Pieces of Me by Pua Ramona (small books to read txt) 📕

Auntie Megan, Auntie Mona, Auntie Leila, Auntie Becca, Uncle Luka, Uncle D, Rino too. Then I have my dad and Eli who makes me feel safe. Mama, we’re happier here, but if we go back home to New York I won’t be upset. I just wanted you to know that whatever you choose it’s okay with me. As long as we’re together” she says.

I kiss her temple and say, “We’ll figure things out when we’re done with everything else that we have going on right now, okay Baby?”

“Okay Mama.” She says as she hugs me once more before she hops up from the bed. “I’m going to go look for my sweater then I’ll be ready.”

“Okay sweetie.” I tell her, wondering when she got to be so wise.

Before she walks out of the door I call out to her, “I love you Emma.”

“I love you forever Mama, even when the sun doesn't shine” she says as she walks out of her room. She’s pretty smart for an eight-year-old little girl. Sometimes I wish that she didn’t have to see everything that was going on, but I have to accept it because it’s life. As much as I’ve tried to shelter her from certain things, she’s too smart for her own good. She doesn’t know a lot about the whole Jackson drama, but that’s another story she’ll have to learn when she’s a little older. You can never be too careful, even with the ones who are supposed to keep you safe and love you.

I want her to understand that sometimes it’s the people closest to you that you never expect to hurt you, that are more than likely the ones who will actually do it. I need to make sure that if anything like that ever happens to her, that she trusts me enough to talk to me. And that whatever it is, that I will always, always listen to her words and believe her no matter what. She’s my life and I am willing to give up mine to protect her. I take a deep breath and walk back to Eli’s room.

“You okay beautiful?” he asks as I lean against the doorframe.

I smile. “Yeah, just a little overwhelmed I think.” He’s watching me through the mirror as he rolls his other sleeve up, turning to look at me.

“Talk to me Babe” he says. “Are you nervous about seeing his family?” he asks.

I take a deep breath. “Yeah. I haven’t heard from anyone and it makes me feel like they don’t believe that Jackson would do such a thing.” I sigh. “I don’t know, maybe I’m just nervous. Am I being silly?” I ask him.

He reaches for my hand then he circles his arm around my waist. He lifts my head up so he can see me. “You didn’t do anything wrong. And if that’s how they feel then fine, but you have me and everyone else behind you so it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. The only thing I need you to focus on today is your brother and our son, okay?” I nod my head yes. “We’re okay Babe. You survived this and I love you for being such a strong woman. Don’t ever let anyone tell you different.” He leans in and kisses me softly on my lips. “I love you Moony.” Swoon. He’s been calling me that since he found out that’s what Micah used to call me when we were younger.

“I love you more.” I say and he kisses me again.

“Come on, we’re supposed to meet everyone at the church in twenty minutes babe” he says. I’m glad he broke the kiss because I wasn’t going to. I know it’s the worst time to get turned on, but dammit I want him so bad. I know he isn’t pushing the whole sex thing because he wants me to be one hundred percent ready to be with him sexually, and I freaking loved him for it. Also having your abdomen stitched back together sort of slows your roll a little.

“I’m not having sex with you so let’s go” he says smirking at me.

Busted. I roll my eyes at him and say, “Get over yourself Hunter, I do not want to have sex with you.” I start walking out of the room but he snags one arm around my waist and pulls my back against his front. I could feel him getting hard and tried my best not to grind back against him.

He sucks on my ear and whispers “I love the way you smell when you’re turned on babe.” He lowers his mouth to suck on my neck. “As much as I’d love to make love to you right now, you’re not ready.” I feel his tongue lap at my skin. “I’m a patient man Baby,” he says. He bites my neck and smacks my ass. “Now come on we’re going to be late” and he walks out the room and leaves me standing there feeling needy and wet for him.

“I hate you!” I call and I hear him laughing as he walks downstairs.

“I still love you Moony.” He shouts back in a sing-song voice. Asshole. But he’s my asshole and I love him. I straighten myself up and walk out to the living room.

“Eli, can we stop and grab some cupcakes and hot chocolate before we go to the church, please?” Emma asks.

Eli walks out of the kitchen with a brown Pixie’s bag. “I made an early pick up so we didn’t have to stop, and I grabbed your favorite cupcake, with extra whip cream for your hot chocolate” he says.

She throws her arms around him and for the first time says, “I love you Eli.” The look on his face is priceless, his cheeks flush red and his eyes begin to water.

He clears his throat and says “I love you too little Moony.” My heart explodes, I am crazy in love with this beautiful man who is in love with not just