“Well,girlfriend,” he said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, as we listened toour son play beneath the table, “I think that’s what we in the biz call, makingit.”
***
Onenight, shortly after Alex had come home from the hospital, Goose had proposedto me with a replica of the ring that Eric gave to Shelly inThe Crow. Afew months later, we were married on Long Island in my parents’ backyard. Evenat the time, it had struck me as funny, how quickly I wanted to move thingsalong, just for us to feel that much more like a family. Even though, in our hearts,we already were.
Thefirst year or so was a little rocky. We had to distance ourselves so much fromfriends and family, to ensure Alex stayed healthy and out of the hospital withhis weakened lungs. It was scary and stressful, and I feared we would nevermend these broken ties with people we cared for. Then, when Alex had reachedhis first birthday and our restrictions were loosened just a little, I startedto wonder if we’d ever have more children. My body had begun to crave thefeeling of new life and movement, something I never thought I’d one day miss,and I brought it up to Goose over dinner.
“Youwant more kids?” he had asked, and when I nodded and asked how he felt, he’dreplied, “Hell yes. I just didn’t know if you wanted more, or if … you know …you even could.”
Thatmoment made me pause with a harsh hit of reality, because I had never reallythought about it before. I had known it was possible, but I hadn’t really takenthe time to wonder if my body could even carry another baby. And when I went tothe OB/GYN for an exam, I found that his question was indeed our reality.
Iwas strongly advised to never carry another baby. And just as I had cried andmourned my old life when I found myself pregnant with Alex, I cried and mournedthe thought of never being pregnant again.
Buteven despite the heavy blow to our hearts, we weren’t unhappy. Because we had agirl who was our world, and a boy who was our universe, and between the two ofthem, we realized we already had everything.
***
“Hannahgot him to sleep,” Goose said, as he entered the kitchen. “He just laid down,cuddled up to her, and was out,” he snapped his fingers, “just like that.”
“He’sjust happyshe’s here. Tomorrow night, he’ll berefusing to go to bed again,” I laughed.
“Yeah,you’re probably right about that, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy thisright now.”
“Oh,yeah?” I asked, smirking as I put the dishes away. “And what do you suggest wedo?”
“Well…” He invaded my space with the scent of his skin and heat of his body, beforewrapping his arms around my waist. “Ithasbeen a while since I did this…” His mouth dipped to my neck and he kissed me gently behind the ear. “Or this…” His kisses trailed further down and to my shoulder, where he opened hismouth and kissed me with a passion that had nearly been lost in sleeplessnights of toddlers and writing.
“Oh,yeah, ithasbeen a while,” I agreed, leaning back against his chest, totip my head and grant him better access.
“Ithas,” he muttered, his lips moving against my neck as he spoke. “You think westill remember how to do this?”
Laughing,I shook my head. “Nope, definitely not. I think I might need to take a coupleof classes before we try. Do you think the library offers any?”
Goosechuckled in the way I had always found contagious. “You know, they might. Maybeyou should ask that old dude Alex likes.”
“Oh,God. The one who does the kids’ crafts?”
“Yeah,that’s the one!”
“Chip?!”I squealed, giggling wildly.
“Oh,right! Yes! You know that guy’sgottabe freaky asfuck.”
Iturned around in his arms, swinging my arms around his neck. “I do not want tobe responsible for his heart attack, thank you very much.”
“Well,then, if you won’t let me ask, we should definitely do our own research,” hesaid, speaking in a low, sensual growl, before leaning down to kiss me hard onthe mouth.
Withhis arms wrapped tight around my waist, Goose effortlessly lifted me onto thekitchen counter. As his hands moved to the waistband of my sweatpants, mineworked at the drawstring on his plaid pajamas. We made out feverishly, kissingas if we were in a race against time. With a needy groan, he pulled at my pantsas I yanked his down, revealing his boxers.
“Oh,God, stop!” Hannah exclaimed, as she wandered into the kitchen and shielded hereyes with her hand. “You do have your ownfreakin’room, you know.”
Goosesighed, keeping his eyes on me. “Should I mention that weownthiskitchen?”
“ShouldI mention that we alleatin this kitchen?” Hannah fired back, openingthe fridge.
“Iguess we shouldn’t tell her what we’ve done against that fridge,” he whisperedloudly, waggling his brows as he pulled his pants back up.
“Stopit, Dad!” she groaned, grabbing a bottle of water. “God … I can’t wait to leavefor college.”
