THE HONOURABLE MAN

Episode 44

"I'm sick and tired of this life and I refuse to live like this any longer," Kiana spits with her burning eyes set on her husband.

"So what are you saying?" Bryce questions after swallowing the lump in his throat.

"I want out...I want a divorce," she sneers.

"What!" He gapes, he didn't think she would take things that far.

"Sweetheart please think about this...you are being irrational. You can't tear apart the only home our children know," he tries to reason with her.

"This is all your fault, you brought Janet's spawn into our lives and he has ruined everything but you still refuse to send him packing and because of that you will lose your wife," she huffs.

"Fine! If you are going to be selfish and childish then go ahead and leave but you are not taking my kids from me," he screams.

"Your kids huh...did you carry them in your womb? Don't be ridiculous, you are just a sperm donor," she pushes past him.

He grabs her hand and pulls her nearer to him, "don't you dare speak to me like that Kiana,"

She wriggles her hand free from his grasp and throws a slap across his face. After the shock washes over him he retaliates by pinning her to the wall and strangling her with his bare hands. She starts choking and fighting for her life trying to get his hands off her neck while gasping for air.

"Sweetheart....sweetheart...wake up!" Bryce shakes his wife after hearing her gasping for air in her sleep.

Kiana jolts awake and exhales deeply, Bryce hands her a glass of water and she gulps it down in a second.

"Bad dream?" He assumes,

"Yes," she curtly responds, still feeling shaken by the dream.

"Do you care to tell me about it?" He comfortingly rubs her shoulders while keeping his gaze on her.

"We were fighting and I asked for a divorce and you started strangling me," she spills.

Bryce laughs it off although the dream stuns him, "What on earth were we fighting about?" he questions with arched eyebrows.

"That's the funny part...we were fighting over Sam," she says,

"Sam!" He repeats.

"Yes...he was causing problems between us,"

He looks at her suspiciously, "sweetheart are you having second thoughts about living with Sam?"

"Of course not...I can't choose what I dream about but I guess I'm just worried about step parenting," she admits.

He pulls her into his arms and gently rubs his hands on her back. "You don't have to worry about anything, everything is going to be okay." He utters softly.

"Thank you sweetheart," she whispers.

"And just so you know...I would never lay my hand on you and I would never allow Sam or anyone else to come in between us and our family," he gives her hand a reassuringly squeeze.

"And I would never ask you for a divorce, I wouldn't give up on our family that easily," she curls her mouth in a weak smile.

**

It's the last day of the year and they have been invited over to Jacob's house to spend the day with them. It's a wonderful idea since their kids and Pete's can come together to play and have fun.

This is going to be the first time they introduce their newest member of the family to Pete and Selena. Sam is no stranger to them but they last saw him when he was five years old and now he is a completely different person.

While the kids are still in their beds Kiana and Bryce meander into the kitchen and help themselves to steaming hot coffee to boost their energy for the day.

"Don't you miss the times when it was just you and I?" Bryce casts her a wishful smile. "Hmm I don't know how to answer that," she holds onto her coffee mug enjoying the warmth it brings to her hands.

"Oh come on...I'm not saying I regret having our children I love them to bits they are truly a bundle of joy but there are times when I miss having you all to myself and having the entire house to ourselves and not being restricted to making love only in the bedroom...you know...that kind of thing," his desirous gaze lingers on her.

She catches his gaze and a chuffed smile slowly builds on her face. "Okay fine! I admit there are advantages and disadvantages of having children but we can always work around the disadvantages." She smiles.

"What are you smiling for?" He asks.

"Well...I find it flattering how you still desire sometime alone with me even after being married to me for four years now. I thought you'd be fed up with me already,"

"What! It's been four years already...I thought we got married last year," he giggles.

"Get out of here," she laughs.

"On a serious note though... It doesn't feel like it's been that long I guess that's because I'm having such a wonderful time with you and our children. I would never get fed up with you Barbie even when your skin starts sagging and your hair turns grey and your eyes..."

"Stop...I get the point," she cuts in not wanting to be reminded of the fact that some day she will lose her beauty and become a wrinkled old woman.

As they continue to sip their coffee in silence they hear little feet running down the hallway. "There goes our alone time," Bryce sighs.

"Good morning mommy...good morning daddy," Bryan grins widely at his parents.

"Good morning," they respond together in unison.

Kiana scoops him into her arms and kisses him on the forehead and he kisses her back.

"Are you excited about going to uncle Pete's house?" she asks

"Of course I am mommy, I hope they will treat us to a lot of delicious candy, cupcakes and donuts,"

"Careful little man, you don't want to get these cute pearly teeth rotting," his father cautions.

"I think Kiandra should be awake by now, let me go and check on her," she says as she releases Bryan from her embrace. Before she could exit the kitchen Sam walks in with baby Kiandra bubbling happily in his arms.

