Merry Christmas Darling

Merry Christmas, darling

We're apart, that's true

But I can dram

And in my dreams

I'm Christmasing with you

                                 ~The Carpenters

Looking out of the office window, he sighed. It was Christmas Eve. But more importantly, it was his beloved’s birthday. As he stood there in silence, the snow silently falling down, he knew it was time for him to go, even though he didn’t want to. It wasn’t fair. Instead of going out into the cold and snow, he would much rather go into the living room or kitchen and sweep her off her feet into his arms, but there would never be any more of that. Never again could he look into her brown eyes and tell her how much he loved her and never again would he have stolen moments with the woman he called his wife. Sighing again, he knew he owed her this much and in silence, he crossed the room, pulled on his coat and left.

~

                Kneeling down, he brushed away the snow from the lightly colored stone that bore not only his last name, but her first name as well as he sighed and laid down a bouquet of the reddest roses he could find. As the snow danced around him, landing softly in his hair and on his face, he blinked away his unshed tears. Running his fingers down the cold marble of this reality, he wondered, he hoped and he prayed, and as he did, a lone tear finally escaped and splashed down in front of him on the stone, and for whatever reason, a quote he had heard only a week before popped into his mind:

If a single tear fell from your eyes into the ocean

And then washed up on some far and distant shore

I would still recognize that teardrop

For in the end that tear would still be yours

                After reflecting on it for a few moments, he knew it was time to go and as he placed a two finger kiss on her stone, he sighed again as he stood. “Happy Birthday my beloved” he whispered, as he turned and headed back for the car. As he started the long decent out of the silent cemetery, he turned on the radio and found a song that matched his emotions perfectly, The Carpenters “Merry Christmas Darling.”

Court Dates, Christmas Parties and Black Jack at Higbee's

Court Dates

                It was her day in court. It was suppose to be his too, but somehow his was being dismissed before it came before a judge, so he was still comfortably dressed and sitting at the funeral home while she was in a suite and wandering around on Public Square with her parents. Butterflies danced in her stomach and she wished nothing more than for the nightmare of her car accident to be behind her so she could attempt to move forward with her life. Finally, the time had come. Walking into the court room, she sighed, as she listened to the other cases presented before hers. So far, so good. Nobody was arrested. Most plead No Contest and got to walk out with fines and court costs. Finally, her name was called and she approached the podium. Saying good morning to the magistrate, she stated her name for the record and listened to the charges against her be read. This was it. She was ready to follow most of the others and plea No Contest, but before she chance to say anything, the magistrate stopped her.

                “You must plea not guilty. Get yourself an attorney. That doesn't mean that this is bad, but it requires an attorney. Step into the hall, and you’ll get the paper regarding your court date.”

All life drained out of her. What was going on? Not guilty? Get an attorney? She felt her life spinning out of control like her car was the night of the accident. She didn't know what to do. Tears danced in her eyes. She couldn't believe it.

~

                “How did court go?” she was asked, as she stepped into her office about a half hour after she got out of court. Ignoring the questions, she went over to the Rolodex and pulled out the card for the attorney. Dialing his numbers, she left messages everywhere she could think of, he hanging up the phone and fighting back her tears. By now, everyone had gathered around her.

                “How did court go?” he asked her, as she shook her head, fighting back the tears she knew were about to be shed at any moment.

                “I need an attorney.” She finally whispered, as he looked at her. “I can’t afford one, but I need one so I’m calling Dave because I don’t know who else to call.” She added, as he looked at her.

                “I can see that, but why do you need an attorney?” he asked her gently, as the tears silently began to fall.

“I don’t know. I was told to get an attorney.” She replied, as he looked at everyone else around them, none of it making any sense to them whatsoever. “But I’m okay now. I need to work.” She stated, but deep down, she figured that he knew she was in no condition to work. Why he allowed her to stay, she wasn't sure, but she certainly didn't do much work.
~

Christmas Parties

                It was nearing four o’clock when he steeped into the office. “Did you still plan on going with us this evening?” he questioned her, as she shook her head.

               

                “I’d like to yes.” She replied as she smiled.

                “I put some fresh towels in the bathroom if you guys need to clean up.” He said, as he looked over at his cousin who nodded his head.

                “I’m good. But she might like a shower just to help relax from this morning.” He suggested, as she looked back at her boss, who nodded his head.

                “I think I would like that if you don’t mind.” She replied as she headed for the bathroom. Turning on the water, she let it run as she got her dress and heels ready to change into.

~

                Pulling her wrap tighter around her, she sighed as she sipped at her martini and watched her boss at a distance interact with the other funeral directors in the group. Lost in her own mind, she didn't notice when he cousin stepped up along side of her.

               

                “How are you holding up?” he questioned her gently, as she shook her head, trying to avoid any tears that may not have been cried out earlier that day.

