by Tia Lewis
Husband and pregnant wife sat side by side on the couch. Tess put her hand on my knee, and I laid my hand on top of hers. For a long time we just sat there, Christmas lights shining on us.
“Another year,” Tess smiled.
“Another year,” I repeated and then Tess squealed.
“He’s kicking again!”
“Really!” I placed my hands on my wife’s stomach. Sure enough, the little guy was kicking.
“Kevin,” Tess muttered.
My eyebrows shot up, and then I smiled warmly into my wife’s face.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
She reached forward and cradled my face, her fingers warm and soft against my skin.
“The only thing I’m more sure of, my bodyguard, is that I love you more than life itself.”
“Come on, Tess,” I laughed, but I was touched. No denying that. “You’ll make me cry.”
Kevin, I thought, as the baby kicked again.
“Till death, Tess?” I said, grinning at the bump, my son.
“Till death,” she said, leaning forward and kissing me on the forehead.
I let the kiss linger, feeling the warmth of it on my forehead, and then I sprang away from the couch, leaping to my feet. Tess let out a squeal, half-excitement, half-fear, and I turned to her.
“Tess,” I said. “I almost forgot, I have something to show you.”
“What is it?”
“Just come here!” I grinned, taking her by the hand and lifted her off her feet.
I carried her through our house and to the staircase. A photograph of the two of us on the beach in summer sat on the wall in the hallway; along with the positive pregnancy test which I had framed to Tess’ disbelieving giggles. Tess’ pieced together painting that her mother gave her and the portrait of Mr. McGreevy and me that I kept from Mrs. McGreevy’s apartment also hanged on the wall.
“Are we doing some DIY exercise?” Tess smiled. “I don’t think I have the energy for that, not this far along.”
“I wouldn’t do that to you, now, would I?” I arched my eyebrow at her. “When have I ever led you astray?”
She rolled her eyes: Do you really want to go there?
My grin got wider as I carried her up the stairs.
“You know when you were out today, shopping?”
“I know, I know. I’m trying to cut back but it’s for the baby,” she shot back, her eyes sexier than ever, but somehow motherly at the same time.
I loved that.
“Well, look,” I said, carrying her to the doorway at the end of the hall, Kevin’s bedroom, whenever the little hero decided to show up. I opened the door and switched on the light.
Tess peeked under my arm, and then let out a gasp.
I had started work on it at nine o’clock this morning and had not stopped until four, just before Tess returned from the town.
The walls were lined with wallpaper depicting adventure scenes: knights wielding jousting spears charged across the walls; pirates climbing ropes on ships thrown about by the ocean; a rabbit with eyes bigger than saucers leaped comically into the air. The walls were painted pristine blue, as though done professionally. And I had hung a spinning light which shone stars onto the ceiling when turned on. In the corner, the baby’s crib was assembled, sanded smooth, and smelt fresh and clean. A small box sat in the corner which contained all kinds of toys… toys which I couldn’t wait to show to my son. Finally, there was a changing station, attached to the wall with a bracket, which folded down; and next to the station there was a diaper genie.
“I’ll even help change the little guy,” I smiled.
I carefully placed Tess on her feet, and she walked into the nursery room, turning in a circle. I reached around, flicked off the main light, and turned on the stars. Suddenly, a flash of starlight filled the room. A thousand stars danced across the ceiling.
When Tess turned to me, I saw that she was crying.
“You’re going to make an amazing father,” she said through the sobs. She danced with me and then threw her arms around my shoulders. When she kissed me on the cheek, her tears touched my skin. “Amazing.”
“Do you think so?” I asked, voice unsteady. I gripped my wife close to me, as though afraid she might float away. But she won’t, I thought. We’ve made it. We’ve really made it.
“Look at all this,” Tess said. “I love you more than anything.”
“I love you, too.”
She pressed her lips against mine. I took in a deep breath, inhaling my wife’s rose perfume, feeling her warmth, standing under the starlight which would be one day soon will look down upon our child… Kevin.
I was happy. Something Liam, The Animal, the hitman never thought I would be.
