simone felt a little silly with her big sunglasses and ballcap on, but it had given her security from the car to the shop. yet, as she stepped inside, she took her glasses off. it was too dark with them on anyway. she had researched and found that this place was classy but not... too tame. she was glad the cashier barely even looked up and she looked over at helen, whose hand she was holding in hers. "you good?" she asked, as she herself looked rather nervous. what if she liked things that helen didn't? or the other way around? or they revealed a bit too much of themself and then the other wasn't interested anymore? like a turn off? probably not realistic as they didn't seem to be able to resist each other for longer than a few days, and only because then they were physically apart.
she looked around and thought that maybe something not as serious as sex toys would be good to start with. "want to check out the outfits?" she asked with a smile, hoping they'd find some comic relief there. @tearthighs
Author’s Note: Wow. What a fucking year! I have been away for most of this year through a conscious decision to focus on both my mental and physical health and well-being. I hope you all have been doing the same - taking care of yourselves. I wish you and yours love, happiness, laughter and good health in this new year. Here’s to 2021! May you enjoy some Simone and Maxwell sweetness as you ring in the new year!
****
I wake with a start and before I can even open my eyes, I am greeted by the intense burning sensation in my chest. I look over at the clock and I see that it is 2:47 a.m. and I am up again with TERRIBLE heartburn. I quietly sit up in bed - taking care to not wake my sweet Maxwell - and turn on my bedside table lamp to search for some instant relief. Soft white light counters the darkness, illuminating my side of the bedroom, and I am almost overwhelmed with tears at the small, yet significant, gesture by my husband.
“I thought you might need these. Love, Max,” is the note that rests in front of my approved heartburn medications. How does he always know what I need? I reflect on this question as I open and pop two of the fast-acting tablets. Maxwell never ceases to amaze me, even with the small things. My onion. I look to my left and see Maxwell. My lover, my best friend, and the love of my life is laid out on his back in an open stance and is softly snoring. I'm instantly jealous. My husband has such a sweet spirit that he smiles when he sleeps. If only I could be that peaceful when sleeping. I am a bed and blanket hog and in another life, I am convinced that I was a contortionist given the unusual positions I wake up in. My heart swells when I see the smile on his sleeping frame. I lean in to kiss him on the cheek and tenderly run the back of my hand down the side of his sleeping face, which only broadens his smile. I see so much of our baby girl Zora in his features.
Speaking of Zora, since I'm awake but waiting for the medicine to kick in before I can return to restful slumber, I decide to get out of bed and check on her. I discreetly shift out of bed and our bedroom to creep down the hallway to Zora's room. At her door, I am greeted by a photo of Zora Neale Hurston, whom Zora is named after and I silently chuckle. Before I enter her room, I reflect on the conversation Zora, Maxwell, and I had some time ago regarding the legacy of and how we decided on her name. This inspired Zora, hence the photo, and also made me tear up a bit. Zora is the good that I hoped for in this world. You know that saying in Black households, "This baby has been here before!" That is our Maxi; my child has been here before! At seven, she has more kindness and sense than I do at my current age. Zora's temperament more closely mirrors Maxwell's, but occasionally, her momma will peak out. Those are Zora's petty and sassy moments. What's funny, is that those moments typically peak out at me and only me, but I take it in stride as I hope it demonstrates that I represent safety and authenticity for my child.
I enter her room and am met with another dose of my personality. I don't know how this child is comfortable! Her slender frame is cocked in a most unusual position. Apparently, Zora was also a contortionist in a past life. Zora is laying on her back and her head is almost off the bed, with her legs bent to the left and her left leg laying on her right leg, yet curved in the direction of her butt. Her body is at an angle that looks like both her neck and back will be in pain tomorrow if I leave her in this position for the remainder of the night. I leave her laying on her back, but I gently shift her head back on the pillow and stretch her legs straight. As I am doing this, this child does not stir. Not a once. She is dead to the world. Another trait of mine. I lean down to kiss her forehead. "I love you, my precious Maxi," I tell her in a low voice as I retrieve the cover from the floor to lay across her body and retuck her back into bed. Standing up straight after being satisfied that my child will be pain-free tomorrow, I wordlessly expel a large yawn. Luckily, I decided on the fast-acting medication and am already starting to feel some relief.