                “I’m okay.” She replied. “Scared. Dave said I’m looking at possible jail time.” She admitted as he smiled.

                “That won’t happen. I won’t let it happen.” He tried to assure her, as her eyes continued to follow her boss. Taking a deep, long, rich sip of her drink, she sighed.

                “If it does, will I still have a job at the funeral home?” she questioned, scared to find out the answer. Looking at her, he frowned slightly.

                “I can’t answer that as I don’t sign your checks, but I can’t imagine him letting you go, that’s for sure.” He answered, before adding “Why don’t you ask him.” Shaking her head, she looked up at him and sighed again.

                “Okay.” She answered, before she slowly made her way over to her boss. Coming up along side of him, he smiled at her. She looked stunning that evening and a part of him was glad to show her off.

                “So, how’s you’re martini?” he asked her, as she smiled lightly.

                “It’s fine, thank you. I need to ask you something, and now that I have enough liquid courage in me, I think I can ask it.” She said, as he turned and looked at her, surprised by her comment.

                “Go ahead.”

                “If I go to jail over the accident, will I still have a job to come back to?” she asked, and looking up at her, he could tell she was deadpan serious. Placing his hand gently on hers, he smiled.

                “It was an accident. You’ll always have a job at the funeral home. Please, stop worrying about it and enjoy yourself tonight.” He replied, as they were called for dinner. Taking her arm, he led them into the dining room for dinner.

~

Black Jack at Higbee’s

                Walking onto the second floor of the casino, she smiled as she listened to her escorts discuss what use to be where when the casino use to be a popular downtown department store. It was exciting and she reveled in the fact that his first trip down to the casino was with her. Wandering the floor, they soon came to the blackjack tables. She knew he was good at it, and with very little coxing, she got him to final buy in so he could teach her. Standing along side of him, her shawl draped low on her arms, she watched in amazement as he played and won. As the chips started to pile up in front of him, she smiled and stepped back to talk to his cousin.

                “He’s really good at the game. He must have at least seventy five dollars in front of him.” She stated gleefully, glad that he was enjoying himself and not worrying about work.

                “Well he should be. He’s had enough experience at it with the church.” Was his cousin’s reply as she slipped her phone out of her purse and snapped a picture or two. It was the most laid back and relaxed she had seen him in a while.

Stepping back over to the table, she smiled at him.

                “How are you doing?” she questioned, as he laughed.

                “Average.” He replied, as she noticed that he had lost some of the chips in front of him that moments earlier he had had. Looking at her watch, he smiled. “But it’s getting late and we have funerals in the morning, so I’m cashing out.” He said, as he collected his chips and they left.

~

                Getting home, about an hour later, she sighed, as she let down her hair and hung her dress up on her bedroom door, her phone signaled a text message. Pulling them up, she smiled.

Thanks for a lovely evening.

12/04/1989

It was lunch time at the funeral home, and as it had become common practice since her accident the month before, brother and sister were discussing the accident and her car. Sitting back enjoying his lunch and occasionally putting in his two cents, he didn’t realize when the conversation changed.

                “Isn't it the anniversary of your dad’s death?” his cousin and best friend asked him, as he turned to look at him.

                “Yeah it is. It’s also one of my girl’s birthday too.” He shared with the group as they all looked at him. “Dad’s been dead twenty-four years, so that makes my daughter thirty four I believe it is.” He added, before anybody caught him off guard with the questions of how long and how old. “It was a bad day that year.”

                “A bad day?” his cousin questioned, as he nodded his head.

                “Yup. During the night dad started to fail, so I took mom up to the hospital, but he died right before we got there. So I told them not to call the funeral home, that I was going to drop mom off, pick up the cot and come back and get him.” He started, as she broke into laughter and cut him off accidentally.

                “But the hospital was being so efficient that day that they didn't’t listen and called the funeral home.” She stated, before she realized what she had done and looked over at him to apologize. “Opps. Sorry.”

                “That’s okay. But she’s right. So I got back here and came upstairs to break the news that dad had died, when my darling wife tells me that she’s sorry that my dad died. So I ask her how she knows, and she confirms that the hospital did exactly what I had told them not to do, which was call the funeral home.” He finished as his cousin laughed.

                “Is that how we get them to call the funeral home? Have the families tell them not to call us.” He questioned, as everyone laughed.

                “Apparently. So I go and pick up dad and bring him back here. In the meantime, there’s a birthday party suppose to be getting set up so she goes to pick up the cake and a few groceries at the store where CVS is now. While she’s there, she gets robbed and calls me here, freaked out and sounding almost like you did when you called me the night of your accident.” He explains as he nods his head over towards the young girl.

                “If she was half as scared as I was, calling you was the best choice to make. I know it was when I did.” She said as she smiled at him. “Thanks again for coming by the way.”

