Page 140 of Stage Dive: Short Stories & Novellas
“That would be great.”He wrapped his arms tight around me.
I rested my head against his shoulder and breathed in the warmth and familiar scent of his skin.Because it was totally okay to hide from the world with my husband for a minute.We were together.We were good.
“Are you crying?”he asked, tone bewildered.
“Hush.”I slapped a hand over his mouth.“Like I said, these last few days have been a lot.And then there’s the hormones.Crying is like my hobby now.”
With care, he removed my hand and pressed a kiss to the top of my head.“Love you, baby.We’re going to get through this.”
“We will,” I agreed, sniffling.“We definitely will.”
“Do we really need a heli-pad and a cigar room?”I asked, sipping on an OJ.
David sat strumming his guitar with our son lying beside him on a rug.And the baby was staring at him (or the general vicinity from where the sounds were coming) with wonder.It was gorgeous to see.
The last few weeks had been a bit easier going.With Jude helping and David and I both going to therapy, life was calmer.He was now one hundred and ten percent committed to our family.We talked a lot and hugged a lot and generally made more of an effort with each other and our small family.I was even getting better at putting the baby to sleep.My swaddling skills were second to none.I’d also started working out how to express milk so I could go into work for a few hours now and then to deal with any big issues.Also to feel like I did still have a life outside the home if I wanted one.Energy levels permitting, of course.Fortunately for all, the café had excellent staff.And lining up some houses to look at next week with a real estate agent was kind of fun.Much more fun than talking about diapers and so on.Moving was big, but I thought we could work it out so things went smoothly.
Mal scrolled through properties on his cell.“Are you crazy?You definitely need a cigar room.”
I gave him a look most skeptical.
“If you two are going to abandon me, you’ve got to make it worth it.”
“I wonder if this is really all about you,” said Anne, tone contemplative.
“Pumpkin.”He shook his head.“That is not being supportive.”
We were hanging out at Lena and Jimmy’s house for a change of pace.Apart from medical appointments, it was the first real outing we’d attempted.Leaving the apartment for a while was great.Even if we did bring everything including the kitchen sink.The contents of the baby bag covered all seasons and weather eventualities and the baby’s next four stages of development.Roughly.It was nice to get almost everyone together.Ben, Liz, and Gibby were currently vacationing in Fiji.Lucky them.
“You don’t want to build?”asked Lena.
“It would take too long,” I said.“And I don’t really feel like we have the energy right now.”
“Fair enough.”
Anne lay on the opposite sofa.“You can always build later if some design in particular appeals to you.”
The twins and Tommy sat on the floor nearby, gazes glued to the TV.Some super puppy show was on, and they were beyond absorbed.Guess we had all of that in front of us.
Jimmy carried in a large charcuterie board loaded up with crackers, fruit, meats, and cheeses.“Eat, people.”
“Time to wash hands,” said Lena, rising to her feet and corralling the children into a nearby bathroom.They went somewhat reluctantly.
“How about a karaoke room?”asked Mal.
“Not necessary.”David plucked out a melody.“Hey, I think he just smiled.”
“Probably gas.”
“He likes the music,” I said, craning my neck to see.“It does not surprise me at all that his first smile would be about his daddy and a guitar.My child has excellent taste.”
“Four weeks is a little young, but who knows?”Jimmy sat on the floor on the other side of the baby.
“He didn’t smile ‘til I played Led Zeppelin.”David smiled.“My son is a born rocker.”
“You’ll definitely need a library,” said Anne.“A butler’s pantry would be great too.”
“And his and hers walk-in closets are a must,” added Lena.“If we’re making a list.”