By the time I return back to our room, it is 3:09 a.m. Maxwell is still laid out on his back asleep, smiling per usual, and I can see the deep and steady inhale and release of his breath. As I stand next to our bed and peer down on him, I’m realizing that the burning pain I felt from my heartburn has subsided and in its place is a warming sensation instead. I am now experiencing a different heart burn, this being one that blazes as a result of my deep love and adoration for Maxwell, our life together, and our continually growing family. I rub my protruding swollen belly with both hands and release a soft sign of contentment that turns into another fierce yawn. I walk around to my side of the bed and slide in. Without missing a beat, Maxwell’s sleeping form instantaneously pulls me into his embrace and I rest my head on what is now three hippo tattoos located near the corner of his right breast. The original, which is symbolic of his mother, and the two additional that he added in honor of our children, Zora, and our yet unnamed baby.
He is my home. His embrace represents love, safety, and protection. It is through his warm embrace, that I feel more relaxed and allow the call of sleep to beckon to me. This is my favorite type of heart burn.
This Tender Moments Drabble incorporates the prompt, “You’ll always be safe with me.” from the Soft Sentence Starter List assigned to me by @darley1101
Please note: I have slightly adapted this prompt to better align with the context of this drabble. The adapted prompt is listed below in bold and italics.
****
Returning from a grocery store shopping trip with Simone, five-year-old Zora runs into the living room looking for her daddy. "Daddy, where are YOU?"
"BOO!" Maxwell jumps out from behind the couch after hearing the pitter-patter of her shoes down the hallway.
Startled, Zora jumps back in surprise. "There you are, daddy!"
"Did you have a good time shopping with momma?"
"No, daddy." Zora shakes her head sadly. "Momma wouldn't buy me any candy."
Unbeknownst to Zora and Maxwell, Simone has joined the two of them in the living room after working with Gladys and the kitchen staff to get the groceries out of the car and put away.
"Zora is mad at me, Max. I told her no to candy because she already has so much leftover from Halloween and I didn't want her to have any before dinner."
"Are you mad at momma?" Zora moves her head in a vertical motion to signal her displeasure.
"Can I have a hug? Maybe that will make you feel a bit better." Maxwell outstretches his arms and Zora runs into them willingly, Maxwell picking Zora up to carry her over to Simone.
"Momma and I care about your health and making sure you have a balance of sweet stuff like candy, but also healthy stuff like vegetables and fruit. It's our job as your parents to make sure you have both. Do you understand?"
"Yes, daddy." Zora nods her head in understanding.
"Do you understand why momma said no now?"
"Yes, daddy."
"Can you give momma a hug?"
"No daddy. I'm not ready."
"Maxwell, it is perfectly fine," Simone interjects, looking at Zora with a smile on her face. "I want her to have autonomy over her body and that starts with me respecting her wishes about not wanting to hug me at this moment."
"You hear that, Zora?" Maxwell hugs his daughter. “You will always be safe with us to make decisions about your own body."
"Max, I'm heading into the kitchen to make dinner."
"What are we having?"
"Tacos!" Zora shouts, beating Simone to answer. "Momma knows it's my favorite." Zora puts her hand over her tummy and rubs in a circular motion.
"Zora, would you like to help me in the kitchen?"
Zora signals for Max to put her down. "Yes, momma," Zora reaches for Simone's hand for them to walk into the kitchen. Halfway there, Zora tugs on Simone's hand causing her to pause.
"Yes, baby?"
Zora leans into and wraps her tiny arms around her mother's leg. "I'm ready to hug you now."
"And I'm ready to receive your hug." Simone bends down and picks up her daughter, holding Zora tightly to her chest. Zora nestles her head in the crook of Simone's neck on the way into the kitchen to help her momma make dinner.
Author’s Note: Happy Mother’s Day to my #ChoicesTumblerFam. I hope you ladies are having a fabulous day!
****
“Max, did you bring the gelato?”
“It's good to see you, too, Little Blossom,” Maxwell says with feigned annoyance, walking into the foyer to meet his wife.
