Chapter Sixty-Six

Chapter Sixty-Six
My relationship with Nelson was fast blossoming into a beautiful one and we soon began to appear like a family in the eyes of the public especially when we went to pick up items from a stall or needed to do a quick shopping for the house, except I didn't let him get too close to Hayley.

I'd created the unspoken rule in our relationship that he had no obligations to my daughter. She was my responsibility alone and I didn't ever want to have to forcefully involve him in her life.

Whenever he came around and she was home, I let him play with her for a few minutes before they parted ways. That way, it felt better for me and I didn't need to feel bad about forcing the connection.

I'd heard cases of single moms dating a man solely because they wanted a father figure for their kids and so when they found a guy, they saddled him with the forced responsibility of being a father, a role he did not ask for, and I didn't want that to be the case for me.

Over here, I wanted it to be a relationship and connection solely between the two of us. However, if Hayley was approved of him and he felt led to get closer to her, I would let it happen, except my boundaries would still be in place.

I believed in moderation in all things.

One night, after Nelson dropped us off from the supermarket and Hayley was inside, scrambling the bags for her own items, he called me out to the balcony, to have a word with me.

At first, my heart clenched and my suspicion rose. I feared he was going to break up with me, so I sat quietly on the floor of the balcony, my hands crossed against each other, waiting to hear what he had to say. 

I was not ready to receive the bomb but I was trying hard to brace up for it. I had come to love this man so much and the thought of doing life without him made my breathing fluctuate. 

“You see honey, I've been wanting to say this to you all this while, but I wasn't sure how to present it in such a way that it wouldn't come off as offensive.” he'd said to me that evening, making me even more uncomfortable and confused.

I was quiet for a few seconds and then I finally summoned the courage to speak.

“I'm all ears, you can spill.” 

My voice was shaky and I was sure he could hear it in the way I spoke.

“I don't know how this would sound babe, but can you please let me be more involved in Hayley’s life? You seemed so closed off towards our relationship, but I couldn't prove it until today at the supermarket.” 

I immediately went to rest at the mention of the complaint. Why did he make it sound like he was going to call it quits? I was already scared for myself and I just knew how doomed I was going to be, should he decide to leave.

“Oh, that? But babe, you're in a relationship with me, and not my daughter, or am I missing out on something?” I asked, feigning ignorance. 

“Of course you are, but at the supermarket today, you deliberately moved her to your side so that only you could hold her hands, while you walked beside me. Am I that much of a bad person?” He lamented, pouring out his frustration.

I scanned his handsome face with my eyes and I saw that he was actually genuine, like he actually cared. That single act must have really hurt him. Poor boy. 

“Hmm, give me time to think about it, for now, I have nothing to say except I don't hate seeing you with her or any such thing, so you don't have to beat yourself over it. Okay?”

“Okay, but can I take her to the playground after church on Sunday? I promise to be careful. Pleeeasseeee.”

Nelson never said no to any of my requests even if it meant driving into the belly of a fish to get something I really wanted, so saying no to him especially for a request like this felt unfair.

“Fine! You can come pick her and you can spend all the time you want while I watch you two from a distance.”

“Wow! Thank you! I really appreciate it babe,” he shouted, grabbing me for a hug that ended up being almost aggressive, I just laughed at his display.

There was something about the way Nelson said Hayley’s name that made my heart ache - In the best way. 

He didn’t just pronounce it; he cradled it like it was a melody he’d memorized, a word he’d grown fond of repeating. And Hayley, in all her toddler glory, had taken to him like sunshine to petals.

At the children’s playground, I watched my boyfriend hold my daughter in his hands while they walked side by side to experiment with the play options available.

They started strong with the swing which hung a little low. I made sure to wear her something that would allow for enough flexibility.

She had a wine colored dress with leggings underneath that looked like pantyhose, it was so that she could swing her legs freely without any exposure or discomfort. 

Nelson lifted my two-year-old and placed her on the swing’s seat, making sure that she held the rope with her hands and when he was sure that she had gotten a firm grip of it and was well seated for the incoming motion, he pushed it backwards, arousing the excitement in her. As she moved to and fro in oscillatory motion, she laughed heartily. 

At the sitting area where I watched them do their thing, I felt a mix of emotions. I wasn't sad but still I wasn't sure how exactly to feel about this. 

The idea of watching someone else give my daughter the kind of love she’d never known - it scared me. It cracked something open. She’d never known what it felt like to have a male figure in her life. 

These two years of her life, she was always around me and my aunt whom she knew as her grandma and something about that made my mind race with thoughts. 

The park was quiet, tucked between rows of jacaranda trees that shed lilac petals like confetti. The air was warm, the sky a soft blue canvas streaked with wisps of cloud. 

