Page 119 of Space Balls: Houston, We Have Liftoff
I drop my hands, which have been gesticulating wildly, to my waist, considering him and if he’s being serious or not.
But his expression remains level, so I change the image in my mind to two dogs. “Yeah, two dogs would be better.”
He smiles.
“And I’m going to be super extra about this mom thing.” I get serious again, poking myself in the chest, nearly taking out a nipple. “I’m going to join all the mom groups, facilitate multiple play dates, volunteer at all the schools, and be a contributing member of the PTA.” I raise my hand to strike that last thought. “No, fuck that. I’m going torunthe goddamn PTA.”
“You’ll be a phenomenal president.”
My chest feels fit to burst. “And every night we’re going to sit down and eat dinner as a family.”
His eyes get soft. “I like that idea.”
Carefully, I slide my hand over his hand on the sill, trying to calm down my excitement so I can choose my words wisely. “And you are going to doamazingthings in space and be a father whose kids will not only love but be so freaking proud of.”
His lips press tight like he’s trying to hold back his emotions.
Pressing in closer, I touch my palm to his cheek, my fingertips grazing the hair curved around his ear. “And our kids will tell everyone how their dad’s an astronaut then make you call down from the space station so they can show you off to their friends.”
He clears his throat. “The friends we previously vetted to make sure they’re not assholes.”
I close my eyes, his words music to my ears. “Exactly.”
When I open them, we stare at each other, smiling, all the reasons why we love each other crystal clear in this moment.
But beneath the surface, not quite yet water under the bridge, are reasons for not letting him in.
At least not through the window. Not tonight.
As if reading my thoughts, Vance lets go of my hand. “You better get some rest, okay?” He sniffs. “I’ll see you at the doctor’s tomorrow.”
Though I know that’s the smart thing to do, I’m still reluctant for him to go.
“Maybe…” I bite my lip. “Maybe you should come in?”
I can see his internal debate, the desire to say yes, but, stronger than me, Vance shakes his head. “Thank you, but no.” He rises, kissing my cheek, lowering back to his perch when the ladder creaks. “Let me work on giving you and the baby everything first, okay?”
He’s off to a good start with that answer.
“Okay.”
He gives me one last eye-crinkling grin before dropping a foot one rung down on the ladder.
Reaching up to grab the window sash, I pause. Before Vance gets any lower, I lean out the window, angling my neck to kiss him. It’s quick. Just a peck that touches the upper right side of his mouth. More stubble than lip. But it does wonderful things to my hoo ha.
And my heart.
Twenty-Six
Joint Operations Planning
Vance
“Shall we take a look?”
My eyes remain on the perforated ceiling tile, only dropping down every few seconds to make sure Rose is okay. Up, down. That’s it.
I don’t know why, but it’s like a house of mirrors in here, with one hanging across from me and another behind, making every angle of the room visually accessible.
