SAVING MY MARRIAGE

SAVING MY MARRIAGE CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10 (Welcome Home)

We arrived home and I showed the beautiful lady, Linda, to her room. I didn't inquire further about her personal life, as our relationship was strictly transactional. Linda would be living with us for one and a half years, after which she would hand over our child and we would go our separate ways.

I went to the kitchen to prepare a meal for us, but I wasn't happy about this arrangement. The thought of Tony making love to another woman almost made me oversalt the soup. Thankfully, Tony walked in, and I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Is Linda in her room?" Tony asked, catching me by surprise.

"How do you know her name already?" I asked turning to him.

"Of course I know her name," he replied, playfully smirking. "I was in the hospital with you, remember?"

He moved closer, putting his hands on my waist. "Is someone jealous?" he teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

I tried to keep my expression neutral, but I could feel my heart beating faster.

"Don't be ridiculous," I said, trying to sound dismissive, but failing miserably.

"Really? Because you seem a little tense" Tony replied, his voice dropping.

"Don't tell me you want to go and make love to her right now" I asked, my voice wavering with insecurity

"Common babe...!" Tony said with a hint of irritation in his voice.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insinuate anything. It's just all a bit overwhelming," I admitted, stirring the pot of soup before me.

"Hey, I understand" he said, his voice softening while pulling me closer to himself.

"Now that we have a visitor, the only place we can make love is in the bedroom" Tony said, pouting like a child. "No more kitchen, living room, balcony...well, you get the idea."

"Tony, can you please keep your voice down?" I pleaded, glancing around nervously. The last thing we needed was for Linda to overhear our conversation.

"Fine, fine" he grumbled, though a mischievous smirk played on his lips. "But just so you know, I'm not happy about giving up our favorite spots. The kitchen counter was especially fun." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

I couldn't help but laugh at his antics, despite the gravity of our situation.

"I've got another plan," Tony said, his grip on my waist tightening ever so slightly.

"What plan?" I asked, feigning innocence even as my heart started to race.

"My office" he answered, his smile widening. "I could just call you over for a 'meeting,' and, well, we can handle the rest."

"You're shameless" I giggled, pushing his arm playfully.

"Shameless? Me?" Tony asked, his eyes dancing with mirth.

"You're impossible" I laughed, giving him a gentle shove. "But I guess it’s one of the reasons I’m with you."

"Exactly," he grinned "We make a great team, you and I. Even if we can't do it on the kitchen counter anymore."

Tony took a piece of fried chicken and sat on the counter, still bantering with his usual irreverence. I couldn't help but laugh at his shameless antics.

After I finished preparing the meal, we set the dining table and I called for Linda.

Soon, she appeared in the doorway, her face beaming with gratitude. "Thanks for inviting me to join you!" she said.

i smiled warmly and gestured for her to take a seat. "Of course, we’re happy to have you" I replied.

I could see that Linda was feeling a bit uncomfortable, her eyes darting around and her hands fidgeting. But I decided to make her feel at ease, knowing that the next year and a half would be smoother if she felt comfortable in my home.

"Don't worry, Linda" I bsaid gently, giving her a reassuring smile. "You'll get used to us and your new environment. We want you to feel at home here."

Linda nodded and gave a small smile in return. "Thank you," she said, a bit of her tension easing.

Tony’s quiet demeanor in the face of Linda’s presence was noticeable. I could see him stealing glances at her, but when he saw me watching, his gaze immediately flicked back to his food. He finished his meal in silence, and then said,

"My love, I'll be in the room," before picking up his phone and heading off to the bedroom.

The conversation continued, with me making an effort to draw Linda out and make her feel more comfortable.

Two weeks had passed, and Tony had made no attempt to fulfill his part of the agreement with Linda. I knew it was time for a conversation.

I took a shower, and then climbed into bed, waiting for Tony to join me. As soon as he entered the room, he fell onto the mattress next to me.

"Don't injure me o" I teased and he chuckled.

"Tony, have you forgotten that you need to make love to Sandra" I stated

"I think I should get to know her better before that" he responded

"Are you kidding me right now?" I practically shouted, your patience rapidly eroding. "We're not here to make friends with her, Tony. This is a business arrangement. She's carrying our child, not going on double dates with us."

Tony's jaw tightened. "I know that. I'm not an idiot."

"Please spend the night with her tommorow" I pleaded.

Tony watched me, his expression inscrutable. Then, finally, he nodded, a hint of resignation in his eyes.

"Alright, ma'am," he said with a small smile. "I'll spend the night with her tomorrow."

Relief flooded through me, and I leaned in to wrap my arms around him. "Thank you, my love" I whispered into his ear, the words filled with gratitude and love. Tony returned my embrace, his arms encircling me