I yawn and my eyes flutter open. I feel the heat from Tobias' body leaching into mine through the silk camisole and sleep shorts set that I quite honestly don't remember putting on. As a matter of fact, I don't remember getting out of the tub and coming to bed but it's obvious that I did. He senses that I'm awake and tightens his arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him, essentially molding our bodies into one. His hot breath brushes across the back of my ear before I feel his moist lips, and I sigh as he kisses every inch of my neck and exposed shoulder then moan loudly when he slides his hand up and covers my heavy, aching breast.

I turn in his arms and wrap myself around him, and he rolls us so that I'm on top. Our lips meet each other's in a fiery, possessive kiss. While his hands roam from my shoulders to my backside, I fist my fingers in his hair and thrust my tongue through his parted lips and find his. I taste mint and just a hint of chocolate, charred marshmallow, and graham cracker on his tongue. We part when he drags my cami up my body and off over my head. He holds me tightly and flips us so that I'm beneath him. I expect his lips on mine but instead he runs the tip of his tongue up my neck then kisses and nibbles along my jawline to my left ear. A shudder moves through my body when he caresses my lobe with the tip of his tongue.

"Tobias," I moan and I feel his smile against my skin. He glides his tongue down my neck, dropping kisses along the way until he reaches my heaving chest. He circles the hardened peak for a time before taking it between his teeth. He tugs at it gently, causing me to groan as an electric jolt travels straight between my thighs then sucks it into his mouth, soothing it with the tip of his tongue and soft lips. He gently kneads and strokes my throbbing mound as he teases my rigid bud.

"Mmm, you're so sweet," he roughly says as he drags his lips to my other aching breast. He slowly circles the already erect bud then tickles the quivering tip with his velvety tongue. I squirm beneath him as he nibbles lightly on the highly sensitive nipple. I feel his hard desire against my leg and think that he might actually give me what I want.

"We need to stop if we aren't going to make love, Tobias," I moan. "If we don't, I'm not going to be able to." He stops what he's doing and lifts his head. His eyes are black with desire, telling me that he wants me just as much as I want him.

"Do you want to stop?" he asks, his voice as silky as my sexy pajamas.

"No, but it hasn't been six weeks yet. Isobel hasn't cleared us," I say. "And we don't have any birth control."

"You're breastfeeding," he says. "I read up on it. It'll be okay but we do have condoms if you want to be sure."

"You really aren't going to stop?"

"I'm tired of waiting," he says. "I want you." He grinds his hips into my leg, showing me just how much he wants me. "I know you want me, too." I pull his mouth up to mine and our lips crash into each other's with a blistering need that is overwhelming as he covers my body with his. I wrap my legs around his hips, and he presses his hard length against my silk-clad womanhood. "God, I want to be inside you." He's gently rocking his hips back and forth, rubbing against me. "But I'm not going to rush this."

He slowly lowers his mouth back to mine for an unhurried, adoring kiss that quickly turns eager and heated. I fist his tank top in my hands and drag it up his body. He breaks our kiss and leans back on his knees between my outstretched legs and rips it off over his head. He stares down at my half naked body with lust in his dark eyes then puts his hands on the waistband of my silk shorts and slowly pulls them off of me. He picks up my left leg and brings it to mouth. He kisses his way from the ankle to the inside of my knee before doing the same thing with my other leg but this time he doesn't stop. He continues up to my inner thigh. Right before I think he's going to kiss me where I want it the most, he moves his mouth to my other knee.

"You're such a tease," I pant as he makes his way up my left thigh.

"I told you, I'm taking my time," he says. "It's been so long. We shouldn't rush this." The heat of his breath on my thigh sends a shiver through me then I moan when he kisses all around my moist entrance. Our eyes meet as he eases a single finger inside me. He very slowly draws it back then just as slowly thrusts it forward again. I grasp at the sheets when he adds a second finger then glides his tongue over my aching bundle of nerves and twist them in my fists.

