"I had a dream about you last night. Eons ago, we created a Universe, then sat back and watched miniature versions of ourselves try to make all the same mistakes we did."

Chris Omar Vaughn

"Clocking out, boss?" one of my best men asked me.

I turned at the door and saw him walking after me.

A grin spread on my face as I shook his hand.

"Yeah, the wife's making dinner, you know how that is," I chuckled.

"Aw man, can she make some more of that chicken salad? I never had it so good before," he guffawed, following me to my work truck.

"You know, I say that every time," I laughed aloud.

He tapped my elbow. "Well I won't hold you. Get home safe, I know you have quite the drive."

I stretched, overlooking my office.

"Yeah, well, that's what I get for wanting to live out of the way. I'm not complaining."

"You built it, I know you're not complaining," he chuckled.

I smiled, proud. "Night, tell the wife and kids I said hey."

"Will do, boss. See you at Reuben's retirement party tomorrow?"

I facepalmed. "Almost forgot about that, thank you."

"What, haven't heard from him?"

"It's been hard to keep up with him."

"Ah, he still mad you're now the biggest architect in the U.S. now?"

I hung my head bashfully. "No, no."

"No time for being humble, I saw you on the cover of Architects Digest for the third time!"

"You're trying to get my wife to put me on the couch, aren't you?" I talked, making him laugh.

"Naw, go ahead, boss," he said, shutting me in the pickup truck.

I waved as I pulled out of my designated parking space.

The golden sun shone down on me as I drove along the mountains.

"Call from JB (bro)" Siri announced through the Bluetooth.

I answered on the second ring.

"Yo," I shouted over the wind.

"Finally, thought I'd have to call your assistant to get a hold of you," he talked loudly as always.

I cracked up. "What's up?"

"You. Where you at, the women are going down memory lane and I'm in the hot seat. I need backup."

I laughed at him, shaking my head. "Well, who knew you'd be on time for once."

"Jasmine hates being late, she said she ain't a stereotype."

"I'm on my way, it's only six-thirty," I commented.

"It's seven-thirty."

I finally looked at the time on my screen and threw my head into the headrest.

"Yeah, you might wanna stop and get some flowers, or something," Jabari suggested.

"Definitely going to stop and get flowers," I agreed, hanging up.

Within the next thirty minutes, I pulled into the driveway behind my black Tesla model X and parked.

Jabari's SUV was to the right of that, behind Morgan's white Tesla model 3. She loves them, always has, so I made sure to get her one as soon as I could. Then I fell in love with it and got my X.

I narrowed my eyes on the exterior of the modern home, making sure nothing looked off. I did design it, after all.

Nope, it was perfect.

I appreciated the privacy we had and never took it for granted.

After what seemed like forever, the house was finally built and fully furnished. Morgan had the help of Jasmine, Mary, Sherry, and Julia with the decor.

We had only slept in the house one night before she decided to have our good friends over.

"What time did I say to be home?" Morgan appeared at the front door.

"Look what I got!" I shouted with pride.

She bounced Avery on her hip and remained straight faced.

"No, what time did I say, Chris?"

I pretended to think hard as I met her at the step.

"Six?"

"What time is it?"

"Six?"

"Eight. Is this your excuse, flowers? Cute."

"They reminded me of you," I cooed, smiling at Morgan who was absolutely glowing, by the way.

"What do you think, Avery, should we forgive Daddy?" Morgan talked to our one-year-old daughter.

"She said yes," I made up, making Morgan laugh.

"She said no," Morgan insisted before kissing my lips.

"There he is!" Jabari's loud ass shouted from the foyer.

We all ate dinner together, catching up after not seeing The Flamer's in three months as they moved to North Carolina and had just come back to visit for the week.

Jasmine was on baby number three, it's like her and Morgan were competing. No, but I liked that JB and I had kids that could grow up together.

His oldest was a girl named Milan, then right after her was their boy, Armani. Jasmine let us know she was naming their third born Shai (shy) if it's a girl or Princeton if it's a boy. I was hoping for a girl so we could keep the streak going.

I exited the half bath downstairs after dessert and my eyes fell on the artwork on the wall. Their was a mounted paper with all the kid's names on them with their handprints.

Carson Theo Vaughn
Marley Cal Vaughn
Avery Quinn Vaughn

"Ow!" I winced at the feeling of being knocked in the shin.

"Carson!" Morgan yell-laughed at our oldest, the only son — three-years-old.

He laughed, running away with Armani scurrying behind. There were toys everywhere, the kids were wreaking havoc.

