“Shouldn't we call your mum to bring the kids?” I asked when I stayed in each other arms.
“She has them for a week” He replied, the vibration of his thick, deep voice tickling my ears.
“I didn't pack their bag for a week Jake” I groaned not liking the idea of my children not being with me for this long. This would be the first time this ever happened.
“I’ll do that” He offered. I laughed and got away from him.
“Thanks for the offer but you and I both know that you wouldn't be able to do that,” I said standing up to walk to the bathroom. I winced in pain. I quickly sat back down.
“Fuck” I mutter realizing how sour I am.
Jake moved closer to me and placed his hands on my shoulders.
“A massage?” He asked. I nodded, left to right.
“We both know how that's going to end” I giggled.
“I won't do anything. I promise” He hurriedly added.
“I should talk to Jane,” I said. He agreed so I picked up my phone and failed her number.
“Good afternoon Maria,” Jane said
“Good afternoon. How are you and the kids?” I asked immediately.
“The kids are perfectly fine” She replied with a smile.
“Can I see them?” I asked. Jane laughed at my courtesy.
“You don't need to ask permission Maria, they are yours,” She said switching the camera.
My heart melted at the sight of my two beautiful children sleeping.
“Thank you for this Jane” I thanked her.
“You both need the break. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for you two” She smiled hard.
“What do you mean Jane?” I questioned.
“I should go. You two should have fun” She said hanging up the call. I stared at the phone weirdly.
“What was that?” I asked Jake laughing. He laughed with me but he was clearly nervous.
“It was nothing. Mum just being dramatic” He replied curtly standing up. He walked over to my end of the bed and placed a small kiss on my lips.
“You should get cleaned up I have a surprise for you” He looked so content with himself as he told me that and I also could not help but smile.
I got inside the bathroom to clean myself up for the second time today. When I was done I put on a leggings and a baggy crop sweater. I walked down to check for Jake. He was on a phone call.
“Mum I'm sure she knows now!” He shouted. I didn't want to make my presence known so I walked back behind the door.
“Jake” I called coming in again like I didn't just hear him.
“Bye mum. I'll talk to you later” He mumbled and hung up the phone call.
“Is something wrong?” I asked genuinely. He nodded, negative.
“No” He answered.
“So what do you have planned for us?” I asked.
“You not us” He replied to me. I looked at him confused.
“Me?” I questioned.
“Yeah. I'm going to drive you out for something special. I'll come back to pick you up as soon as I'm done with the meeting I have at the office” could tell that he was lying but I just didn't feel the need to call him out on it. Instead, I just nodded in agreement.
I had to wait for Jake to dress up so I sat in the sitting room reading a book.
“I’m ready” He announced picking the car keys up. I followed him outside and he locked the door.
The car ride was over silent but I honestly did not mind the silence. We got to the front of a nail tech.
“What are we doing here?” I asked because he knows damn well that I don't fix my nails.
“Trying to get you some special treatment” He answered. I didn't know if to thank him or remind him I don't fix my nails.
“Before you complain about the nails, they don't have to be acrylic, you can use gel polish or something” He hurriedly added.
“Just an excuse to get me out of the house huh?” I laughed.
“Not exactly” He laughed awkwardly.
“Thank you for this Jake,” I said kissing his cheeks.
“I’ll come to pick you up later, just call me,” He said. I walked inside the shop to get my nails done.
I got on the phone with Joe while getting my nails done. I decided to go with a black polish with a pink heart on it.
“Where did you say you were again?” Joe asked for the millionth time because she didn't believe me. I laughed at her question so I took a quick video on my left hand and the nail tech working on the design and sent it to her.
“I can't believe Jake convinced you to get your nails done. I was never able to do that” She complained.
“I just decided to leave the house. It's been a while I had time for myself” I said the last past quietly buy Joe heard.
“You don't have to let yourself go because of the twins. I love that Jake is trying to help now” She said. I talked to her about how I felt when I didn't have anyone to talk to.
“Yeah”
“Why do you think he wants you to get your nails done?” She asked. I shrugged even though she could not see me.
“I don't know” I answered.
“I’ll talk to you later Joe. I love you” I hung up the call.
When I was done I paid the which was $30. I called Jake and asked him to come to pick me up but he was already outside waiting for me. On my way to the car, I got money from Jake. It was $100. So extra. He definitely knows I don't need that much.
“Thanks,” I said as I set my seatbelt.
“We should get snacks before we get going,” Jake said.
“Get going ?” I inquired.
“Just one mall. Something came up and I need you to get dressed for this meeting”
“You’re kidding, right?” I laughed not happy with the way he was making these decisions without informing me. I thought this was just to make me feel good for the day?. I didn't say anything, I just nodded. So much for a special time.
We went into a store to get a dress.
“What kind of meeting are we preparing for?” I asked.
“Uhm_it’s a bit formal but it's also just to get to know one another family” He examined. I immediately knew what kind of dress I wanted. We looked around for clothes but I didn't find the one to catch my eyes.
“This?” Jake asked.
“No. Nothing green please,” I told him.
“I think I found the one” I smiled walking behind him to pick up the black dress I saw.
“You should try it on,” He said. He looked so tired yet anxious which was very weird. Jake is usually always very confident.
“I’ll be right back” I went into the dressing room to put on the dress.
I stared at myself in the mirror. It's been a while since I dressed up. The black gown has a slit up to my mid-thigh on the left side of it and the gown was a cross neck gown with the cutout at my cleavage. I looked down to see my lower tummy fat. Never had a flat tummy but since the kids, it got bigger and I just don't want to wear anything like this anymore.
“Are you ok in there?” Jake asked. I nodded them talks when I remembered I could not see him.
“Yeah” I responded.
“Do you like the dress?” He asked.
“A size too small” I lied. The door suddenly flung open.
“What are you doing in here?”
“You look very beautiful love” He complimented me.
“Yeah thanks”
“Is something the problem?” He asked moving closer to hold me.
“No. Do I really need to get a new dress? I have some clothes at home” I said.
“Not compulsory. I wanted you to enjoy shopping again” He said.
“I appreciate the gesture, Jake” I removed the cloth.
“Do you want to leave? We can if you want to” He offered.
“Yes, please” I forced a smile.
“I will meet you in the car” He gave me the keys and stayed back. He came back with two bags and dropped them at the back seat of the car.