"Oh, God! Tobias!" I moan as I lift my hips in time with his probing digits. I feel the familiar stirrings of an approaching release as he draws my aching bundle of nerves into his mouth then starts sucking on it gently. The combination of his curled fingers hitting that magic spot deep inside and his lips wrapped tightly around my nubbin skyrockets me over the edge. My back arches off the sheets, my eyes roll back in my head, my toes curl, and my entire body stiffens but he doesn't stop his ministrations until I'm exploding around his fingers for the second time. I collapse onto the bed, panting loudly, and he slowly removes his fingers from my womanhood. He moves up and covers me with his body, dropping butterfly kisses along the way, then places his lips on mine. He passionately kisses me for a moment while he settles himself between my outstretched thighs. I can feel my heart pounding painfully in my chest with anticipation and my breathing becomes irregular.

"Are you ready for this?" he asks. He's leveraged above me on one forearm, using his other hand to position my legs just right, making sure I'm open for him.

"More than ready," I pant, reaching up and caressing his handsome face. I'm so lucky he chose me. "I love you, Mr. Eaton."

"I love you, Mrs. Eaton," he says as he places himself at my entrance and I shudder with pleasure. He touches his forehead to mine and stares down into my eyes. "I know I've been with every day but I've missed you." He starts a steady pressure with his hips and slides into me about an inch. I close my eyes and bite down on my bottom lip. When I open them, he's staring at me reverentially. "God, you're so tight, tighter than I remember." I'm not sure how it's possible but I think he's right. This almost feels like our first time. He places his lips on mine and kisses my tenderly while he slides in yet another few inches. I wrap my arms around him and run my hands up and down his back. He pulls back and thrusts forward another couple inches.

"Oh, my God!" I call out.

"Do you want to stop?" he asks.

"No," I moan. "Oh, God no! More. I want more. I want all of you." I pull his mouth to mine as he buries himself fully, and I gasp at the long overdue fullness. He stills, allowing me to get used to his size since it's been so long. We stare deeply into each other's eyes between lingering tender kisses, not moving a muscle. When I'm ready I say, "Make love to me, Tobias." I run my fingertips down his cheek and he kisses me adoringly then takes my hand and laces our fingers together. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too." He moves his hips backwards, nearly sliding out of me then thrusts forward, burying himself fully again.

"Ooohhh," I moan as he sets a slow in-and-out pace. We move together as one at the same measured speed for what seems like an eternity. I push on his chest, and he rolls us so I can be on top. I put my hands on either side of his head and rock back as he thrusts upward. He runs his hands all over my body as we move against each other.

"Shit, Tris," he moans as he flips us back over.

"Oh, God," I pant. "I'm so close. Don't stop, baby." I lift my hips, answering each of his slamming thrusts as we drive each other closer to shared ecstasy. Our heartbeats speed and labored breaths fill the room as we cling to each other. I scream his name against his throat as I explode into a million pieces, and he groans in blissful agony in my ear as he releases himself deep inside. He collapses on top of me and for the first time in months, he doesn't move, and I relish the feel of his weight on me. After a minute, he pulls out of me and rolls over. I turn my head and stare at him.

"That was … amazing, love," he pants as he rolls up on his side next to me. "How about round two?"

"Round two sounds like a wonderful idea," I say. "Round one was particularly good."

"Just good? You wound me," he says with a playful pout.

"I said, 'particularly good.'" His eyes twinkle in the pale moonlight streaming into our bedroom. He suddenly rolls over on top of me and gives me a forceful, steamy kiss. His tongue delves into my mouth and strokes mine aggressively. I could kiss him forever if I didn't have other needs.

"Well, let's see … if I can … blow your mind … this time," he pants and I can't help the playful giggle that escapes my lips. I'm so happy right now. He lowers his lips to my left ear and a shiver raises goosebumps on my flesh. He glides his tongue along the contours, sucks gently on the lobe, and then French kisses the canal. I moan loudly when he wiggles it back and forth, and I clench my thighs together tightly trying to control the ache.

"Oh, God!" I moan. "You're killing me, baby." I feel his hand meandering in a southerly direction, and I part my legs, giving him easier access. As he kisses, sucks, nibbles, and licks my ear, his fingertips find my nubbin. He very gently, with a featherlight touch, circles the sensitive bundle of nerves. He kisses from my ear to my chin then up to my lips. I grasp the back of his head and tangle my fingers in his short curls as my hips dance in time with his phantom-like touch.

