Case File 105

Case File Name:
Time Heals.

♤Chapter One Hundred-Five♤

The next day was as hard as I had previously warned Tazmin.

But I gave her everything she could possibly need.

Whether it was company, food, or holding Tahir.

Mourning looked quieter on her—she was almost muted, too physically and emotionally drained to speak a word.

Pierre was the same—a much more quieter force.

But Elena cried, almost uncontrollably as they all sat together on the couch in the silence filled with sniffles and deep breaths.

I sat with them, but at some point, I gave them their space.

The news of Gia's death was still hard on everyone outside of her family—it was like a visible shock that passed through everyone.

The days that followed involved funeral planning and then the funeral and wake itself.

It was hard.

Really hard.

And I hated the state it put Tazmin in.

But I supported her through it all.

At some point, she even agreed to attend therapy at the same place I went to, which felt like a step in the right direction.

Time heals.

And as the months passed, everything slowly fell back into place—especially with focusing on Tahir.

It felt like he was growing so fast.

One moment he couldn't hold his own head up and the next he could hold his head up and crawl.

Six months looked beautiful on our son.

His blonde hair was so thick and soft—and then there was his brown eyes and button nose.

Tahir looked just like my wife and I loved it.

I swear I could stare at them both for hours.

"Baby, can you get his bottle?" I asked, noticing Tahir starting to get restless as we sat on the shaded lounge chair by the pool.

The twins and Marie had come over to see Tahir for his six-month birthday so we decided to make it into a fun pool day.

But swimming always makes Tahir hungry.

"I got it mama," Tazmin said, already opening the cooler where I previously put the bottle of breast milk I pumped earlier.

It was funny to see it with all the beers and wine coolers in there.

"Thank you," I said as soon as she sat back down with us, helping me lay Tahir up from his back.

And instead of leaving it all up to me, Tazmin naturally took him—setting him on her leg as she supported his back and held the bottle to his lips.

Tahir immediately reached out, holding the bottle with a gummy smile and a few babbles that he had been repeating.

I smiled as I admired them both, taking in the sight of my wife and son.

"My babies," I murmured, leaning in to kiss her cheek before leaning down to kiss the top of Tahir's head.

Tazmin smiled at me, "You're so cute," she said, eyeing my face before glancing down to my body covered in the deep red bikini, "More than cute actually," she added in insinuation.

I shook my head with a smile, "And I'm all yours," I reminded her, grabbing the sunscreen to reapply it to Tahir's face.

Even if we were shaded, I didn't want to risk him getting a sunburn.

Especially with the bright sun poking through slightly as we sat with him while he continued drinking the rest of his bottle. 

"Can we get T?" Vic asked as he approached us with Mav by his side.

"We're trying to swim with him again," Mav added, glancing over to Tahir who was focused on finishing his bottle.

But now he was looking over at the twins.

"Yeah, do some swimming on his back," I said, knowing getting him in the water early would be good.

Vic immediately nodded, leaning down as soon as Tahir got to the end of his bottle.

But before he bothered to pick him up from Tazmin's lap—he held his hands out, which immediately made the widest smile grow on Tahir's lips, reaching out for Vic who picked him up.

"You got him?" Tazmin asked, watching as Vic held Tahir, lightly bouncing him up and down in his arms.

And as soon as Vic nodded in confirmation with Mav—Tazmin suddenly stood from the lounge chair.

And helped me stand too?

"Where are we going?" I asked, briefly glancing behind me at the pool that Marie stood in as she watched the twins slowly walk into the water with our excited son.

"I need your help with something baby," Tazmin said, her voice lowered as she led me into our air-conditioned house.

I furrowed my brows, "Okay," I said, feeling an amused smile grow on my lips as she guided us past the living area and down the hall past Tahir's room.

And as soon as we were in our room with the door shut—I quickly realized what she needed my "help" with.

"Tazmin," I laughed as she trailed soft ticklish kisses down my neck.

My wife only smiled against my skin, "I love every inch of you so fucking much," she said, her hands roaming all over my partially exposed body.

A smile grew on my lips, "I love every inch of you too," I said, now running my hands up her back to untie her triangle swimsuit top.

Which was flung to the side among the rest of the material occupying our bodies.

