"Steph, I'm about to leave baby. I put your plate in the warmer and fed the twins already." I felt his warm lips press against my forehead, and jumped up.

"What the- girl what's wrong with you?" His lip was turned up at me in confusion and I couldn't help but laugh at the cuteness of it.

"Why are you leaving so early this morning?"
His firm opens at 8 in the morning, but he usually works at home until 10, and then heads over to the office with his other colleagues.

"Ha- what do you mean early? It's 10:45." He motioned toward the alarm clock sitting on the nightstand.

"What!? Where's Skye? She wanted me to make her chicken capris for lunch today! I have a test in 30 minutes- oh my God not today!"

I hopped out of bed and ran in the bathroom to turn on the shower. While the water was getting hot, I ran to the closet to pick out a decent outfit; I settled on black high waist skinny pants with a black tank and a blush colored cardigan. I had 10 minutes to spare in the shower which would leave me with 10 to lotion up and do minimum to no makeup. Skye would just have to forgive me this time because there was no way I would be able to cook anything and get it to her. Just great. I ran out of the closet headed straight toward the bathroom when Rich reached for my waist, stopping me dead in my tracks.

"Richard... come on don't start." I pulled away giggling as he planted kisses all over my face and neck.

"What's wrong with me loving on my fiancé? Huh? C'mere" he smirked as he bit his bottom lip.

"What's the rush?"

"Rich, I have a test that I just might fail if I'm more than even 30 seconds late. I don't have time for the morning thrills today." I laughed and attempted to pull away once again.

"You left your email up again on my laptop. Your professor emailed everyone last night about class. His wife passed away last night so he's gonna be out all week." I listened while I walked over to his little office set up on his side of the room and sure enough, he had sent his apologies and plans for the next week when he returned.

"Wow. I hate to sound like an ass but- I studied two weeks for this exam. He could've at least let his graduate assistant oversee it." Rolling my eyes, I closed his laptop and grabbed everything I would need for my shower.

"Could you just stay and watch the twins until I'm out of the shower?"

"Sure thing baby."

***
Later that day

So although the beginning of the day was chaotic, somehow everything all worked out and I was able to make lunch for Skye, get it to her school, and make it to my clinical on time. To my surprise, the instructor acknowledged me today for having the top GPA of the semester. I wasn't even aware, and it wasn't necessarily a goal for me but I am so grateful that my hard work and dedication is paying off. I was still kind of bummed about not being able to take my test though- it was the last one of the semester.

Before heading home I stopped by Sonic to grab an order of cheddar peppers. I knew Rich was cooking but my appetite has been on ten lately. I knew traffic on the freeway would be crazy so I took the backroad and was home in all of 15 minutes. I had never in my life been so excited to get home and do absolutely nothing.

"Sweets!"

"Yea?" After a minute of no response , I realized that he actually wanted me to come and see what he wamted. Once I was in the kitchen, it was an instant regret.

"Hey Sweets, how was your day?" With a wooden spoon in his left hand, he grabbed me with the right one and kissed my cheek. I couldn't help but to blush. That immediately faded though, after he waved the spoon in my face.

"Rich... what is that?" I backed away slowly with my hand over my nose. My stomach instantly felt like it was turning inside out.

He stared at me for what seemed like forever, in confusion.

"Its pasta sauce, Steph. Taste." He tried holding the spoon up to me yet again and I was about to lose it. I tried with everything in me to keep from gagging and hurting his feelings.... but damn.

"Eww no...- please. I can't even fathom the smell. What did you do to it?" I know my face was all twisted up at him.

He chuckled a bit and walked back over to the stove. "Steph it's the same recipe I've been using since before I ever laid eyes on you."

I migrated over behind the island, holding onto it for stability because that smell almost sent me flat on my face.

"Oh"

"You like my pasta sauce, what's wrong with you?" He looked at me and then rubbed his forehead in frustration.

"Come on Steph... I thought we were working on this. You're still mad? Sweets we talked about it and we're still going to counseling, why are you back peddling? I said I was sorry and you did too, so what's up?" I watched him go on and on, pacing back and forth about how we needed to both be on the same page with our relationship and how sorry he was. It was so cute because he really was worried.

"Rich..."

"Yea sweets?"

"What the hell are you talking about? Ain't nobody mad at you." After the words left my mouth, I burst out laughing causing him to mug me.

"Then why you hating on my sauce?" He whined in such a defeated tone as he looked over his shoulder at the pot. Without waiting for a response, he walked over to the stove to stir it.

"Haha.. Rich I'm not hating. It just stinks. Oooo are you cooking anything else?" My eyes lit up at the thought of him preparing anything except that pasta.

"No" he looked back over his shoulder with a mug on his face.

"Rich pleeeeeease can you do stuffed mushrooms? Or fried calamari? No do both!" I was literally brainstorming in my head about what sauce I was gonna make to go with both dishes.

