Jennie

"Wake up, baby."

I groaned as I pulled the blanket up over my head. I heard a chuckle and then the sounds of the drapes being opened. You've got to be kidding me. This was supposed to be my day, according to her. She was the one who wanted to celebrate it. I didn't want to do anything.

I felt the blanket being moved off of me and Lisa's warm body covering mine. "Happy Birthday, baby."

I sighed, mumbling something incoherently. I wasn't even going to acknowledge it. She knew damn well I hated my birthday, but she insisted we celebrate it this year. Of course, her idea of insisting was demanding. Then, the bastard threw in the whole "but it's your first birthday with Flick." She just had to use the Emersyn card.

I finally turned to face her. She was grinning down at me with an amused look on her face. Before I could say anything, she seared her lips against mine. Her hands started roaming up, as she teased a nipple.

I moaned. "You know, using sex isn't going to make me participate in whatever activities you have planned, so you might as well cancel them." I moved to get out from under her, but she pressed her weight further on me.

"Now, that's not very nice is it, Mrs. Manoban? You know just as well as I do that sex gets you to do anything." I feigned shock as she started laughing at my attempts to push her off of me, which resulted in her rolling us over, until I was on top.

I gave her my sternest look. She, in turn, tried not to smile. "Lisa. I've told you a million times, I don't celebrate my birthday, and I'm not going to start. Now, some of us have to get ready for work."

I started to move off of her, and her arm gripped around my waist. "Office is closed today."

I looked at her startled. "Closed? Why, did something happen?"

She nodded, as she sat us both up on the bed. "Yeah, something major did happen."

I started thinking what it could've been. "Was there a leak or something? A fire? Did anyone get hurt? Was Chan there?" I felt myself starting to panic and looked around for my phone.

Lisa, grabbed my arms, holding me still. "No one was hurt, the building is fine, no damage to the infrastructure."

I stared at her confused. "Then, why is it closed?"

She slightly shrugged, as she reached for my camisole lifting it over my head. She leaned forward tracing her tongue around my nipple that was now fully hard. "It's a holiday," she said between sucking.

I gasped, as she bit down. Then, the undeniable sound of yet another pair of lace panties being ripped off. Her hand trickled down to my core.

"You're a little wet, love." I felt my cheeks flush. "Not wet enough for my liking, though." Her voice was low, as she traced lightly over my clit.

I attempted to act unaffected. "So, um…what holiday? Labor Day was last week, right?"

She nodded, not taking her eyes off my pussy. It was starting to bother me that she was watching me so closely. I moved my hand to cover myself, but she grabbed my wrist and slowly looked up at me.

Her eyes narrowed. "Are you covering up what's mine?" She took that moment to plunge two fingers knuckle deep, and I gasped.

"I asked you a question, Jennie."

I tried focusing on my breathing as I looked back down to her. My hips were trying to move, in the subtlest way, as I was trying not to admit, that yes, I wanted to fuck your fingers right now.

"I am." She raised a brow. "I mean…I was. I was trying to cover myself."

She held my gaze as she alternated between slow and agonizingly slow with her thumb on my clit. With her other arm around me, she shifted me closer. "Well that just won't do now, will it? Tell me why?"

I whimpered as a third finger joined the others, and the flicking of my clit grew stronger. A moan escaped my mouth and I bit my bottom lip, trying to keep everything at bay. "Because," was all I could whisper out.

I screamed out as the fourth finger joined the rest. I could hear the squelching sounds, I was making. If I wasn't that wet before, I was now. "Because I'm yours."

"And?" Her hand twisted slightly, and I tensed. Tears starting in my eyes. Not from the pain. But, because she knew I was holding back, and the slightest touch would send me falling over.

"Because my body is yours," I rushed out. "Everything of me is yours." I was taking shallow breaths, since breathing made me want to grind on her hand.

She looked back down at my pussy. By now, I didn't give a fuck if she had a marching band in here. I just wanted to come. I saw her slowly grin, before she peered back up at me. "Well, that is a sight to see, Mrs. Manoban. I almost have my whole hand in you, and you are so fucking wet, you're practically making a puddle.

I shut my eyes. "Please."

I felt her fingers widen, and a hard flick on my clit, and I felt myself lean forward as wave after wave came crashing over me. I bit into her shoulder to muffle my screams.