“Are you not feeling the love?” Simone implores with a grin, happy to see her husband and the small plastic container in hand with what she can only assume to be her requested gelato.
“No, I am not feeling the love,” Maxwell whines with a boyish pout.
“I’m more than happy to remedy that. Come here,” Simone beckons Maxwell with her arms outstretched, ready to receive him for a hug. Maxwell can't resist any affection coming from Simone and has been under her spell since they met about 10 years ago. Maxwell moves into Simone’s embrace and releases a quiet sigh of contentment when he has Simone in his arms, relishing the feel of her against his chest and taking in the coconut and tea tree oil infusion coming from her tightly coiled curls.
“Now, that’s love.”
“You better believe it, love. You just came in from playing basketball with Drake. If I didn’t enjoy how the sweat makes your olive skin glisten, I would have demanded you take a shower before hugging me,” Simone says with a smirk, taking and holding the gelato in one hand and steering them into the kitchen with the other.
Simone grabs a spoon from one of the drawers and sits to Maxwell’s left at the large kitchen table. Without looking down, Simone opens and dives into the gelato as she listens intently to Maxwell tell her all about how he beat Drake in 1:1.
“You know Drake’s a sore -”
“First, I want to thank you for getting me the gelato, but this is not the flavor I asked for,” Simone finally looks down disapprovingly at the gelato.
“Didn’t I pick up vanilla?”
“You did.”
“Okay...then I am a little confused about what the problem is.”
“No problem. I love vanilla gelato. This is just not the flavor I asked you to pick up. I asked for strawberry.”
Maxwell stares at his wife in confusion before pulling out his phone from his shorts pocket to re-read the text message to make sure that he didn’t make a mistake. Sure enough, the text message from Simone asked him to pick up 'vanilla' gelato.
“Look, Simone. You asked for vanilla.” Maxwell shows Simone the text. As realization dons on Simone’s face, a different kind of lightbulb goes off for Maxwell.
“Simone, when was your last period?”
“What, why?” Confusion shifts to Simone as she dips her spoon in for another bite.
“It's not like you to forget even the smallest of details. You are very Type A that way. Not only that but you LOVE vanilla gelato. The only time you stopped eating vanilla and opted instead for strawberry was when you were pregnant with Zora. You ate so much of it that I thought you would turn into a strawberry.”
“Maxwell, do you think?”
“Yes, yes, I do think,” Maxwell responds confidently.
Simone pulls her phone out of her sundress to look at the date. “It’s May 9th. My last period was winding up around this time in March,” Simone places her hand over her mouth in shock.
“March??!” Maxwell’s eyes double in size.
“March,” Simone shakes her head, still in a state of shock.
“Simone, do not do what I think you are about to do. You are a friend, mother, wife, and duchess - among other identities - and you are also working on a passion project, you know, your special about diverse women in media. Not only did you conceive of the idea, you pitched it, are producing AND directing it. You have already lined up Chloe Zhao, Soledad O’ Brien and are working on Ava DuVernay and Athena Tsangari. Do you know how proud I am of you? How in awe? You are amazing in all you do. So you might be pregnant and may not have known for a while,” Maxwell shrugs, “I’m just happy to know that my wife wasn’t gaslighting me and may just have pregnancy brain.” Maxwell leans to the right and playfully bumps shoulders with Simone.
“You’re assuming that it is pregnancy brain.”
“Given this gelato, I’m about 99.9% certain that it is. Remember when we thought we were pregnant in December? This could be it!” Maxwell jumps out of his seat excitedly to help Simone to the bathroom.
Five Minutes Later...
Simone turns off her phone alarm and snatches the test off the counter. Two thin pink lines appear and a wide smile spreads across her face.
“Hey, hey, hey, daddy!” Simone does her best to mimic singer Usher’s voice as she excitedly flings the test from side to side in front of Maxwell’s face.
Remembering the lyrics to 'Daddy's Home', Maxwell grabs Simone and pulls her gently, but tightly, to his chest. Maxwell pulls back in love-drunk excitement and places gentle kisses all over Simone’s face and begins to shift down to her neck. Simone releases a quiet moan when Maxwell’s soft lips land on her neck, causing his penis to stir.