I was on the bed before I could even realize it—laying on my back with Tazmin on top of me.

She placed the softest of kisses down my neck, trailing them lower between the valley of my breasts as I naturally arched my core against her leg between my thighs.

"Tazmin," I breathed out in the most needy tone, feeling beyond impatient for her to touch me.

It felt like she had suddenly flipped a switch on inside of me.

"I got you, mama," she murmured against my skin, now slipping two fingers past my folds and filling me up so perfectly.

I let out a long deep breath mixed with a whimper, gripping her closer to me as she trailed soft kisses back up to my lips.

And the deeper she kissed me—the deeper she went inside of me, curling so perfectly into my spot.

I nearly arched further and further against her with each stroke, basking in the way she felt inside of me.

"You always feel so good beautiful," Tazmin murmured, nipping at my bottom lip that she later sucked down on.

I nearly whined, furrowing my brows as I verged closer and closer.

Especially with Tazmin suddenly in my ear saying the dirtiest fucking things to me.

"Fuck," I breathed out, digging my nails into the softness of her back as my orgasm washed over me.

Tazmin helped me ride out the intense sensation gathering around me—kissing me and slowly sliding in and out of me with ease.

Until I was left limp under her, breathing deeply with each breath I took.

But Tazmin wasn't done—not when she had suddenly angled her leg over mine and aligned our cores.

I hummed at the warmth of her between my legs, "That feels so good," I whispered to her, guiding her body back down to mine.

"We feel so good," she murmured, slowly grinding into me as I matched her pace.

A drawn-out moan vibrated in my chest, "So fucking good," I breathed out as we continued our slow paces.

That quickly grew faster with our own neediness.

I swear it didn't take much to send me back up to my peak—especially with Tazmin repeating my name with the softest moans in my ear.

It was so wet between us.

A sensation that triggered my orgasm so easily.

Which naturally made Tazmin tense against me, falling into her own orgasm as the wetness between us gathered.

Until we were both left panting and breathing roughly.

Tazmin's body was so warm against mine, resting her head in the crook of my neck as I held her so close to me.

We spent a few silent moments like that. 

Just breathing and basking in the calm silence around us. 

Until naturally we both wanted to go back outside and check on Tahir.

Tazmin made sure to help me tie my bathing suit back on while I did the same for her as she washed her hands.

Everything was just how we left it back out at the pool—except now Marie was holding Tahir in the water.

Which Tazmin and I both got in to play with Tahir, who liked splashing his small hands to make waves.

But eventually, after another thirty minutes, we had to get out of the pool and dry off due to the afternoon plans we had made for just the three of us.

The aquarium was one of Tahir's favorite places, and since it's his day, we decided to take him.

At least once we got dried off and dressed in dry clothes.

But we didn't exactly stay at the aquarium long considering the nap Tahir didn't get to finish in the car over.

He's never really a constant crier—he just cries at the smallest of inconveniences.

So we decided to head back home early, stopping at the grocery store to pick up some last-minute things for tonight's dinner.

The whole family is coming over to celebrate with Tahir and tonight I'm cooking one of my favorite Arab dishes.

Which I was able to get a head start on with Tazmin laying Tahir down for his nap.

Butter chicken and rice were the main dishes for tonight, and then of course I wanted to make a cake for Tahir.

But I focused on the two main dishes first.

I also decided to have some Naan out to heat up for anyone who preferred that.

"It smells so good in here," Tazmin said, walking over to me as I carefully added some of the cooked chicken into the pot of homemade sauce.

I smiled as I stirred the sauce a little, "Butter chicken—your favorite," I said as she ran her arms around my waist from behind and kissed the side of my neck.

"It'll be T's favorite when he can have more than just the sauce," she murmured in my ear which she later pressed a soft kiss to.

"I can only hope so," I said, knowing I liked the idea of him enjoying Arab food.

Tazmin hummed, deeply inhaling as she leaned closer in to me, "He will," she said, letting out a long breath.

I smiled as she ran her hands up and down the sides of my body, "Miss me?" I teased her, turning my head slightly for a kiss.

That Tazmin didn't hesitate to give me.

"Always," she whispered against my lips, "And tomorrow is Monday so you have work—"

"Here we go with this stay-at-home mom topic," I jokingly cut her short.

