Not Broken: The Happily Ever After(101)

Shawn picked up the thong and put it on his head, grinning proudly at his accomplishment.

Mal pulled them off. “These are mighty nice as well. Mighty nice, indeed. I can already picture you in these, the matching bra, and a sexy pair of high heels. This is good stuff. So, when do I get my surprise?”

Shawn’s chubby fingers reached for the underwear. Once he had them back, they again went onto his head before he crawled over and climbed into the open suitcase. I picked him up and sat him down on the floor, removing the thong from his head in the process.

“I bet you are excited.” I involuntarily glanced down at Malcolm’s crotch. “And if I told you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

Mal jumped up off the bed and scooped up Shawn before he could escape out the door. He let out a gleeful squeal when Mal spun him around.

He walked over and picked up the boyshorts out of my suitcase. “I’d love it if you’d surprise me with these tonight.” With a quick kiss and a playful slap to my ass, he and Shawn were off.

When I got downstairs, the two of them were on the floor wrestling. I put the suitcase down quietly then propped up against the wall to watch. Mal laid on his back, pretending to fight Shawn off while Shawn climbed on top of him. Malcolm was such a kid, but it worked in his favor. He was a good father to Shawn. Father. He’d easily stepped into that role. Willingly. And without being asked. Certainly, an unexpected occurrence, but watching them together I knew Shawn couldn’t have a better man to call dad.

“One, two, three, you’re out,” I said.

“What? This is rigged. Quickest count ever. I could have taken him.” Mal laughed as he sat up.

I walked over and picked up Shawn and lifted one of his arms in the air. “Not rigged. My baby is champion fair and square.” I gave him a series of quick kisses on his neck and tickled his belly, sending him into a fit of giggles.

“Uh-huh, sure. I want a rematch. And you need to be in proper ring girl attire.” Mal added and gave me a wink.

“Why would I need that? I’m the ref, not the ring girl.”

“Call it incentive for me to throw the match so Lil’ Man can retain his title.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Any excuse to have me barely dressed.”

Mal stepped closer and slid his arms around my waist. A delicious smile spread across his face. He leaned forward, and his lips brushed against my cheek when he whispered, “Can you blame me?”

I involuntarily shuddered. He stepped back, laughing as he took Shawn from me. “You get everything you need?” he asked, looking over at my suitcase.

“Yeah, um, there’s a second one upstairs still that needs to be brought down.”

“‘k.” He sat Shawn down before dashing off up the stairs.

I took a seat on the floor next to Shawn, who had busied himself with his plastic building blocks, and reached out to straighten a few flyaway strands of his hair. “Whatcha say, kiddo, you up for a few more nights away from this place?”

I knew I was. Coming back after time at Malcolm’s made this house less appealing. With most of my secrets exposed, the comfort and security I’d once had within the confines of these walls had morphed to more of an oppressive weight. Just driving through the gates, the pressure of it settled in my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Malcolm came back down the steps, carrying the larger suitcase with ease. He said nothing as he picked up the other one and headed out the door. Shawn began to fuss when I picked him up, unhappy I interrupted his building.

“How about we take them with us?”

I put all the blocks in the large plastic bag, zipped it, and then gave it to him to carry. That seemed to appease him a little as he worked to unzip it.

“Woah,” Mal said, stopping short from running into us when he reentered the house at the same time I tried to exit. “You got everything?”

“Yeah, I’m going to grab his cars. Could you—”

“Get him buckled in?” He smiled and gave me a wink.

I laughed and nodded. “Thanks.”

He gave me a quick kiss and the two of them ran off. Malcolm flying Shawn through the air as they headed to the door.

When we got back to Mal’s place, I carried a sleeping Shawn up to his room while Mal took our bags. I turned around in circles when I entered the master bedroom but didn’t see my luggage. The sound of a door being opened got my attention. Mal came strolling out of the water closet.

“Where are my suitcases?” I asked as he walked over to the sink to wash his hands.

“In the closet.”

I headed over to the large master closet. Inside, my suitcases sat on a completely empty side aside from three brand new packs of hangers. Mal had all his clothes and shoes, surprisingly, neatly arranged on one half of the space.

“You can hang up stuff if you want. You know, just in case you don’t want to have to keep digging through your suitcase while you’re here.”

I glanced back over my shoulder at him. “I thought you’d have this filled.”

“The chest of drawers is empty, too. I took the dresser because it had more room.”

I looked over at the tall piece of furniture that stood against the wall next to the closet. “You left me space?”

Mal put his hands on my hips and pulled me back against him. “You sound surprised.” He gave me a kiss on the top of my head. “I told you this place is for us. When you’re ready. But, like with the decorating, I figured it’d be easier to plan ahead. Less adjustment needed that way.”