Daydreamer

The church bells had rung and the announcements and invitations for the queen's birthday ball had reached the entire nation. Now that everything was in place, it was time to get out of bed.

Okoye couldn't think about her birthday ball or all the people that would be bustling through her palace like mad men to get ready for it. Her senses were all crowded with him. His heart beat thumping against her ear as she laid her head to his chest.

The tickle of his fingers around her arms, tracing down her spine. His lips soft against her head as he mumbled sweet nothings.

The birds had chirps and the roosters had crowed, but nothing could draw her away from this man. Her man. In private, anyway.

"It pains me to leave this bed." She groans into his chest, her hands running down his abdomen.

"Finally, you see how I feel."

"Yes..If only things were a bit different."

They thought of it often. A different life where they could live happy and free to love each other. Where Okoye's crown was nothing but a piece of jewelry.

"Mmm." She hummed, lifting her head to look at him. "It is my birthday."

"Happy birthday, my love." His finger hooked under her chin, lifting it to meet his lips in a tender kiss.

Her lips parted naturally as she started to melt in his touch and he took the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth. The gently finger turned into a firm grasp on her cheeks to keep her in place.

The kiss grew hot and messy as Okoye struggled to keep up with his dominance over her. She pulled away with a gasp as her eyelids fluttered with dizziness.

"I will return later to decorate your foyer." He sealed the promise with a peck to her cheek and a sly smirk as he left her quite bothered on the bed sheets. "Would you like purple or blue?"

"I would like you to get back into this bed and finish what you started!"

"I don't have time, your majesty." He pulled up his pants and buckled them as slowly as he could, turning to face her as she watched the scene.

"You dare leave me unsatisfied?" The question came out whinier than she wanted it to but as she ached for the relief only he could give her, her tone of voice was the last thing she worried about. "Do not play games with me, Attuma. Be nice."

"Where is the fun in that?" He buttoned his shirt and shrugged on his jacket, shooting her a wink.

————

Within a mere hour after Attuma had made his departure, the palace became bumbling with workers of all different trades, all putting i. their greatest efforts to please their queen.

Okoye had insisted on over seeing things in the palace, promptly giving Nakia a night off.

“Could we make it a little higher?” She shouted to the men installing her crystal chandelier, dead center of the ballroom.

They lifted the structure slightly and upon seeing the smile on her face, they secured it.

“Oh this is all so beautiful.” She ogled around the area, doing a bit of a spin and making the workers giggle. “Where are the tables?”

“Down the hall, your majesty.”

Okoye turned on her heels, making her way down the hallway and into the dining parlor. Tables had covered the room and there was surely a seat for every guest.

“Good..Is Attuma around?” She asked the ladies maid following her as she made her inspections.

“I’m not sure, your majesty.”

“Well, he did show up. Yes?” She peered over her shoulder at the woman.

“Yes, he was accounted for.” She confirmed, fidgeting with nervousness

Okoye huffed, placing a hand to her hip in irritation. “So where is he? Never mind, I’ll find him myself. Do not follow me!”

“But-“

The queen tuned the rest of her words out as her feet started to carry her through the palace, down to the kitchen and up into the foyer.

She even checked the garden and pool for him but she hd no luck. Surely, he hadn’t left. He wouldn’t of without seeing her first at least.

Her irritation grew with every second that she did not find him and her palace was much too big to search for him forever.

“Where is Attuma!?” Her foot met the ground in a frustrated stomp.

“No reason to shout, your majesty. I am here and I would like to introduce you to my assistant, Vanessa.”

The woman linked to his arm bowed with a beaming smile on her features. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, your majesty.”

Oh he knew what he was doing. Her arm secured around his and his smug smirk as Okoye’s face twisted into a form of distaste.

“I didn’t authorize her.” She spat, unable to address the girl without losing her mind.

“Your majesty, I could truly use the help.”

“Attuma, a private word.” She didn’t check to make sure he was following before she made a beeline for the stairs and they disappeared down one of the many hallways.

Once they were clear, Okoye let him have it.

“If you wanted to have a mistress-“ She slapped his arm.

“Wow. That’s low, Okoye. I am not screwing her.”

“Oh please! I am not in the mood for games!”

“Do you really think me a fool? To step out on you would be absurd.”

“You are right because I would have your fucking head!”

“Okoye.” He stepped forward only for her to step further back. “Come here.”

“Do not touch me!”

“She is only a ploy to rile you up. I had a stupid idea that if you saw me with someone else, you would claim me publicly.”

