Chapter 6 “Let Me Count the Ways”

Chapter 6 “Let Me Count the Ways”

I've seen your face a thousand times

Have all your stories memorized

I've kissed your lips a million ways

But I still love to have you around

I've held you too many times to count

I think I know you inside out

And we're together most days

But I still love to have you around

 

You're the one I want

And it's not just a phase

You're the one I trust

Our love is the real thing

 

Don't go away

My love (my love)

I want you to stay

In my life

My lover (my love)

I'm happiest when we spend time

 

You’re a salty ocean wave

You knock me down,

You kiss my face

I know the storms will always come

But I still love to have you around

Heaven knows what will come next

So emotional

You're so complex

A rollercoaster built to crash

But I still love to have you around

 

You're the one I want

And it's not just a phase

You're the one I trust

Our love is the real thing

 

Don't go away

My love (my love)

I want you to stay

In my life

My lover (my love)

I'm happiest when we spend time (it's only you and I)

 

It's you there when I close my eyes

And you in the morning

I never thought you'd still be mine

Or I'd really need to have you around

 

Don't go away

My love (my love)

I want you to stay

In my life

My lover (my love)

 

I need you you're my love supply

 

Don't go away

My love (you're my love supply)

I want you to stay

In my life (everyday, every night)

Don't go away

My lover (you're my love supply)

 

I need you you're my love supply

 

 

 

I hugged Ben and kissed his forehead.

 

“Be good, help grama take care of the kids, okay?”

“Sure mom.” He nodded.

“Good,” I hugged him again. I leaned over Noah and he practically climbed up into my arms.  I groaned and laughed.  “Okay, baby.”

“I’m gonna miss you Momma.”  He hugged me really tight.

“I know you are sweetie, and I’m gonna miss you too.” I kissed his forehead.  “Love you.”

“I love you, Momma.” He squeezed me again.

I set him back on the floor and leaned down to hug Isabel.  “Bye, Iz.”

“Bye mommy.” She too squeezed me.

I kissed her forehead.  “You help grama with the boys too okay?”

“Okay.”

 

Joel ran into my legs and hugged me, already crying.

 

“Oh honey, shhh.”

“Don’t go, don’t leave!!" he cried.

“Joely, oh, please don’t cry.”

“Don’t goooooo” He hugged me tighter as I picked him up.

“Joely c’mon…it’s ok, I’m gonna be home soon”

“NOOOO DON’T GOOOOOOO!!”  he cried louder.

“Joel!” I started getting worried as he freaked out.

 

Benji looked at me and reached for him.

 

“Hey!  Hey! C’mere little man.”  He held Joel against him.  “Why’re you giving your momma such a hard time, huh?”

“Don’t gooo-ooooo” he started to shake, he was in full fit mode.

“C’mon Joely, be a big boy.” Benji told him softly.  “You’re gonna be a big brother soon, you’d better start acting like it.”

“I dowanna be a big brutter!”

“I’m a big brother!” Benji told him.

“R-really?” he sniffed up some of his tears.

“Yeah, your Uncle Joel and Aunt Sarah are my little brother and sister.”  Benji explained.  “You gotta be a big boy now and help momma and me.  You’re gonna be responsible.”

“Re-spawnza-bull?”

“It means you’re in charge!”

“ME?!”

“Yup, so be a big boy and say bye to mommy”

 

He sniffed up his tears.  “B-bye mommy”

“Bye, Joely.  We’ll be home soon, okay?”

“O-ok-kay.” He hugged my legs one last time.

 

I almost didn’t want to leave them, but I knew I had to.  There was nothing we needed more right now than to just be together and a nice little week long trip to New York City was perfect.  We were staying at our favorite hotel, the Waldorf.  We were going to a star-studded charity dinner.  We were gonna have a good time, I could already tell.

 

“Bye, mom.” Benji hugged her.

“Bye, honey.  Have a good time.” She smiled.

“You have all the numbers to reach us?” I asked as she hugged me.

“Of course sweetheart, but I don’t want you to worry.  Everything will be fine.”

“I know…but I…” I sighed, looking at my children’s faces peeking through blinds of the living room window.  “I know.”

 

I waved at them and turned to walk with Benji, back to the car.  He opened the door for me, and still all I could do was look at their little faces pressed against the glass.  I frowned.  I hated leaving them.  I really did.

 

“Baby, don’t cry, okay?” Benji leaned over and kissed me, obviously he noticed me staring that the kids.  Robin was pulling them away from the window.  

I smiled. “You are SO AMAZING!” I returned the kiss.

 

He laughed and smiled at me.

 

“This trip is going to be so weird.” I shook my head.

“Weird?” he asked glancing at me as he backed out of the driveway.

“Being without the kids.  It’s been a long time since we’ve been, ya know, alone alone.”

“I know, baby.” He patted my thigh.

