Chapter 33

"Michael, have you seen my phone?" Victoria ran in the living room.

"Have you checked the nightstand?" I asked. My eyes were glued to the television.

"Yes, and it's not there." I stood up. We went back to the guest room. I went over to the night stand and opened the drawer to find her phone.

"Oh..." Victoria bit her lip, dumbfounded. I handed the phone to her. "Thanks." She began to walk out as I sat on the bed.

"Victoria." I called.

"Yeah? She walked back in the room.

"Joshua is gone now."

"Yeah, I know."

"We can finish that conversation now."

"Oh yeah." Victoria sat at the foot of the bed.

"You wanted to know how I could just talk to her?" I asked. I wasn't about to lie to her this time. I promised myself that. I was going to tell her the truth just like I vowed to myself hours before. However, she takes it is her choice. I just have to explain why my clothes were over there.

"Yeah." Victoria nodded slowly as if she already knew my answer.

"Let me back up to why my clothes were over there in the first place." I stood up and shut the door. "I had my clothes over there because I would frequently spend the night." Victoria looked at me, awaiting the rest of my explanation. "Victoria, Gabriella and I wouldn't just talk." I breathed. My heart was racing. I know I should continue, but should I leave it at that? I know she already knows and my silence is really speaking for itself.

"I kind of figured you wouldn't just talk" Victoria rolled her eyes and sighed. I want to say it, but I can't. She nodded to herself, "the two of you had sex." I didn't respond. "Am I right?" Guilt must have been all over my face. I could feel it. I didn't want to say anything. Maybe my silence would speak for me again. "Michael, did the two of you have sex?" I looked up to see her staring at me, searching for an answer. Seeing as though I didn't give her and answer Victoria walked out of the room and shut the door behind her. I lay back on the bed. I didn't lie to her. That's a good thing, but I didn't answer her question. That's as bad as lying. Michael and Prince ran in the room and jumped on the bed beside me.

"Good morning, Daddy!" They smiled.

"Hey there." I laughed.

"Are you and Naomi still friends?" Michael asked.

"You could say that...why?"

"Is she okay?"

"I hope so."

"Are you and Naomi getting married?"

"Wait, where are these questions coming from? I'm married to your Mother." I sat up.

"Mommy's sick, Daddy. She said she's not in the mood to go out today."

"She's sick?"

"Yeah. She fainted again last night and threw up. I think it's the flu."

"So what does Naomi have to do with this?"

"Can she go to the park with us?" I knew there was something up with Victoria.

"I'm going to check on your Mother." I hurried upstairs to our room and opened the door to find once again, Victoria with her knees up to her chest. I knelt beside her, "Victoria." I whispered. Sweat drenched her forehead. I didn't realize that she was sick. Maybe it came upon her yesterday. Maybe what I was sick with was contagious and Victoria caught it. "Victoria," I shook her lightly. She opened her eyes. "Baby, are you okay?" I pushed her hair away from her face.

"I'm alright." She nodded.

"When were you going to tell me that you were sick? I had to find out from the boys."

"I was never going to tell you, Michael. It's nothing major."

"Nothing major? The way you're sweating and fainting, this is more than major, Victoria."

"I'm surprised you even care."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Victoria sat up. "In sickness and in health. Remember that?"

"Oh, yeah. I remember. How could I forget?" Victoria said sarcastically.

"Did you eat something spoiled?"

"I would hope not."

"Maybe what I had was contagious."

"I think it was." She sighed.

"It'll go away." I kissed her forehead.

"I called our doctor, Michael."

"What did he say?"

"We're going in today."

"Why so early?"

"With you and I sick like this, we'd be stupid not to get an earlier appointment."

"Right." I sighed

"Did the boys tell you they wanted to go to the park?"

"Yeah."

"You're taking them, right?"

"You should come with us, V."

"I'm not feeling all that well."

"Yeah, but you need fresh air."

"That's why I have the humidifier right over there." Victoria laughed.

"That doesn't do anything. Come to the park with us."

"On one condition."

"Okay." I nodded.

"Leave your phone here."

"As long as you do the same."

"Why?" Victoria made a face.

"Joshua."

"He hasn't done any harm."

"Neither has Naomi." I sighed. It was very true, but Naomi isn't even talking to me. My only option would be Kendra.

"Fine. I'll leave my phone. Let me just tell Josh-"

"Don't tell him anything. Come on, V." Victoria sighed and stood up. "We'll wait downstairs." I took her phone along with me, so she wouldn't attempt to text or call Joshua. As soon as I got downstairs, I put both of our phones in a drawer. Prince and Michael hurried outside to the car. Victoria came downstairs in a sweatshirt. "Victoria, what time is the appointment today?" I asked as I locked the door.

"It's at three. Are you going to be late for that?" She asked as we made our way to the car.

"No, I plan to be with my family today." I unlocked the door to the car and got in. Everyone got in and buckled up. I backed out of the driveway and drove to the boys' favorite place in the world.

-

Victoria and I sat on the bench silent as we watched the boys play on the playground. It's awkward not having my phone, but it gives me time to talk to Victoria, but the question is...what do I talk to her about?

"Remember when we would play on the playground like we were kids?" I asked her.

"Yeah," she smiled. "And the adults would look at us like we were crazy."

"Yup. I remember the stares." I laughed. "Someone even said we were too old to even be at the playground."

"And I told them the playground doesn't have an age limit."

"And they had nothing to say..."

"Where did all that go, Michael? Why don't we have fun anymore?"

I shrugged, "I don't know." Victoria scooted next to me and lay her head on my shoulder.

"Let's get on the swings."

"Michael, we have to watch the boys."

"The swings are positioned right where we can see the boys." I stood up and held my hand out for her to take. Victoria grabbed my hand and went to the swings with me. As soon as we reached the swings, Victoria sat down. I stood behind her and pulled the swing back.

"Not too high, Michael." She warned.

"Don't worry." I promised and pushed her lightly. Do you realize how long we've been together?" I asked.

"I've realized this. But have you realized how long we've been together?" Victoria laughed. "Not counting break-ups."

"Ever since college."

"Gosh, that's a long time." I bit my lip.

"Remember when you first broke up with me?"

"I remember...why did I do that?"

"Because you heard I was dating Roger Gibson. Although it was a rumor."

"I was ready to beat his ass." I laughed.

"You did."

"Really??"

"Yeah."

"Jeez. I was ruthless, huh?"

"No, you weren't. You were crazy about me"

"That crazy?"

"After you beat him, you told me love makes you do crazy things."

"What happened to Roger?"

"He withdrew." We laughed.

"From college to now. Wow!" I smiled.

"The second time I broke up with you."

"Why?"

"You were an ass and I didn't want anything to do with you."

"I obviously got you back. That must have taken a lot of convincing, huh?"

"Ya think?" Victoria laughed.

"Then we stayed out of each other's way. It took you awhile to notice me again."

"So you were still in love with me, huh?" I asked.

"Obviously. You don't realize how hard it was to watch you with other women."

"I only dated one."

"Really?!"

"Yeah, and she didn't measure up. That's why I ran back to you. Wanna know what made me happy though?"

"What?"

"Although I dated after you, you never dated after me." Victoria smiled. I stopped her swing and stood in front of her. "That made me realize you were the one." I stood between her legs and attempted to kiss her.

"Promise me those lips have not touched anyone else's." Victoria stopped me. I looked around with a slight grin.

"Promise." I smiled and kissed her. I felt her smile against my lips and knew that she had forgiven me for any wrong doing I have ever done to her.