“You know that is impossible.” Okoye scoffed, finding his trick childish and turning to go back to the foyer.

Attuma rolled his eyes, finding her claim ridiculous.

“Is it? Really? Because it doesn’t seem that far fetched. Stop walking away from me, woman!”

He caught the fabric of her gown just as she was ready to turn the corner, using the material to yank her back flush against his chest.

Carefully, and against her protests, her lifted her up by her waist and carried her to her bedroom, softly plopping her down on the bed.

“You will listen to me.”

“I am in no mood for you!” She stood with a huff as he blocked the door off. “Move!”

“Say you love me and I will let you leave.”

“There is no point! We will never have a life together!”

“Say you love me, Okoye! I don’t care what we have together! As long as you can tell me honestly that you love me, I could die a happy man.”

“Attuma..” Her eyes brimmed with burning tears.

“Okoye, I love you. I have always loved you and I always will. Whether you are queen or not, I love you. There are no conditions to my love and I need to know honestly if you love me because I can not stand it anymore.”

The burning cheeks of her ass recoiling off his pelvis with every brutal thrust into her thirsty cunt. The metal of his belt cracked against her skin as soft mewls and whines spilled from her lips.

“Gonna get me in trouble sweetheart…” A grunt as her pussy squelched and tightened around his length.

“Mm..daddy!” She was pleading now, face rubbing into the mattress as tears stained her cheeks.

“Goddamn. Greedy little pussy…want some dick so bad..” He cracked a palm to her ass earning a squeal and a clench of her pussy as he dragged his thick cock from her walls with a groan.

“No! Attuma! Please, I need it!”

“Yeah..That’s all you needed was some good dick before I left huh?” He tapped the tip against her clit, raking a shudder through her bones.

An eager shake of her head as his hands started to guide his glistening length back into her waiting arousal.

Her body slumped against the bed, her hips only being held up by his hands and her will to make him cum.

“Ooh yes! Needed you!”

“Supposed to be on a fucking plane right now!”

His phone lit up for what was probably the hundredth time since he hadn’t shown up to base. They’d probably discharge him if they knew what he’d been up to.

“Ooh! Tuma! Fuuck, love that dick..”

It wasn’t like he wasn’t on his way there. Okoye just managed to lure him in like the seductress she was anyhow. He was being shipped off to some remote country so what better time to show her how much she meant to him.

“Sucking me in so good, Ko. You gonna miss me baby?”

She managed to nod her head as her lips formed up into a pout. “Don’t go!”

“So fucking perfect…Gods, I’m gonna miss you princess.”

“Attuma!” She reached out an arm to grab him as her orgasm approached fast, the feeling rushing through her belly at an alarming rate. “Shit! Oh!”

It hit her like a truck as her legs trembled and the grip of her pussy became too much for him.

Carefully, he pulled out and stroked himself to finish all over her back. “Goddammit.” He muttered grabbing his phone and called only to be met with rage on the other side.

Quickly, he rattled off some excuse that would cause him to be an hour late and tossed the device in some vicinity of his bag as he started to look for the scattered parts of his uniform.

“Where they sending you?” Okoye yawned from her bed.

“I don’t even know yet..but it’ll just be two weeks and I’ll be back.” His shirt was tucked back into his pants and the belt was secured.

Okoye could only watch him as she mustered up some strength to sit up straight.“Hm. You know you won’t be able to do that once the baby comes.”

Attuma chuckled, using the mirror of her vanity to tuck a few strands of hair away, “What baby? You trynna have my baby?”

“…I’m pregnant.” Her hand absently pressed her stomach where new life was growing.

His head nearly snapped off from the force he used to turn it. “You serious?”

“That’s what I called you over for…originally. Wanted to see if you wanted me to keep it or-“

“Keep it, fuck every other option. I mean, right? That’s what you want?”

“Yes. I mean..what’s the harm in a little baby?”

“Not a damn thing.”

A smile played on his lips as the idea of a child danced his brain. He could think of no other person to have a baby with.

“Okoye, I want to be with you..Not just sex how we have been doing but I want to build a life with you.”

Okoye tilted her head, slightly confused. “You are just saying this cause I’m pregnant.”

“No. This is something I have wanted for a long time.”

“Look, you don’t have to date me for me to have the baby.” She scoffed, standing from her spot and going to the bathroom to clean her self up.

“What? No, that’s not what I mean! Okoye!” Attuma’s voice was drowned out by the running shower water in no time.

He contemplated staying until she was finished to really talk and work things out but another ding on his phone told him that time was incredibly thin.

