"Are you?"

"Yes, like starving," he exaggerated and fell to the floor, "I think I’m dying!"

"Bette, do you really think he’s dead?"

"I don’t know, let’s have a look," I said playing along. We got on our hands and knees and crawled across the floor, Jackson had yet to move. We picked his arms up and they fell to the floor.

"I think he’s really dead," Tina said and smiled.

"There’s only one way to find out," I said winking, "Tickle Monster!"

"No…B!….Mommy," he exclaimed laughing and squirming, "mommy, help me! B’s gonna tickle me to death!"

"I shall save you my son," Tina announces and pins me to the floor, "get her Jack!"

As I’m pinned on my back, my heart races. She’s not pinning me with much force, but Jackson scoots to me and starts tickling my sides and my arm pits. As I laugh and try to catch my breath, he staddles my hips, tickling my stomach. Tina’s laughing so hard I see tears, I’m laughing so hard, my sides hurt and I struggle to breath.

"Ok, mom, I think she learnt her lesson," he said shaking his finger at me. He then collapses on me his head on my chest. I wrap my arms around him and he sighs. Tina takes in the sight, and smiles.

"Alright baby boy, let’s get some food."

"Pizza!"

"Oh alright," Tina says, giving in. He gets up and jumps for joy. Tina stands up and I sit up, she holds her hand out to pull me up. But I pull her down to me and she lands in my lap. A slight moan escapes her lips, and I kiss her.

"Mommy! B! Stop kissing and order the pizza already," Jackson shouts and we just laugh.

After the food arrives, we set up the dinner on the coffee table. We always had framily nights on Sunday but for my new family, I wanted a special night. So from now on every Monday night was dedicated to just us. Tonight, we watch Cars, one of Jackson’s favorites. We eat pizza and watch a Lightning McQueen and his friends race across our tv screen.

Tina cuddled up to me on the sofa after I stretched my legs onto the ottoman. Jackson sat in his bean bag and watched intesnsly. After a while, Tina’s breathing became slower, more shallow and I looked at her and she was asleep. I held her tightly as Jackson walked to me, smiled at his sleeping mother and sat on my lap. He stroked her blonde hair for a bit, kissed her forehead and then positioned himself on my lap and continued to watch the movie.

I woke to Tina still sleeping curled up to me and Jackson passed out, his body stetched across both mine and Tina’s lap. I smiled and I looked at the clock, ten-fifteen, a couple hours had passed. I contemplated staying there all night, but my legs were cramping and the position I was in didn’t give that great of comfort.

"Tee, Tee baby, wake up," I whisper.

"Bette, what time is it," she asked, the sleep in her voice making me smile.

"It’s ten-fifteen," I said as she sat up on the couch. I scoop Jackson into my arms and I stand. I walk to his room, Tina on my tail and I lay him in his bed. Tina tucks him in as I turn his night light on.

We get ready for bed in a contented silence. Both of us tired from our day or work and school. She gets into bed first as I turn the lights out and get in. I spoon her and rest my hands on her stomach, her arms rest on mine and our fingers interlock. I cannot see her face, but I know she’s smiling. As I hold her, I whisper into her ear.

"Sleep well, my angel."