Too-Cute Couple

Too-Cute Couple

Russell laid on his side with his hand propping up his head as he gazed at his beautiful sleeping wife, Chrissy. After nearly five months of waking up next to her, he still couldn't believe how much she blessed his life. As the newly risen sun peeked in through the blinds, he thought back to the sunny April day he bent down on his knee and surprised her with his proposal in the midst of 299 other couples all saying 'I do' in the four minutes of the total eclipse. Always so sensible and stable, she surprised him when she said yes and its been sunny days ever since no matter what the weather.

With his hungry eyes he traced the spaghetti strap tan line over her golden shoulder as it dipped to the porcelain white of her slightly heaving bust line reminding him how tempting she looked in her bathing suit all summer during outings on the boat or at the lake beach. With their teaching jobs on the horizon those days have come to an end for the year.

Unable to keep his hands off of her, he bent to gently plant a kiss on her forehead. The breezy scent of her shampoo lingered as his fingers roamed downward over the swell of her enlarging breast and then tenderly rubbed her barely noticeable baby bump. His heart leapt with joy about the same time he felt a barely discernible heart beat there. Anticipation was high wondering if it's a bouncing boy or a girl looking exactly like this beauty before him. Luckily, today Chrissy's nana, Anna, was planning a gender reveal party for them to be held at the annual neighborhood block party.

Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled up at him. “What do you think you are doing?”

“Waking up my family. We have a busy day planned on this the last holiday of the summer. We can't waste another minute sleeping it away.”

“Well, looks like part of you is interested in languishing a little longer under the sheets.”

“Oh, that? It's my normal reaction anytime I touch you. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.”

She stretched up and whispered in his ear, “Do that thing you do so well to me.”

“Won't that hurt our little jellybean?”

“Be gentle.” She nibbled on his ear lobe then searched out his lips and the game was on.

!o!o!o!o

By the time they took a quick shower together, dressed and headed downstairs, Anna was sitting at the table on the back veranda with fresh coffee.

“You two are glowing this morning. There's fruit and fresh danish to go with the coffee, if interested. Thought breakfast should be light. Overeating will be in order the rest of the day.”

“Thank you, Nana. Did I mention the Conovers will be coming to the party? Nora hints she has some news for me.”

“That should be about your novel, right?”

“I hope so. Maybe its making some sales.”

Russell came up behind her with coffee. “Want danish and fruit with this?”

“Sure, thanks so much!”

He pecked a kiss on her temple feeling the silk of her fair hair, “No problem, anything for the mother of my child. And you do look marvelous.”

“All my clothes are getting tight on me. I feel like a hot air balloon ready to burst!”

“Child, you aren't even showing yet. Wait until Christmas time when your due date is near. Then you'll have some complaining to do.”

Russell joined them with the breakfast offerings. “We need to decide how long you are going to keep working. You're not going to be able teach all year.”

“The administration knew that when they agreed to let me start. They will find a substitute when I can't continue.”

“You know you don't have to start at all. We can make it on my teaching salary alone. Especially when your romance book becomes a best seller. I still have royalties coming in from my YA fantasy series, too. You could spend all your time on a sequel while waiting for the stork's arrival. Right? Ten-year-olds can be draining. You need your energy for our little one.”

“We already talked about this. It's too late to back out now. Besides, we may want to look for our own house soon. We can't keep imposing on Nana.”

“You are never imposing on me. I have been doing some thinking of my own. This cold climate takes it toll on me every winter. I was hoping I could sell you kids this old Victorian that has been in our family for generations and I can find a condo in the south somewhere. I have been looking on the web and have found some nice options.”

“Oh, don't let us drive you out of this house you love, Nana.”

“You wouldn't be. You need your own place now you have a family started. I need someone to buy the house, at a family discount, of course. To tell the truth, I have been corresponding with an old friend who moved to Arizona a few years ago and he has been singing the praises of his retirement complex. It may be a win-win for all.”

“We would miss you terribly and you wouldn't get to spoil the baby.”

“I have heard they have things called airplanes that can whisk someone away in hours and they even go both ways! So that is no excuse. And with ZOOM we can talk anytime.”

“Wow! Sounds like you are serious and have put a lot of thought into this idea already.” Russell complimented. “You got honorable designs on this fellow?”

“Would it be so surprising if two old friends may want to build a life together?”

“Oh, Nana! We would be so happy for you! We would miss you but want you to grab all the life you can! Why not! We are now we have found each other.” Chrissy leaned over into Russell's shoulder.

“Can you believe it? About nine short months ago we couldn't stand talking to each other even though we worked at the same school. Then that whole drama with sweet five-year-old Carlson needing someone to watch over him until we located his parents. And his parents being the publishers I needed to get my novel launched. Now we are about to become parents ourselves. What a rush! And with the man I never would have envisioned for myself!”

“Now she can't keep her hands off of me! Didn't you teach her any decorum?” Russell grinned as Chrissy clung to his muscular black bicep.

Chrissy pulled his torso closer and reached over for a quick peck on his cheek but he was faster and lifted her over onto his lap and started tickling her unmercifully. Laughing, she wriggled and squirmed trying to escape.

“Careful. You're going to upset the table. You two either need to head back up stairs to finish what you are starting or gather your senses and help me get this perfect day rolling.”

“Sorry, Nana. You're so right! Shame on us for being so much in love and flaunting it in front of you. But you see what I must put up with.” She playfully pushed the perpetrator away and bounced up to give her grandmother a bear hug.

Suddenly, Chrissy doubled over clutching her midsection in pain. “Ooh. Ooh.”

“Quit with the dramatics, My Dear.”

“No, Russell. Something's wrong. She's bleeding. Call 911.” Anna insisted.