"Look, Daddy, look!" Marley shouted for my attention.

I looked over in the kitchen and found the girls, Marley and Milan, at the kid's table, coloring.

The two-year-olds showed me their pictures and I looked over at Morgan who gave me a look that said I better act like it's a masterpiece.

"Wow, girls," I exhaled, "those are... so good!"

She smiled at me, still bouncing Avery.

"Thanks, Daddy," Marley beamed, returning to her scribbling.

I didn't know where to turn next, Jabari was teaching the boys how to misbehave and Jasmine was complaining about how bad her feet hurt.

"And you want another one?" I asked Morgan.

She made faces at Avery who was slobbering as she laughed.

"Yeah, I think so," Morgan hummed. "Three is an odd number."

"Yeah, and y'all need another boy for balance," Jasmine agreed. Morgan nodded.

After more games and letting the toddlers tire us out, Jabari and Jasmine retired to the guest house out back with their kids.

Morgan was at the fire pit out front, rocking Avery to sleep.

I met her out there once monsters one and two — Marley and Carson— were fast asleep.

The house was even more beautiful at night if I could say so myself. Good call on Morgan for the lights, really brought the place to life.

It was so peaceful, crickets composing a symphony, wolves howling in the distance, and the stars dancing far above our heads. Morgan almost fell asleep right there.

I took Avery from her arms and told her to go on inside.

"Thank you," she mouthed, tired as ever.

It didn't take long to put baby girl to sleep, she's one.

Once she was in bed, I walked the house to make sure everything was as it should be. Morgan had put all of the toys away because she can't stand clutter and also wanted to keep the walkways clear in case of injury. She's such a damn good mom, and wife.

I was in the barn. Well, barn that I converted into an office. It was small, but too big for a shed. Perhaps, it could've been like a playhouse but I needed the space from the kids to work at home.

In there, I struggled to come up with anything. That's been the case for some time now. My creative light had burned out what seems like a month or two ago, when I first picked up my latest project.

"Fuck it," I grunted, throwing down my pencil. I swapped the pencil for my joint and smoked it down as I listened to Sam Cooke at a sensible volume.

Finally, I called it a night, excited that the kids were all in bed so I could lay up with my favorite girl.

Morgan was moisturizing her body in bed, listening to an interview I did with a morning talk show earlier in the week.

"Look," she gushed, turning up the volume on the mounted flat screen.

I kicked my shoes off and walked across the floor to better see the tv.

"I hate seeing myself on tv," I breathed out, peeling off my shirt, then my jeans.

Morgan smiled. "Shut up, you're so hot. Oooh, look, aww!" She bubbled at the image they put on the screen of our family.

"Ugh, why that picture? I was so fat, I had just had Avery," she complained.

"You're perfect," I said, lowering myself to meet her lips for a kiss.

Morgan pulled me in between her legs. "You have to say that," she whispered against my lips.

"Doesn't mean it's not true," I returned, making myself comfortable on her lap.

"Well, you've never lied to me before," she grinned, flicking her finger over my eyelashes.

I turned so I could finish the interview.

"—It's a dream I've always had, for sure. I'm stoked I'm living it. I don't plan on stopping anytime soon, I mean, I could do this 'til I'm old and washed up. Like Reuben," I answered the talk show host.

My eyes rolled and I sat up, my arms over Morgan's smooth, long legs.

"I'm thinking about retiring," I fessed up.

Morgan blinked at me, she was in disbelief.

"What?"

"Yeah, I think I've done all I can do, all I want to do," I replied.

"Okay, so, what are you going to do? And don't tell me to get a job because you know I love being a stay-at-home Mom," she made me laugh but was serious.

I lowly chuckled, looking down at my fingers tracing her thighs.

"I don't know. I was thinkin' we can travel some more, I know there's still a lot of places you wanna see. Greece? Mexico? Africa, I know you love Africa?"

She twisted her mouth in thought. "We could just pack up and go?"

"If you want to," I answered.

Morgan started to smile, her cheekbones were high and red.

"Good answer. Ugh, I love you so much," she declared, throwing her arms over my shoulders.

"How much?" I asked, my lips just barely grazing hers.

She lifted one of her perfectly groomed eyebrows at me and smirked.

Morgan bit down on her lip and pushed me into the mattress.

I smiled smugly, bringing my arms behind my head.

My sights lowered on Morgan helping me out of my briefs in which her eyes grew wide, taking in my erection before she removed her lacy mini pajama gown.