As they continued with the swinging, Nelson moved with ease, pushing her to and fro and I heard her laughter ring in my ears, making tears prick in my eyes. 

When he was sure that she had gotten enough of the swing, he moved her to the seesaw. Again, I watched him catch her when she stumbled, cheer her when she climbed the rails, and pretend to lose on the seesaw just to make her giggle. 

With each activity, I felt my inner child heal.

Tears spilled down my cheeks, hot and silent. I pressed a hand to my mouth, trying to contain the sob that rose from somewhere deep. It wasn’t sadness. Not exactly. It was the release of years of holding it all together. Of watching Hayley grow without a father. Of wondering if she’d ever know what it felt like to be adored by a man who wasn’t obligated, but willing.

Nelson was willing.

He was more than willing; he was present, patient, and kind.

Hayley didn’t know the weight of what she was receiving, but I did, and it undid me.

After an hour of play, Hayley ran to me, her cheeks flushed, and her hair damp with sweat.

“Mommy,” she said, breathless. “Can we go to Nelson’s house?”

I looked at Nelson, who smiled gently, waiting for my answer.

“I see what you're doing. If that's what makes you two happy, I can't stand in the way of it.” I smirked.

I turned to my daughter and gave her the reply she wanted to hear. “Yes, baby. We can.” 

The drive home was quite different from the usual, Hayley did not stop tugging at Nelson’s shirt, she just wanted to play with him and honestly, I would have done the same.

The way I saw her laugh heartily today, I had never seen her do so before and that was when I realized that I wasn't all sufficient. A child needed to receive the drink of love from as many cups as we're willing to pour out to them. 

Nelson’s home was warm and understated. Not flashy, but elegant. The kind of place that felt lived in and loved. Hayley darted inside like she’d been there a hundred times, settling onto the couch with a juice box and a cartoon.

Nelson handed me a glass of water and sat beside me.

“She’s incredible,” he said.

“She’s everything,” I replied.

We talked quietly as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden light across the room. Hayley eventually curled up on the rug, her eyes heavy, her limbs limp with exhaustion.

Nelson scooped her up gently, cradling her against his chest.

“I’ll put her to bed,” he said.

I followed him down the hall to the guest room, where he lay her down, tucking the blanket around her with a tenderness that made my chest ache.

“She’s safe,” he whispered.

I nodded, unable to speak.

Back in the living room, the lights were dim and the air still. Nelson sat beside me, his hand brushing mine.

“You okay?” he asked, caressing my hair. 

I turned to him, eyes searching.

The chemistry between us was loud, my body craved his gentle touch and the look in his eyes said the same too.

From staring nastily at my chest, he gently caressed my bosom, feeling the softness of them. 

Slowly, we took in each other’s lips, kissing, sucking, and exchanging saliva.

Soon, his hands were underneath my dress. Carefully without making any noise, he took it off and kissed all over me after which he settled his lips on my areola, sucking on them like they produced honey.

I moaned in pleasure as they hardened. By now, my honey pot was already dripping with slimy goodness. 

As he suckled on them, he took continuous breaks, cupping them with his hands and playing with them like balloons.

He took off his shirt and trousers and flung them to the side, ready for action, but first I had to prepare the way for this activity.

I took his rod in my hand, the size of it, thick and fat. It was as long as the roller that I used to roll out dough. Massive stuff. You're so huge, I mentioned under my voice, and he smiled.

Without hesitating I buried my mouth into it, pushing back and forth while occasionally using my tongue, and he moaned out of pleasure and spanked my ass harder.

When I'd done that shortly, he let go of my head which he'd held in his palm, and positioned me in front of him. He parted my legs wide open and with his large index finger slid against my honey pot. 

Slowly and gently, he sank his finger into my hole, dipping in and out and playing with the slime. I cried in ecstasy.

Next, he took away his fingers and with the aid of his hand, put his rod into my hole, slowly thrusting in and out until we found a steady rhythm. 

“Fuck me harder,” I cried. 

He kept up with the motion, occasionally holding my boobs and licking my nipples. Soon again, with the aid of his two large arms, he lifted me off the couch and held me, thrusting in and out of me as I was suspended in the air.

After several rounds, we were finally done and we both dropped dead on the couch, exhausted from our extreme sport. 

“You're so sweet, I could be in you all day long,” he said, kissing my ears as if he was about to get on with another round but I moved away from his side, while he eyes followed after the rhythm of my jiggling ass and breasts, and the look on his face was that of someone smitten.

Nelson was so good, he got me dickmatized. 

At last, I had been properly drilled. I felt all the nerves in my body relax and my brain began to induce sleep.