“Actually, I think the last time was our honeymoon.  And I was 7 months pregnant then.”

“Naw, we went to Maryland before you got pregnant with Noh.”

“I suppose that counts.” I shrugged.  “Remember Joel kept calling us telling us how Isabel kept crying and Ben was acting up.”

“Yeah,” we laughed remembering it.  “But we had really good sex that night too.”

“That’s probably where Noah came from.” I added.

 

“Ya know, you also came to see me on tour that one time.  That was awesome.”  He remembered it well it seemed.

“In DC, when I pretended to be a groupie?  That was fun.  Those girls kept yelling at you.”  I laughed.

“And then we fucked in the stall of the bathroom.”

“And almost got thrown out, moaner!”

“What can I say…you make me scream.” He cocked his eyebrow.

“It’s so hard to go into that place now.  You know they knew.”

“I doubt they remember, it was 4 years ago.”

“Wow, we were doing that stuff only 4 years ago?”

“That’s when we had Joel.  I guess that’s when we quit.”  He shrugged.

 

Quit.  I guess we did kind of quit.  That was right before we settled down.  We were kind of caught up raising our kids to notice we were moving our relationship further down the pole of importance.

 

“I mean, we’ve relapsed a couple of times…” Benji started again.  “Remember when I skipped out on that party in LA me and Joel were invited to so I could stay home with you…kitten”

“Oh you mean when you tied me up.”  I suddenly was flooded with the memory.  “That was so hot.”

“Mmmm, yeah it was.” He sighed.  “Hey…when we get to the airport you wanna…?”

“Where?”

“I don’t care, I’ll do it in the car.”

“Are you serious, Benj?”

“Or you could give me head now.”

“Baby!  Calm down.”

“Sorry.” He laughed nervously.  “I’m a little horny.”

“Oh yeah…a little.”  I rolled my eyes.  I leaned over and kissed his cheek.  “In the bathroom, k?” I whispered.

 

“See, we can’t quit.  This is the best addiction ever!”

 

I laughed.  He was right.  We were addicted.  I think my husband was a pretty good and healthy addiction to have.  I shut my eyes and thought about our addiction a little more.

***

We didn’t have much time before our flight, but as soon as our bags were checked Jessa  casually slipped away from me and walked into the ladies room.

 

“Jess..” I whispered furiously.  She just kept walking.  I followed her, trying not to be obvious.  I waited what seemed like forever and when it was clear I ran inside the ladies room.

 

“Jess?!” I hissed.  She saw my feet by the stall and opened the door to yank me inside.  She had picked the furthest stall.

 

“Mmm” I moaned as she kissed me.

“Hurry up, we gotta be quick.”  she fumbled with my belt.  It was so convenient she wore a dress today.  I pulled her underwear off and lifted her skirt as she dropped my pants.  I held her up and pushed her against the wall.  I pushed inside her and we went at it hard and fast. Within a few minutes we were both sweating and moaning.  I came, collapsing against her.

 

“Uhhhh.” I  groaned.  She giggled.  I lifted my head and looked at her.  “What?”

“Nothing, that’s just so cute.”

I grinned and kissed her.  “Love you!”

“I love you too baby.” She pecked my lips again, before unlocking from my body and pulling her clothes back into place.  I pulled my pants back up and straightened my shirt.

 

“Who leaves first?” I asked

“You, go ahead.  I’m gonna fix my hair.”  Jess motioned with her eyes and I unlocked the stall, looking both ways to check for others.  She shoved me out.  “Just go, quickly.”

“Okay, okay.”

 

I’m pretty sure someone was in the first stall and since we hadn’t heard anyone, it meant she arrived right when we peaked.  I’ve never felt so embarrassed to be walking out of the ladies room.  Usually, I’d feel a little smug.  I mean, I just got laid in the bathroom, but today I felt so red in the cheeks that I must have looked like I just got back from vacationing in Hawaii.

 

I waited for Jessa on the benches outside the restroom.  I really hoped this trip was what we needed.  I mean I already felt better and we were doing better, but if this trip didn’t fix what was wrong…I didn’t want to know what that meant.

 

We WERE staying at the Waldorf in New York City and we got to act like rich celebrities, it should be fun.  Being away from the kids for a few days should help out, right?  Being able to spend real time together, alone.  It was funny we ran off to the big city to get away from everything. Like the small cape town we lived in wasn’t the kind of place regular couples go to get away.  I’ve seen them, barely clothed walking through the market on Sunday mornings while I pushed Joel in the cart, their carts filled with strawberries and chocolate; mine filled with cocoa crispies and bananas.  We were so backwards sometimes.

 

“You look like you’re thinking hard.”  I looked up at the sound of Jessa’s voice.  She had taken her hair out of the pony tail.  It was all curled around her face.  She was flawless.