                “Don’t worry about it. Anyways, so we deal with her purse getting stolen, come back to the funeral home and manage to have a wonderful birthday party. But getting to the party was a horrible day.” He says, as he bites into his sandwich.

                “Well then, lets hope she has a much better birthday then she did when she was turning four.” His cousin replied as everyone shook their heads.

                “If we were drinking, I’d drink to that.” He said with a smile on his face. He truly did hope that his little girl was having a better birthday then the one he remembered so well.

The Accident, Part I

Getting ready for the funeral director’s meeting was his next move on his game plan for the evening, but that all changed when the phone rang. Answering it with his usual greeting, he was unprepared for the panic he heard in her voice on the other end.

               

                “I need you. Please, please come.” All his parental instincts kicking in, he nodded his head, though she couldn’t see it.

                “Where are you?” he asked, as he heard the panic and fear in her voice.

                “Um. West Blvd. and Denison, no wait. Um West Blvd…I’m by the rapid station on West Blvd. Please come.” He heard her voice break. Already pulling on his coat and grabbing his phone, he quickly assured her he was coming, transferred the phones and left. Something was wrong, and she needed him.

~

                Pulling up to the traffic light at the boulevard and Detroit, he saw why she had called. Her precious blue Ford Explorer sat in the middle of the street facing the wrong way. Looking out the window, he saw her near the car, several fireman surrounding her, as she strained to see the silver paneled van in the distance. As the light turned green, he went threw the intersection and pulled into the rapid station parking lot where he parked the van and got out. Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly before getting out, knowing that she was going to need him as level headed as possible. Walking over to the cross walk, he began to survey the damage. Her car was smashed. Not terribly, but the front end would need some work. Another car appeared to be dented, while a third one was missing the front end. As he waited to cross, she final caught sight of him and breaking free ran over to her. She’s walking, he thought to himself. So that’s a good thing. Coming towards her, he reached out his arms as she went right into them, her head resting on his shoulder. Closing them around her, he sighed. She was safe, and his tachycardia heart rhythm could final begin to slow down.

                “What happened?” he questioned her gently as she tried to fight back her tears. She was shivering, despite having her heavy winter jacket on, and that caused him to hold her just a little bit tighter. His only concern at that moment was to see if she was hurt.

                “I don’t know. I was heading to my meeting for basketball. I rounded the corner and the car got away from me. My parents are going to kill me.” She said, still shivering, as he led them back to where everybody was standing. “This is something my brother does. Not me. I’m the good one.” She cried. Reaching the cops he sighed.

                “Are you her father?” he was immediately questioned, but he shook his head. “I’m her boss. What happened here?” he asked in reply, as he was filled in, not letting her out of his sight. As the officer finished, a paramedic came up to her.

                “You okay? Are you sure you don’t want to go get checked out?” he asked her, as she shook her head. All she wanted was a bottle of aspirin, a hot shower and a warm blanket.

                “I’m…I’m good. I’m okay.” She said shakily as he looked at her.

                “Maybe you should go get checked out.” He suggested but she continued to shake her head.

                “I’m okay, really.” She answered, as he smiled, trying to calm her down.

~

                 “You need to sit down at least.” He insisted, as she looked at him. “You’re freezing. Let’s go sit down.” He repeated, as she looked nodded at him, her body going into a state of controlled shock. Leading her back to the van, he opened the door, and she climbed in. Closing the door, she let her tears flow. Standing right outside the door, he sighed, as he heard the faint sounds of her crying through the glass. She was scared, and in shock and at that moment in time, the closest thing she had to a parent. Watching her brother and his friend fix the car enough to drive, he silently climbed into the driver’s seat and lead them to her house. As she finished her call to the insurance company, he opened her door and helped her out of the car.

               

                “Thank…thank you.” She said shakily as he smiled at her.

                “You’re welcome. Go inside, rest. And go to your thing tomorrow and have a good time okay. Don’t let this ruin that. Everything is going to be just fine, alright.” He said, as she shook her head and her brother and his friend led her into the house, one on either side. As they went in, he climbed back into the van and drove back to the funeral home. He had missed the director’s meeting, but he didn’t care. He knew he was needed elsewhere that night.

Christmas Dreams and Driving Thank Yous

It was late, but yet, there they sat, the boss and his young assistant folding and stuffing envelopes for the funeral home’s annual Tree of Remembrance ceremony they were once again holding. As they folded, hundreds of envelopes surrounding them, they laughed and talked and tried to make it as fun as they possible could.

                “Oh, I loved this song when I was little.” He said happily as his favorite Christmas song came on the radio. “I use to play this over and over as a child. Use to drive my father crazy!” He added, as she smiled. She loved it when he shared memories like that with her.

                “My sister had a hard time pronouncing the words when she was little. She learned to talk right around the time my brother had broken his two front teeth and was learning to talk without them. Unfortunately, she learned to talk like she didn't have front teeth either.” She said, as she handed him another stack of stuffed envelops for sorting.

