Husband With Benefits
Chapter 666: Friends

Chapter 666: Friends

"Come on mom, hurry up!" Caius shouted, bouncing with excitement as he and Erasmi spread out the checkered blanket for a picnic. It was their day out and of course they had a list of things to do!

"Hold your horses, buddy," Erasmi laughed, unpacking the wicker basket that he placed on the blanket.. "We’ve got all day."

Caius buzzed around like a little bee, darting from one spot to another as he made sure to place everything properly. "Can I have a sandwich? Oh, and some strawberries! I am starved!"

Ava shook her head, already prepared for the hunger pang. Caius was always hungry these days.

Erasmi, on the other hand chuckled as he passed the sandwich," At this rate, you will be giving Seb a run for his money!"

Caius rolled his eyes," Uncle Seb has already lost to me! You don’t know, when the two of you were away, Uncle Seb and I had a competition! He lost! And then he claimed that it was because I was a growing boy that he decided to lose."

Erasmi laughed at that," Well, it could be. Seb can be..."

"Dad! You’re my dad! You have to say that I won and not side with Uncle Sebby!"

"Okay okay! I’m sure you won fair and square." Erasmi chuckled as Caius munched on his sandwich.

Ava, on the other hand passed a sandwich to Erasmi, distracted with her own thoughts. Before he could ask more, Caius stuffed the rest of his sandwich into his mouth as he let out a muffled shout," Look, a dragonfly!" He dashed off to chase the insect, his laughter ringing through the air before Erasmi could even ask him to not shout with his mouth full. Chuckling, he turned his head to look at Ava who was distacted and frowned.

"Whats up, Ava? You seem distracted..."

Ava shook her head and gave him a smile. "I think I am just tired from someone not letting me sleep."

Erasmi grinned, clearly pleased with the blame Ava was placing on him. "Oh, so it was me keeping you up all night, huh?" he teased.

Ava rolled her eyes," Wasn’t it? You are such a beast Eras! Sometimes I wonder how you survived a year of celibacy..."

Erasmi grinned and shook his head," Who told you to be so responsive to my touch, hmm? I can’t stop myself. So you can’t blame me..."

Ava glared at him as he winked at her and looked away. It was true. She really had not expected herself to always light up the moment he touched her. Why had she not realized just how attracted to him she was?

As she was lost in her thoughts, Erasmi quickly stood up and went to sit behind her. He then gently pulled her back to lean against his chest, his thighs on either side of her. "Sleep now," he murmured into her ear, his breath warm against her skin.

She tried to protest, her face turning a deeper shade of red. "Erasmi, we’re in public..."

He chuckled softly, his voice full of playful affection. "Oh, so you don’t want to be caught snuggling with your husband?"

Ava laughed despite herself, shaking her head. "That’s not what I meant."

Ava sighed, letting herself lean back against him, feeling the warmth and strength of his body enveloping her. She watched as Caius dashed around the park, chasing after dragonflies and laughing with pure joy. His energy was boundless, and his laughter was infectious.

"Look at him go," she murmured, a smile tugging at her lips. Erasmi pressed a kiss to her temple as he looked at his son. These were the moments, he lived for.. Just looking at his son.

"He’s started to look like Nora, a bit, hasn’t he?" Ava murmured and felt Erasmi stiffen. It took her a moment then to realise what she’d said. Of course, thinking of Caius looking like Nora would have reminded him of Caius’ birth mother...

"Erasmi, I..." But Erasmi cut her off, "He might look like her, but he is a frost through and through! And he is picking up Demetri’s habits look!" Erasmi pointed out in amusement.

Ava turned her head to see Caius looking at the plants carefully," I don’t think that is bad..."

Erasmi chuckled and nodded," Yeah! Demetri has the tamest of hobbies, after all."

Ava felt her eyes close a little while later, letting the gentle breeze and the distant sounds of Caius and the other children playing wash over her. The steady rhythm of Erasmi’s breathing and the warmth of his embrace created a perfect moment of peace. She snuggled into him, feeling safe and content of all intrusive thoughts that had been plaguing her.

Erasmi looked down at her as she drifted off to sleep, a gentle smile playing on his lips. She looked so cute sleeping like this, her face serene and peaceful. He hugged her softly, tightening his arms around her protectively.

In the distance, he watched as a little dog bounded towards Caius, who gleefully played with it.

Just then, Erasmi saw Caius slip and his heart leapt. He almost called out, but before he could, he saw a woman who was strolling by catch him, steadying him. Erasmi watched as the woman probably asked Caius about his parents and he quickly stepped away and pointed at them.

Erasmi watched as Caius led the woman and the dog toward them and raised an eyebrow.

"Mom, Dad, look! This is Ruby!" Caius announced, pointing to the dog. But before he could say more, he noticed his mother had fallen asleep and quickly lowered his voice, "And this is her owner. She saved me when I almost fell!"

Erasmi smiled, adjusting his hold on Ava, who remained blissfully asleep. "Thank you for that."

"No problem at all," the woman replied with a kind smile. "Ruby is always making friends, and Caius here seems to be quite the charmer."

"Absolutely," she nodded. "I’m Hannah, by the way." She extended a hand.

"Erasmi," he introduced himself, shaking her hand. "And this is my wife, Ava." He gestured to Ava, still sleeping peacefully against his chest. "She was just taking a nap. We had a long night."

Emma smiled softly. "It’s nice to see a husband taking such good care of his wife. You must be quite the team."

Hannah glanced at her watch. "I should probably get going. It was lovely meeting you."

"Likewise," Erasmi said. "And thanks again for helping Caius."

As Erasmi watched the woman and the dog leave, he was soon distracted by Caius, forgetting all about the woman...unawre of the storm that she might bring in their lives.

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