Each stride hurts my calves, then my knees. My sole motivation is a nice bath with bubbles and candles. David sighs and swoops down, bridle-style, as I reach the top step. I fight him. "Let me go, David!" I resist, but even to me I sound weak.
"I'll fetch you the book we were talking about," Jessica says as she moves out of David's path.
My hands tremble on David's chest. "Thanks." I immediately respond before David walks away from his mother and into our room.
"Our connection can only take so many of your objections." David stomps up the stairs.
"My legs," I merely say. I'm too tired to make a snide remark.
Opening the bedroom door, I relax into the mattress, letting out a happy sigh. David chuckles and kisses the top of my head.
"Get a bath. Bubbles?"
"Duh." My eyes are shut.
David's soothing chuckle reaches my ears, and I can't help but grin. Soon after, I hear the gushing water from the bathtub.
"Susan?" It's me.