Page 84 of Gary

Their son, Gabriele Anthony, was born nine months to the day they came back from their honeymoon, on a blustery September afternoon.

The pregnancy was a breeze as Sadie was heard to say repeatedly and the labor itself took long enough to have the very anxious dad, declaring that their son was going to be an only child.

“I am not going through that again,” he told his wife, “I think I aged ten years.”

But he could not get enough of his son and his wife firmly told him that they were both only children and she was not going to do that to their son. “You will get over it. I was the one who went through the labor, and I get to decide when I call it quits.”

Now, sitting around the pool with her week-old baby, she watched in amusement as his daddy examined the swing he hadmade. His next project was a tree house, that he was going to build himself.

“Daddy is being ridiculous, darling. You are not going to be needing that swing for another two years or more.”

“I heard that.”

“You were meant to.” The visitors had come and gone. Graham and Grant, who had surprised all of them by clinging to life could not get enough of his grandson.

“Are you still messing with that swing?” Sharon bustled out with a tray she had taken from Mrs. Watson and placed it on the table in front of the chaise where her daughter and grandson were.

“I want it to be secure.” Giving the rope a good hard tug, he declared it ready. He had told Sadie that he wanted to give his son everything he had never received growing up.

Picking up the towel, he wiped the moisture off his face and arms, before sitting at her hip and reaching for the baby.

“He’s sleeping,” she whispered as she handed him over.

“I just want to look at him for a minute.” Gary cradled his son carefully. After being petrified of the long labor, he had fallen headlong in love with the baby, admiring his creamy complexion and tiny features. His eyes were light brown, more like golden, with the doctors telling them that the color might change.

“Want me to take him inside?” Sharon asked, looking up at the sky. “It looks like we are going to get some rain.”

“And it’s getting windy.” Sadie agreed. They watched as Sharon cradled the baby in her arms and went towards the house.

“How about a swim?” Gary suggested.

“I can be persuaded.” Shrugging off her wrap, she waited until he was down to his underwear and took his hand.

*****

She stretched languidly, closing her eyes in contentment as he rubbed the cream into her skin. He had taken over the task when she started showing.

“You did not gain a lot of weight while you were pregnant,” Squeezing a dollop of cream into his palm, he capped the tube and worked his way towards her hips. Their son was asleep and would be out for the rest of the night.

“Considering that I ate like a bloody cow.”

“Not to mention those cravings of yours.” Finishing, he wiped his hands on the towel he had brought with him from the bathroom. “Ice cream and pickles.” He shuddered as he slid into bed next to her. I still have nightmares about that odd combination.”

She draped one thigh over his. “You did not complain, not even when you had to go to the store in the middle of the night to get me the pickles.”

He chuckled. “I was cursing all the way to the market. You woke me up and reminded me that I was the one who planted the seed inside you.” He shook his head, his arms curving around her waist. “I was ready to kill you by the time the baby was due.”

“I drove you crazy with my mood swings. God! I was such a bitch for the first three months, and you put up with me.” She gazed at him lovingly.

“Even when I contemplated killing you, the love was still there.” He twined a fat curl around his index finger. “There is nothing that can ever stop me from loving you. You, Sadie Allison Moretti have given me everything.”

Touching his scruff, she traced the outline of his strong jaw and stubborn chin. “And you my darling husband have shown me that love does not only belong in romance novels.” Her eyes glistened. “We are experiencing it right here and now.”

“I adore you,” he whispered hoarsely, “thank you for completing me.”

The end…

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