I take my phone out of the pocket.
Me: Did you get home okay?
I joke with him, wondering, and he answers back right away.
Luca: Got stuck at a red light but all is good. Is Aiden okay?
I laugh; he was always witty.
Me: He’s good, just had a bad dream.
I’m waiting for him to answer me, but instead, my phone rings. “Hello,” I say, turning to the side.
“Hey,” he says softly. “Figured this was easier than texting.” He laughs, and I wonder if he’s in his bed, and what he’s wearing. “I’m going to Nick and Mona’s tomorrow for Sunday brunch. Would you and Aiden like to come with me?”
I smile, thinking of the last time I saw Nick, and he was bringing Luca to the hospital. “Are you sure it’s okay with them?”
“I’m sure.” His voice stays the same, and I think back to when we were on the cruise, and how we would do face-to-face talking and then kissing and then it would lead to so many other things.
I smile. “Then, yes, we would love to.”
“Sounds like a plan,” he says, and I hear covers being ruffled. “I can’t believe you thought I was with Lauren!” He laughs.
“I can’t believe you thought I went home with a man I work with!” I snap back.
He laughs now. “Okay, fine, we were both wrong, but next time, we should communicate better.”
My eyes close. “How about if something bothers us, we just tell the other person?”
He gasps. “You mean open communication? I think that sounds like a perfect plan.” I hear him yawn.
“I’ll text you tomorrow when we get up,” I tell him, and he just mumbles.
“I’ll be there. Night, Eli,” he says softly.
“Sweet dreams, Luca,” I say and hang up, putting the phone on my nightstand and falling fast asleep. My dreams that night are from that cruise seven years ago. When Aiden finally crawls into my bed the next morning, he climbs on top of me and kisses my cheek. “Bonjour, Maman,” Good morning, Mom, he says.
“Bonjour, Cherie.” Good morning, sweetheart. I open my eyes, and it looks like I didn’t move the whole night. I cuddle him to me, kissing his head and resting my cheek on it. “Are you hungry?” I ask him.
I’m not the least bit surprised when he looks over at me and says, “I’m starving. Can I have cookies?” He jumps off the bed, and I hear his little feet go downstairs. “Mommy!” he shouts. “Daddy is here!” I fly out of bed and go to the top of the stairs.
“Good morning.” He stares back at me in his jeans and a T-shirt with bare feet. He looks like he just walked out of a fucking photo shoot, and I’m pretty sure I have dried drool on my cheek. “I brought doughnuts.”
“What time is it?” I ask him, bringing the robe together at my neck.
“Seven thirty,” he says, taking a sip of his coffee. “I also brought you coffee.”
“What time did you get here?” I ask him.
“About thirty minutes ago, give or take.” He smiles. “Come down.”
“I will. I just need to use the bathroom.” I smile at him, and Aiden comes over with chocolate all over his cheeks.
“I’m having breakfast.” He smiles and then runs back to his half-eaten doughnut. I walk to my bathroom, and I shriek at my appearance. My hair is sticking up, and I totally have drool on my cheek. I wash my face and finish off in the bathroom, then go into my closet and throw on yoga pants and a loose top. I pile my hair on my head as I walk downstairs, finding Luca and Aiden cuddled on the couch while they watch Paw Patrol.
I walk to the kitchen and grab a cup of coffee, taking it and going to the couch, sitting next to them as Luca looks over and smiles at me. “Good morning.”
I take a sip of coffee. “Good morning to you, too.” I tuck my legs under me and enjoy this. Never in my wildest dreams would I have pictured me on the couch with Luca and Aiden. I smile, bringing the coffee close to me, and I’m about to take another sip.
“You snore,” he tells me, and I look at him with open eyes. “I heard you from downstairs.”
“I have a deviated septum.” I glare at him.
“You must have got that after the cruise.” He winks at me, and I turn and watch television with them, trying not to let the heat rise to my face as I wonder if he thinks about the nights we spent together.
“What time are we expected at Nick’s place?” I change the topic.
“We need to be there at noon,” he says, and I just turn back and nod at him. We watch the rest of Paw Patrol with Aiden. When the show finishes, I get up and make some pancakes and waffles.