                “So what about you? Don’t you have a favorite Christmas song?” he asked, as she smiled at him over the stacks.

                “Anything by TSO is fine with me. But they have this one Christmas song I like, Wizards In Winter. It’s one of the ones they tend to play a lot on the radio.” She said. “They’ll play it at the concert next month.” She added quickly, as he smiled.

                “Not to change the subject, but have you driven yet?” he questioned her, as she cringed. Driving? There was no way she was ever going to drive again if she could avoid it.

                “No I haven’t. Haven’t had the time or a reason to drive.” She stated plainly as she stuffed a few more envelopes. “Why do you ask?”

                “Because you need to start driving. It’s like that old saying, fall of the horse, get back up and ride. If you don’t, you won’t.” he stated as he looked over at her and gave her a slight grin.

                “We’ll see.” She replied, as she stood up and poured herself more to drink before sitting back down, as a commercial came on the radio regarding Christmas shopping. “How are you on your Christmas shopping?” she quickly asked, changing the subject before he could say any more about her driving.

                “Nope. Haven’t had time between funerals and getting stuff ready for tree. It’s been crazy.” He answered. “I’m one of those last minute shoppers. The one year, I was actually sliding under the gates at Victoria Secret to buy her a present.” He said, as the memory brought a chuckle to his face.

                “Oh? You’re first Christmas I’m guessing?” she asked, as he continued to smile.

                “Our very first one yes. We weren't even married yet.” He said, as he saw her eyes get wide.

                “You’re very first Christmas together, not even married and you bought her Victoria Secret? Sounds like you were living dangerously.” She said, surprised at this side of her boss that she never thought she would ever see.

                “Yup. I bought her a satin nightgown and a bottle of perfume. I was living dangerously back then. Her parents were horrified that I bought it for her. Not the perfume, they were okay with that. But the nightgown certainly raised a few eyebrows.” He said with a giggle.

                “Did she like it?” was the next question asked, as she continued to look at him with a certain look of surprise on her face.

                “She never said she didn’t so I guess so.” He replied, as he went back to working on the envelopes. As she went back to stuffing the envelopes, her curiosity got the better of her.

                “Chanel No. 5?” she questioned, as he looked up at her.

                “I’m sorry?”

                “Was it Chanel No. 5? The perfume you bought her that night?” she asked once again, as he began to think back to that night, trying to remember.

                “Yes, I believe it might have been Chanel No. 5.” He said, as in silence they went back to finishing the job at hand.

~

                Coming into the living room a few hours later, after having dinner at their usual hang out, he sighed, as he slipped off his coat and went into the living room to sit down. Pulling out his phone to put it on charge, it chimed in his hand. Clicking on the text message box, he smiled at the simple two words staring up at him:

Thank you

Pulling up his keyboard he quickly typed his reply:

You are more than welcome

Leaning back in his chair, he sighed. The message meant more to him then he could have ever imagined it would. He had gotten her to drive, her first time, since the accident the week before and while she was terrified, he couldn't help but smile at how grateful she was that he had done that. He knew in time, she would be just fine. 

The Baby, Part II

Bolting up in his chair, he runs his hands down his face as the doorbell chimes for the third time. Looking at the clock on the mantel, he sighs. He’s been asleep for just over an hour. But it’s late, and he can’t figure out who would be ringing the bell at that hour. Standing up, slightly uneasy and depressed that he’s been ripped from the dream, he yawns as he unlocks the door.

“Darling?”

~

The Baby, Part II

“No sir. It’s me. I’m sorry. I woke you didn’t I?” she questions, her arms wrapped around a brown paper bag. Yawning for the second time, he smiles weakly at her.

“No, not at all. Come in. Let me take that for you.” He says, as he takes the bag out of her arms and steps to the side so she can come in. Closing the door behind her, she follows him into the kitchen. Placing the bag on the table, he turns to look at her. “You’re soaking wet!” he proclaimed, as she looks down at her drenched self.

“Yes, I suppose I am.” She answers quickly, feeling terrible that after all his help that evening, she woke him up. “I’m so sorry I woke you up.” She adds as she feels herself blush slightly. “But once I got home, I couldn’t sleep. That’s when I realized that we hadn’t eaten and I was hungry, so I ran out to get something and figured that perhaps you’d like something too?” she questioned him hesitantly.

“That’s very thoughtful, thanks, but not needed. I told you I was glad to help.” He says, as he watches her begin to pull things out of the bag. “But you’re soaked. Why don’t you give me your things, change into your scrubs or something, and I’ll throw this stuff into the dryer. Your parents would kill me if you got sick because of this.” He says gently, as she nodded her head.

“That would be great. I’ll go grab my scrubs.” She answers as she heads for the office, but after a few moments she walked back into the kitchen empty handed. “I forgot. I wore them home the other night. I don’t have anything to change into. I snagged all my other clothes to switch out with other stuff.” She said, as he smiled at her.