“Not really.” I smiled.

“The answer is, no, we won’t fit in the airplane bathroom, Benj.”  She joked.

“Ha, I wasn’t thinking about that.”

“So, what were you thinking about?”  she raised her eyebrow in question, hands on her hips.  She was in a really playful mood.  Sex always made her high.

“Being alone with you.  Ya know…trying to remember what that was like exactly.”  I sighed.

She sat down next to me and wrapped her arms around my neck.  “It was awesome.”

“I know.”

***

I shut my eyes and sighed when I finally plopped down in the back of the cab.  I opened my eyes and grinned when Benji sat next to me.

 

“Waldorf Astoria.” He told the cab driver.

“No, problem.”

 

He grabbed my hand and smiled over at me.  I leaned against his shoulder.  Benji kinda hated flying, he’d rather take a train, but I loved planes.  I loved take off and landing and turbulence, it excited me.  I could tell he was glad we were back on solid ground again.  He kept rubbing my hand in his. 

 

“What time is the event tonight?”

“6.” He answered, looking at his watch.  He was wearing his favorite; the one I got him for his 35th birthday.  I loved that watch.  It was so simple.  “We got like 3 hours, 2 and a half.”

“Looks like we’re going to be fashionably late.” I shrugged.  “I definitely need a shower when we get to the hotel.  I hate smelling like an airport.”

“Me too.” He grimaced.  “Reminds me of touring.”

 

“You a musician?” the cabbie suddenly asked.

Benji looked at me and giggled slightly.  “Uh, yeah.”

“Would I have heard of you?”

“Good Charlotte?”

“Who?”

“Never mind  Benji shook his head.  “Maybe you know my wife?”

“The one sitting next to you?”  I could feel him look at me through the mirror.

Benji glanced at me and we exchanged looks.  Benji shook his head.  “Uh…yeah.  Jessa Madden.”

“You make shoes?”

“That’s Steve Madden.” I half laughed.  “No, I make movies.”

“What kind?” he looked at me in the mirror again.  Ew, not that kind.

“Jessa is a film director.”  Benji sneered.

“Oh, your pretty enough to be in them.”

 

Benji’s eyes widened.  I just smiled.

 

“I’m not a very convincing actress I’m afraid.”  Benji looked like he wanted to jump though the Plexiglas. 

 

I gave him a look.  “He’s harmless.” I whispered.  He kinda pouted as he sat back.  I laughed, he can be so cute sometimes.

 

Familiar landmarks, that I knew more from movies and television than from my own actual memories, flew past the windows on our way to the hotel.  I must have seen half a million people so far; we could fade into the background and just be part of the crowd, I think I loved that about New York.  You could be alone in a crowded room, so to speak.   This city reminded me of celebrity, more than Los Angeles ever did.  It reminded me of late nights and fashion and bright lights.  It was kind of romantic.  Me and Benji alone in a cab driving through the heart of the big city.

 

I squeezed his hand tighter in mine and snuggled closer,  even though it was july and the temperature was roughly 90 bazillion degrees.  He kissed my forehead.

 

"I'm so glad we came." I sighed.

"Me too." He agreed.  "It's nice to be alone."

 

I nodded, just as the cab pulled in front of the Waldorf.  Every time I came here the sight of it took my breath away.  It was gorgeous.  Benji grinned.

 

"Here we are folks."  The cab driver announced.  Benji smiled and thanked him, handing over the money and nice generous tip, I noticed.

 

By the time we made it inside our suite I really did feel like a celebrity.  Hotel staff had brought up our luggage and set the room up.  We were taken directly to the front of the line for check in, and everyone treated us like we were royalty.  I don't know if I should be slapping my country on the wrist for our obsession with celebrity or grateful I ended up on this end of the deal.

 

I laid down on the bed, shut my eyes and grinned.  "This is the best bed in the world!"

Benji laughed at me.

 

"It is, you should lay down with me." I pulled on his shirt.

"Oh, should I?" he wiggled his eyebrows and climbed on top of me. "Like this?"

"Mmm, hehe." I giggled when he started kissing my neck.

"Baby?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm really excited."

"About what?"

"This, us…the baby."

 

I smiled.  "Me too."

"Really, Jess?"

"Benji!  Of course I am."

"Well I'm glad." He rolled off me and laid on his back.  He paused.  "I want a little girl."

"Awww." I smiled.

"We don't have enough little girls."

"You are so cute."

 

He grinned, dimples perforating his cheeks.  He hugged me, crawling over me again.  He leaned down and kissed me, slowly at first, then slowly applying more pressure and parting his lips to lick mine with his tongue.  I wrapped my hand around his neck and into his hair, pressing his lips closer against mine as we kissed.

 

We laid there just kissing for a good 10 minutes, pausing every few seconds for breath.  I smiled up at him and he smiled back down at me.  He started pulling the skirt of my dress up, his hand rubbing the length of my thigh.

