Falling Out In Love: Chapter 22

“I…can’t…breathe…” Karen was on the floor, laughing so hard, her side was beginning to hurt.

“You know what baby?” Erica stopped laughing to say. “It is not that funny.” Erica laughed again. “If you stop breathing, you‘re on your own.”

Karen got up off the floor and flopped down next to Erica on the couch. “E! You wouldn’t even give me mouth to mouth resuscitation?” Karen’s laughter was finally starting to cease.

“I would think about it.” Erica replied playfully, scooping Karen onto her lap.

“That really was funny though babe. I mean, what does she think she’s going to do? Meet me after the bell and beat me up in the school yard?” Karen rolled her eyes.

“I don’t think she really meant it.” Erica said with a serious tone. “I mean she looked serious. But it might have been one of those “caught up in the moment” kind of things.”

“Baby…I can’t really blame her. I was willing to do the same thing remember?” Karen smiled at Erica sweetly.

“Yeah, but I didn’t feel threatened when you said it.” They started laughing all over again.

Erica wasn’t in the mood to cook and neither was Karen, so they decided to order a pizza from Papa Johns. It took them forever to decide on their toppings. Erica wanted chicken, pineapple and mushrooms, but Karen wanted jalapeños and sausage.

“Babe!” Karen yelled as she grabbed Erica’s face to get her attention. “You can’t put fungus and fruit on the same pizza.” Karen laughed.

“Yes. I can.” Erica said simply and grabbed her phone. “Watch me.”

Karen leaped for the phone in Erica’s hand but she wasn’t quick enough. Erica dialed the number while pushing Karen away with one hand.

“Thank you for choosing Papa Johns. How can I help you?” The operator asked as he picked up the phone.

“Yes.” Erica began. “We would like a medium pizza with..”

Karen grabbed the phone from Erica before she could get out the toppings. “Sir, how fresh are your jalapeños?”

Erica grabbed Karen by the waist, lifted her in the air and tossed her on the couch. Karen screamed with laughter and dropped the phone on the floor. Erica went to grab the phone and Karen jumped on her back, knocking her to the floor. They were both still laughing so they weren’t wrestling at their full strength, but neither would be the first to give up either.

Erica grabbed the phone again when she trapped Karen with her legs. “Sorry bout that sir, there’s and insane, black woman in my house with a thing for jalapeños.”

Just as Erica was about to order her toppings, she lost the battle and the war. Karen started tickling her ribs and Erica had to drop the phone to try and stop her. Unsuccessful, Erica ended up on  her back with Karen straddled over her and telling her not to move. Karen reached for the phone.

“Babe…I…can’t…breathe.” Erica said, still laughing and holding her sides.

“Yeah?” Karen said with a smile. “Well if you stop breathing, I’ll think about giving you mouth to mouth resuscitation.” Karen chuckled. “Hello? Are you still there sir? Oh…yes…I’m fine. We would like a medium pizza please. On one side we would like jalapeños and sausage. On the other Chicken, mushroom and pineapple. Doesn’t that sound nasty?”

After Karen taunted Erica with the Pizza man on her side, she gave him the address and hung up.

“You better not even think about looking at my side of the pizza, since you think it’s so nasty.” Erica said, rolling Karen onto her back and laying on top of her.

“You’re lucky I even ordered your toppings.” Karen said, folding her arms but smiling.

“Well of course you did.” Erica leaned closer to Karen’s face. “You love me.” Erica placed a quick kiss on Karen’s lips.

“Yeah…I do.” Karen replied and kissed back.

They ate their pizza in front of the fireplace with two glasses of their favorite wine. Karen caught Erica up on her job and what she had been doing since she moved back. She told her more about her daughter too and how much she wished she could see her grow up. Erica watched Karen’s expression change every time she said her little girls name. She
knew she would make a great mom. All Erica had to do was convince Karen.

“You know babe…you would make a great mom. Why do you think she’s better off in the system?” Erica finally asked.

“I love that little munchkin. You should see her. But how can I raise her and look at her everyday, knowing that at some point she’s going to ask me who her father is?” Karen explained. “I don’t think I will ever be prepared for that.”

“You will be prepared for that. You will because you have to.” Erica answered. “So far all you have done is think about what is best for your little girl. That is very selfless of you babe.” Erica reached for Karen’s hand. “Right now, she needs her mom. Let her love you and cross those other bridges when you get there.”

Karen wiped a year from her eye and smiled at Erica, “You always think it’s that easy huh babe?”

“Not always…but when I’m right, I feel it in my heart.” Erica smiled showing off the one dimple she had on her left cheek.

“I never should have left you baby. Think about how different things would have been if I stayed. Married…raising my daughter…that house we dreamed about…”

“I do think about that Karen. All the time.” Erica pulled Karen into her arms and they both couldn’t help but laugh. They always thought it was so funny how Erica easily made Karen’s body do what she wanted.

“I’d lay in your arms forever if you let me.” Karen whispered.

“I would love it if you laid in my arms forever Karen.” Erica replied. She reached in her pocket and pulled out the ring she placed on Karen’s finger four years ago. Karen let more tears fall the second she say it. “I want to move very slow with you. But…one day…will you please marry me?” Erica slipped the ring onto Karen’s finger.

“Yes!” Karen screamed, throwing her arms around Erica’s neck. “I will.”

“I’m putting my heart back in your hands baby. Be careful with it.” Erica said quietly before kissing Karen deep and slow.