A world created from the running thoughts that never seemed to stop. Full of so much life and fantasy that one might find themselves in love with it, never wanting to break back into reality and leave such perfection.

It was rare when she wasn't daydreaming. If there was breath in her lungs and blood in her veins, she was daydreaming.

In her world, she never woke up lonely. Instead, when sleep left her body and she started to stir, she would find an arm around her waist and a warm body against her back.

Her husband. She would always have a husband in her daydreams. A man that loved her unconditionally and carried out her every desire and need with out a complaint on his lips.

In the mornings, he would hold her tighter, dreading her leaving their bed. His nose nuzzled into her neck as he snored softly.

When he would wake, he'd squeeze his grip just for a second to make sure she was there. Then a kiss to whatever skin he had access to. Most often, it was her neck and he would trail the tender pecks down her shoulder and arm until finally taking her hand and placing a kiss there, mumbling a raspy 'good morning' into her skin.

She would blush and smile as he fixed their position and pulled her to straddle his waist as he lay on his back, his hands to her hips.

He would make sure to compliment her no matter how shitty she thought she looked. She was always beautiful and beyond compare.

Maybe if she felt a little adventurous, she would conjure up a kid or two and the pattering of little feet would thump against hardwood floors until the giddy children entered the room and climbed the bed to greet their parents.

She'd have the perfect life. Perfect family, perfect children, everything exactly how she wanted.

It was her dream after all. She could have the control she lacked in the real world.

She knew it was fantasy. That she would probably never get herself out of the threatening reality that was her loveless marriage and purposeless feeling.

Need to know I still feel the same? Need to know that you cross my mind even when I'm fast asleep and find you in my dreams. Candy coated thoughts flooding my brain and making it hard to breathe.

From the feeling of your hips to the craving of your lips. I swear my memory gets the best of me sometimes and all I can think about is the best way to make you smile.

I miss talking to you, touching you, making you feel things that only I could make you feel. Damn, we had something special.

Angels competing to lay at your feet yet you gave me such an opportunity. I should be grateful such a goddess like you gave me a chance. Then, there I went, wasting it up.

I should've never let you slip, baby. And if you'd give me the chance, I'd like to make it up to you.

Take your hand, kiss your lips, satisfy all your needs, no questions asked.

Dammit, Okoye. You have no idea what you do to me, woman.

In another life maybe we would've never drifted apart. Maybe we would be married by now, happy and content.

I wanna see you. I wanna feel you breathe for fuck's sake. I want you to want me back. I know you want me. Want me back in that sweet pussy touching all over you.

Kissing and fucking til we gasp for air. Gods, just fucking call me. Sick of this letter shit.

I promise, I'll take care of you. I have never stopped loving you so don't doubt me for a second. Come on, Okoye.

"Don't fidget too excessively, shark bait." She smirked as he continued to do so, even going for the beads on his wrist at one point. "Don't change back either. I will not fail at the expense of your foolishness."

"Is it foolish to want to get out of here!?"

They were only there to retrieve a certain scientist with some extensive and unauthorized information about their two societies. Such a simple task came at such cost for Attuma who had insisted on coming with Okoye.

He had to admit, he had barely anticipated such a thing as going 'undercover' as Okoye called it. Making his skin a human-like tan thanks to the Kimoyo beads on his wrist and the clothes on his back, he could look normal by Okoye's side and the two could blend in.

His hair cascaded his shoulders, covering the breathers on his gills and supplying him the water he need to go without the one on his face.

So they walked through the active neighborhood streets. Where the children ran with sparklers and the adult sat and mingled with each other. Laughter and music filled area, the sweet aroma of food lingered in their noses.

"Focus. The house is up here." Okoye took his hand, tugging him along until they stepped onto the porch of the house. The only quiet one on the block, not a sound seeping from the walls.

"Question. If we kill him now-"

"We are not killing him...yet." She took her fist to the door, pounding on the wood until the door swung open and the disheveled scientist was revealed.

Sleep had obviously not been his friend. The overbearing weight of knowledge not letting him rest.

It took a total of two seconds before his soul jumped from his body at the sight of Okoye. He started to scramble, turning and making a run from his demise.

He all but got to the living room before he was in Attuma's grip, pinned to a wall by his throat.

"Do not kill him!" Okoye scolded the brutish man and his nonyielding strength.

A growl of disapproval as Attuma dropped the man to his feet with a scowl. The scientist whimpered under his scorning glare. "Please..What I know is not my fault!"