 

"Baby…" he whispered breathily.

 

"BLACK COAT

WHITE SHOES

BLACK HAT

CADILLAC, YEAH

THE BOY'S A TIME BOMB

BLACK COAT

WHITE SHOES

BLACK HAT

CADILLAC, YEAH

THE BOY'S A TIME BOMB"

 

Benji's phone went off.  He groaned.

 

"What the fuck?" he was still straddling me, but he sat up on his knees.  "It's my mom.  Hello?...Hi Joely." He smiled at me and rolled his eyes.  "I miss you too, buddy."

 

He climbed off me and sat on one of the many couches, chatting away to our 3-year-old about fire trucks and crayons.  I opened my suitcase and pulled out my dress for the charity dinner tonight.  It was red with black silhouetted flowers on it.  I loved it.  I held it up against me and posed for Benji.

 

He grinned and held up his thumb.  Awesome, he mouthed.  "That sounds really cool, Joel."

 

I motioned to the bathroom and went in for a shower.  I could hear Benji until I turned on the water and drowned him out.  I hoped it wasn't like this all weekend.  Benji and I hadn't really talked about things yet, we were just barely enjoying the time alone.  I didn't want to be interrupted every time we tried to get close this week, because then it would be like being at home. 

 

I let the hot water wash over my back and hair.  It felt so good.  I relaxed, lolling my head forward to let the water massage my neck.

 

"Got room for 2 in there?" Benji opened the glass door.

"I thought you were talking to Joel?"

"I was, he had to go eat dinner."

"Ha, he's so cute." I smiled.

"I thought I was the cute one?"

"Well, where do you think he got it from?" I poked his nose.

"Mmm…so where were we."  He grabbed my hips.

"Benj!" I cried.  "We gotta get ready now."

 

"Aww…c'mon Jess…real quick."  He leaned in to kiss me again.

 

God, how can I say no?

***

After a long evening, we finally got out of the party and started strolling down the street towards the Waldorf.  Jessa liked to walk in New York at night.  She said it was romantic and sexy.  The dinner was interesting.  It was kind of weird being part of that celebrity situation again.  Flash bulbs going off, journalists, paparazzi. It was kind of fun at the same time.  I just had to keep reminding myself it was for a good cause, and not just for schmoozing.

 

“I still can’t believe Denis Leary was there.”  Jessa lamented.

“Would you stop talking about him?” I rolled my eyes.  “I mean, I am your husband.”

“Aww, I’m sorry.” She smiled.  “It’s not really him I like anyway, I like Tommy Gavin.”

“Yeah, yeah, drunk firefighter, man in uniform I get it.” I rolled my eyes again.

 

“Oh man, we should go shopping while we’re here.  Look at those shoes!”  she stopped at a window.

“Those are some serious sex shoes, Jess.” I widened my eyes at the 6 inch stilettos.  “C’mon…let’s go inside.”

 

I took her hand and pulled her towards the door.  It was nice little boutique.  Blaloc's.  Shoes, sunglasses, gaudy costume jewelry.  We walked around the store a little while.  Jessa tried on the shoes, I looked at watches and neckties.

 

“What time is it?” Jessa asked the sales girl as she modeled the sexy 6 inchers.

“9:45,  15 minutes 'til close.”

“Oh…maybe we should go Benj.” She tugged my sleeve.

“What?  No, we’re spending money here.  They can stay a few minutes extra.”

Jessa turned pink.  “Benj…”

“Jessa, it’s their job.  They work on commission.”

“It’s really alright, ma’am.”  The salesgirl smiled and nodded.  “Just ask if you need help.”

“See, I told you.”  I smiled.  She recognized us, I knew it.  I knew that’s why she was remaining open.

 

Jessa wouldn’t look up.  She was so cute and embarrassed when she got recognized.  She started unbuckling the shoes, while I looked up and down the counter cases. 

 

“Those are hot!” Jessa pointed at a pair of sunglasses, over my shoulder.

“You like ‘em?”  I asked, squeezing her waist.  “Hey!” I signaled a sales person.  “How much for the—“

“Benj, no!” she scolded.

“They’re $565, sir” the saleswoman answered.

“If you like them Jess…” I pushed.

“Benji, those are $600 sunglasses, what am I gonna do with $600 sunglasses?”

“Block out the sun?  Try ‘em on!”

“Baby…I do not NEED $600 sunglasses.”  She shook her head.

“This isn’t about what you need.  For once can you let me get you something you WANT.

 

She blushed.

 

“C’mon let me spoil you  I begged.  “PLEASE!?”

“Well when you ask like that, how can I say no?”  she grinned.

I smirked. “Can we see the sunglasses?”

“Of course” she pulled them out of the case and handed them to Jessa.

