Chapter 13

13

Tyrion

T he smell of piping hot bacon jolted me out of my sleep.

I looked over at the clock to see that it was around six. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sat up and threw my legs over the side of the bed. I grabbed my shirt and slipped it on before heading to the bathroom. After taking a leak and washing my face, I headed to the kitchen. There I found Evenie moving quietly around the kitchen as she cooked and listened to soft gospel music.

For a moment, I stood back, watching her.

I couldn’t lie and say it wasn’t good to have her home. I’d missed her terribly over the years. It was just sad that things were the way they were. It really hit me Saturday night when they got home. Summer had retreated to her room after her shower, leaving us alone. Evenie was in the kitchen putting up the food she brought home.

I walked in as she closed the door to the fridge and gently took her hand.

“What are you doing?” she asked, slightly pulling away.

“I wanted to show you something.”

“What?”

“Just follow me, woman.”

She reluctantly allowed me to lead her down the hall. When we got to the guest room, I opened the door and motioned for her to enter. She looked around the room, then turned to me with her arms folded.

“I thought you might be more comfortable in here,” I said softly. “Summer’s bed isn’t really built for two people, and you need somewhere to put your clothes—”

“What are you doing, Tyrion?”

“I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable, love. Look… I know this isn’t an ideal situation. It’s not one either of us expected to ever be in, that’s for sure.”

“We can agree there. I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I want to be angry with you, Tyrion, but I can’t. I’m sorry for yelling at you earlier. Part of me expected you to wait for me. It’s wrong, and it’s selfish. I just… I had it in my head that I was going to come home to my family, not you starting a new one.”

I took her hands. “I’m sorry, Evenie. It’s just… Iona pulled me out of a dark space. She was patient in getting to know me behind the wall I had built up. Grief had consumed me for so long. I didn’t think I’d ever be happy again. You were supposed to be my one and done. I never pictured a life without you, then you were taken from me, from us. I had to learn to live in a world where you didn’t exist. Sure, I existed before I met you, but after loving you… Evenie, that was the only world I knew. That was the only world I wanted to live in. Iona brought me hope in starting over. If I knew—”

I paused. I was about to say some shit that would have both of us fucked up and in our feelings. I swallowed the words as I looked at her.

“I just want us both to be happy,” I said.

She stared at me for the longest time before simply nodding.

“Thanks for the room.”

She said nothing else as she walked out. That night, I could hear her crying softly, and the shit tore my heart up. It took everything in me not to go into that room and hold her or comfort her. None of this was meant to hurt her. I’d never intentionally hurt her. I just… I didn’t know what the fuck to do at this point.

We’d had a good day yesterday. She’d let her wall down enough for us to enjoy the day with our baby girl. I’d watched them during several moments, and it was almost like no time had passed. I was grateful for that. It was one of the main reasons I was adamant in making sure Summer Rose knew who she was. If she ever got to meet her, I didn’t want her to feel like she was meeting a stranger.

Evenie and I had even shared a few laughs yesterday, mostly from me busting my ass on those skates. I’d never been a skater, but I gave it a try for my baby. She and Summer Rose tried to play in my face after the fall.

“It’s okay, Daddy. We can just get you a helmet and some knee and elbow pads.”

Evenie laughed. “He might need a butt pillow too, baby.”

That tickled her. “At least it won’t hurt as bad when you fall.”

I shook my head. “I see y’all have jokes. I’ll remember that.”

It was all in good fun. They might have skated circles around me at the rink, but I had bragging rights at bowling. They were a little salty that I won. Every time I got up to bowl, they tried to distract me, but it didn’t work. They had to take their L just like I took mine.

“If you’re gonna be a creep, you can at least say good morning.”

Evenie didn’t even look up from the griddle. I chuckled as I made my way further into the kitchen.

“Good morning, love,” I said, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

She pulled away. “We had a decent day, but we aren’t there, sir,” she said, shooing me away.