She groaned. "Shit baby, I need to feel this."

Before, I could register anything, Lisa was sliding her cock into me, and held herself deep, as I fluttered around her. She held me tight against her, moving in slowly, going as deep as she could. "That's it, baby. That is fucking it."

I moaned as she picked up the pace, trailed one hand down, and started circling my clit. I gasped, as she held me tight with one arm, as she dragged out my pleasure, all the while chasing her. "Fuck!" She bit my shoulder to help muffle her scream, as she finished pumping her release. We took a few moments to catch our breaths. "Damn, that is always my favorite place to be." I laid against her, her hands caressing my back. "If I didn't think so myself, I would say you're starting your birthday off quite spectacularly."

I smiled against her chest. "If they're anything like this, then yeah. By all means." I peered up at her. "I wish you were home more."

Her expression changed, as she ran her fingers thru her hair. She sighed. "I know, me too. Trust me, I would give anything to be here with you two more. But once this deal is closed, the three of us will go on a month-long vacation. I promise, our own island."

I tried not to let her empty promises get to me. We both worked, yes. Then I had the idea that I wanted to go to school. That didn't go over well at first.

"As in school school?"

I rolled my eyes and nodded. "Yes. I always wanted to go to college, and never did, because I couldn't afford it. And it'll look good on my resume, to show that I actually have a degree for the accounting work I do."

Lisa crossed her arms as she narrowed her eyes. "You don't even need a resume, you also don't need to work."

"But you work," I countered.

"That's different. It's my company, Jennie."

"Well, it's half mine, now isn't it? You made me sign the papers for it."

She paused. I had her there. I sidled up next to her. "Lisa, it's just a few classes a semester. You'll barely notice."

She sighed, as she ran her hand through her hair. "I'm not going to be the jerk that denies someone an education."

I squealed, practically jumping in her arms. "This is going to be great!" I sat her down on the couch as I pulled out the folded piece of paper from my back pocket. She tilted her brow but didn't say anything. "I've already preregistered, classes start in two weeks, and don't worry I have it planned around work." I watched as she looked down at my schedule, and her expression grew more blank.

"The campus is really huge, so I hope I don't get lost on day one, that would be embarrassing…"

"Stop." She held her hand up. "These aren't online classes?"

I slowly shook my head. She looked mad. Real mad. "No, they're on campus."

She held up the paper. "These are nine credit hours." She said it as if I didn't already know. "That's full time. You're planning to work full-time, school full-time, and still have time for Flick and me?"

Suddenly the excitement I had before quickly dwindled. I had given up enough time with the charity organization now. Ever since Lisa had me head her charity organization, the work was demanding, but worth it, just seeing the smiles on the children's faces, as well as their parents. Our goal was to help families, spend as much time with their sick children. We try to help in any way we can by assisting with hospital bills. The sad part is, a lot of the children never make it home. I couldn't let that go and do school and be a full-time mom. I stared down at the paper in her hands.

"Maybe, I can cut it down to six hours."

She frowned as she shook her head. "Everything is spaced out, Jennie. I'm not comfortable with you being around thousands of people I know nothing about, I'll need to hire more security– "

I snatched the paper out of her hands and stood up facing her. "You don't need to do anything, Lisa! I can take care of myself. I don't need you to assign me a security detail to ease your insecurities."

She stood up, towering over me, hands clenched. "My insecurities? Need I remind you, you were kidnapped and almost killed?"

"No Lisa, you don't need to remind me. I have the scars to prove it. Literally." My voice was low and wavered slightly, but I tried to keep it strong. "He's dead, and I'm fine." I shut my eyes, as I placed my hand on her chest. Her breathing calmed briefly. "You can't always protect me, Lisa."

Her hand went over mine. "Yes, I can. And I will."

I sighed. There was no point in arguing with her. This was the problem with our relationship and now our marriage - everything was Lisa's way or no way.

Since having Emersyn, I cut back. Lisa, on the other hand, seemed to triple her load. I tangled my fingers in her hair. "It's okay, I know you work hard. I just, sometimes miss you, and…"

"Sometimes?"

I smiled. "All the time." I didn't want to turn into one of those clingy spouses. "Besides, at least I see you. There are men and women who are deployed, and they're gone for months, so I honestly, don't know why it even bothers me."