“You’re welcomed to see if there is anything in the girl’s old rooms to borrow. I’m pretty sure you all wear pretty much the same sizes.” He answers her gently, as she nods her head once more. “While you look, what can I do to help?” he asks, nodding his head towards the bag on the table.

“If you’d set the oven to three –fifty, that would help a lot. It’s already been cooked, but I’ve got to reheat it.” She says as she opens the door to the first of the two bedrooms. “I should only be a few moments.” She adds, as he goes over and turns on the oven to the temperature she requested. A few moment later, she returns, but still in her wet clothes. 

"You didn't change." He states as he turns to look at her, but she's shaking her head.

"Nothing to change into." She replies. "But I'm fine. I can stay in what I'm in. It's no big deal." She adds, but he shakes his head.

"Not going to happen. Your parents would kill me if you get sick because of this." He says again, as he scratches his head thinking. "There might be something of her's still in my room if you want to look. Otherwise, we'll come up with something." He says as she looks at him surprised. Out of everything she ever expected to hear from him, that was not one of them.

"Okay then. Where in your room should I look?" she asks hesitantly, still unsure of what is going on. Walking past her, he leads her into his room before he points to a dresser near his bed.

"There might still be something in here of hers. Wear whatever you can find until your clothes are dry." He says before heading back into the kitchen to put what she brought into the oven to heat. 

~

Bustling around the kitchen a few minutes later, she sighs as she turns her back to the doorway and begins pour two glasses of milk to go with the baked macaroni she has in the oven warming. Coming into the kitchen, he sighs before he sees the outfit she was able to find. "That dress." he thinks to himself as he finds himself watching her bustling around. It had been a long time since he had seen her wear that dress and he sighs at the sight of her wearing it. It was lovely. That stunning orange that she looks so wonderful in and he can't help but want to comment about it how wonderful it is to see her wearing that again, but before he got to speak, she turns around to look at him.

"Are you alright sir?" she questions him, as he shakes his head. 

"Huh? Oh yeah. I'm fine. What smells so good?" he asks quickly as he realizes that it's not his wife, but the young girl instead. 

"Baked macaroni. I hope that's alright." She answers as he sits down at the table to watch her pull it out of the oven and set it on the table. "I just had a taste for it and Giant Eagle had some made tonight." She added as he smiled. 

"That sounds wonderful." He says as she dishing out a plate for him and sets it in front him before sitting down. "You know, it's funny that you were able to pick that dress tonight." He says, as she looks up at him.

"Oh? Why is that?" She questions him, as she cuts into her macaroni.

"I was thinking about a time when she wore it earlier. We were having our pictures taken for the church directory. Wonderful day actually. That's when we found out that we were pregnant too." He answered, as she looked down at the dress. It was simple and very pretty. 

"Well, thank you for allowing me to wear it while my clothes dry." She said politely as she took another bite. "I'll make sure it gets hung back up before I leave." She added, as she heard the dryer's time go off upstairs. "I should go change. I like fresh out of the dryer clothes." 

"Oh. Okay." He replied softly, as he watches her stand up and walk past him to head upstairs. After she left the room, he sighed. Perhaps his comment was too embarrassing for her.

~

One Week Later

Walking into the living room of the funeral home, the car seat dangling off her arm, she smiles. It's the happiest she's been all week. "Guess who came back to visit." She says in a sing-song voice as he walks into the kitchen and see's her taking the baby out of his car seat. "Say hi little guy." She playful teases the baby as she waves his little arm towards the boss. 

"Hi there buddy." He says as he turns to look at her. "Are you able to do something for me?" he asks her as she smiles at him, the baby now tight in her arms and being peppered with kisses.

"Yeah, sure." She says as he hands her the paper with what he needs as watches her walk into the office, the baby and her smiling. 

~

"It's that wonderful time of the night." She says about two hours later, as she holds a screaming two month old in her arms. "Would you mind again?" she asks, as he sits down and looks at her, a smile on his face. 

"Not at all." He says as she places the baby in his waiting arms and hands him a warm bottle, but even tonight he has a hard time feeding the baby and so the little one screams most of the night. Handing her the baby about forty-five minutes later, she sits in the rocker he brought up for her and watches as she rocks the baby back and forth with hopes of soothing his cries. As he lulls into sleep, she lays him down on his blanket and lays with him, her hand rubbing his tummy. Soon she finds herself dozing along side the baby, and as she falls asleep, he can't help but notice, and now it is his turn to smile and he knows that his comments about her being a good mother are a hundred percent correct. Waking up a few moments later, she stretches as she looks down at the little one, still asleep next to her. Looking up at him, she smiles.

"How long was I out?" she asks softly, as he smiles at her. 