I raised my hands in surrender. “I apologize.”

“Mm hmm. You can wash your hands and cut up those mangos for Summer’s lunch.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I did as she requested and washed my hands. After drying them, I grabbed a knife, cutting board, and the peeler. For a while, we worked in silence. I kept glancing over at her. I assumed that she’d already showered because she was fully dressed in a crop top that showed off a sliver of her stomach, a pair of leggings, and fuzzy slippers.

My eyes kept traveling the length of her frame, lingering on the new roundness of her ass. I couldn’t get over this new body. Evenie had been on the slim-thick side the entire time we were together. Now she’d filled out. Her breasts were bigger, her hips and thighs had spread a little, and that ass… my goodness! Her body was insane.

I found myself biting my lip as I stared at her. It didn’t register that I’d been caught until my eyes met her face. She stood watching me with a hand on her hip.

“Can I help you with something over here, Tyrion?” she asked.

“I’m sorry.”

“Mm hmm. I’m sure your fiancée wouldn’t like you looking at me like that.”

I kissed my teeth. “Why would you bring her up?”

“For the same reason you invited her to go with us yesterday. Just to be saying shit.”

I signed. “I was trying—”

“I don’t need you to try anything. Yesterday was a day for you, me, and our child. I get it. She’s potentially gonna be her stepmother. I have to accept that I have to share her eventually, but right now, I get to be selfish with my baby. Besides, until we can come to an understanding about our positions in your life, me and her have nothing to talk about. Her little attitude is gonna make me slap her in the mouth, so you better handle that. Until you divorce me, I’m your wife. This is just as much my home as it is yours, so she doesn’t get to just pop in here whenever she feels like it. You wanna see her, go over there.”

I swallowed hard. Something about her putting her foot down did something to me. I was glad to see that this Leon character hadn’t broken her. She seemed stronger than she was. I mean, she was never weak, but I felt this strength in her that I hadn’t before. I had to respect it.

“I hear you,” I said finally.

“Good.”

She went to the cabinet and grabbed three plates to begin plating food. I’d just finished packing Summer Rose’s lunch when she came around the corner yawning.

“Good morning, princess,” I spoke.

“Good morning, Daddy.” She came to me for hugs and kisses, then went to her mother. “Good morning, Mommy.”

“Good morning, baby.”

Evenie’s smile was bright as she picked Summer up for a hug. She giggled as her mother smothered her face with kisses.

“Did you sleep good?” she asked.

“I did. I wish you would have slept with me, though. It’s nice having you to cuddle with.”

“How about you come cuddle in my bed tonight? We can have our own movie and little sleepover.”

“Oooo! Can you paint my nails and do my hair?”

“Of course I can. Find a style, and Mommy’s got you.”

Summer smiled as she wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

“Me too, baby.” I could hear the tears in her voice as she placed her on her feet. “Wash your hands so you can eat.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be right back. I need to use the bathroom.”

While Summer went to the bathroom, Evenie turned away. I could tell she was trying to hold it together. I tried to let her have her moment, but when her shoulders began shaking, I walked over and wrapped my arms around her from behind. She clung to me as she cried softly.

“I got you,” I said, kissing her temple. “I know it probably feels overwhelming, but you’ve been doing so well with her. It takes a strong person to go through what you went through and jump right into being a mother, love. Cherish these moments because you absolutely deserve them. You understand me?”

She nodded. Turning in my arms, she wrapped hers around me tightly. For a moment, we just stood like that in silence. I felt her finally release a deep breath.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

She pulled away, and as if it were pure instinct, we both leaned in and pecked each other’s lips. It was the most natural thing because it was something we’d done a thousand times. We quickly realized our mistake and took a step back.

“I’m sorry,” left both our mouths.

“I need a minute,” she said.

Without another word, she left the kitchen. I sighed heavily. Clearly, I needed to learn my position in her life too.