She leaned her forehead against mine. "Just a little more time, okay?"

At that moment, Emersyn took that opportunity to let us know she was up by uttering "mama." I sighed and started to get off of Lisa. She held me still and rolled me back on the bed. "I got her. I need her help making your birthday breakfast. Let me clean up really quick first."

Right as she reached the door, I remembered our original conversation. "Hey! What holiday?"

She turned slightly toward me and grinned. "Your birthday." Before I could say anything, she was out the room.

I shook my head, leaning back against the pillow. Only Lisa would give her entire staff off for my stupid birthday.

Ten minutes later, after a quick shower, I joined them in the kitchen. Lisa held Emersyn on her hip as she instructed her when to flip the pancakes. I leaned against the doorframe just watching them. The cute part was Emersyn actually looked like she was interested in knowing when to flip the pancakes.

Lisa has struggled with being at work so much. She missed out on a few milestones with Emersyn:

"Should we watch something appropriate for her until she falls asleep, or wait a little while longer?"

Lisa looked to me then to the now empty spot next to me where Emersyn was sitting. Her brow crinkled, and at that moment, Emersyn semi-gracefully walked in front of her. Lisa's eyes darted to mine. "She can walk?!" Lisa bent down to her level, as she wobbled a bit, before steadying herself on the table.

"Yeah, she started a few days ago. I thought I told you."

"No, you didn't. I'm pretty sure I would've remembered my own daughter taking her first steps." She sighed. "Did you at least record it?"

I slowly shook my head. "It happened so fast, I didn't think about it. I was just really excited at the time."

I watched as Lisa scooped Emersyn up in her arms, giving her kisses, as a flash of disappointment crossed over her face.

Ever since then, I have felt horrible. The expression on Lisa's face was a mixture of sadness and anger. But most of all, it was the first time I'd ever seen Lisa look defeated.

"And now we drop the blueberries in and put a little batter on top. Just enough to cover it, that way they won't burn."

Emersyn squealed. She looked over at me, holding her arms out. Lisa, turned to face me. She whispered to Emersyn. "Flick, today is Mama's birthday."

Emersyn's eyes lit up. "Mama."

"We're working on her saying Peupeu. So far I've gotten a Poopoo." Lisa laid a kiss on top of her head as she handed her to me to put in her high chair. Emersyn was all Lisa. From the dark hair to those piercing blue eyes. Even with those features, everyone thought she looked more like me.

Lisa set her baby oatmeal on the table while I grabbed plates but promptly took them from me.

"Sit down! It's your birthday."

I rolled my eyes as I made my way to my chair. "Don't think I didn't see that," Lisa whispers to me as she sits down.

I smiled. "I'll be eagerly waiting my punishment."

She placed some pancakes on my plate. "Saucy minx."

After a few bites, I set my fork down. Lisa looked at my plate. "You didn't even eat half of one."

I took a deep breath. "I know, I'm just not that hungry."

She furrowed her brow. "You feeling okay? I know you said sometimes you forget to eat, taking care of Flick, which I meant to talk to you about that. You're losing weight again. I don't like you forgetting to eat, since your blood sugars are crashing."

I opened my mouth to say something, but she stopped me. "I think it'll be a good idea, to hire a nanny."

My mouth dropped. "A nanny? We are not hiring a nanny, Lisa. We don't need one."

"Jennie, hear me out. They'll just be here to help. We don't even have to start them off full-time. We'll do a test run."

I glanced over at Emersyn, who was playing in the mashed-up pancake we gave her. I felt myself starting to tear up. I went from not even caring I was pregnant to finally starting to care, only to almost lose her from a careless fall. Lisa wants a nanny, because she doesn't think I'm capable of taking care of her like a mother should. I can't even be a good mom to her, because I don't know how.

"Jennie." I looked at Lisa, as she placed her hand on my arm.

I swallowed back my tears. "Fine. Whatever you decide."

She gently squeezed my hand. "I want us both to decide."

I stood up, taking my plate to the trash and dump the uneaten food. "Well, it sounds to me like you've already made the decision. So, we both don't need to do anything. I just live here."

"Jennie!"

I ignored her as I left the kitchen. Grabbing my keys off the side table, I went straight to the elevator. By the time she came out the kitchen, the door was just shutting.

Good.