Tawny

Five years ago, after dealing with one of the most wicked storms of my life, a beautiful and exceptionally bright rainbow appeared-a harlequin rainbow full of inspiration, fortunes, and hope. That rainbow told me to close my eyes to the old shitty life and open my heart to new beginnings. But, it also said that I needed to read the letter my mother had left behind for me, finally.

In my mother's letter, she wanted me to know how much she loved and adored me. And then apologized for not being a stronger person, explaining how bothered she was that she couldn't figure out how to be the woman, wife, or mother she was supposed to be, and then begged that I not be like her and be the opposite. Saying that once I find the man I couldn't live without, I am to listen to his wants and needs, work out any problems that may arise, and forgive him, shall he make a mistake.

My mother also insisted that I do everything I can and not allow the man of my dreams to feel the need to become unfaithful. She added that I am to forget the horror of the past. To look forward to the future. And live my life to the fullest. Because if I didn't, it would only lead me to unhappiness. Make as many beautiful memories as you can, as I did with you—the only thing I did right with you, she added at the end of her letter.

So, with that rainbow and my mother's letter, I said to hell with the past. And I told myself to forget what hurt me, what made me cry, what made me run, what had me feeling lost, and learn from them because there are always new memories to build.

And by doing what I told myself to do, I've felt stronger, wiser, and more alive than ever before.

Three months after Ian's heartfelt proposal and sliding the most meaningful and intriguing ring I've ever seen on my finger, new memories started building when our beautiful daughter, Eliana, entered the world. It was thirty-eight hours of hell, but after hearing her first cry, seeing her angelic face, her little squinty eyes looking, and studying me while I held her in my arms, made being in labor as long as I was all worthwhile. She was perfect. Except for having Ian's strikingly emerald-colored eyes, Eliana was the spitting image of my mother and me.

A couple of weeks after the birth of our daughter and wishing to spend as much time with her, Ian and I decided that the nightclub wasn't in our best interest, and we placed Erotic Playground on the market. Three months later, Arnie and Skye partnered up and bought it together.

Not long after Arnie and Skye bought the club, they hooked up. Then, after five months of dating, they surprised everyone when they flew to Vegas and came back home married. Ian, however, wasn't too thrilled they married before us and pushed harder to marry sooner than initially planned.

I wanted nothing big or extravagant anyway, so a couple of months later, we ended up marrying at Ian's resort in a small ceremony on the beach. I surprised everyone that day when Aliyah and my three other siblings showed up for the wedding.

Everyone expected me to hate them for what my father had done. But after learning how to forgive and teaching my heart there's more to life than hating others, I told myself I needed to continue living in peace. So I decided to invite Aliyah, Braylon, Janessa, and Chance.

A year and a half later, Ian bought a five-star hotel, and we also welcomed Soraia into our lives. And she's entirely the opposite of Eliana. Since Soraia was born, she's been a daddy's girl. Whenever she heard Ian's voice or saw him entering the room, she'd light up, get excited, and smile. And the moment he'd leave her sight, she'd cry.

And to this day, nothing has changed. Soraia follows Ian around everywhere he goes, and when Ian leaves, whether it be for running around doing errands or going to work, he'll bring her along. Which is fine; Eliana keeps me company by sitting in my art room with me, doing whatever I'm doing. Whether it be painting, drawing, or sculpting, she does it. And she's good too. Real good. So good that Ian hung one of her paintings up inside our art museum.

For only being five years old, I think that's one of the most extraordinary things in the world. And with Eliana's incredible talents, I cannot wait to see if she'll grow up being an artist just like me.

I fell in love with art and crafts when I was a little girl, and it brings me great joy to see my daughter following in my footsteps. Painting has always been my escape and my way of keeping a diary to help maintain my thoughts and memories predominantly when it comes to something remarkable and beautiful.

Just like I am now.

Ian took the girls and me on a camping trip to the North Shore. A beautiful majestic area located off Lake Superior and one of the best scenic areas of Minnesota. So because of where we are and what we've been doing while here, I've been painting memories I never want to forget.

While Ian and the girls sit around the campfire making s'mores, I'm sitting back, watching, smiling, and painting, painting the entire scene. First, my three-year-old Soraia with chocolate and marshmallow spread throughout her cheeks, chin, and lips. Then, there's my five-year-old Eliana with chocolate smeared on her lips and chin. As for Ian? The girls had a little fun with him before they started making s'mores by painting his nails, coloring his face with my makeup, and putting as many pigtails in his hair as they could.