"Yet you still threaten to out us to the world."

"You are one of them..."

With just those few words, Attuma had him up by his collar again as he pleaded for his life.

"There is nothing here." Okoye sighed as she finished her scope of the home. "We are taking him back to Wakanda." She retracted her spear from its small state, pointing it at the man's neck as he was lowered to the ground.

Slowly, he was guided to his backyard where Okoye had signaled the aircraft to beam him up and restrict him.

"Hey, shark bait." Okoye poked at Attuma with her spear to which he snatched the weapon from her grip and held it at his side.

"I want to see them first."

"What?" Okoye leaned in curiously as he looked up into the night sky.

"Fireworks." As if on queue, the explosives lit the sky with a thundering boom, painting the heavens with splatters of colors and varying shapes.

"Who told you of the fireworks?"

"The princess. Said I should see them with you since you never relax." He smiled down at her with purest intentions, she couldn't even find the annoyance at Shuri's comment. "Do you like them?"

"They are...cute" Okoye captured his hand, resting her cheek on his arm as another burst filled the night.

"Are you relaxed?"

“My apologies, your majesty.” He murmured into the pillow.

“Yet, you still haven’t moved!”

“Forgive me, my love. Your sheets are too comfortable to leave too hastily.” Attuma flipped to his back with a smirk and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

Okoye stood at the foot of the bed, quite irritated, adorned in a silk robe and the latest gift of his on her neck.

“Good morning.” He flashed her a dimpled smile.

“Leave before someone catches you here.” She turned on her heel with a huff, scoping the hallways for any wandering servants or ladies maids. “Attuma!”

“I am coming.” The man stood and searched for his clothes, sliding on the garments with little rush. “Although, I do have one question, your majesty.”

“Out with it.” Okoye turned back into the room just as he started to fix his collar.

“Would it be a bad thing for me to be here if my queen requested it to be so? Truly?” He closed the bedroom door, securing his arms to her waist.

Okoye’s resolve started to crack under his hold, his hands splaying out over her hips and cradling her close. “It would cause scandal. You are not of royal blood.”

“Yet, here we are.” Attuma chuckled deep, the vibration against her chest causing her swoon as a sudden knock met her door.

“Your majesty?” Her ladies maid, Nakia, whispered into the wood. “Is he gone?”

Attuma sighed and begrudgingly opened the door, letting Okoye out of his hold with reluctance. “I was just seeing myself out.”

“Attuma.”

“Your highness?”

“You will be back tonight?”

“I am not sure. Peasant work and all. You understand?” A hint of spite in his words as he spoke with a tight smile.

Any other day he would say yes with no second thought, but the jab at his status, or lack of, was hurtful. And it was most hurtful because it was true. He was but a merchant while she was ruler of an entire country that kneeled at her feet.

“Attuma-“

“Goodbye, your majesty.” He swept passed Nakia, showing himself out of the palace through back entrances he knew too often of.

“Should I run your bath now, your majesty?”

“Please, and make the water scolding hot.”

———

The queen’s day was filled and there was simply no time to think about the awkwardness that was felt due to Attuma’s goodbye.

“My queen, may I speak freely?”

“Go on.” She muttered petting the dog in her lap with the lightest touch.

“I believe Attuma was hurt by what you said. About royal blood?”

“Nakia, you were eavesdropping?” Okoye couldn’t help but smirk at her spy of a ladies maid

“My apologies, your majesty.” Nakia bowed quickly. “I have become some what invested in you two.”

“Hm. Seeing as you’re the only one with knowledge, it is reasonable. What I said is true. We can not be together in the public eye, it will cost me my crown and we don’t want that do we?”

Okoye’s eyes shifted to the side as Nakia averted hers. “Do we?” She urged.

“No, your majesty. No one else is as perfect a queen as you.”

“You flatter me.”

“I also care deeply for your majesty’s happiness. I believe Attuma makes you happy.”

Okoye’s hand seized stroking the small Pomeranian, causing it to squirm and whine. “That is enough, Nakia.” She sighed.

“Yes, your majesty. Should I ask the cooks to prepare your lunch?”

“No. No. I will eat later. I have duties.”

“The carriage then?”

“I suppose.”

———

The country was a peaceful place and it wasn’t too unseen that Okoye mingled with her people. After all, that is how Attuma got in her good graces in the first place.

Coming to her from his flower nursery with a bouquet of roses for his beloved queen. Little did he know, he would become a frequent attendant to her bed soon after.