Kiana and her husband share a surprised look, "I hope I'm not being too forward, I heard baby Kiandra wailing and I ran into her nursery to fetch her. I hope that's okay?" He worriedly creases his forehead as he hands the baby to her mother.

"Sam! Thank you...Kiandra is lucky to have a caring big brother like you," Bryce gives him a slap on his shoulder.

Sam's cheeks dimple into a relieved smile and he begins to relax. "I never thought I would have a young brother and a young sister but I'm glad I get a chance to play big brother to these two sweet souls." He smiles.

"Oh Sam...that's so sweet of you to say," Kiana's eyes light up with amusement.

"How do you feel about spending the day at the Jacob's house..do you still remember them?" Bryce asks.

"I still remember them and I'm okay with it." He responds while making cereal for himself and Bryan.

"Thank you Sam," Bryan blinks as he pulls his cereal bowl closer to him.

Kiana jumps from her seat and rummages in the fridge and places on the table, eggs, bacon, bread and milk. These are for preparing breakfast, as she grabs her apron Kiandra starts fussing and begins to cry.

"Ooh come on sweetheart...you can't do that to mommy just when she is just about to start cooking," she pouts.

"Smells like extra poop," Bryce grimaces before running away.

"Gees... thanks a lot," Kiana frowns.

Her eyes flicker to Sam and she observes there is something he wants to say but it's like he is afraid to spit it out.

"What is it Sam...you can tell me?" she utters softly.

"Aunt Kiana I just wanted to offer making breakfast for the family today," he announces.

Kiana arches her brows, "Sam! You don't need to work to earn your stay with us,"

"I know...and it's not that I promise... I just want to help and I really love cooking breakfast. Please give me a chance to show you my kitchen skills," he insists.

"I don't know Sam, aren't you a little too young to be playing with hot oil and pots?"

"If it makes you feel better I have been playing with those since I was eight,"

"Really! Oh...okay just for today...let's see what you have got but keep in mind what I said." She grins before striding away with Kiandra.

She lays Kiandra on the couch and takes off her soiled diaper. Now that she doesn't have to handle breakfast she has time to give Kiandra a nice warm bath.

Bryce trudges into the bathroom and Kiana throws her a judgmental look.

"I'm sorry sweetheart I shouldn't have run away from my daughter's poop,"

"So why did you? It's not like I was going to ask you to change her,"

"I didn't want to risk it," he giggles.

Kiana splashes water on him and Kiandra is amused by the act she starts making happy noises and using her hands and feet to splash water.

"I will make it up to you my love...let me take over bathing our little princess,"

"Sure...let me give Bryan a bath then,"

"Don't worry about it I will shower with him,"

"Ooh okay then, uh let me give myself a nice long bath," she squeals in delight and thereafter disappears.

****

Once everyone has bathed they grab seats at the breakfast table, junior chef Sam confidently carries the dishes to the table. "Wow Sam this looks yummy," Little Bryan is the first to comment.

"Looks can be deceiving," chuckles Bryce

"Don't be jealous sweetheart, this is mouthwatering. I'm impressed with your presentation...it's very creative of you," she casts Sam an impressed gaze.

They start digging into their plates soon after saying grace. The food tastes as good as it looks, Kiana lets out a moan of pleasure as she delights in the taste of the bacon that now tastes like something else she has never tasted before.

"What secret ingredient did you use? This doesn't taste like the bacon I'm used to," she marvels.

"Sorry aunt Kia but I can't tell you,"

"Ooh come on Sam," she pouts.

"Hey...leave the kid alone it's his secret ingredient and it should stay that way," Bryce intercepts.

There is dead silence for a few minutes only the sound of clicking forks and knives can be heard.

"So Sam tells me he started cooking when he was eight?" Kiana announces.

Bryce's eyes dart to Sam in surprise, "Wow that was way too early...was it your choice or you were forced to?" He asks..

Kiana stomps on his feet for asking such a rude question. Sam uncomfortably tilts down his head, "I was left on my own most of the time so I had to learn how to fend for myself," he clears his throat.

"Oh Sam...I can imagine how hard life must have become for you the moment you were taken away from my care," Bryce ruefully mutters.

"It wasn't all that bad," he unconvincingly states. He doesn't want to make his parents seem bad even if they were just that.

"Thank you for breakfast Sam..it was amazingly delicious. You have highly impressed me with your kitchen skills," Kiana praises.

"I told you I would but thank you for giving me the chance to impress you," he responds as he clears the table.

"I hope you are not planning on doing the dishes," Kiana gapes at him.

"It's no problem, I'm used to doing all house chores on my own," he insists.

"Absolutely not! It's enough that you made breakfast for us so I will do the dishes...you go and get some rest," Bryce intercepts.

"But..."

"No buts Sam...you are in a new home now. Things have to change," Kiana mentions.

Sam eventually gives up and ushers Bryan away to the playroom.