While I was doing all of that Rich was walking over to the island. He had a peculiar look plastered across his face. I watched as he folded his arms and studied me.

"What?" He moved in closer to me.

The expression on his face made it obvious that he was really in deep thought.

"You must not have eaten breakfast today."

Shrugging my shoulders, I shook my head yes. I stopped by McDonalds before going to Skye's school and heading to class.

"No lunch?"

"Yes Rich and I had cheddar peppers on the way home. Why?" By this time I was kind of defensive because I assumed he was gonna comment on my eating and tell me to slow down. I don't need any help.

"Nothing, I was just thinking..." I searched his eyes for clues but I was just as dumbfounded as he was.

"Thinking? What?"

He backed away a little bit before laughing to himself and shrugging off whatever it was.

"Nah.. that can't be it. I'm tripping"

"O.. kay whatever. Where are my babies? It's too quiet in here." The concrete floor was cold against the bottom of my feet as I eased over to the video monitor in search of Skye, Bunni, and Deuce.

Immediately my eyes shifted to the play room. Skye appeared to be having a tea party while the twins played in their bassinets. I fall in love all over again whenever I see them playing and babbling at one another

I dang near sprinted into the playroom to shower all of my babies with love.

"Mommy, come play with me!"

Greeting her with a smile, I walk over to where she is seated, and take a cup of tea. It instantly took me back to when I was her age and throwing little tea parties myself. Everybody in the family would have to participate, even Pooch.

"Thank you so much Skye for having me. I always look forward to having Tea with you, coco, and puff." I smile at her, then take a glance at my dog babies. They were dressed in little tutus, sitting in a chair lapping up tea from their cups as well. This had to be the cutest thing I'd ever seen. I took a quick picture for Snapchat and carried on with Skye, while every now and again checking on the twins to be sure they were comfortable.

"More tea mommy?"

"Yes, this is amazing, what's your secret?"

"Love." I damn near cried. This child is a genius. I can't wait to see the amazing young lady that she becomes.

"Sweets, I fed the babies already and dinner is ready. Y'all wanna eat in the kitchen or in the theater r- what the hell?"

His eyes shifted from me to Skye. I now had on one of her princess tiaras and a pink furry scarf with Hollywood sunglasses. I was literally having the time of my life.

"Hey baby!" I grinned, wish Skye in my arms. 

"What are you doing?"

He moved closer to where we were to examine or whole set up. I watched him shake his head and smile. I sure he thought I was going overboard but I smiled and carried on with Skye. Shortly after I heard an alert on my phone. Pulling it out of my pocket I see that Rich has tagged me in a post on Instagram.

The caption read: "I could never grow tired of coming home to this type of love (swipe left) my heart. My pride. My joy.

The first picture was of me and Skye toasting and laughing. The second was Skye saying something to me while I reached over to check on Deuce and Bunni again. I don't know why, but this literally had me crying bullets.

I discreetly wiped my face so I wouldn't upset Skye or bring any attention to myself from Rich.

"Can daddy play with the princess?" I watched an eager Rich struggle to fit himself in the miniature space that was setup. His big ass was literally squatting.

"Daddy, are you okay? You look like you're hurting" with her head titled, I watched as she observed her father. Personally, I was about to bust my side wide open trying to contain my laughter. That earned me a death glare from Rich, who was clearly uncomfortable and trying to fake it.

"What? Don't look at me that way. You weren't even invited."

His neck snapped in my direction and he look at me in disbelief.

"For your information, the King is always welcome. ain't that right Skye?" She appeared to be busy trying to reassemble her tea pot.

He put his hands on his hips and stood up.

"Little girl I know you hear me."

She stopped and smiled

"Well.. mommy likes tea. It's for girls!"

Again, I burst out laughing because I could see how hurt Rich was. He walked over to the swinger and picked Deuce up. His face lit up instantly when he opened his eyes to his daddy.

"Come on fat man... let's go some place where we're welcome." He playfully rolled his neck and Skye ran over and squeezed his leg.

"Daddy you can play nail salon tomorrow!" She squealed.

"What?" His lip turned up and he stared in her face.

"Yay! We can both have pink nails!"

"Skye baby, daddy can't wear pi-". He immediately cut off his statement when he saw her drop her face. I was dying inside trying to contain myself.

"Can we add sparkles too?" He mumbled with a straight face. She jumped up and ran back over to the table, signifying that she was satisfied.

"I'm glad you're amused." He smirked at me.

I gave him a wink and blew him a kiss.

"Yea yea Bunni had an accident. Smells like a big one too. You girls enjoy yourselves."

I stopped mid laugh and turned to see Rima making her pooping face. She was smelling like a grown person, shit.

"Rich?" I watched him stroll down the hallway ignoring me.

"Rich!? What did you feed my baby? What the hell? It's going up her back! Rich get back here."

Dammit. I hate him.