"I just can't get enough of you," he whispers against my lips, "… of us." He continues with the slow, gentle teasing, and I feel myself climbing again. My breath is coming harder and faster against his soft, moist lips as I cling to him. I throw my head back and a guttural moan escapes from the back of my throat. "Tris, love, how does this feel?" God, it feels so good but I'm beyond verbal communication at the moment. "Tris." I writhe against him. I'm so close. "Tris." My body stiffens, and I shatter against his fingers but he doesn't stop. "Love, wake up. Are you in pain? You're moaning. Should I get you one of your pain pills?"

"What?" My head is foggy, and my body feels like it's on fire. "Why did you stop?"

"Stop what?" he asks, confused. Well that makes two of us.

"You were going to make me come again or maybe I just did," I say leveraging myself up on my elbows. I look around the room as my eyes try to adjust to the pale light of predawn. I look down at myself when the quilt falls to my waist, and I see that I'm wearing one of his old t-shirts.

"Tris, what you are talking about?" he asks. "Were you having a sex dream?" Now he sounds amused but I'm not. I'm crushed. I throw the quilt off me and stumble out of bed. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"I need coffee," I mumble. I check Peanut then head downstairs to the kitchen. While I'm waiting for the pot to brew, my hand goes to my lips. I remember every kiss, and they weren't even real. I feel robbed. I was so happy, and now I'm in a horrible mood. I feel him behind me before his hands rest on my hips.

"I shouldn't have laughed," he says in my ear. "I know you're frustrated. So am I."

"It's not fair," I say. "We made love, Tobias. I remember every kiss, every touch, every movement. I remember you on me, in me." He turns me to face him and wraps me in his arms.

"I'm so sorry, love," he says. "We have 12 days until your appointment. It'll be here and gone before you know it then we can make love every day if that's what you want." I finally relent and wrap my arms around his midsection and snuggle into him close. I don't want to take out my bad mood on him. It's not his fault. I turn my head and look up at him.

"It was quite a low blow to wake up and realize everything that happened wasn't real," I pout. I sigh right before his lips touch mine. Peanut's cries through the baby monitor part us. "I should have known it wasn't real because there weren't any interruptions." Actually, the kids didn't even cross my mind. Great, now I feel even worse.

"Do you want me to get her?" he asks.

"No," I say as I head to the stairs. "I feel like I haven't nursed her all night." I jog up the stairs and go into the bedroom. "Ssh, baby girl. Mommy's here." I pick up our little bundle but she doesn't quiet down. "Let's get you out of this wet diaper." I change her into a dry diaper as quickly as I can, and I'm surprised that she doesn't wake Tessa. Instead of nursing her upstairs, I carry her to the living room.

"Here's your coffee," Tobias says as he puts the mug of steaming decaf on the table next to me.

"Thank you," I say. He kisses my temple and lingers a bit, looking at Peanut while she nurses. "I have a stupid question."

"What's that?"

"Did I feed her in the night?" I ask, having a hard time remembering anything before my dream.

"3 a.m. on the dot," he says. "What sounds good for breakfast?"

"Bluebewwy pancakes," Tyler says as he comes into the living room rubbing his eyes.

"Blueberry pancakes it is," Tobias says. "Would you like bacon or sausage with them?"

"Hhm," he says, wrinkling his nose so that he looks just like his father. "Can we have both?"

"Only if Daddy can make us waffles instead of pancakes," I say. He furrows his little brows for a moment then beams.

"Otay," he says. "I help?"

"Of course, you can help," Tobias says. "I'll get the plates and silverware out and you can set the table. Tyler follows after his father into the kitchen as I continue nursing Peanut. When the aroma of bacon fills the room, my stomach starts to growl. Hopefully Tessa will hold off wanting fed herself until after I can have a waffle. We're halfway through the delicious breakfast when she starts whining through the baby monitor. I offer to go get her but Tobias tells me to finish my breakfast. He comes back downstairs with our little one who is on the verge of a meltdown just as I put my last bite of waffle, bacon, and sausage in my mouth. I get up and take her into the living room.

