to complain, but it would seem Vic had noticed.
“You cold?” He was in his recliner with the legs up and looked comfortable.
“A little,” she admitted, trying to keep her teeth from chattering. Why was this man always keeping his house an icebox? It was fall. He didn’t need the air on at this time of year. She had turned hers off at her home and opened the windows to allow fresh air to come in. “It’s a bit frosty in here.”
“It’s not that cold in here. Seventy is not that bad,” he grumbled. He got up and disappeared from the room for a moment, returning with a thick blanket.
“For a polar bear, maybe.” She shivered again.
He brought the blanket to her. It was one of the thickest and fluffiest she’d seen. He draped it around her shoulders. The heat of his hands brushing her neck sent a shiver down her spine. She tried not to show the reaction and murmured her thanks.
“There.” He dropped down on the couch next to her. “Better?”
“Yes,” she murmured.
To her side, Kian snuggled against her arm and whisper-shouted every line he’d memorized. Vic shuffled closer to her and placed his arm on the back of the couch. He even leaned into her so she was in the crook of his arm. She didn’t know if he’d done it on purpose or if it was instinct.
Maybe it was the couch.
Or maybe it was her.
Either way, with Kian on one side and Vic on the other, she felt whole. Like a puzzle piece that was missing was now found.
Halfway through the movie, the room had grown dark. The only light came from the television and the small lamp near the stairs. Kian had quieted down as he watched with wide eyes. A rumbling sound came from her left. She glanced over.
Vic’s head had tipped back slightly, eyes closed and mouth parted. The snore wasn’t loud. More like a low grumble that came from him.
“Mom! He’s sleep,” Kian whispered loudly.
“I am not,” Vic muttered without opening his eyes.
“Yeah, you are,” Kian shot back. He sat forward to peek at his father.
Tachina nudged him gently with her elbow. She had found herself cuddled up with him while Kian half lay on top of her.
“If you’re this tired, we can just…you know.” She lowered her voice in hopes that Kian didn’t pick up what she was saying. “Try in the morning.”
His eyes cracked open. They were sleepy yet full of awareness of what she was suggesting. According to her calendar and cycle, today and tomorrow would be the optimal days for her to conceive. She bit her lip, thinking of the actual act they would have to indulge in…
“No. Tonight.”
Heat crawled through her at the tone in his voice. The way he’d said it and the look he gave her had her pushing the blanket off her. Now she was overheating after being practically frozen.