Page 70 of Mia Amata

“In here,” I said. He came into the bathroom, sitting on the edge of the tub. “Hey, beautiful,” he said.

“Hi. I made you a sandwich, it is in the fridge.”

“Thanks, I’m starving.” He went out, bringing the sandwich back in the bathroom, sitting back on the edge of the tub. “Did you eat?” he asked.

I nodded, “I was hungry.”

“Good, glad you ate something. How do you feel?”

“Truthfully,” I said. “I’m exhausted.”

He smiled, “Me too. You wore me out. How about I join you in the tub, wash your back for you, we will relax for a little while, then go to bed.”

“Sounds like heaven.”

He finished his sandwich, getting undressed he climbed in the tub behind me. I laid back against him, sighing. This was the life I had always dreamed about my entire life. A happy marriage with a baby on the way. Closing my eyes, I relaxed while Jacob rubbed his hands up and down my arms. I started to feel really drowsy.

“Hey,” Jacob chuckled. “Don’t fall asleep in here. I might have trouble getting you out of here when you’re all wet.”

“Mmmmm,” I said.

“Come on, Mia,” he said. “Let’s get you to bed.” We rinsed off and Jacob helped me out of the tub. After drying off, he led me into the bedroom. “I’ll be right back,” he said. “I’ll go lock up the house.”

I slipped on a T-shirt and climbed into bed. Jacob was soon back, climbed in behind me, and pulled me back against him. “I love you, Mrs.Vance,” he said.

“I love you, Mr.Vance,” I said. We soon drifted off to sleep.

***

We woke up late the next morning. Throwing on a T-shirt and shorts, I made a pot of coffee, taking a cup with me out on the deck and let Lucky run around. Jacob joined me a few minutes later with a cup of coffee, handing me a plate with some toast on it. “You need to eat something,” he said.

Thanking him, I munched on the toast while we sat there, enjoying the quiet morning. We discussed the trip we were taking tomorrow, and what time we needed to leave to make our airplane in the morning. Jacob took my hand, “You look tired, babe.”

“I feel exhausted, like I could sleep a few more hours,” I replied.

“How much packing do you need to do?” he asked.

“I’m all packed, just add some last-minute things in the morning, like my toothbrush and stuff.”

“Then when you finish eating your toast, I’m going to tuck you back into bed,” he said. I started to protest, but he stopped me. “We have a big day tomorrow with the flight, then the start of the cruise. You will have some jet lag probably.”

“You need to get some rest today while you can. I’ll run Lucky over to Josh and Randy’s house this afternoon. Even if you don’t sleep, you can lay there, watching TV, just relaxing. I don’t want you to get sick or have anything happen to you or our baby.”

“OK,” I agreed, “if you will relax with me for a little while. We have something to discuss.” He looked at me questioningly but didn’t ask. At that point, Lucky came running up the steps, ready to go inside to get a drink. We finished our toast and coffee, so we went back inside the house. Jacob wouldn’t let me do the dishes, insisting he would do them later. We went back into the bedroom; I lay down on top of the blankets. Jacob covered me up with a little throw. He sat on the bed next to me.

“What do we need to discuss?” he asked, looking a little worried.

“Don’t worry,” I replied. “I just think it is time we discuss a name for our daughter, don’t you?”

He smiled, “Yes, it probably is time. Do you have any thoughts as to what you would like to name her?”

I do.” I looked at him. “After I met you, I came up with a name that has stuck with me. I’ve tried to think of other names, but I keep coming back to it.”

“Sounds like it was meant to be. What is it?”

“Jayden Lee,” I replied.

Jacob looked thoughtful, trying it out himself. “Jayden Lee.”