She was asleep on the couch, feet propped up in their usual position, when he got home. He tried to be quiet as he shut the door and set down his keys, but when he looked back up her eyes were on him. She smiled- he had seen that smile countless times, but it still made his heart feel bigger in his chest. He slipped off his shoes and walked over to her, kneeling by the couch. He kissed her lips lightly.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m good, just tired. I’ve been writing all day. That doesn’t usually wear me out, but it seems like everything makes me tired these days.”
He tapped her nose with his finger. “That’s okay. You’re living for two now, right?” He pulled away from her face and brought his lips down to her stomach, which was growing bigger by the day. He put his ear to it and listened, tracing his fingertips in patterns on the smooth skin.
She smiled and closed her eyes, savoring his touch. The baby had been rather quiet for a while, but at the sound of its father’s voice it stirred. She heard and felt their conversation. Just a few more months and her precious baby would have a face she could look at and fingers she could hold.
He kissed her stomach one last time, and then she felt his lips on her neck, her cheek. She opened her eyes and saw that he had pulled away and was looking at her, just looking. She returned his gaze. The light falling on his face through the window lit up his eyes, making the brown lighter and the green ring around the outside stand out vividly. She saw in those eyes everything she had ever wanted, and everything she was about to get.
He put his hand on her neck and lightly rubbed her cheek with his thumb. He came in for another kiss. This one was longer, deeper. Her heart fluttered as she felt the desire flowing from his lips, his hand. She smiled mid-kiss, then gently pushed his head away.
“Baby,” she protested, smiling weakly. “Not now.”
He exhaled, ducking his head. “The baby’s sucking up all of your energy and leaving none for me!” he complained.
She just smiled and closed her eyes, settling back into the couch. He got up and slid in next to her, tucking her into the crook of his arm. She put her head and her hand on his chest, and burrowed into the lines of his body.
“Do you want me to make you dinner?” he asked. She could feel the deep vibrations of his voice in his chest.
She nodded.
“What would you like?”
“Fettuccini.”
“Again?”
“Again.”
He chuckled, and started to pull away. She held him there.
“Not now. We’re sleeping.”
He laughed softly, then bent his head to rest it on the top of hers. He traced his fingers up and down her arm, feeling her chest rise and fall against his with her soft breathing. He looked at her face, the face he had fallen in love with so many years ago, and thought about how far they had come. He remembered how they used to be; fidgety teenagers crazy in love, impatient for the future. It had been so hard to wait, but so worth it. He twirled his wedding ring around his finger as he looked around their small apartment, thinking about their future. Once she finished her new book they were going to buy a small house, a better place than this to raise a child. Some place with a garage and a backyard, and a big kitchen with an island for her. He knew exactly what she wanted—they had been talking about it since their college days—and he wanted to give her all of it. He looked back down at her. Damn, she was beautiful. She didn’t know it, but she was. Maybe after a lifetime together, he would be able to convince her. He could wait.
She felt the baby kick, and she stirred. She put her hand over her stomach, and then she felt his big hand on top of hers. He was always so much warmer than her, and she loved it. She opened her eyes sleepily and looked up at him. He smiled at her and touched her face.
“I love you,” he said softly.
Her heart grew warm, and she smiled. “I love you,” she replied softly.
He kissed her forehead, and then she laid her head back on his chest. She exhaled slowly, making it feel like her body was melting into his. One body, one mind, one love. She listened to his heartbeat, strong and sure, and let it lull her to sleep.
And the world was good.
Melanie C
08 August 2010