Page 43 of The Impossible

She laughed even harder. “You don’t know that for sure, Hondo, and please don’t let your mama hear that.”

I laughed hard as fuck because she was right. Right now, my moms was eating, sleeping, and breathing the idea of grandchildren. So the mere mention would have her somewhere already shopping and decorating the room she already dedicated to being a nursery/playroom for her grandchildren.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For willing to be honest with me.”

“You ain’t never gotta thank me for shit when it comes to you, baby. Just be aware of the lengths I’m willing to go for your safety and happiness. I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against hers.

We kissed and I ended up pulling her into my arms on the table. “And since I’m being honest, this couch is ugly than a motherfucker and the fact that you got it next day delivery is blasphemy.”

She giggled. “But it’s comfortable and Amethyst says it’s chic.”

“Yo, you must ain’t seen her condo. Ain’t shit in there that matches, but you got her in here decorating our house.”

“I mean, if you have a problem with it, you can definitely help.”

“You know what, you’re right. I’m good, baby. You got it. Keep this big, ugly, sad ass couch, but don’t get mad when I keep talking about it.”

“Hondo, let it go or go to the furniture store with me next time.”

I didn’t respond immediately, but instead stood with her in my arms before taking a seat on the couch. To my dismay, she was right. Though ugly, it was comfortable.

She maneuvered so she was comfortably straddling my lap.

“Aight, so maybe this motherfucker is comfortable.”

“I told you it was.”

“You did.” I bit into my bottom lip, taking her in for the millionth time today. I couldn’t help that I loved looking at and feeling her.

“Do I have you to myself for the rest of the day or are you leaving again?”

“All yours. Any and everything of importance is in this room.”

She grinned, pushing her face closer to mine before she spoke. “You’re trying to get in my pants, aren’t you?”

“Favorite place in the fucking world.”

CHAPTER 11

Patience

Several Weeks Later

I feel like we settled into married life pretty easily, even with everything going on in the world and our lives, but we just fit. We had somehow built this routine around one another. Well, more so him building his life around me while I tried to figure out who I was without the sanctuary. A few days after everything happened, I got a call from one of the keepers there and she said they got word that Zar was moving and the sanctuary was closing soon. It hurt bad because of how much I worked with the animals and the staff there, but I already knew what it was and it was out of my control. No lie, the way things were happening hurt my feelings, but I had no control over the actions of others. As Hondo said, I had to let shit rock, even though I would always come off on top. I didn’t see where the on top was, but I let it go. He seemed stressed lately anyways, so I tried to put less of my problems on him and be there for him when needed. Who knew the man I was literally forced to marry would become my solace and protector all in one?

“When your mother asks why we’re late, don’t tell her it was my fault again. It’s you,” I called from my closet to the bedroom where Hondo was still getting dressed for the gala.

He was quiet but I heard his footsteps before he entered the room. “Considering you’re the reason I’m taking so long, you’re getting the blame.”

“How is you not being ready my fault?”

“Didn’t you ask me to rub you down because you’ve been sore?”

I cackled loudly. “No, I didn’t. I told you my boobs were tender and you assumed I neede⁠—”