Page 89 of Skating the Blue Line
Time to change that.
“Yes, do something. The two of us. If you’re up for it.” I give her my best charming smile, hoping that she falls for it.
“Don’t you have practice today?” she asks, reaching for the bag.
I shake my head. “It’s Sunday. Coach decided to be nice and give us the day off, but it just means doubles tomorrow.”
“That doesn't mean you will come home smelling like sweat, does it?”
I don’t shower one time and I get reminded to do so if I even want to step foot in my house.
But whatever keeps the mother of my child happy.
“I’ll make sure to take an extra shower before coming home.”
“Please do.” She says, finally reaching inside the pink bag and pulling out the light pink coat that I put on top.
She looks up at me, shocked that I bought her close. Without a doubt, she’s probably thinking I have a death wish and maybe I do.
“Just go with it, okay? I promise at the end of the day, you won’t be thinking about clothes whatsoever.” I say to her, standing up from the bed and start making my way out of the room. “There’s more in the bag. Wear everything. I have a car picking us up in an hour. So be ready.”
I throw one more smile in her direction and leave the room. Hoping that she does as I say and my surprise goes as planned.
* * *
“What are we doing here?” Chloe asks, in a curious tone, a little over an hour later as we sit on a park bench inside of Lincoln Park.
We’ve been sitting here for about five minutes, watching people pass by and enjoying the sun that decided to bless Chicago on this Sunday in March.
I give the woman sitting next to me a smile. “Don’t worry, you’ll find out soon enough.”
She looks at me like she doesn’t believe me but after a second she gives me a nod and goes back to people watching.
As she watches people enjoy the park, I watch her.
She looks absolutely beautiful and it has nothing to do with the fact that she is wearing the clothes that I bought her. The beauty is all her and if I could sit here all day and watch her, I would. Just like I would spend hours with no end watching her dance.
“That dress looks really good on you.” I say, proud of myself and my early morning shopping spree.
Chloe looks down at the dress in question, running a hand along the fabric that stretches over her stomach and gives me a smile.
“Thank you. And thank you for the dress. It’s beautiful.” She says, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. “You didn’t need to buy me anything, let alone a whole outfit.”
“I wanted to, besides, I wanted today to be special and that dress fit the bill,” I say, reaching over slightly and sliding my thumb against the back of her hand.
“And why is that? What’s so special about today?” she asks.
Before answering her question, I look around the park, hoping I’m able to spot my surprise and sure enough, she is walking towards us.
She’s late but at least she’s here.
“Because my sweet Chloe, today, we are having a photoshoot,” I say nodding toward the woman that is approaching us with a camera wrapped around her neck.
Chloe follows my line of sight and I see her mouth pop open a bit when she see our photographer for the day.
“Photoshoot?” she asks, turning to look back at me with a confused look.
“Yeah, I thought that it would be nice if you got some maternity pictures done. You know, to look back on and maybe show our daughter just how beautiful her mom looked while she was pregnant with her.”