Tazmin smiled slightly, "I just miss you baby—T misses you too," she said, and she had made a pretty good point.

Tahir always cries when it's time for me to leave.

"Daycare is good exposure for him though," I reminded Tazmin as I added more chicken into the sauce I stirred.

"It is," Tazmin didn't hesitate to agree, "But maybe for a few hours a day, and then you could take him back home."

I shook my head at my wife, entirely amused by this topic, "Ivanna is swamped with cases right now so I don't think resigning would be a good idea right now," I told Tazmin, even if I liked the idea of staying home.

Tazmin would still have stuff to handle in the city, but she's still home often. 

"I completely understand baby," Tazmin told me, giving my waist a gentle squeeze, "Just give it some thought—I know we talked about baby number two."

My smile widened at the idea of a second child, "We did..." I trailed off as my smile somehow grew even more.

"And staying home means you could focus more on family like you've always wanted to do," Tazmin said as she continued resting her head on my shoulder, "You know you don't have to work—"

"I know, but I just—it helps me feel in control," I admitted, stirring the butter chicken as I turned the stovetop down for it to simmer, "Working makes me feel... like I'm contributing or maybe providing for my family, I don't know," I whispered, trying to figure out my deeper thoughts a little better.

Tazmin hummed, pressing the softest kiss to my skin, "Maybe we could figure out how to help you feel more in control outside of work," she said, her voice so soft and warm with me, "Then you could live a softer life without worrying about numerous cases."

I nodded a few times at the idea, "I like that," I admitted, letting out a deep relaxed sigh as I leaned back into her warm body.

"Maybe we could do a therapy session together and figure it out baby," Tazmin said, and I couldn't help but immediately nod at the idea.

"That sounds perfect," I whispered, grabbing the lid to put over the simmering pot of butter chicken.

Luckily the rice was already done—now all we had left was the cake.

But I always save that for Tahir since he likes helping in the kitchen.

So Tazmin and I decided to lay on the couch for a little over twenty minutes—waiting for our timer to go off so we could wake Tahir up.

He would continue sleeping otherwise.

Tazmin changed his diaper while I picked out his clothes that I ended up dressing him in.

I also parted his blonde hair and applied baby lotion to his soft skin—talking to him and exuding positive energy.

After his naps, he's really quiet and focused on waking up fully so I try to get him excited and happy.

And baking is one thing that will definitely help boost his mood.

"There you go," I whispered, smiling when Tahir glanced back at me with a smile spreading across his face.

"Good job T," Tazmin said, standing in front of his highchair as she helped him stir the cake mix.

It was terrible stirring considering Tahir's bandwidth, but that never mattered.

He's happy and it's his cake so he should get to make it.

We also let him ice the cake as well.

At least as much as he could.

He stuck his hands in the bowl of icing at one point which was definitely messy—but it was nothing we couldn't clean up afterward.

Tahir is just really curious—I never blame him for wanting to feel or touch things.

Even if it causes a huge mess or he's not supposed to do it, we just tell him no without getting upset at him.

"That looks so good baby," Tazmin told me as I sat the piping bag down.

I pursed my lips, "I feel like it looks off-centered," I said, staring down at the cake.

I used icing to draw two small baby feet and the words "6 months" under it.

"I think it looks perfect," Tazmin whispered to me, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek as she held Tahir on her hip.

I smiled, "Thank you, baby," I said, glancing away from her when our doorbell rang.

Which naturally made my smile grow wider.

"They're here," I whispered as I lightly tickled Tahir's small stomach—naturally earning a few giggles from him

And his adorable giggles quickly grew as Tazmin followed behind me with him—pretending to chase me as I acted scared.

"Oh no—mommy's going to get me, T," I said, walking faster as he giggled behind me—gripping onto Tazmin's t-shirt.

"Get her T, get her," Tazmin whispered as we neared the door where we finally stopped.

And Tazmin slowly leaned him into me while I pretended to hold my hands up in defense and act scared.

Which made Tahir's giggles grow, reaching his arms out for me so I could take him.

"You're so adorable Mr. handsome pants," I said, kissing both his chubby cheeks repeatedly as my wife smiled at us both.

"He's very adorable," Tazmin said, placing a kiss on his cheek after me. 