“What time is Hana bringing Zora back tonight?” Maxwell breathes in between deepening neck kisses.
“She isn’t. Zora and Hana won’t be back until tomorrow for the Valtorian Mother’s Day brunch.”
A mischievous grin overtakes Maxwell’s face. “Daddy know what you like…” Maxwell bends down slowly to lift Simone bridal to their bedroom.
“Daddy’s Home!” Simone pumps her fist in the air and laughs through happy tears, tucked securely in Maxwell’s arms.
“Dear, are you ready to watch The Mandalorian Episode 4?”
“Uhhhhhhhhhh. I uhhhhhh....” Maxwell stammers out as he looks to the ceiling, doing his best to avert his eyes from the betrayed headshaking coming from his wife, Simone.
“Maxwell Percival Beaumont! You DID NOT watch The Mandalorian without me. Please say you didn't!!”
“In that case, I cannot confirm or deny that I have already seen episode 4,” Maxwell responds matter-of-factly.
“MAXWELL! This is supposed to be a bonding activity. An activity, might I add, that is specific to the Valtorian parents after we put Zora to bed.”
“I can't deny it,” Maxwell shrugs. “Baby Yoda is so precious! It kind of reminds me of Zora at that age.”
Simone chuckles. “At age 50? Zora is seven, Max.”
“You know what I mean!” Looking at Simone for the first time since his betrayal, Max shoots Simone the side-eye. “Or...maybe you don't. What I mean is that I miss having a child that size, one that is so tender and precious. Simone, I’m ready.”
“For…?”
“To be a father again. You and I have kicked around the idea for a while, but neither of us was in a rush. We took our time, loved on Zora and poured our all into our marriage. I think it’s about time we pour into another child.”
“You mean that, Max? I've always wanted at least two children with you, but as you mentioned, we weren’t in a rush. I felt it was more important for us to invest in our marriage and for me to adjust to my duties in service to our people. While we planned for Zora, we waited a couple of years before we tried for her. I say all of that to share that I approve of your proposal.” Simone winks at Maxwell. “When would you like to start?”
“There's no time like the present,” Maxwell wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.
Simone rolls her eyes with a smile. "I'm still mad at you for watching episode 4 without me."
Maxwell leans into and whispers in Simone’s ear. "I'll make it up to you."
“Hold it, loverman.” Simone abruptly throws up her hand, creating a barrier between her ear and Maxwell’s face. “I have just one question. What happens if we have another girl?”
“She'll have me wrapped around her precious little finger the same way you and Zora do."
"Maxwell. If it wasn't for the impending birth of our daughter, I would have already strangled Madeleine." Facing Maxwell, Simone bends down and leans in to kiss him softly on the lips after storming into their living room.
"Your day was that bad huh?" Maxwell shuts off the TV and pulls Simone into his lap, her back facing his chest. Maxwell delicately places his hands on and starts to rub her protruding stomach.
Simone takes a deep breath. "In the grand scheme of things, no. But I am this close to firing her, Max."
"What do you need right now?"
"First, I need you to wrap your arms around me and rest your head in the crook of my neck." Maxwell happily complies with Simone's request. Simone lets her shoulders fall as she nestles into Maxwell's arms.
"What else do you need, Little Blossom?"
"You know what I need, Max."
"Do you want to play the petty game?"
"I need to play the petty game."
"Ok, Little Blossom. Name your top five songs - they don't have to be in any specific order - that remind you of Madeleine."
"Hate on Me by Jill Scott. Bring Me Down by Kanye West and Brandy. Surfin' by Kid Cudi and Pharrell. 9 -"
"Surfin'? Where did that song come from and how does that song remind you of her?" Maxwell questions with a perplexed look on his face.
"When she gets on one of her 'I know Cordonia better than you’ rants, I deadpan and tune her out. I picture myself on a beach surfin' on my own wave rather than listening to Madeleine's annoying ass. That imagery never fails to put a smile on my face and help me refocus to deal with her bullshit for the rest of the day."
"Thank you for that explanation."
"Shall I continue?"
