Reclaimed - Chapter 2

Rekindle

Missed Chapter 1? Read Chaper 1 Here

“With each thrust, Dee’s moans became louder, her grip on the bedsheets tighter. Her eyes locked to his, the intensity of his look, only adding fire to the flame burning in her. The last thrust sending her body into waves of pleasure, his final growl resonating through her core. Dee felt it, the moment a spark ignited in her body. A new fae will be brought to the world.”

As Melanie set the book on the table, she realized she’d been holding the spoon filled with milk and cereal mid air throughout the chapter. Glancing at the clock on the wall, she dropped the spoon into the bowl, breakfast half eaten, and hurried to get herself ready for work.

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Lisa chose to dance, she wiggled her little body in what Melanie was sure was the latest fad dance the girl picked up from her older sister. Mike chose a handshake, he’s such a sweet child.

One by one the first graders made their way into her classroom. As she watched them she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have a child of her own. She and Marcus were high school sweethearts. He wasn’t her first, but he was her first love. They dated through college, regular hiccups and all, but always talked about wanting to start a family together. The time was never right. They were too young. Then they had no money to their name. And then slowly, the conversations stopped.

As the last in the line, Zayn, gave her the high five he chose as his greeting, the thought of her having a child now, at her thirty-one years old, would make her one of the older first time moms of her circle. But not the last. There’s still plenty of time.

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“On my way.” A notification popped up on her phone, a message from Marcus. This time she didn’t let herself get distracted. She cooked his favorite, chicken tikka masala. She’d even made an extra trip to the store just to top it with fresh cilantro.

Disappointment flowed through her when he didn’t notice her effort. She hoped there would be a semblance of excitement when he ate his first spoonful, a comment that would make starting the conversation she’d recited to herself a hundred times easier. But he ate and scrolled on his phone. Like they both did, most evenings.

“Marcus,” she started, making him look away from his phone. “I was thinking we should try for a baby.”

His mouth half opened, but no words came out for what felt like an eternity. “Mel,” he finally said, his voice low, “where’s this coming from?”

“I… I was just thinking,” Melanie’s voice trembled, “we both have steady jobs, we have our apartment.”

“Don’t,” he interrupted, “I don’t want to talk about this today.” He shifted in his chair and pushed the plate aside.

“Your debt is almost paid, why wait?” she continued.

“Mel.” He didn’t have to say more. She knew him well enough to know what the expression on his weary face was telling her. Not now. Really, not now.

Her chest tightened as she watched him silently get up from the table and go to the bedroom. But it wasn’t his dismissal that made her feel the tight coil in her stomach, it was the sudden realization that his answer left her indifferent.