"Good morning, little one," I say as she latches on to my nipple. "You sure did sleep a long time last night. It's no wonder you're so hungry. You better slow down." I caress her head as she nurses vigorously. "I don't want you to choke."

"Can I go play?" Tyler asks.

"No, you need to go get ready for daycare," Tobias says.

"I no wanna go," he says. I can hear him pouting so I know that his bottom lip is sticking out a mile.

"I'm sorry but I'm going to take you and Tessa down to the Pit just as soon as she gets done eating," he says. "I have to go to work early."

"I wanna stay with Mommy." I look toward the kitchen, wondering what's up with him.

"Upstairs. Now. Mommy laid out an outfit for you last night," Tobias says, trying hard to rein in his temper. "I expect you to be dressed when I come upstairs in five minutes." I hear his feet on the stairs. "And don't run, young man." He stops running and clops up the stairs. Tobias comes into the living room and flops down on the couch, running his hands through his hair.

"You okay?" I ask after he's silent for too long.

"I don't know," he says. "I'm trying to calm down before I go upstairs and get him. I don't need him defying me on top of everything else that is going on."

"I know you don't," I say. I finish burping Tessa and get out of the chair. "Why don't you dress her and I'll talk to Tyler."

"Okay," he says. "Come here, Pebbles." She kicks excitedly when he takes her. She sure has become Daddy's girl since Peanut was born. I pick up the baby and carry her up to her bassinet then go to Tyler's room.

"Hi, buddy," I say as I open his closed door.

"Can I stay with you?" he says in full pout mode. At least he's dressed or he'd be in big trouble.

"No," I say. He's usually not this defiant. I pick him up and sit down in his rocking chair. "Can you tell me why you want to stay home with me?" He hangs his head and is quiet for a while. "Tyler. You can tell me anything."

"Bobby being mean," he sadly says.

"How long has this been going on?" Tobias asks as he comes into the room. He kneels down in front of us.

"Since baby come," he pouts. A month?

"What does he say?" I ask. I'm emotionally confused at the moment. Part of me is pissed beyond belief that he's being picked on again and needs to make it right but a larger part of me feels his anguish and wants to make it better. I wrap my arms around him and kiss his head.

"He tell me you love baby mo than me," he says. "He tell me you no want me at home no mo."

"Did you say something to Mrs. Wheeler?" I ask.

"She … she not be … believe me," he says as he starts to cry. I look up at Tobias and see the rage I'm feeling mirrored on his face. At least we know why he wants to stay home and one day soon he's going to get his wish. I'll see to that.

"Tyler, can you look at me?" I ask. It takes everything I have to keep my voice steady. You don't mess with my kids. He raises his head and looks at me. "Tell me why you think you go to daycare."

"You had an ouchie and need help," he says.

"That's right," I say. "I need time to rest and heal. Have you ever thought that I didn't want you with me? I miss you so much when we're not together." He shakes his head. "Then why does what he say matter?"

"It huwt my feelings and I don't like it," he says. "I tell him it not twue but he just laugh."

"Why didn't you come to us sooner?" Tobias asks.

"You busy," he says, his expression so innocent. He believes what he's saying.

"We are never too busy for you," I say, cupping his little face between my hands. "I'm sure it has seemed like that lately since we brought Peanut home but Mommy and Daddy are always here for you. You can come to us at any time, and you can tell us anything. Do you understand?" He nods and throws his hands around my neck. "I love you so much, Tyler. Nothing will ever change that."

"I know," he says, muffled by my hair. "I love you, Mommy." He turns his head and looks at Tobias. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you," he says. "You're my best buddy. I think it's time to go."

"I'm coming with you," I say over Tyler's head. I don't know if it's the situation or the tone of my voice but Tobias doesn't argue. "Give me a couple minutes to get Peanut dressed and situated."

"I'll get two bags," he says. "Want to help me, buddy?" Tyler nods and after giving me a big, wet kiss and a tight bear hug, he gets down off my lap, and we all file into our bedroom. I pick up Peanut who is sound asleep and change her diaper, dress her in an old pink sleeper covered in cute white bunnies that Tessa outgrew long ago, and get her situated in the sling.

"I'm ready when you are," I say when I reach the living room.

"Okay," Tobias says. "Let's go."