I got lost on her parted lips and wished they were around my dick already.

Morgan's tongue swirling around the tip sent electric shocks though my body.

I tensed up at the sudden sensation of my shaft sliding down her throat.

When she wouldn't meet my eyes, I pulled her hair in my fist and she choked on me. I loved that sound, wanting to hear it again, I pulled harder. This time she leaned into my hand to lessen the sting, and I drew my head back.

I had completely succumbed to the feeling of her kissing my balls while her hands jerked my shaft in a slow but firm twisting motion.

In the next burst of adrenaline, I grabbed Morgan's head and forced my dick back inside of her wet mouth.

"Oh my God," I exhaled with exuberance, biting down on my twisted smirk.

Her words, moans, were no longer intolerable as the only sound I could hear was the slushing and gargling sounds from her throat, and I fucking loved it.

When tears welled in her eyes and fell from the corners of them, she pushed my dick away with her tongue and gasped for air.

I started stroking my pulsing dick in my hand, my eyes drawn to her perfect breasts as she crawled to my lips.

"Don't come, yet," her voice was hoarse.

Morgan knocked my hand away from my cock and forced my fingers against her arousal.

I shuddered at the touch, she was so fucking wet for me.

She winced as I continued rubbing my fingers across her pussy.

I sucked one of her nipples into my mouth and she pulled her lips together, concealing her moans but she knew better, I wanted to hear her.

"I need you inside of me," she purred, flipping her hair all to one side.

Her breasts were staring me right in the eyes, it was hard to focus anywhere else, but I couldn't help myself.

"I'm not gonna last long," I panted, watching her reach between her legs for my cock.

"I don't care," she whimpered, guiding my dick inside of her dripping pussy.

Her breath was shaky and spiked as she slid down the shaft.

"All the way, baby," I encouraged, grabbing her hips.

"Oh my God," she cried out once I felt myself deep inside.

Morgan came back to herself and wrapped me in her arms, I did the same.

"Fuck," I cursed as she started bouncing on me.

She rode so well, had me struggling to keep my eyes open, my toes began to curl.

I pulled her hair down to expose her neck so I could suck on the exact spot she liked.

"Mmm," she moaned at the pecks I left along her throat.

Morgan's blonde hair flew in her face as she went crazy on me, making me have to grab the sheets, or whatever I could get a hold of to keep our bodies up.

"Yes, oh fuck. Yes! I'm about to come,"she announced, riding me faster, harder.

"Come for daddy, I'm right there," I breathed, teeth hanging on her jaw.

I thrusted into her unrelenting and she immediately fell apart, eyes rolling back.

I came hard inside of her as she clenched around my dick.

Morgan kissed me deeply and threw her arms around me.

"Tell me you love me," I rasped, grabbing her by the throat.

She kissed me again and then tossed her head back, legs still trembling uncontrollably.