 

She put them on and posed.  “What do you think?”

“You look hot” she really did.

“Yeah?”  she looked into the mirror.

“You should totally get them” I confirmed.

 

“I dunno…”

“Baby, they look hot…get them!”

“But…”

“If you mention money again I’m walking out.” I rolled my eyes.  “Jess, I don’t mean to sound like a big head but  we have millions of dollars.”

“We also have 5 kids to put through college”

 

I stared at her a few minutes.  Did she really think we couldn’t afford the glasses?

 

“Okay, okay.” She relented.

“We’ll take the glasses.” I handed them back so she could wrap them.  I wandered down the cases.  “Can I see that necklace too?”

“Benji!” Jessa widened her eyes at me.  Her mouth fell open as she the girl laid the necklace on the table.  “That is…oh my god.”

“It’s a 5 carat heart shaped diamond set in platinum.  It’s exclusive.”  She explained.

“We’ll take it.”

 

Jessa was speechless.  She just stood there looking at me.  I smiled and slung my arm around her shoulder as we paid.  The sales girl kept smiling at us while she swiped my credit card and wrapped our items.  I kissed Jessa’s forehead, I’m pretty sure the salesgirl ‘Awwed’.

 

“There you are, sir.  Thank you, have a good night.”

“We will, thank you.” I smiled and took the bag.

“Thank you.” Jessa nodded.  She was embarrassed.  We didn’t go out and spend money like this everyday and if we did it wasn’t so lavish.  When I bought her things it was usually a gift.

 

“Let’s see your fireman do that?!”

She looked up at me.   “How much did you just spend?”

“Don’t worry about it”

“I can’t believe you.”  She shook her head.

“I like to spend money on you.”

 

She blushed.  I stopped her mid stride under the street lamp.  I looked into her eyes and kissed her.

 

“I love you.”

Her blush deepened as she grinned.  “I love you too.”

***

Jessa was tossing and turning.  For being the best bed in the world, she was having a hard time making it comfortable for herself.  Jessa rolled over again and I heard her sigh.  I rolled over to face her.

 

“Jess?” I grabbed her arm.  “Whatsa matter babe?”

“It’s too quiet here.”

“Awww.” I rubbed her cheek.  you miss the kids?”

“No one’s crying cause they had a bad dream or wet the bed.  No one’s waking me up, playing with their toys.”

“Aww, baby, it’s okay  I hugged her.

 

It was so cute that she missed them.

 

“I know a way to make a little noise.”  I giggled and kissed her cheek.

“Benji!” she slapped my arm laughing.

“Oh c’mon, pretend I’m your fireman…”

“Hey!”  she protested.

“You know, you were eye fucking him all night.”  I rolled my eyes.

“He didn’t even see me.”

“Yeah, right, you’re delicious.” I leaned in and kissed her neck again.  “I know he looked your way more than once.”

“For real?….baby..” she moaned, as I rolled on top of her and kissed all the most sensitive areas of her neck.  “Oh baby…”

“You like that huh, Jess?”

“Mmmmmm.”  She purred.

“I bet he can’t do this!” I slipped my hands in her underpants and started fingering her, while I continued kissing her neck.

“OH!  OH GOD!” she screamed.  I smiled and continued.

 

“Wait…wait, Benj..”

“What?” I stopped.

“If you’re going to be my fireman, shouldn’t I be Angie?”

I looked away.  She knew I loved Angelina Jolie.

“Oh look at you blush, boy.”  She giggled.  “C’mon, fire boy.” She leaned up and bit me.

“Did you just BITE me, Jess?”

“Maybe…” she batted her eyelashes.

“Oh, you are so hot!”

***

When it was 7, I finally rolled out of bed.  I’d been lying there for 3 hours.  I never really got to sleep.  Sex didn’t put me to sleep that often, it was cocaine for me, kept me awake.  Sex was sedative for Benji, because he passed out afterward.  He was sleeping next to me, his colorful arm draped over me, his fingers centimeters from my breasts.

 

I carefully slid away from him and ran my fingers through my hair.  I yawned and looked around the room.  The blankets were a complete mess, barely covering Benji’s sleeping form, I could see an ass cheek peeking from behind it.  A couple neckties were still attached to the bed frame and it looked like one was still on Benji’s foot too.  I smiled. 

 

Last night was a lot of fun.  The more we did, the more I wanted, the more awake I was, but when Benji finally dozed off I was left with all my other feelings.  My feelings about this pregnancy.  My feelings about our marriage right now.

 

I couldn’t be too serious while I watched him sleep, though.  He looked absolutely adorable.  His hair laying across his forehead and his lips curved into a slight smile.  I smiled down at him and rubbed his stubbly cheek.  I crawled back down next to him.

 

“I love you.  I love you.” I whispered into his hair as I kissed him all over.