“This is beautiful.” She picked up a necklace with a jade charm swinging at the center. “How much?”

“For you? It is free, your majesty.” The woman beamed with pride that one of her pieces lay in the hands of her queen.

“None sense. Nakia, give her money.” Okoye smiled, tucking the necklace into her bag as Nakia paid the merchant.

“Thank you, your majesty.”

Okoye believed that times like these were crucial for the thrown. Being a part of the people, even if for a few seconds, was of dyer importance when it comes to keeping her kingdom.

“Your majesty?”

Okoye turned her head at the voice and there stood her forbidden lover, clad in nothing but his pants, a sleeveless top and some dirt on his forearms. “Attuma..”

“How gracious of you to visit this afternoon..” He lowered his head in a bow to her.

“Well I needed things. Perhaps a new set of flowers for my dining tables?”

Attuma nodded. “I have some selections I think would find you well, your majesty.”

He walked briskly to his shop, Okoye keeping to his pace even in her heels and suffocating garments.

Attuma turned into his shop, holding open the winded door for Okoye to follow. “Nakia, wait here.” She ordered as the door was shut with a loud thud.

Flowers of all species and colors covered his walls and floor. The sky light in the ceiling supplying them the sun and warmth.

Okoye gasped from her lack of breath, fanning herself as she got ready to scold Attuma for making her walk to fast in such conditions.

“You bought tulips last time? I have another batch of those here.”

“Attuma-“

“Something different then? What color are your dining sets, your majesty?”

“Attuma, stop!”

His jaw ticked with a sigh and his words halted.

“I want to apologize for what I said. It was not meant to be insulting.”

“Yes, your majesty.”

Okoye giggled at his formality, stepping forward to close the space between them. “When we are in private-“

“When we are in private, you are still queen.”

“The queen requests you to call her by her name.” Her hands cupped his face, smudging the dirt further.

“Forgive me, but I won’t be doing so. I am still quite upset at your highness. I wasn’t able to have breakfast before you kicked me from your bedroom.”

A smirk played on his features as confusion played on hers. “We would not have had time for food-“

“That is hardly what I mean…Okoye.”

“Oh.”

Attuma pressed a kiss to her forehead before retreating from her hold. “Wait here. I have something for you.”

He disappeared into one of his back room and emerged with clean hands, face, and an assortment of flowers tied with a lace ribbon.

“Happy early birthday, your majesty.”

“Oh, Attuma.” Okoye smiled, taking the bouquet in hand. “This is beautiful.”

“You are beautiful.” He cups her cheeks, lifting her lips to his in a tender kiss. “I cannot bare life with out you.” He whispered against her.

“Attuma..I wish-“

“Not now, Okoye. I still haven’t eaten.”

He pushes her back, his hands traveling down the length of her dress to pull the material up over her hips as her back hits a wall.

Carefully, Attuma kneels, drawing her dress over his head with a chuckle.

“What are you doing? I want to see you.” Okoye whines as he tugs at her panties and draws them down.

“Be quiet.” He presses his thumb to her clit, stimulating the bud with slow circles as her stomach grew warm.

“A-ah!”

Attuma lifted one of her thighs, resting it on his shoulder to kiss the soft skin as her cunt grew slick. With a groan of satisfaction, he bit into her thigh as he began prodding at her pulsing entrance with his fingers.

“Attuma..Please..”

“Mmm.” His hum caused vibration into her skin and he lifted his mouth from her thigh, placing it over her needy pussy instead.

Flicking his tongue over her aching bud in the same pace as the thrusts of his fingers, he had her gripping the fabric of her gown with her mouth agape.

“Oh! A-attuma!” Okoye dropped the bouquet to the ground and started to pull her dress up until his head was revealed. Her fingers threaded through his strands of hair, tugging sharply.

The cry of his name encouraged his antics as he closed his lips over her clit and sucked at the bundle of nerves as his fingers grew in speed, his angle changing slightly to hit that soft spot that lay in need.

The new sensation sent her head back, thudding against the wall as her climax drove over her with a rush of dizziness.

“Oh! Ah! Shit!” She whined as Attuma continued to drag the high until it ultimately diminished.

With Okoye rattling off apologies for her behavior and Attuma promising that he would be more open to what ever he wanted to know, Namor was more than happy to take the couple back in but not without knowing what brought on the sudden change in attitude.

Okoye’s avoidance of eye contact and Attuma’s continuous clearing of his throat led Namor to one conclusion.

“Is sex always how you two make up?” He shook his head, jotting down the note for future reference.