"I love you," she cried. "I love you so much."

~~~

It was still dark outside when I looked around, and it didn't feel like I overslept. I looked at the time on my phone.

3:33am

When I looked to my right, no one was there. Morgan wasn't there.

Fuck. It was just another dream.

I felt a stickiness against my thighs and peeked under my covers.

"Goddamn," I huffed angrily, ripping off my sheets and blanket. "Not again. I'm too old for wet dreams."

I mentally kicked myself for not being able to keep this girl out of my head.

That, and I gotta change my sheets at three in the morning.

I rolled out of bed and cleaned myself off then changed my shorts, and bedspread.

A yawn flew out of my mouth as I walked through the kitchen.

My eyes shot to the toaster over.

Well, since I'm up... Eggos!

***

After a long day of work, I was just ready to eat a home cooked meal and call it a night.

Mom insisted we have it at the house instead of my loft, claiming it was "too dark" and she hates cooking in my kitchen.

I stomped up the stairs and let myself in since the door was open.

I heard laughter as I neared the kitchen table.

As soon as I turned around the refrigerator, I saw her.

My eyes weren't deceiving me, I wasn't dreaming again, she was actually having dinner with my parents like they were the ducking Brady Bunch.

It was her, my mother, father, and Kailyn.

And she was in my spot.

"Oh, Chris," Mom breathed out with nerves.

"Uh, you were late, I didn't know if you were still coming or not."

I kept my face straight as I stayed at the front of the room.

"Yeah, I texted you but, no phones at the table. Your rule," I let her know.

Morgan slowly dropped her eating utensil and pushed away from the table.

"I can leave," she offered, shooting her eyes from me to Mary.

"No! Stay," Mary insisted.

Dad cleared his throat. "Hon', it's probably for the best," he said.

My mother's face fell, as did Morgan's.

She didn't say anything else, just tried to keep her face and attitude composed as she walked across the room.

"Excuse me," she squeaked, her small body trying to get around mine but I didn't budge, didn't even look her way or speak.

She managed to go under me and leave with the slam of the front door.

I sat to eat at my rightful spot and saw a pasta dinner.
It looked good, and probably tasted better, but I lost my appetite.

And just when I went a whole eight plus hours without thinking about her.

It was quiet for a while. That is, until Kailyn spoke up.

"So," she drawled, "I made the varsity cheer team."

I only nodded.

Mom sipped her wine and stared off into the darkness behind my head.

"Uh, your birthday's coming up," Dad commented.

I stabbed my fork in the pile of pasta and finally asked, "What was she doing here?"

Mom sighed deeply, letting the tumbler out of her hand.

"I love her," she proclaimed. "She's the daughter I never had, and I don't want to lose her just because you're mad at her. You're always mad at someone, at the world."

"Mary," her husband faltered, rubbing his two fingers against his temple.

"No!" She argued, standing from her chair.

My eyebrow raised at her nerve. 

"I'm so tired of this Malcolm-Morgan-Chris love triangle, and so is everyone else. Son, you knew what you were getting into when you went after her. She's his. There, I said it."

"Wow," Kailyn pushed out, sinking in her seat.

"Excuse me," Mom sobbed, storming out of the kitchen.

If I didn't hate her right now for siding with her new "daughter," I would've went after her.

Dad breathed deeply, flailing his arms at me. "What, don't give me that look? Your mother is right. And you made her upset."

Great, I thought in my head as Dad got up to go console his wife. I ask one fucking question and I'm the bad guy.

I knew Morgan's special but she must be a witch 'cause she cast a spell over the people of Penshaw. . .

*** The next day ***

"Yo," I heard a tenor voice speak, entering my office.

I removed my left AirPod and looked up to see Reuben standing at the entrance with his IPad and Jenny by his side.

Jenny's eyes burned holes into me but I wasn't worried about her.

"What's up?" I asked Rueben, out of breath from all the frantic erasing I was doing.

"You. Shrimp tacos for lunch, I'm headed downtown?" Reuben mentioned, not connecting with me because he was too busy tapping the stylus on the screen.

"Sounds good, but I'm not hungry. I'm just tryna finish this," I excused.

Reuben walked over and picked up my blueprint. Or, lack of.

He glared at the empty blue paper and then at me.

"Yeah, you're really getting somewhere," he taunted.

"Shrimp tacos, let's go," he insisted, turning on his heels to leave.

I hung my head. "No offense, but I just rather work through lunch."

"Jenny," Rueben said to his assistant while he stared down at me in my chair. "go make a phone call, or something, will you?"

She narrowed her malice-filled eyes on me and then clicked out of the office.

Reuben pulled up a chair.

"Okay, what's this about? And don't bore me with details," he yawned, closing his iPad.

I shook my head, leaning forward. "It's nothing you want to hear about."

"I asked, didn't I?"

I chuckled. "Yeah, but, it's relationship stuff— if you could even call it that— and it's a pretty fucked situation. Besides, I don't know if you'll just run and tell, or not, judge me, or-"

"When my ex wife and I first met we were on and off. Neither of us really wanted to be tied down yet, both of us got around, you could say. Well, we liked each other a lot, you know, it was something out of a movie - the way we met. But after that first month, she just got turned out and wanted to party and be with whoever else. And I let her. I did my own thing too but we realized we just wanted each other at the end of the day. I knew she wasn't into those guys. Just like I knew every time I laid down with someone else, I could only think about her. No, I didn't like the fact that she'd been with other guys but I had to get over that 'cause I loved her. I still love her. I know your situation is quite different, I don't want to be in your shoes at all — I don't think anyone would— but you know her, and it's clear where her heart lies. For whatever reason she's still with Marvin, I don't know, but take into consideration: she's not the type of girl that would do that to you if it was a choice. And this is coming from someone who's only had the pleasure of meeting her a couple of times."

I looked confused, baffled as to how he possibly knew all of that. And I didn't bother correcting him on Malcolm's name, either.

"The town, Chris," Reuben said shortly after reading my facial expression. "it talks. It has eyes. And ears."

Rueben then rose to his height to walk towards the door.

"Speaking of the town," he gestured. "could you use a car wash?"