I read that in the article as well.
“I want one with a yellow jewel,” Lexi says, grabbing it off the wall, along with a bottle of lube. “And I’m going to need to read this article you read.”
We go from area to area, getting all the items on my list, and a few others Jenn suggests, and once we’re done we both check out—Lexi having bought everything I did.
“This was fun,” she says once we’re outside in the parking lot. Then her face goes serious. “You’re doing all this because you want to, though, right? Not because you feel like you have to, to keep Chase.”
“Chase hasn’t once asked me to use toys.”
“So you’re doing this because you think he wants to?”
I’ve thought a lot about this since that sexy toy slut came by to pick up her dildo. “I’m doing it because I want to. Because he obviously has the toys for a reason, and I’ve heard the way those women would scream in pleasure. Every time he touches me, he brings me pleasure. I think he hasn’t brought up the toys because he sees me as this delicate little flower, and I don’t want to be that person. I’m not that person.” At least not anymore…
“He thinks I’m mad because he used those toys with women before me, but I’m hurt he doesn’t want to use them with me. Up until now, we’ve been open and honest with each other. I don’t know why he’s shutting me out regarding this matter, but I’m going to force him to talk to me. Then hopefully, get him to use them with me.”
Lexi nods thoughtfully. “You’re a different person with him. And not in a bad way. I never would’ve thought he would be the guy for you, but after seeing you two together, I can see that you’re both crazy in love with each other. You’re good for each other.”
After a few more minutes of talking, we hug goodbye, with the promise to meet later this week to get Abigail and Hazel together—and to discuss which toys are the best—Lexi’s suggestion, not mine.
I stop by the deli to pick up lunch, then head home. Chase is sitting on the couch, watching a baseball game on TV. When I walk in, he pauses it. “Hazel just went down for her afternoon nap.”
I set the food on the table, then head back to our room to hide the bag of toys in my drawer for later. We eat lunch, steering clear of any sex toy talk, focusing on Hazel and what the lawyer said, and once she’s awake, since it’s nice out, we take her for a walk to the park.
“No, pretty girl. Don’t eat the sand,” I tell her, removing her hand from her mouth.
Her cute little face scrunches up at the word no, making Chase and me laugh.
“How about the swings?” Chase suggests, lifting her up and flying her through the air like she’s a plane to take her mind off the sand. He’s so good with her, and I love to watch them both. The way she’s accepted him so completely… it’s as if she knows he’s her dad. I don’t have any other babies to compare her to, since I’ve never lived with one, but I thought the transition would be rougher. Instead, she shocked us by warming up to both of us.
Chase sets her in the swing and buckles her in. Her mouth immediately goes to the plastic piece in the front, and I half-gag, while Chase places a blanket in the front.
“She’s like a puppy,” he says with a laugh. “Chewing on everything.”
“She’s probably teething.” We’ve been busy reading about babies every chance we get, since neither of us had any notice we’d be getting one, and we both want to know what to expect.
“I talked to your mom earlier,” Chase says nonchalantly.
“Oh really?” They’ve spoken a few times since Hazel’s come into our life. My mom is supportive, hell, both my parents are, and have offered to help in any way they can.
“Your parents are going to take Hazel tonight.” His eyes meet mine. “So we can talk.”
I swallow thickly, not liking this. What could he want to talk about that requires Hazel to be elsewhere? Is he planning to break up with me?
“She’s only just become familiar with us. Don’t you think it’s too soon for her to spend the night somewhere else?”
“We’ll pick her up tonight. We’re dropping her off around four.” He said we, so maybe he’s not breaking up with me.
“Okay.”
We hang out a little longer at the park, until Hazel whines she’s hungry. While I take a shower and get ready, Chase feeds her. Then while he gets ready, I put together a diaper bag for my mom. Hazel’s been around my parents, so when she sees them, she doesn’t cry.