"Not long. A few minutes." He replies, as he helps her off the floor and onto the couch next to him. "Want some more wine?" he asks, as he hands her her barely touched glass. Taking a few sips she sighs. 

"I have no clue what's gotten into him tonight. Its so weird that even you can't him to drink a bottle tonight. I know he must be hungry, but I'm out of ideas here. Advice?" she asks him, but he merely shakes his head. He too is out of ideas. 

~

"He's teething." He says about an hour later, as she walks into the living room. Sitting down on the couch next to him, she looks at him.

"How can you tell?" she asks, genuinely concerned about this. Smiling, he looks down at the baby.

"He keeps sucking on my finger. I've been slipping him the bottle every few moments, but he doesn't seem to want it. But he likes my finger. I'm telling you, he's most likely teething." He answers, as she looks over at the baby and seeing him happily sucking away. "It's a little early, but if I had to put money down on it, I'd vote teething." He added, as she nodded her head.

"I think he's old enough to start teething." She says, as she walks into the office and pulls a book off her desk. Flipping through it, she finds what's she's looking for. "Everything he's been doing tonight would suggest it." She adds as she silently reads the symptoms of teething. "It may seem a bit early, but I'd have to agree." 

"I'm sure his mother won't appericate that if she's breastfeeding." He says as she begins to smile. 

"I never thought about that." she says, as she sits down on the couch and leans against him to look at the baby. "Whose a little cutie pie?" she cooed at the baby, as he smiles weakly. Realizing how she was sitting, she quickly leans back and smiles weakly at him. "I'm sorry sir. I wasn't thinking." 

"No problem. Really." He answers as she smiles at her gently. "He's too cute to stay away from." He added as her cell phone goes off. Picking it up, she sighs. "Oh, look at your aunt." He says softly to the baby. "All business like. We must break her of that, and I think you'll be the perfect one to do that." 

"It was his mom. They aren't able to pick him up, so she'd like to know if we can take him home. I told her that wasn't a problem." She says as he nods his head and hands her the baby. 

"Not at all.I'll drive though. Don't need you to try and take care of him and drive at the same time." He says quickly as she turns to look at him. She wasn't expecting him to drive them. 

"I appericate that, but it's not needed sir." She says quickly, but he shakes his head. 

"Not an option tonight. It's raining and a crying baby can be detracting. I'm driving. That's final." And his tone of voice says just that. Shaking her head, she sighs and together they head down to take the little one home. 

~

Dropping the baby off about twenty minutes later, she sighs, as she climbs back into the car. "Homeward bound." She says jokingly as he smiles. It sounds like a wonderful plan to him. Pulling up in front of her house about ten minutes later, he sighs. 

"Good night." He says pleasantly, as she smiles at him. 

"Good night. You won't be disappointed if I don't show up tonight with dinner will you?" she asks, referring to the last time they babysat. 

"Not at all. You need some sleep. I'll see you in the morning." He says, as she grabs her books and heads towards her house. As she closes the door, he sighs again before heading off alone into the night.   

The Baby, Part I

The Baby, Part I

As she walked back and forth in the living room of the funeral home, her girlfriend’s two month old son crying in her arms, he couldn't help but smile as he thought of the countless times he had done the same thing with his own cherished group.

“Hey, come on now. It’s really not that bad.” She cooed at the baby, attempting to sooth his cried, but it didn't work. The little boy simple refused to settle down. Turning around to look at him, she sighed, and he could see the faint look of panic in her tired eyes. “I don’t know what else to do.” She said, as he smiled at her, understanding where she was coming from. “I've tried everything, but he keeps trying to latch on to me.” She cried, as she sat down on the couch next to him. “He needs to eat, but I just can’t get him to take the bottle. I think it’s because she breastfeeds him, and I’m a woman.” She added, as she looked over at him, wanting to ask him for help, but afraid to. But as the little one continued to cry in her arms, she knew she had no choice but to ask him. “Would you mind trying to get him to take his bottle?” she asked hesitantly, as he tried hard not to laugh, since he’d been waiting for her to ask him for help. Nodding his head, he smiled.

“I’d be happy to.” He replied as she gently passed him the baby and he cradled him in his arms, as she handed him the bottle and watched the baby happily latch onto it and began drinking and she found herself sighing in relief. Leaning back into the couch, she found herself admiring how comfortable he was with the baby. It had been at least twenty some-odd years since he himself would have had a baby this small to take care of, and that thought made her look over at the secretary in the corner of the living room where the lone picture of him and his beloved late wife stood and she immediately felt terrible as she tried to ponder what must have been going through his mind while he fed the baby. Would this bring back memories for him that could cause him pain?

“He’s almost done with this bottle. You might want to get another bottle ready if you've got one.” He said, pulling her back to reality as she turned and looked at him, her eyes scanning his face for any sign that he was having a hard time mentally with all this.