**

A few hours later they arrive at the Jacob's house. Selena excitedly rushes to the door and lets them in. She squeals with joy at their presence and kisses them on each cheek. "You have no idea how happy I am to have a full house this new year's eve," she shrieks.

"The more the merrier," Kiana adds.

Selena's kids fourteen year old Paul and twelve year old Lena rush to the guests to greet them.

They both have their mother's tall and petite body and their father's green eyes and dark hair. They look so alike they could be mistaken for twins even with the two year age gap between them.

After passing warm greetings to Kiana and Bryce, they turn their attention to Sam.

"Hey Sam...good to see you again, you haven't changed much," Lena quirks her lips at him.

Sam feels overwhelmed by the attention he is getting, everyone has turned their focus on him.

"Come on dude...don't tell me you have forgotten us?" Paul nudges him.

"Hey...guys," He falters.

"Come on...we have so much to catch up on," Paul drags him away without giving him a say.

"Hey...wait for me," little Bryan shouts as he follows them upstairs.

Once the adults are left alone they grab some drinks and chill by the fire place. Kiana is still breast feeding so she gets herself some lemon water. Later Kiana and Selena move away from the men in the house.

"When are you planning on weaning off your daughter. Aren't you tired of getting your n*****s suckled on?" Selena chortles.

"If it were up to me I would be weaning her off now that she is half a year old," she sighs wearily.

Selena gives her a bewildered gaze, "What?" Kiana protests.

"What do you mean if it were up to you? Who gets to decide seeing you are the one who is being suckled on?"

"Bryce asked me to nurse her until she turns a year old," she smirks.

"I guess I can understand his reasons and if you are okay with it then its all cool,"

"I can't say I will miss breast feeding though, I'm longing for the day I will be able to drink Champagne again," she wistfully says.

"I only breast fed my kids for 6 months," Selena confesses.

"Any particular reason why?"

"I hated the milk oozing from my breasts during foreplay and so did my husband." She leans closer to her and whispers, "Pete is crazy about boobs and n*****s during foreplay, he would forget every time that my boobs are full of milk. This one time he squeezed my boobs so hard and milk sprayed onto his face and all over the bed, it was awful, I felt sorry for him" she shares.

"Oh I can imagine the stunned look on his face when that happened." Kiana giggles.

It's soon going to be lunch time, Selena ushers Kiana into the kitchen after she hands baby Kiandra to her father.

"I think it will be nice if we have some games to play in the evening," Kiana suggests as she starts slicing vegetables.

"What kind of games? Games for the whole family including the kids or just for us the adults?" she questions.

"You know...I actually hadn't thought about that but perhaps we can have a bit of both. Start off with family games and then later the kids can go play on their own and we can have some grown up games," she states.

"That will be nice although you won't have many options since you are not drinking any alcohol. I love drinking games," Selena blinks at her.

"Ugh come on Selena, we can't all get wasted when we have kids in the house,"

"True but you'd be surprised by how much alcohol my body can take," she giggles.

Sam suddenly walks into the kitchen, "Sorry to disturb you Aunt Selena but can I have some cold water to drink?"

"Go ahead and get some in the fridge or you can have some soda if you like," she offers.

"Water will be just fine," he quickly takes out a water bottle from the fridge and fills his glass.

"Thank you," he curtly says as he strides out of the kitchen.

Selena wants to say something but she keeps biting her tongue.

"Your tongue is going to bleed," Kiana teases.

"Maybe its just me but did it seem like Sam couldn't get out of here fast enough?"

"Yeah he did...he is a shy kid I think he is trying to adapt to his new life with us,"

"Speaking of Sam...how do you really feel about having Janet's child as part of your family?" She stares at her expectantly.

Kiana ceases what she is doing for a brief moment.

"To be honest I try not to think of him as Janet's child. I think of him as just Sam, a child who needs a loving stable home and so far he has proved to be a pleasure to have around,"

"That's sweet of you Kiana. I must hand it to you...you are one of a kind. It's not easy to open up your home to the child of your husband's ex," she comments.

"I wasn't keen on the idea at first but Bryce reminded me that helping those in need is part of who I am,"

"It does seem like the kid is well mannered, I'm impressed by the fact that he first asked for my permission to open my fridge," Selena mentions.

"It is surprising how he turned up so decent and well behaved with a mother like Janet." Kiana adds.

"Well maybe Janet changed,"

"Naah I highly doubt that, there is so much crap that Sam went through. He is just not yet ready to open up to us about it," she nibbles her lower lip.

"Just give him time to learn to trust you, he will eventually open up," she advises.

A few minutes later lunch is ready to be served. They call the kids to the dining table and bring out the dishes.

Kiana passes her husband the dish that contains pork chops with bourbon molasses glaze. "I personally prepared these for you," she smiles brightly.

He lights up with delight as he takes a fork and dishes a few pork chops onto his plate.

They pass the rest of the dishes among each other and chatter while they eat.