A date with disaster

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6 Months later

"Mama, we've talked about this." I sighed and handed her hand sanitizer.

Rolling her eyes, "I've raised six kids, Savannah. I know what I'm doing." She said while cradling Amor.

"I'm so proud of you my hunbun." Hunter's mom cheered, pinching his cheek.

I giggled. Seeing him turn red from embarrassment was a chef's kiss.

"Mama." He whispered.

"Oh, I need a picture of the lovely newlyweds with the twins."

She pulled her camera out of her purse and went into photography mode. 'Stand here, pose like this, hold the twins this way, why aren't you smiling, Savannah? Hunter, look at me...

I couldn't handle any more pictures!

"Okay...Okay, that's enough." Hunter chimed in. Thank God!

"Your brothers asked to come by to see the twins." Said, mama.

"When have they ever asked to stop by? They usually burst through the doors like they pay rent."

Everyone laughed. "Speaking of rent," Hunter spoke, putting Samir in his bassinet. "I want you to move in with me."

My mom gasped. "I think that would be a great idea."

"But I like having my own space and not being in anyone's way."

"Sounds like an argument." His mom cut in. "I'll see you later, Hunter." She grabbed her purse, kissed Hunter on the cheek, and left.

"I'll do the same." Said, my mom. "Van van, call me if you need me."

After they were gone, there was an awkward silence that filled the room.

"We have to start setting boundaries," I spoke up.

"Boundaries?" His thick accent lingered. "Baby, we're married with twins. You have a hole in your heart, and you want to talk about boundaries?"

"Yes! We've been through so much in such a crazy amount of time. I've lost myself and had to start all over again because I was promised a happy home and thought love would fix everything...

"You're talking about your ex again." He sighed. "You keep comparing your past with Glenn, and trying to make the shoe fit in the present with me. It's time you tried on different shoes. What are you afraid of?"

"Why do you want me so close all of a sudden?" I fussed.

He frowned. "What have I done to you? You were ready to jump down my throat when the season started because you needed me close. I take off for a year and now you're talking about boundaries and space. What are we doing, Savannah? Am I smothering you? Do you want me to give you some space? What is it?"

I don't know what it is. Hunter's perfect! Maybe too perfect... or am I just so used to toxic bullshit that I've gone feral?!

"Did you only agree to marry me because you were afraid to say no?" he asked, making my heart skip a beat.

"No! Hunter, I love you! You have such a big heart, and I'm afraid that I'll get so wrapped up in you, and you'll find someone else. You're famous! Women throw themselves at you every other day. I'm not competing with hoes who have nothing to lose."

"You want me to be this fucked up person so badly. I've shown you that I'm here for you and I'm not going anywhere, plenty of times. If it's reassurance that you need, I'll do that, but stop dressing it up as anger. You want love, stability, and I'm trying to give you that, but you push me away when things are great between us."

"Promise me," I said putting out my pinky finger. "Promise me, that if you ever get the urge to cheat or if this isn't working for you anymore, you'll tell me."

"Savannah, I made that promise before and after I put that ring on your finger.  I need you to promise me that you'll start communicating your feelings better, instead of lashing out at me."

"I'm sorry! I feel like a burden now. Before, I had my own everything...

"Savannah, you're doing it again." he interrupted.

"Ugh, I'm sorry." I buried my face into my couch pillows.

"I know what you need." He said, rubbing my back gently. "You need a spa day. A day to yourself to unwind."

"What about the twins?"

"You didn't make them by yourself." He chuckled. "I got this. Now go get dressed and I'll take you to Ming's. She's been asking about you, by the way."

He's saying all the right things, but it's like the words aren't sticking. What's going on with me? Maybe I need therapy... I've met this amazing man and all I can think of is the many ways he can ruin me if he wanted to break up.

3 Hours later.
"Are you sure you're okay with the twins?" I asked, pacing the floors.

"I got this. If something goes wrong, which it isn't... I'll call you, or my mom, or your mom... I got this." He said, making me chuckle.

I could tell he was nervous, but I have to let him be a dad.

I kissed him, grabbed my keys, and left. No need for grabbing my wallet, being with Hunter is like buy one get everything else free. I can't remember the last time I paid for something with my own money...

I called my cousin Eliza to see if she'd be down to hang out.

She declined... the usual.

Ever since I've been with Hunter, she's been kind of distant, and shady. His sister thinks she's jealous, but I don't think that's it.

I made it to Ming's around 5:30 pm.

Like always, she greeted me at the door with a mimosa and my favorite, a chocolate crepe.

"I thought I was going to have to fight Hunter just to get you back in here." She nudged.

"I take full responsibility!" I placed my belongings in my locker and took a seat on the massage chair. "The twins are night owls like their mama."

"How's Hunter adjusting?" She asked.

"He's new." I joked, making her laugh. "I have a tad bit more experience than he does when it comes to kids but let him tell it, he's a pro."

We laughed.

"I'm glad the two of you found each other. His ex was a loudmouth ghetto bird." She scoffed. "That hussy tried to fight anybody who looked at that man. Had him locked up twice. Then had the nerve to bring her ass into my shop the other day, acting as if she owned the place. I don't know what he saw in her but I'm glad they're no longer together."

I came to relax, not listen to Ming talk about crazy ass Noelle.

"That's crazy," I said, hoping she'd change the conversation. I like to gossip now and then, but gossiping about Hunter's ex isn't on my list.

She kneeled, "Girl, I don't know if he told you but his sister told me that he was once suicidal after he and Noelle broke up."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes." She whispered. "Everyone is protective of Hunter. He's fragile. A gentle giant. The man loves hard. He's a rare gem."

"Okay, I understood you the first time."

She laughed. "Me and my big mouth. I'm sorry. Let me hush and let you get back to your massage."

"...okay."

The massage felt amazing, but I was in my head the entire time.

What Ming said, caught my attention. Everyone in Hunter's family treats him like he's wrapped in bubble wrap.

He must have had a hell of a past for everyone to be acting like this...