“Jess?”  he started to wake up.  what are you doing baby?”

“Benji?”

“Hi, baby.”

 

I took a deep breath.  "Benj, we need to talk about this…"

"About what?  Jessa, it’s 7 in the morning!  After the night we ha-"

"Babe…I don't…I don't wanna have anymore kids.  I mean it's hard enough as it is." I let out.

"Soooo…what are you…"

"We have 5 kids now Benji.  FIVE!" I shut my eyes.  "I never imagined having so many.  And of course I love my babies, but…I'm…I'm through Benj.  I need a break now."

"Well, what do you…I mean, how're you gonna stop it?  If it happens it happens Jess."  He rolled onto his stomach and propped himself on his elbows.

"Birth control, retard."

"I thought you said the pill makes you crazy."

 

I scoffed.  "I didn't say I was getting on the pill Benj."

"Whatcha gonna do?" he shrugged.

"WE…what are WE gonna do." I corrected.

"I don't really like condoms, Jess."

"I can't believe you." I yelled.  "It's so like you to be selfish.  You ARE a kid!"

"Hey." His eyes narrowed.  "I don't know what you expect to happen.  You can't cast a spell and not get pregnant anymore."

"I know that." I argued.  "There are ways Benji."

"What says?" he asked.

"Vasectomy"

"A-A WHAT?!" he cried alarmed.

"C'mon, baby, it's not so bad."

"EXCUSE ME?! no, no, noooooooooo, absolutely NOT." He shook his head and backed away from me as if I'd cut his dick off.

 

He really was unbelievable.  I felt the rage boiling inside of me.

 

"FINE." I crossed my arms rolling to my side of the bed.  "No birth control, no sex."

"WHAT?!" he sounded almost as scared of that as the word vasectomy.  "Jess, you…you've GOT to be joking."

"Ha, think what you want." I got up and slipped my robe on.

"Jessa?!?"  He followed me.  “What about our addiction?”

 

He continued calling my name, but I didn't turn around.  I didn't budge.  This was way more important to me than anything else.  If I had to for-go sex for it, then so be it; I had a vibrator.

 

"Can't we talk about this?"  he caught me in the living room area.  He was also absolutely naked, sans the necktie still attached to his ankle.

"We did.  And you said no."  I seethed.

"Jessa please, there's got to be something else hasn't there?"

"Like what Benji?" I yelled.

"I dunno." He scratched his head.  "Alex and Joel can't have anymore."

"ALEX HAD A HYSTERECTOMY!!" I roared.

"Well…isn't, isn't there something else?" he continued.

"Are you talking about a tubal ligation?"  I stared at him.

"Is that the same thing as getting your tubes tied."

"Yes." I gritted my teeth.

"Well then that then."

"You would have me undergo a serious surgery…I'm talking weeks of recovery Benj, for something you can get done in half hour?" I gaped.

 

"W-we—"

"No, it's not enough that I carried the children, gave BIRTH to them, nursed them, and Joel bit me you know he did, and still I," I pointed to myself.  "Have to get cut open so you don't have to wear a little piece of rubber?  Yeah, Benj, really great idea.  Thank you honey, it's an honor really, you old-fashioned, pig-headed, stubborn, old…"

"Hey, hey, geez, I'm sorry." He grabbed me by the shoulders.

"…ASSHOLE!"

"Jessa, jesus, I'm sorry." He looked at me like a guilty child.   He sat down on the sofa. "I didn't know that's what it meant.  I'm really sorry.  I don't want you to have surgery."

"You know a vasectomy is really easy.  Tons of guys get them everyday." I explained.  "It's not like they cut your balls off Benji.  You just shoot blanks for the rest of your life."

"Blanks?" he cocked his eyebrow.

"You still come, it's just…just not full of sperm ya know." I said.

"Oh."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, oh" he stood there a few minutes transfixed with the pattern on the couch fabric.

 

"So, are you gonna say anything?" I asked.

"Anything." He deadpanned.

"Oh c'mon Benj, I'm not asking you for a divorce or something." I sat next to him.

"You're asking me to let some doctor mess with my junk." He crossed his arms.

"Benji if you're not going to do it, then say that, don't do this to me."

"Look, I know this is important and I get it, I really do baby, but just because you're the one who has the babies doesn't mean you can just MAKE me go do something to my body." He explained patiently.  "You can't just act like it's my turn.  Don't you think it'd be a little traumatic for me?"

"What are you a pussy?" I asked.

"Jessa!  That's my dick!  You can't act so nonchalant about something…something…" he looked down.  "That's important to me."

"Your dick is important to you?" I wanted to laugh.

"Sure it is." He said seriously.  "That's the little trooper." He pointed down.  "I gotta take care of my man, Jess."

 

I could tell he was being sarcastic, but part of me believed he was serious about this.  The little trooper?  Men sometimes, honestly.