“Huh? Oh right. I’ll go get it ready.” She muttered as she walked into the kitchen to warm the next bottle. “You know, they’re going to be a while yet, and this is the last bottle I have here for him. I’m gonna run to the house and pick up another bottle, just in case. Will you two be alright?” she asked a few moments later as she handed him the bottle.

“That’s a good idea. Take the new van and be careful. The roads appear to be getting pretty bad.” He said in a father-like tone. Pulling on her coat, she placed a gentle kiss on the baby’s head.

“Are you sure you two will be okay?” she asked again, as he looked up at her and smiled. “Because I can always just stay here if you don’t want to be alone. I know he’s been a lot of work tonight.”

“We’ll be okay. Don’t worry. Just be careful.” He said gently as she nodded her head and walked out, closing the door behind her. With a smile on his face, he looked down at the baby. “You've got a wonderful aunt there little guy. She loves you like you were her own.” He said as he adjusted the baby in his arms. It had been a long time since he had held such a small baby in his arms for any length of time. “She’ll make a wonderful mother too some day. You mark my words on that one little man.” He added a moment later as he looked over at the photograph on the secretary. It was the only one he had in the room of him and his beautiful wife alone. Letting out a sigh, he couldn't help but realize just how much he was missing his beloved, and as his gaze went across the mantel filled with photos of their own group, he couldn't help but smile as he looked down again at the one in his arms.

~

After a second bottle and almost half of a third one, he smiled as the baby snuggled up against his cheek and fell asleep in his arms. It again, had been something else that had been awhile since anyone, wife or child, had done that and he couldn't help but smile at the thought of it. Looking over at her, she smiled as she turned away from the program they were watching.

“Would you like me to take him?” she questioned in a motherly-wife kind of way, almost like his beloved would have asked all those years ago. Looking at the clock, he realized just how long he had been the little tike.

“No that’s okay.” He replied, as he watched her smile and snuggle back into the couch to continue watching the TV show. After a few moments, she looked over at him and couldn't help but smile as she realized that both he and the baby were sound asleep. Reaching over her head, she grabbed her phone and silenced it before pulling up the camera and snapping the picture-perfect moment. Setting the phone back down on the table next to her, she sighed as she admired him. How many times at night when he was a young father had his wife found him asleep on the couch with one of their children? She could only figure it must have been hundred’s of times, as she figured he would have been nothing less than a hands-on father. Glancing back to the program, she heard his familiar sigh of him waking up, and out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him shift ever so gently.

“His parents should be here soon.” She said softly, as she saw him frown ever so slightly. Was he enjoying this? Or was that a frown of sadness because he realized that the baby in his arms wasn't his and that she wasn't his wife? Biting her lower lip, she resisted the urge to ask him.

“Okay.” He answered softly, as he yawned and felt the baby stir in his arms. Running his hand up and down the baby’s back, he felt the little one slip right back into sleep. It was an old trick that he use to use on his own and he was glad to see that it still worked all these years later. But he continued to frown slightly as he heard the slamming of a car door and the door leading to his private residence opening. “I think your friends are here.” He said, as she nodded her head.

“Come on in.” she called, as he watched the door open and a very attractive couple walked into the living room. “Hey. How was the dinner?” she asked pleasantly as she began to talk with couple.

“It was boring. I was excited to leave. How was he?” her friend replied, nodding her head towards him and the baby. “I missed him.”

“He was great. I don’t know about him, but I enjoyed it. I took pictures and video. I’ll put them up on Facebook for you.” She answered, as he found himself smiling.

“I loved having him. He’s welcomed back anytime.” He quickly interjected, though not a hundred percent sure that she was referring to him. Handing the sleeping boy to hid father, he waved goodbye. “Thanks for having here baby sit.” He added as he silently watched them put him in the car seat for the ride home.

“I’ll be right up.” She said a moment later, as she followed her friends out the door. As he listened to the mumbled conversation and the clicking of the girl’s heels on the steps, he couldn't help but sigh painfully. He failed at not getting attached to the baby. No, that wasn't right. He was sighing because he had fallen into a fantasy world that he thought he’d never have to come back out of.

“Wish you were here.” He muttered to the photo in the distance as she walked back into the room and closed the door, jarring him from his thoughts.

“Well that was fun but I don’t have any idea how to even begin thanking you for tonight.” She said, as she sat down next to him on the couch and yawned. “I really don’t know how to thank you.” She repeated as he smiled at her.

“Don’t worry about it. Really. It was my pleasure.” He said as he transferred the phones to the answering service before he put his cell phone in his shirt pocket. “Now come on. How about I give you a lift home. Save your parents from having to come get you.”

“That would be super.” She said, as she pulled back on her coat and followed him out the door.