And as she leaned away to open the door, I began kissing all over Tahir's soft face, earning even more wild giggles from him.

Which I seriously couldn't get enough.

He's so cute, I can't even fathom it.

"Gi Gi is here," Elena called out as she entered our house with Pierre who held a gift in his hand.

I smiled when Elena briefly hugged Tazmin and then me, taking Tahir from my arms to hug and kiss his cheeks.

I seriously hope his chubby cheeks never go away.

"You're such a handsome boy," Elena began talking to Tahir as Pierre made funny faces at him.

Meanwhile, Tazmin had to open the door again when the doorbell rang a second time.

"We brought T a lemon to try," Vic said as he walked into the house with Marie, causing me to jokingly roll my eyes as I hugged them both.

"He's been waiting for this one," Marie whispered to me before we pulled back from our hug.

I laughed, "Yeah, I know—he mentioned the lemon thing while I was pregnant," I said, shaking my head a few times before glancing past the open front door.

Mav was walking down the sidewalk with Nadia while my sister and Zane walked behind them.

"I want to see T try a lemon!" Nadia said as soon as she walked into our house, "I also downloaded him a new game on my iPad too."

I smiled, watching as my niece immediately came over to hug me, "I'm sure he would love that—just not too much screen time honey," I said, hugging her back.

Nadia nodded a few times, "Not too much screen time," she repeated back to me, pulling away from me to give Tazmin a hug.

A really big hug actually.

I couldn't help but smile as Tazmin lifted my niece up off the ground to match her excited energy.

And the sight alone made me imagine the topic we had previously discussed.

I definitely want another child.

Specifically, a daughter.

Someone I imagined Tazmin, and later Tahir, would be protective over.

"I still can't believe T is six months," Morana's voice suddenly cut into my thoughts, pulling me in for a brief hug as Zane shut our front door.

"I know right," I said, hugging her back even tighter, "It's like I don't want him to grow up but I love watching the person he's growing into."

Morana smiled, "That's mom life for you, Mel," she said, earning a few laughs from me as we pulled away.

And as Zane approached us, I pulled him into a hug as well.

"Nadi was so excited to come over here," Zane said as we pulled back from the hug.

"Yeah she rushed through all of her homework," Morana added, shaking her head with a smile.

I laughed as we walked further into the house with everyone else, "Maybe we'll try to pick her up two times this week from school instead of one," I offered, knowing she gets so happy when we pick her up from Claremont.

"Oh she would love that," Zane said as we naturally glanced over to Nadia.

Who was now getting situated in the living room on the rug with Tahir while the twins sat on the couch near them.

Everything naturally fell into place like our normal dinners do—Elena opened the wine for everyone to drink.

Minus myself since I'm still breastfeeding.

And then we all sat down at the table and ate the meal I prepared.

We also let Tahir try a lemon which was hilarious and cute at the same time—and then lastly, we let him blow out candles on the cake we all three made together.

But naturally after the cake, Tahir grew noticeably tired—which Nadia was sad about.

So I let her join me in his nursery—she sat on my left leg while I held Tahir in my right arm, cradling him on my leg as he fought his sleep.

Nadia remained occupied by her iPad but would glance over to Tahir every few moments, watching as I gently caressed his face.

Until eventually he had stopped fighting his sleep and fell peacefully asleep.

"Happy six months T," Nadia's soft voice whispered as she carefully slid down from my lap and softly kissed Tahir's forehead.

"Happy six months," I repeated with a soft smile, kissing his cheek as I slowly stood up from the rocking chair.

And as Nadia followed me over to his crib, the bedroom door slowly opened.

Tazmin quietly walked into the nursery, carefully closing the door back and walking over to us.

"He's so cute," she whispered, standing beside me as she stared down at him.

I smiled as soon as my wife softly kissed Tahir's cheek, whispering a brief goodnight before I lowered him down into his crib.

And as we quietly walked out of his room, Nadia got Wordle pulled up on her iPad so she could continue playing with Tazmin.

The kitchen and dining room were also already cleaned up thanks to my wife.

Morana and Elena helped as well.

So now I could just relax on the couch beside my wife, talking to everyone as we caught up on everything.

Which felt like a perfect night in my book.