 

"I'm all for your plan.  I mean, 5 kids is a LOT of kids and I'm getting too old to chase after them, but….this is serious babe.  I mean, something goes wrong, a hand slips and I'll be finished." He threw up his hands.

 

"Benj, your whole life isn't summed up in your sex life."

"I know that."

"Losing your ability to father children doesn't make you any less virile or sexy to me Benji." I told him and slid closer. "I love you for plenty other reasons besides the sex."

“Oh yeah?” he raised his eyebrow.

“Mmmhmm, like…the way you actually LIKE to cuddle.”

Benji’s face turned pink.  “Well…”

“I love that baby, it’s so cute.  I love your sense of humour.” I added.  “And your sense of family.”

He smiled.  “I love OUR family.” He put his hand on my stomach.

“I love when you do that.”  I grinned back.

“Mmm.” He kissed my neck.  “What else do you love about me?”

“Hmm…I love the way you’re daddy.” I added.  “I love your eyes.  I love that you’re a romantic.  I love that you’re…my Benji.”

“Awwww,” he cooed and kissed behind my ears.  “I love that you’re my Jessa too.”

 

He started laying me down across the couch.

 

“Hey?!” I sat up.  “We’re not getting out of this.  We can’t just fix everything with sex Benj.  That’s how we got here in the first place.”

 

He sighed and slapped his hands against his thighs.  “Well, I’m not making the decision in a few minutes Jess.”

“Well…then…”

“Baby, look I…  he sighed.  “I don’t know what to say, but this isn’t something that’s just going to happen in a little bit.  I love you, and…the last thing I wanna do is hurt you more, baby.  It really is.  You have to believe me.”

“I always believe you.” I smirked and rubbed his cheek.

 

“You wanna get a bite?”

“Breakfast in bed?” I asked.

“You don’t wanna go out?”

“I dunno, if I could cook for you, I’d do that.”

“Baby, this is a vacation.  You cook like 90% of the time, let someone else do the work sometime.”

“I do, I-”

“No, you don’t Jessa.  You never let people help you, you wanna do everything on your own.  And I respect that babe, I respect it big time.  But once and a while…just ease up, let me take care of you.”

“I let you take of me!”

“When?”

“I…  okay so I couldn’t think of a particular time.  “I like to be mommy.”

 

He grinned at me.  “Well, mommy, I think a trip to a pancake house is in order.” He patted my belly and got up to stretch.  He leaned down and kissed my cheek.  “Get dressed I’m gonna take a shower.”

 

I watched his cute little ass walk into the bathroom, having to stop halfway there to untie the necktie on his ankle.  I got up, walked back to the bedroom and started picking out an outfit.  I noticed Benji’s wallet sitting on the dresser and decided not to be nosey.  What could be in there I needed to see?  Other than maybe how much he spent at Blaloc’s last night. 

 

C’mon Jess, what do you need to know that for?  He bought you some gifts, leave it at that.

 

“Hey, Jess?”

I jumped at the sound of his voice streaming though the wall of water.  “Yeah?”

“Can you call Nik on my cell?”  there was a pause.  “Ask him what that place is called on 72nd and Columbus.”

"Sure."  I looked away from his wallet and picked up his phone.

***

"Ya know, this trip really was the best thing for us." Benji looked out across the city from the hotel window.

I wrapped my arms around him from behind and kissed his neck.  "Mmmhmm."

 

"I mean we've been having some really good talks and everything."

"Yeah, I know baby." I continued on his neck.

"I think we're in a better place."

"Uh huh…better…" I kept it up.

"Jess?" he stopped me and turned around.  "I-"

I leaned up and kissed him again.

 

"Mmm, baby…"

 

"BLACK COAT

WHITE SHOES

BLACK HAT

CADILLAC, YEAH

THE BOY'S A TIME BOMB

BLACK COAT

WHITE SHOES

BLACK HAT

CADILLAC, YEAH

THE BOY'S A TIME BOMB"

 

"Damnit!" I cried.

"It's probably the kids again." He sighed. "Hello?...hi babygirl."

"Hi Isabel."

"She says 'hi mommy.'  What're you doing, kiddo?"  Benji asked, so sweet.  "I can't wait to see them….ok…hi Noh, whatcha doin'?...oh yeah?  That's awesome, buddy."

 

"Yeah, I miss you too Noah…and momma misses you too…okay."  Benji held up his phone.  "Noah wants to talk to his momma."

I smiled. "Hi baby."

"Do you miss me momma?"

"Yes, I miss you"

"I miss you a lot!  I want you and daddy to come home."

"We're gonna be home in a couple of days, it'll be okay, Noah."  I sighed, I hated feeling guilty.  "Aren't you having fun with grama?"

"I guess."

"You guess?"

"I wanna go hooommee!"