“Mostly…yeah.” Okoye shrugged, still struggling to meet his eyes on the matter.

His dark orbs scared her a bit as if all Namor needed was a glance into her own eyes and he could lay out ever secret and trauma she held in her being.

“Well…It’s something. Not very healthy frankly.”

“Why not?” Attuma leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “It seems to work just fine.” A smirk played on his lips as his mind danced in flashbacks of their ‘activities’

“It work’s temporarily. I love the confidence but how long does it take for you to be at each other’s throat again? Not to mention your children, it is not healthy for their growing minds to witness such highs and lows of your relationship.”

Okoye shifted on her seat, placing a hand to Attuma’s shoulder as they were notably seated closer than before. “They do ask questions, Tuma.”

“Yeah, they do. Alright. So then what? What can we do?”

Namor smiled. “You can talk.”

The concept seemed impossible. Talking was never just talking for them. There were times too often where the talking was flooded with shade and unnecessary hits at each other that the other would take too personally. Talking always turned to yelling. And when they didn’t feel like yelling anymore, they fucked to get the anger out of their systems.

“Attuma, I want to test something out with you.” Namor set his journal down and looked between the two adults.

“Alright.”

“How do you feel about Okoye? Generally of course.”

Attuma shrugged relaxing into the couch and glancing over at his woman. “I love you.”

Sincerity, Namor thought.

A slight roll in Okoye’s eyes and a scoff, as she slapped his shoulder lightly. “Stop it. Be honest.”

“Why do you always doubt me?” Attuma chuckled, attempting to hide his disdain for her constant rebuttal.

“Cause you’re full of shit.” Okoye sucked her teeth and scooted away from him, creating some space between them as her walls started to go up.

Attuma shifted up in his seat and furrowed his brows, slightly stammering for words as Okoye crossed her arms over her chest, closing herself off once again.

“Now hang on.” Namor intervened making the couple shift their eyes to him. “Okoye, how come you don’t believe he loves you?”

“Because! The word is loose. It’s rare these days anyone says they love and really mean it.”

“Who made you believe that?”

Only one person flashed her mind when the question hit and for the first time ever, she met Namor’s eyes. Her jaw slacked open as she tried to think of some diversion or lie but the smile that toyed on Namor’s features had told her that it was too late to come up with some half assed fib.

“Okoye?” Attuma’s hand was on her thigh, squeezing the skin as he watched a tear fall from her eyes. “Baby-“

“My father. Momma always hated him. Said his love was fake. That anyone that claimed to love would just break me.”

“Okoye-“

“Don’t touch me!” She shot up, smacking his hand away from her skin and wiping her tears. “I- I wanna go home!”

“You can’t run away every time you don’t like something, Okoye.” Namor scolded the woman as she marched towards the office door.

“Fuck you!”

“Okoye!” Attuma shot up just as the door swung open and shut behind her. “What the hell was that?!”

Namor sighed, slouching further in his seat as he shrugged. “She needs to heal. Her version of love is all screwed thanks to the relationship she witnessed between her parents. The exact same relationship she is replicating with you. She will never find any truth in your words until she heals.”

———

The next day, Okoye ignored him profusely. Not even a mumbled ‘good morning’ when she woke up. She went straight to the shower and got herself ready for the day.

She ignored him as he asked if she wanted to talk and she got the girls ready for school all by herself.

“They don’t want me at base until later this afternoon.” Attuma watched the coffee maker brew. “Was thinking we could take the girls out.”

“Can’t. I have clients and they have school.” Okoye’s hands covered in suds as she washed what dishes were dirty from cooking.

“They can miss one day of school, Okoye and the salon would not burst into flames without you.”

“You are literally the military parent. Yet, you let them do whatever they wish.”

“They’re kids. They should have a childhood beyond school.”

“I don’t want to argue with you about this. It’s not happening. Kids! Let’s go!”

The girls tumbled into the kitchen, handing their mother their plates and lining up by the front door.

Once they were out of earshot, Attuma leaned into Okoye, dipping his head and pressing a kiss to her cheek. “If this is about therapy-“

“I never want to see that man again.”

“He’s trying to help.” Okoye rolled her eyes, pulling away from him only to have his arm pull her back in, flush against his chest. “And it would work if you quit being so closed off.”

“I don’t want to talk about this either.” She shoved his arms away from a huff and grabbed her keys. “Babies, go get in the car.” She opened the front door, unlocking the vehicle from where she stood.

“We’re good, Attuma.”

“Okoye-“