“No, I’m the one who’s sorry. I shouldn’t have done that but I understand now and I’ll never do it again.”

He runs his hands through his hair, tugging at it. “I’m such a motherfucker. I lied to you. I know exactly what happened and I gave you a punishment fuck because of it. I was too rough with you and I’m so sorry. Oh God, I might have hurt the baby if you’re pregnant. Do you feel okay?”

“I’m fine.”

He looks toward the curtains. “Is it morning? Did you take the test yet?”

“No. It’s still night but I brought it with me so I can take it in the morning.” Thank God I had the good sense to go back for it.

He puts his arms out for me. “Come here.” I climb into bed with my somewhat drunk husband. “I love you so much, L, and I can’t stand when there’s disharmony between us.”

“I will never, ever do this again.”

He pulls me close and kisses my forehead. “It’s late and I’ve had a lot to drink, so let’s go to sleep before I say something foolish.”

It’s only a matter of a minute or so before Jack Henry is drunk-snoring. Perfect. I get to hear that all night. But I admit I’d rather hear it than miss it.

I get up from the bed and take off my jacket and skirt. I’m already panty-free so I toss the matching bra to the floor. I should’ve brought something to sleep in but I didn’t, so I’m completely naked when I crawl into bed next to my sleeping husband. He rolls toward me and drapes his arm and leg across my body. He’s naked except for his boxers, his choice of underwear since we started trying for a baby. I think he read somewhere that boxers increase sperm count.

I lie beneath him wide awake as he continues to snore—in my ear. I’m not drunk but I wish I were—or at least sleepy—because the alternative is that I’m horny. I want makeup sex, but I’m guessing that’s probably impossible since my husband drank a shitload of whiskey.

I sigh, staring into the darkness, and then close my eyes. Maybe sleep will claim me if I lie motionless.

Jack Henry stirs and his hand moves to cup my breast. It doesn’t help matters at all.

I should probably feel ashamed for what I’m about to do but I don’t. What man would be angry about being awakened for sex? I can’t name a one. “McLachlan.” He doesn’t stir so I shake his arm. “McLachlan.”

“Hmm.” It’s a groan, but not the sexy kind. “What is it, love?” His words are slurred.

I decide words aren’t the only persuasive tools I possess, so I slip my hand down his boxers. Damn. He’s totally limp, a state I’ve not known him to be in too often. The man verges on having a perpetual hard-on so this may not work at all. He’s still half lying on me so I wrap my free leg around him. “I really want you to fuck me.”

“I’m up.” He shoots up to a sitting position and I feel his cock stirring. “Did you just tell me to fuck you or did I dream it?”

“You didn’t dream it. I want to have makeup sex. I need it so I can feel okay about us.”

“We’re fine, but I’m more than happy to make up with you if I can. I had a lot to drink so it might not be my best work. You’ll probably have to get on top.”

I don’t think I care how good it is or if I get off. I really just need to feel the intimacy that only that kind of nearness will bring.

He’s hard for me so I move over to straddle him. He puts his hands on my hips and groans when I sink down on him. “You feel so good, babe.” And it does, but I already know I’m not going to come. Jack Henry’s too incapacitated to do the necessary things to get me there but I still want this. I need it.

Jack Henry barely comes before he passes out again but I’m still satisfied.

We fought.

We forgave.

We fucked.

It’s our thing, so I know we’re all good.

A hungover Jack Henry still wakes before me. Amazing. I don’t know how he does it.

I’m lying on my stomach and the bed sheet is pulled lower. The cool air hits my skin and then the slight scrape of Jack Henry’s facial scruff moves along my lower back, followed by the kiss of his mouth. “It’s morning, sleepyhead.”

I lift my pillow and bury my head beneath it. “Go away.”

“No, my love. I ordered breakfast and it’s waiting for us in the other room. Cold omelets aren’t good, so get up.”

I remove the pillow and glance over my shoulder at him. “How are you so cheery this morning?”

“I can’t lie; I feel like shit, but I don’t care because I’m excited about you peeing on that stick.”

Oh, that’s right. It’s time.

It was hard as hell but we declined doing an early detection pregnancy test for fear of a false result. That would’ve been devastating so we chose to wait until today to see if we’re going to be parents.

“Want me to do the test now or do I need to eat my omelet before it gets cold?”

He crawls up my back and lies on top of me with his mouth at my ear. “Get your sweet bum into that bathroom and do that test.” He swats me across my ass as he’s getting up.

I yelp and sit up on the side of the bed. “Here’s the plan. I’ll do the test, come out and wait how ever long it says it takes, and then we’ll go in and read it together.”

“Sounds good to me.”

I get up to go to the bathroom and he catches my hand. “You know it’s fine if it’s not positive, right? That just means we’ll get to keep trying, which isn’t a bad alternative at all.”

I nod. “I know.”

I go into the bathroom and my bladder feels like it’ll explode as I open the box and prepare myself for the deed. A pregnancy test is pretty self-explanatory but I read the instructions anyway because I’ve never taken one and I don’t want to screw it up. I follow the instructions to a T and place the test on the counter. I slip into the hotel-provided robe and open the bathroom door, but I stop dead in my tracks when I hear the conversation in the living room between a woman and Jack Henry.

“I’ve been trying to find you for a while,” she says.

“There’s a reason you didn’t and it’s because we agreed to no contact afterward.”

“I didn’t know who you were until I saw your wedding announcement in the paper. Then I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw you in the lobby last night.”