"Please do."
"99 Problems AND Lucifer by Jay-Z. In this case, I would probably say that my number one is Lucifer."
Maxwell chuckles and kisses Simone on the cheek, still holding her comfortably to his chest. "Wow, I'm impressed. That was faster this time. Last time it took you about two minutes to get that out."
"Yeah well, that's just how pissed I am. I’m surprised you didn’t ask about why I chose Lucifer.”
“Why would I? It’s Madeleine. Would you like to continue the game?”
"Yes, please. I'm not quite done venting yet."
"Ok, then we will continue the game. Same rules as the first round. Name five songs that make you think of us."
Simone smiles and allows her mind to cycle through various moments, beginning with the night they first met to now. "I Want You by Marvin Gaye. You Were Meant for Me by Lalah Hathaway. Loving You by Nikka Costa. He Loves Me by Jill Scott. All I Do by Stevie Wonder. Be Good to You by Vivian Green. Feelings by Van Hunt. That was more than five, but I see you have no intention of cutting me off."
"Why would I do that? I like to be flattered too!"
Simone chortles at Maxwell's response, feeling her anger further subside.
"Plus, I figure this is helping you vent." Maxwell laughs against Simone's neck and the vibrations send chills down her spine. "Last round as I sense you are feeling better. Same rules. Five songs that come to mind when you think of our daughter."
"Dreamland by Lalah Hathaway. Pebble to a Pearl by Nikka Costa. The Thrill of This Love by Van Hunt. Ask Myself by Robin Thicke and DNA. by Kendrick Lamar."
"Damn, those are some good songs for Zora!"
"That they are. I think my favorite of this list is Pebble to a Pearly by Nikka Costa. Did you know that Nikka wrote that song about her daughter? I met her at Jazz Alley in Seattle and I told her how much I loved that song. That's when she told me she wrote it for her child. She is such an underrated talent."
"Then it's only fitting that you chose it for our Maxi."
"Yes, I suppose it is."
"Are you feeling better now?"
"I am,” Simone responds in a lighter tone. “Thank you for always knowing what I need and when."
"It just occurred to me that I rarely ever hear you curse."
Simone shifts her body away from the television to Maxwell's direction, mulling over his words and thinking of a rebuttal. "You know, there is nothing wrong with cursing, I just don't feel the need to do it on a regular basis. Plus, we have Zora. She's at that age when she has started to mimic everything she hears. Besides, you don't curse that often either."
"Touché, Little Blossom. I know what would provoke me to curse. The jury is still out on you."
"Hmm. So now you have moved from observation to experimentation?"
"I have always been partial to the scientific method."
"It seems that you have a hunch as to what would make me curse."
Simone's meaning not lost on Maxwell, he advances on his wife to test out his hypothesis. "I can show you better than I can tell you. Close your eyes." Simone closes her eyes, patiently awaiting Maxwell's next move. Gently, Maxwell pushes Simone into the couch with her back laying on the cushions. Taking care not to put all of his weight onto her petite frame, Maxwell begins to leave a trail of feather light kisses, starting at Simone's temple. Maxwell continues to work his way down, next kissing her cheek, and stops to deepen the kiss when his ready lips meet Simone's anxious ones.
Simone writhes underneath Maxwell, using her hips and ass to propel her pelvis into his penis. Maxwell pulls back from her lips and resumes kissing down Simone's body, leaving her in suspense of where his mouth may stop next.
Simone can feel her skin come alive as evidenced by the tiny hairs standing at attention on the back of her neck. "Oh, shit Max, that's my spot!" Simone yelps out through bated breath when the heat from Maxwell's mouth meets that spot on her neck.
"That's not the only one. I plan to hit them all and won't stop until you beg me to fuck you."
Author’s Note: This one-shot is set in the same universe as my Tender Moments Drabble series (available on my Masterlist) featuring Simone and Maxwell Beaumont. This is my submission for Day #15 of the Choices July Challenge 2019 with the prompt of “Friendship” I hope you enjoy!
S: Is it OK if I push our lunch back by a couple of hours?
H: Sure, is everything OK? Is Zora OK?