"Noah! Don't cry, baby."

"He's crying?" Benji asked.

I nodded, covering the receiver.  "He wants to go home."

"Lemme have the phone…" Benji motioned.  "Noah?...hey, buddy, stop it.  You're gonna be okay.  Me and momma are gonna be home in no time, okay?....Noah, okay?...good, bye buddy. Muah!"

 

He hung up.  "Way to make me feel guilty Noh."

"I feel bad too."  I sat next to him on the bed.  "They really miss us."

"They're gonna be fine though.  We still have a few days.  We're gonna regret it later if we go home early."

"Yeah, you're probably right.  It's just…they’ve been calling all day." I sighed.

 

"Maybe we can just…turn them off for a little bit." Benji suggested.  He grabbed our phones and began shutting them down.  I giggled.

 

"Shall I throw the do not disturb sign?"

"Mmmhmmm"

"Oh man…" I grinned.

 

It didn't take long for us to strip down and start making out like crazy across the bed.  His hands were all over me, touching me, grabbing me.  I moaned as he started kissing down my body. 

 

"You like this Jess?"

"Uhh…ohhhh…Benji!" I whined as his tongue started working down below.  "Benji!"

 

He giggled as he continued.  He was so good.  Just as I thought I might orgasm, he stopped and climbed back up.

 

"Baby, I need more" I cried.

"YOU need more!?" he grinned and kissed all over my neck.  He suddenly entered me hard.

"Oh, baby…" I shut my eyes tight and let him ride me.

 

Up, down, harder, faster.  I put my arms around his neck and pulled his face towards me and kissing him deeply.  He slowed down some and kissed me back.

 

"Mmm, Jess, I love you."  He moaned.  "C'mon, you on top now."

 

He rolled off me and pulled me on top of him.  I smiled down at him, tracing the lines of his ink softly.  He rolled his head back and moaned.  I leaned down and kissed him.

 

"C'mon…baby."  He pleaded, grinding his hips up.  "Do it!"

"Oh Benji"  I pressed into him.

"Jess…oh"

 

We kept going, slowly picking up speed.  The sex was amazing, it felt like it did back when we first started.  He put his hands in all the right places, he moved with me.  I leaned in to kiss him again.  It only made him more excited.  He rolled me again and sat up to push in harder and deeper.  He grabbed my hips and pulled me onto him and he thrusted in.

 

"Jessa!  Oh god!  Jess!" he cried. 

I was seeing stars as I began screaming.  I caught him smile as he rolled his head back and moaned.

 

"Benj...uhhh"

"Oh Jess…I like that…ohhh…god." He moaned. He sounded so hot.

 

We both screamed and cried out as we came.  Benji leaned against me, breathing hard.  He kissed my neck, cooing sweet nothings against my ears.  He giggled.

 

"I love you, so much Jess."

"I love you too, baby."

***

"Uhhhh…oh god Jessa!" Benji cried out as he came again.  I don’t know how many times we'd had sex, it felt like we've been in bed forever.

 

He rolled over sweating and panting and grinning.

 

“OH MY GOD!” he yelled.  “Jess…I…I…I swear to god…I love you.”   He rolled back towards me and kissed me.

“You’re all sweaty.” I laughed.

“That was…I mean…my god.” he shook his head in disbelief.  “You felt it right?”

“Of course I did, baby.  It was incredible.”

“We’re so good together.”  He kissed me again.  “We really are baby.”

“You’re so cute.” I rubbed his cheek and smiled.  He climbed back on top of me and leaned down to kiss my cheeks and down my neck again.  “Mmm, baby, that feels good.”

 

“We should go out to dinner again.” He rubbed his hand down my curves.

“Mmm, where?”

“Hmmm, I dunno, but I’m starving.”  He grinned.

“Me too.”

“I’m gonna call information.”  He climbed off.

“Ahhh.” I shivered.

“What?”

“It’s cold now”

 

He smiled at me.  He picked up our phones, which had fallen on the floor and got back in bed.  He tossed me my phone.  I crawled up against him.

 

“Mmm, you’re all warm.”

 

He smiled.  He turned on his phone and immediately it alerted him to a missed call.

 

“What the fuck?  22 missed calls?  How long were we fucking?”

I giggled.

“They’re all from Joel and my mom…you don’t think…”

 

I turned my phone on at the same moment and I had 15 missed calls, again all from Joel and Benji’s mom.  Oh my god, what happened?  I was suddenly so scared. What if one of the kids got hurt, or got sick.  I began feeling like the most neglectful mother in the world.

 

“I’m checking my messages.  You call Joel.”  Benji said frantically.  His phone started ringing.  “Joel?!” he answered.  I rolled facing him, I hope the kids are okay.

***

 

 

The Real Thing, Gwen Stefani from the album Love, Angel, Music, Baby

 

 

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