Here and Now

by Blake Haugen

  “Man, I have no idea what’s in here,” he commented, studying the oak box.

  “Oh, my god! Just open it. I’m going crazy!” Persephone barked and popped his arm.

  “Alright, alright.” He waved her off and opened the box. Inside laid a bejeweled vessel. Vanya raised the object and moved his fingertips over its silver and gems.

  “Whoa, this is really nice. It’s beautiful. Something tells me I should know more about it than that.”

  “Yeah, that’s true, but I’ll let it slide. It’s a kovsh. I think of it more as a symbolic gift. It’s Russian and it’s supposed to look like a bird or a Viking ship. I interpret it as a ship because ships symbolize a journey or a voyage or an adventure or something. That’s what it represents to me – our voyage through life together. There are a few imperfections here and there, but it’s positively beautiful. It’s an antique, too. So, that means it’s old and resilient. We can put it on the mantle downstairs so we see it everyday and think of our great journey together.”

  Vanya examined the object for a few moments before focusing his gaze on Persephone. With care, he placed kovsh on the vanity and pulled her in his arms. “Thank you. I love you so much, Persephone. You have no idea; I can’t put it into words. It’s borderline clinical.”

  Persephone gave a breathy laugh and burrowed into his broad chest. “I love you, too. And I want you. Now.”

  Vanya accepted her kisses gladly. When she moved to pull away his towel he took her hands in his own. “I wanted to ask you – how serious were you earlier when you asked me to give you a baby?”

  Persephone smiled bashfully. “Serious enough that I didn’t refill my birth control prescription this month. My last day is tomorrow, but I’m just on iron pills. I know I should have talked to you first –”

  “No, you know that’s what I want. That’s really best gift you could have given me, and if that’s the case, then there’s one more room I need to show you.”

  Vanya didn’t wait for her response. He pulled her through the bathroom, past the tub to the door by the shower. Persephone had assumed it was some kind of towel closet and was surprised to see Vanya step into a small, empty room. She looked around, searching for some kind of clue. When she saw nothing, she turned to Vanya in question.

  “A very big closet?”

  “Hah, no! I told them to leave it blank because I thought it would be fun for you and me to decorate it together after you got pregnant.”

  Persephone gasped and jumped into his arms. “A nursery,” she whispered through an onslaught tears.

  Vanya carried her back to the bedroom. He settled her in his arms and kissed her passionately. “Come on, Percy. Let’s get started on that journey you were talking about.”

  END

  Thanks for completing Vanya and Persephone’s journey.

  If you enjoyed Full Circle: Here and Now, please be sure you have the first and second books in the series: Full Circle, and Full Circle: Crossroads . This book has been enabled for lending, so please share it with friends and others that might enjoy a good read. Be sure to recommend or review the stories at the site where you purchased it. Reviews are especially appreciated; if you write one, be sure to tell me at blahaugen@gmail.com. I’ll be sure to write a personal e-mail of thanks in return.

  For information on new releases, updates, and more, please visit Blake Haugen’s Amazon.com author’s page.