The best part about it? Ian allows the girls to do this to him all the time. Never once has he ever squawked about it. Whatever those girls want, Ian gives them. Whatever they want to do, he'll do it with them. And whenever the girls want to help him get ready for work? He lets them, including making him look as he does now, with makeup and pigtails.

I guess you could say, whenever the girls do this to him, he looks like the male version of Mimi from The Drew Carey Show, but a whole lot worse. It looks hideous, and I feel embarrassed for him whenever he goes to work this way, but since he allows it and doesn't care what others think, I love it.

Every passing day I spend with Ian and the girls, the more blessed I feel than the day before. And every day, I thank myself for doing the right thing by taking Ian back. Because I couldn't have picked a better man to love, be my husband, and be a father to my kids.

As I finished the painting, Soraia walked over to me with her hand held out, holding a s'more. Then, with a grin from ear to ear, and her cute little dimples showing in her cheeks, she excitedly said, "Here, mommy, daddy made this for you!"

"Thank you," I responded, taking it from her hand and then taking a bite while looking at Ian. He knows I love s'mores, but he also knows that I shouldn't be eating them, either, as I've had to cut back on my sugar intake. Especially since my last doctor's appointment, I was told my blood sugar levels were too high for their liking.

"Are you done painting?" Soraia asked.

"I am," I said, smiling. I turned and pointed to the painted canvas drying on the easel. "See?"

Her little feet skipped over to the easel. She stopped, stared, and started giggling, pointing at Ian. "Daddy, mommy painted your pigtails in the picture!"

Ian looked at me, chuckling while repeatedly pointing at me. "That one stays home."

"I don't know. I think this one could be a big hit amongst art lovers," I teased, then giggled after seeing the worried look on his face. "Of course, this one would be hanging on our wall. There's no other place I'd rather have this memory hanging, anyway."

"Mommy, can we go fishing now?" Eliana asked.

I looked at Ian, then at Eliana, and grinned. "We can go fishing. But have your dad take off the fish you catch this time."

She scrunched up her nose. "Daddy's a pansy."

Ian choked.

I laughed.

"What did she say?" Ian asked, wide-eyed.

"Kids say the darndest things, don't they?"

Ian cocked a brow.

I honestly didn't think she heard me. But knowing that she did and repeated it, cracks me up. "She repeated what I said earlier," I informed, laughing. Ian hates baiting a hook with a worm or touching a fish.

It's the funniest thing I've ever seen.

"I'm not a pansy. I just dislike touching worms and fish. It's gross," he retorted, then shivered. "They're slimy, and just... yuck," he said, sticking out his tongue.

I giggled, rolled my eyes, then shook my head. "Who knew men could be so scared of touching a worm or fish? It's not that bad."

Ian walked over to me, gripping my hips."How about you take a break from painting? I'll sit back, take pictures, and watch you fish with the girls? You haven't fished since we got here, and you like fishing."

I slithered my arms around him, then smiled mischievously. "I have a better idea. How about we put our phones down for the rest of the day? I'll even put down the paintbrushes and camera. I have a photographic memory anyway," I winked. "Let's just enjoy us as a family doing what we came up here to do."

His mouth lowered to mine, and the girls giggled.

"We can do that," he said, smiling while eyeing our girls standing next to us, staring.

"Good. Because you've been so busy with the hotel that you've neglected every doctor's appointment I've had with this pregnancy, and there are some things you need to learn how to do before I give birth."

An instant look of confusion crossed his face. "Learn?"

"Yes, learn," I said firmly.

"What do I need to learn?"

"You need to learn how to get dirty. Touch worms, touch and hold fish, and throw a ball. Anything and everything that little boys enjoy doing. I mean, I do enjoy seeing you pretty up for the girls," I smirked. "But now, you need to learn how to defeminize yourself."

Ian's brows drew together. He looked at the girls, then at me, smiling. "Are we having a boy?"

I nodded. "Not just one boy. But two."

The End

I hope you all enjoyed the story! I'm sorry it took so long for me to finish. It was a wild year for me.

I will be back for more, I have plenty of stories in mind, and many covers made!!! For all who haven't had the chance to check them out, you'll be able to see them on my Facebook author page. Find me and ask to join; I will accept you all! I promise!❤❤❤❤❤

➡️➡️➡️ Author Facebook page under: Jeni Rae D author page⬅️⬅️⬅️

You can also find me on:

🐦Twitter: JeniRaeD1
📷Instagram: jeniraed1

I also have another Facebook author page containing information on books I publish on Amazon and other sites.

➡️Facebook: Jeniraed Romance/erotica author page

Come find me and add me!
❤❤❤❤❤