“Alice! Want to go shopping? I’m wanting to check out that little mall over in Bear Creek! And Matthew has literally outgrown every pair of pants he owns. And he needs shoes!” I asked her over breakfast. She looks at me over her phone “Nope! Too much to do today! Cleaning out the cupboards and taking some stuff to the homeless shelter for that new rogue family.. you go, though! Have some mommy time!” I grin! And take Matthew to get dressed!

As I’m leaving a text comes through. So I stop to read it.

Hey! Just saying Hey! Oh. I said that already! How are you? Have plans? Yes. I have lame text game. I am aware.

I giggle! He does have lame text game. But it’s cute. So I respond

Hey back! I’m only saying it once! Can’t afford to look lame! I’m good… Doing some shopping for my monkeybutt.. at the mall, by you, actually!

Immediately, he responded

You have no idea the image that entered my brain at reading the word monkeybutt! Mind if I meet you there?

Sure! Me and MY monkeybutt look forward to it!

I had forgotten how much fun texting can be. We head out onto the highway.. reaching Bear Creek in no time! Getting the stroller out, I had just buckled Matthew in the seat, when I notice Blake and Dalton walking our way. He smiles “Hey! Is this monkeybutt?” And I nod.. “Matthew.. can you say hello to these nice guys?” And my precious son smiles his four tooth grin and says “Hewwo……fuckerfuckerfucker” I facepalm… Dalton busts out laughing and Blake asks “Did he? Does he? Where did he learn that?” I shrug and respond “A four year old future leader.. in daycare! I keep hoping we find a new word of the day.. but that doesn’t necessarily preclude it would be any better. He seems to be of an age where everything sounds like fuck anyway. He calls fire trucks fire fucks.. chocolate sounds like focklate.. seems to be a pattern.” And we all laugh.

Walking through the mall, I find several sweatpants for Matthew. Got me some leggings and sports bras for working out. Some jeans and shirts for my boy and two pairs of shoes. We stopped at the food court so I could feed Matthew… I sat him in between Blake and me in a booster seat. He kept whacking Blake with a spoon.. while I broke his food into bite sized pieces. Fries and nuggets being a solid go-to for him. Dalton was teaching him how to sling paper wads off a spoon.. like a catapult. “Matthew… more food, less play! We play after our tummies are full.” Dalton kept horse-assing around so I catapulted a spoonful of milkshake at his forehead. The baby thought it was hilarious and Blake high-fived Matthew while I told Dalton “Eat your lunch! My son is like a feaking supersponge and you are giving him entirely too much seaslime to absorb! Why do you think he has such a colorful vocabulary? Hmmm?” And again, Blake laughs.. “Welcome to my world.. it’s every day!”

I laugh “Just behave through lunch Dalton, I will arrange a playdate for you and Mattie!” I changed Matthew and filled his sippy cup with milk. I turned and asked “Would you mind terribly watching Matthew just one second while I go pee?” Blake looked dumbfounded and I said “What? Peeing is a normal function.. everyone does it” He shook himself.. and whispers “Not peeing! You trust me enough to watch Matthew?” And I started laughing.. “Two minutes.. tops! But, for the record.. I do trust you.. you haven’t given me a reason not to”

By the time I made it back, it was seven minutes.. the line was longer than I thought.. Matthew is lying in the crook of Blake’s arms.. sound asleep. He shrugs “He was fussing. And seemed like holding him will help.” I unexpectedly got teary eyed.. and Blake panicked “Ohhh nonono no! You don’t cry! Don’t cry! I don’t know what I did wrong! I can’t fix what I don’t know!” And I giggled.. like he wanted me too. I whispered “He has never been in any man’s arms. Never been cradled by anyone but me.. and Alice. And he looks… he just looks perfect laying there”

We walk off with Dalton complaining about looking stupid pushing an empty stroller. So I sat down in it.. said “Now, shut up!” And then he grumbled about how could I be a whole grown assed woman if I fit in a stroller! Blake started laughing and said “He’s right! You are tiny enough to fit and somehow.. it’s just adorable!”

This man is causing my brain to go places it has no business wandering off to. I don’t like thinking thoughts! We make it to my jeep and I load up my bags.. breaking down the stroller and sliding it in the back.. before taking my sleeping baby.. who never naps.. from Blake and securing him in his car seat. Blake smiles down at him and tells me “This has been one of the best mornings I have spent in a very long time. Thank you for allowing me to meet young Master Matthew. He is such a refreshing breath of air. As funny and animated as his mommy! I have to go out of town this afternoon and tonight. But I will be back tomorrow. May I text you while I’m out?”

I smile at him.. “I would be disappointed if you didn’t! I have to work later.. and tomorrow I have my six hour workout. I can only work out four times a week.. because apparently, I distract the warriors from their “real” training!” And we both laugh! I hop up in my jeep… causing him to laugh again… and I said “Oh that’s funny, is it? Well.. you’ll get a big kick outta seeing me sit in the passenger seat and my feet don’t touch the floor!” He laughed even harder saying he looks forward to it

All the way home.. I alternated between chastising myself for not fighting against the feelings I have building and smiling so big my cheeks hurt. He has a mate.. a bitchy.. selfish.. slut of a mate.. but a mate.. nonetheless! Maybe she’ll choke to death on some guys dick and die.. not little worm guy.. poor fellow couldn’t choke a bunny.. but some guy!

*DING*

I practically run in the house with Matthew.. so I can read it!

B-

Watched you drive away and forced myself not to shift and chase you down. Apparently, Odin has been having conversations with Angel. He’s a naughty wolf

J-

Oh.. she’s told me.. Not that he’s a naughty wolf.. but she’s a bit of a slut… soooo…

B- 😂

A match made in heaven? Or hell… depending on who you ask!

J-

While it’s fun discussing our wolves would-be promiscuity… I have to grab a quick shower and get to work! Be safe in your travels!

🥴

B-

Well. Fuck! Shot my mind straight to the gutter! Too soon to ask for a pic?

🤪

J-

Wayyyyy too soon!

🤣🤣

And again… the goofy smile is back on my face!