everything that each needed to know.
I love you.
I missed you.
I’m here.
I know.
They changed positions and for a moment, with Randall above her, they stared into each other’s eyes. “I missed you, baby,” he said at last, as he once again entered her and began to stroke. “I missed this.”
“Me too.” Sherri spread her legs wider, then lifted them up to grant him deeper access. “I’m sorry for not—”
“Shh. What’s past is past. We’re here right now. And I’m loving every minute.”
“Ooh,” she whispered, as he shifted his hips and hit her spot. “Me . . . too.”
Their orgasms weren’t seismic clashes of bodies where stars were seen and trumpets heard. Rather they were intense yet subdued, like a melody that’s been heard over and again, but is still enjoyed every time. Randall gave one final shiver before resting his full body weight on Sherri: hip to hip, chest to chest, forehead to forehead.
“That was good, baby,” she said, once she’d caught her breath.
“It’s always good. I appreciate you, Sherri,” he said, rolling off of her and then cuddling her to his side. “I know these last few months have been challenging: my rising profile, the increased travel and time away from home, the kids and their full schedules, this situation with Mom Elaine. I want you to know that I understand why you’ve been distracted. With the award and the newfound grant money and the like, I’ve been caught up as well.
“What time are the kids getting home today? I might take them to the mall or something, spend some daddy time.”
“That would be nice. But Albany already has plans to go to the mall later on, with her study group.”
“How much studying can you get done in a dressing room?”
“Trust me, I was skeptical as well. Until I found out that Melissa would be there with them.”
“Ah, good. Lauren’s mother will make them toe the line. That’s one of the reasons I’m glad that she and Albany are best friends.”
“Me too. Hopefully Lauren’s study habits rub off on our daughter and not the other way around.”
“I can’t see Lauren becoming a fashionista. She’s too much like Melissa for that.”
“Practical, tolerates no nonsense.”
“Exactly. What about Aaron?”
“He has track practice, but I’m pretty sure he’s free after that. You might want to send him a text indicating your plans; otherwise he’ll head straight to his room and the videogame that is rarely detached from his hand when he’s home.”
“As long as his homework is done and his grades remain high, I guess there are worse habits he could have.”
“No doubt.”
“All in all, we’ve been blessed. They work my nerves sometimes, but they’re good kids.”
“Things might change up during their teenage years, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
Randall kissed the top of her head. “All done.” He eased out of bed.
She rolled her head and lifted her shoulders, grateful that she indeed did feel more relaxed. Watching Randall padding naked to the bathroom, she asked him, “Where are you going?”
“Into D.C. I have a meeting. Don’t worry. I’ll only be there a few hours.”
“Please make sure that you’re back by seven thirty. I’d like us all to have dinner together tonight. You know, like one big happy family.”
“That sounds doable. I might even be able to pick Aaron up after his practice. I’ll call and let you know.”
Sherri slid on a robe and left the room, humming as she went to the kitchen in search of some much needed java. Snatches from the conversation with her friend Renee continued to play in her head, especially the part that reminded her of what she had—a good man.
She smiled as she reached for the coffee, thankful for the blessing that showered upstairs. Yes, I’ve got a good one, she mused, thinking of Randall. That I do.
CHAPTER 16
T here wasn’t anything like April in Washington, D.C.—air fresh from recent rains, leaves green from the
I love you.
I missed you.
I’m here.
I know.
They changed positions and for a moment, with Randall above her, they stared into each other’s eyes. “I missed you, baby,” he said at last, as he once again entered her and began to stroke. “I missed this.”
“Me too.” Sherri spread her legs wider, then lifted them up to grant him deeper access. “I’m sorry for not—”
“Shh. What’s past is past. We’re here right now. And I’m loving every minute.”
“Ooh,” she whispered, as he shifted his hips and hit her spot. “Me . . . too.”
Their orgasms weren’t seismic clashes of bodies where stars were seen and trumpets heard. Rather they were intense yet subdued, like a melody that’s been heard over and again, but is still enjoyed every time. Randall gave one final shiver before resting his full body weight on Sherri: hip to hip, chest to chest, forehead to forehead.
“That was good, baby,” she said, once she’d caught her breath.
“It’s always good. I appreciate you, Sherri,” he said, rolling off of her and then cuddling her to his side. “I know these last few months have been challenging: my rising profile, the increased travel and time away from home, the kids and their full schedules, this situation with Mom Elaine. I want you to know that I understand why you’ve been distracted. With the award and the newfound grant money and the like, I’ve been caught up as well.
“What time are the kids getting home today? I might take them to the mall or something, spend some daddy time.”
“That would be nice. But Albany already has plans to go to the mall later on, with her study group.”
“How much studying can you get done in a dressing room?”
“Trust me, I was skeptical as well. Until I found out that Melissa would be there with them.”
“Ah, good. Lauren’s mother will make them toe the line. That’s one of the reasons I’m glad that she and Albany are best friends.”
“Me too. Hopefully Lauren’s study habits rub off on our daughter and not the other way around.”
“I can’t see Lauren becoming a fashionista. She’s too much like Melissa for that.”
“Practical, tolerates no nonsense.”
“Exactly. What about Aaron?”
“He has track practice, but I’m pretty sure he’s free after that. You might want to send him a text indicating your plans; otherwise he’ll head straight to his room and the videogame that is rarely detached from his hand when he’s home.”
“As long as his homework is done and his grades remain high, I guess there are worse habits he could have.”
“No doubt.”
“All in all, we’ve been blessed. They work my nerves sometimes, but they’re good kids.”
“Things might change up during their teenage years, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
Randall kissed the top of her head. “All done.” He eased out of bed.
She rolled her head and lifted her shoulders, grateful that she indeed did feel more relaxed. Watching Randall padding naked to the bathroom, she asked him, “Where are you going?”
“Into D.C. I have a meeting. Don’t worry. I’ll only be there a few hours.”
“Please make sure that you’re back by seven thirty. I’d like us all to have dinner together tonight. You know, like one big happy family.”
“That sounds doable. I might even be able to pick Aaron up after his practice. I’ll call and let you know.”
Sherri slid on a robe and left the room, humming as she went to the kitchen in search of some much needed java. Snatches from the conversation with her friend Renee continued to play in her head, especially the part that reminded her of what she had—a good man.
She smiled as she reached for the coffee, thankful for the blessing that showered upstairs. Yes, I’ve got a good one, she mused, thinking of Randall. That I do.
CHAPTER 16
T here wasn’t anything like April in Washington, D.C.—air fresh from recent rains, leaves green from the
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