S: Look at you already being the doting aunt I knew you would be! Yes, BFF, everything is fine. I just need to have an unpleasant meeting with Madeleine first.
H: I’m glad to hear everything is OK! Actually, this will give me the option to run a quick errand first. I’ll see you at say, 1:30pm?
S: Works for me! I may have some news to share with you while we eat 😉
H: Good news?
S: My lips are sealed until we meet in person. 😊
****
“OK, so what is this news that you wanted to share with me?” Hana eyes Simone curiously.
“Well…” Simone takes a seat across from Hana, stealing a piece of chocolate chip cookie from Hana’s plate in the process.
Hana chuckles softly. “I saw that. Luckily, I got the cookie for Zora in anticipation of your arrival.”
Simone looks down with a smile as she speaks to her swollen belly. “Look, Maxie, Auntie Hana was thinking about you!
"Ahem, the news?”
“I fired Madeleine as my Communications Director,” Simone responds flatly.
“You, WHAT?? How is this a good thing?”
“Bad for her. Good for you.”
“Is she OK?? Wait, how is this good for me?”
“She will be fine. Instead of working for me, she will be the Communications Director for Liam at the palace. Let him deal with her backtalk and snarky attitude. Hana, I’m sick to death of her shit. I think she assumed that because I’m introverted that she could continue to talk to me any old way. Hell, I’m titled above her now and she still lacks the basic respect that should come with my title and the work I have done to unite Cordonia.”
“I wasn’t aware that she was treating you that horribly.” Hana reaches across the table to hold Simone’s hand for comfort. Simone squeezes her hand in kind.
“I was trying to be the strong Duchess, but I realized that I am about to bring Zora into this world and if for no other reason, I have to show my child that strength is not about turning the other cheek, it is about being honest with what you will and will NOT accept. I don’t accept the things I cannot change. I change the things I don’t accept. Hence why Maddy had to go.”
“I’m proud of you, Simone. Always!”
“Thank you, bestie! I wouldn’t be where I am now without your support.”
“No, Simone, you did this all on your own!”
“Hana. No.” Simone shakes her head. “You helped prepare me in courtly etiquette, you ensured my outfits were always suited for the occasion and with an impeccable eye for what would accentuate my curves, might I add, and you helped teach me various languages in preparation to greet and win over Cordonia’s allies. You, Hana, are the Communications Director I need.”
“Simone.” Hana pulls her hands back, covering her eyes as she is flooded with a rush of emotions. “I don’t know what to say. Do you really think I am qualified for this?”
Simone shoots Hana the side-eye. “Why do you think I’m asking you? Ok, I’ll share more about the awesomeness that is my bestie. You have an undergraduate degree in communications from Fudan University and two graduate degrees, TWO, one in international business and the other in international studies. My best friend is a damn badass!”
Hana releases a hearty laugh trying to stall for time as she mulls over Simone’s words and proposition. “You must really believe all of this because I’ve never seen you curse as much as you are today.”
“HELL. YES. Especially when it comes to the people I love. Like YOU. You’re my very best friend Hana! I wouldn’t want to call anyone else my bestie - you know, I mean, except for Max, but we will keep that between us.” The two women laugh in unison.
“You are right, Simone. I am more than qualified to do this, I mean, I couldn’t do worse than Madeleine right?”
“Exactly! So, you’ll be my new Comms Director?”
“Yes, Simone, I will!”
Simone uses the table as an anchor to help her stand and comes around to Hana’s side of the table to pull her into a tight hug. “I love you, bestie. I have every faith that you will be excellent in this role!”
“Thank you for believing in me.” Hana squeezes Simone tighter.
“Ok, so can we order food now? Zora is hungry!” Simone slowly backs out of Hana’s embrace, rubbing her belly as she returns to her seat.
“Not yet, I have a surprise for you! Remember that errand that I told you I had to run? It is an early baby shower gift for my niece!” Hana hands Simone the brightly decorated bag and inside she finds
“Hana, I love this! This makes me think of the one time I got to dress you for a change - our NY trip before we cleared my name. Thank you so much!”
“I’m glad you recognize the symbolism of the gift. Only the best for you and my niece!”