~

Coming home about a half hour later, he sighed as he locked the door and sat down in his lazy boy. He was exhausted and at the same point, he couldn't help but shake the fact that he had come back into reality. He adored the couple of hours he had with the baby and was grateful that she had her friends drop the little one off at the funeral home. But now, he couldn't help but miss the fact that his beautiful wife wasn't there. Sighing for what had to be the thousandth time that day, he stretched out in his chair and listened to the clock chiming as he drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

~

“Sweetheart? Can you grab the baby? I have my hands full.” He heard her call from the kitchen as he darted into the living room to see his daughter crying in her playpen. Shaking his head, he bent down, picked the crying child up and cradled her in his arms, rocking back and forth trying to sooth her.

“Really now baby girl. It’s not that bad.” He cooed at the baby, as he thumbed away the falling tears from her eyes. “I promise it’s not that bad.” He added as he held her close against his chest and kissed her forehead as she settled down. Sighing softly, he walked into the kitchen of their apartment and smiled as he watched his beautiful wife make dinner.

“Did you grab her?” she asked over her shoulder as she picked up a pot and began to pour its contents into a strainer in the sink. Placing a peck on her cheek, he smiled.

“I've got her love. She’s okay. Now, what can I help with?” he asked, as he shifted the baby in his arms so he could place his free hand in the small of his wife’s back as she moved the pot back onto the stove and began to stir in the cheese for the macaroni.

“Nothing, but I’m sorry that this isn't more romantic, but somebody wouldn't let me get anything done today.” She replied as she placed a loving kiss on her daughter’s nose before looking up at her husband.

“Who said mac and cheese isn't romantic?” he questioned, as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in as close as he could before he leaned down and kissed her softly, their hands meeting on her womb where their second child was. “Just being here with you is romantic enough, huh little one?” he asked his daughter, who smiled at her parents.

“Mama!” she squealed, as they both laughed, before she was showered in quick little kisses from her parents.

“You two are so sweet.” His wife purred at him a moment later. “But it’s still so hard to imagine that in just a few weeks, we’ll have a second one to deal with.” She added, as she slipped out of his grasp and picked up the pot once more to begin dishing out dinner. Setting the baby down in her high chair, he took the pot out of her hands.

“Scared?” he questioned gently, as he put equal amounts in both their bowls and then some in the baby’s bowl. Setting the pot back on the stove, he smiled as he pulled out her chair and helped her to sit, before he turned away once more to light a handful of candles he had pulled out to place on the table. As he lit the last one, he put them in front of them, flipped off the light switch and sat down, his hand going back onto her womb.

“No, because I have you. What on earth are you doing?” she asked, as she felt him rubbing his hand gently over hers, her wedding band sliding around on her finger.

“Reminding you of how much I love you and how wonderful you really are.” He whispered, as he placed his hand on her cheek and she turned to look at him, both of them forgetting their daughter and her bowl of mac and cheese. Looking into her eyes, he smiled. “The mother of my children…I can’t help but confess just how much I’m in love with you my dearest.”

“And neither can I my darling. I love you too.” She answered, before her eye caught the clock on the wall. Turning to look at him, glowing from the light of the candles and her pregnancy, she had a look in her eyes that he knew all too well. “Why don’t we put the baby down for the night and then finish dinner in front of the fireplace?” she suggested, knowing that he wasn't about to refuse the offer. Shaking his head, he looked over at their daughter, her bowl of mac and cheese long since flipped over in the excitement of watching her parents in love. Laughing, he picked up the squealing child.

“I’ll get her changed if you want to get the bottle ready.” He spoke, as he headed off towards his office that doubled as the nursery, while his wife quickly and silently pulled together and warmed the cereal bottle they would give the baby every night. After five or six minutes, she walked into the nursery, bottle in hand and stood in the doorway admiring how quickly he had picked up on being a hands-on father. Laying the baby down, an agreement he had made right before she was born, that he would be home every night in time for bed, he covered her up with the fleece blanket his parents gave them for a baby shower present and kissed her on the forehead. “Good night little one.” He whispered softly, as he placed the bottle right next to her before turning off the light and closing the door, the clock on the mantel chiming out the hour. It was later then he had thought. Turning around to face his beautiful pregnant wife, he pulled her back into his arms once more and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “I love you so much right now.” He whispered as he felt the baby kick against the hand that he had placed on her womb. “More than you’ll ever know.” He added, placing his lips gently on hers and began to kiss her passionately before she pushed against him.

“The doorbell is ringing.” She whispered into his ear, as he kissed her neck, leaving soft little marks where he’d been.

“It can wait.” He whispers back, as it chimes again…though not as far off in the distance as it should be.

~

Bolting up in his chair, he runs his hands down his face as the doorbell chimes for the third time. Looking at the clock on the mantel, he sighs. He’s been asleep for just over an hour. But it’s late, and he can’t figure out who would be ringing the bell at that hour. Standing up, slightly uneasy and depressed that he’s been ripped from the dream, he yawns as he unlocks the door.

“Darling?”

To Be Continued...