Brittany

"No. ¡En absoluto!"

"I'm just saying it's something to think about, Alex," I reply, running a hand through my hair and rifling through the massive pile of bills on the table—bills that have been accumulating since before Paco was born.

"Out of the question, Brittany. Hablo en serio… end of conversation."

I sigh and look at the outrageous amount of money we owe. We'd already had our cable turned off once, what was stopping electric or plumbing from taking action, as well?

And damn it, Alex was right to take away all my credit cards. We'd be in some serious trouble if he'd let me keep them.

Alex stands up and heads over to the counter, practically throwing his dirty dishes into the sink. I watch him. He's upset, and I know it is my doing. It hurt him to have me bring up borrowing money from my parents, and I knew it would…but things are starting to get out of control.

"Alex…don't be angry with me…" I say, watching him grip the counter as he looks out the window above the sink. I walk over and take his lunch dishes out of the sink, putting them into the dishwasher.

He looks over at me and sighs, relaxing against the counter some.

"I'm not angry at you, Britt…just, let's not include your parents in our financial problems. We can figure this out ourselves."

I nod and find myself in his strong arms, pressing tight against his chest. I breathe him in, taking in the scent that is purely Alex. My husband. My love.

"I promised you on the day you became my wife that I would provide for you and our family… I won't break my promise. Just trust me, we'll be fine…" Alex says against my hair, gently stroking it. I close my eyes and nod against his chest.

"I do trust you, Alex… I always have."

He gives me a squeeze and pulls back, cupping my face in his hands now and looking down into my eyes.

"When is Sierra dropping Paco off?" he whispers, brushing his thumb along my cheek.

"She said she'd drop by around three or four…she wanted to take him to the park and tire him out for us."

He moves closer.

"Alex…"

Closer.

"You just got out of the hospital three days ago—" he cuts me off with a powerful kiss, then pulls away to look in my eyes.

I know that look.

I breathe out a heavy, but content sigh and curl up against Alex. He runs his hand along my shoulder blades and back in a gentle caress.

"We should do this more often…" I smirk against his chest, kissing down his pectorals and then back up to his neck. He smiles and I lay my chin on his chest, relaxing.

"I agree, mujer… much more often." He lightly runs his hand along my hair and I close my eyes. I hate to admit it but I love when we fight.

I take another deep breath and relax even more into Alex's embrace. His arms always had the power to do that. I melt in them each and every time, and somehow he always manages to keep me to him.

We both start to fall asleep in minutes…until, of course, I hear the front door open. I sit bolt upright in bed, not the bed decision considering, but I quickly cover myself and shush Alex as he goes to speak.

I point to the front door and quickly roll off the bed, scrambling for clothes as Alex gets up and peeks around the corner. We're acting like complete teenagers again. I glance at the clock and then at Alex, mouthing, 'Sierra?' at him.

He steps further into the hallway and quickly comes back in, his back to the door, "Worse. Mi'ama…"

"Alex? Brittany? Is anyone home?" she calls out, from I assume is the living room. I smirk, watching Alex frantic to make himself decent.

"We're in the bedroom, Mi'ama. We'll be right out," I call out.

"Mierda…" Alex mutters, looking around the room and then towards the hall.

"What?"

"My boxers are on the floor…in the living room…" I can't help myself now, I burst out laughing. I finish pulling on my shirt as Alex pulls on his pants—commando now, of course, and the dirty shirt he'd been wearing.

I walk over to him, adjusting his pants for him—purposely doing it wrong to tease him. He growls a bit, smirking and before he can do anything to get even I disappear down the hall. I hear him follow after me.

"Mamá! What a nice surprise!" I smile, walking over to her and giving her a big hug. "We weren't expecting you."

"I know, I know, but Sierra called me and asked me to take little Paco off your hands to give you some alone time. She's meeting me here."

"Oh… well, okay," I laugh softly and step to the side, letting Alex give his mother a hug.

"Usted no debe dejar su ropa sucia por todas partes, Alex…" she says to him as he hugs her.

I know enough Spanish now to know she mentioned something about dirty clothes everywhere and I bite my lip, glancing down at the pair of now neatly folded boxers on the arm of the couch.

"Yes, mamá…" Alex says, grabbing the boxers and quickly getting them out of view. I bite my lip harder, once again, trying not to laugh.

His face is priceless. So is the silence that follows his reply.

It's broken soon by a knock on the door. I think mi'ama knocked too, but Alex and I were half asleep by then. I move to answer the door and mama touches my arm.

"If he sees his mother now, child, he won't leave quietly." I nod to her and she fixes her bag on her shoulder. "I'll see the both of you at your anniversary dinner on Saturday."

I smile and nod, glancing at Alex before giving mama a quick peck on the cheek as a goodbye. Alex nods a goodnight to her and she heads out the door.

Automatically, I hear Alex groan. Cue me bursting out laughing again.

I fall back onto the couch and he glares at me through the spaces between his fingers as he wipes his face.

"You think it's funny, chica?" he asks, stalking towards me. I smirk and nod, which sets him off again. He grabs me off the couch and I squeal a little in surprise as he once again sets off towards the bedroom. I'm not complaining, well, not until he takes a sharp turn into the bathroom.

"Alex, what are you—" he pulls aside the shower curtain and plops me inside, quickly turning the water on.

Cold.

I scream and thrash against him, the cold water hitting me like a thousand little pins and needles. Now he's laughing.

I stop fighting, soaking wet now and glare at him through my wet hair.

"You look good wet," he smirks.

"I hate you…" I mutter, trying to splash him with the water.

"Oh come on, Britt, don't be like that…" Alex smiles, making a mistake by reaching into the shower to touch me.

I grab his arm and pull—hard—he comes toppling into the shower against me, right under the stream of water. He lets out a long breath and looks into my eyes before kissing me passionately.

"Are we even?" I whisper, smirking and running my fingers up into his curly wet hair. He pulls back, looking into my eyes and then down at our soaked clothes we still wore.

"No. Not yet." A devious grin spreads across his face and I smirk right back, reaching to my left and leaning back against the wall as I turn the water up warmer and warmer.

"How about now?" I ask, playing with him again.

"Not even close…" he smirks, eyeing me hungrily again.