We finish breakfast and move to the living room where we watch a movie.
“I can’t believe how similar our tastes are.”
She comments on it because we keep pointing out the same movies at the same time. It’s something small, but it confirms we’re compatible. It’s another confirmation she’s the right woman for me.
Since there are only cameras in the hallway outside the indoor swimming pool, I convince her to go skinny dipping with me. It’s a repeat of the last time we swam together. I know eventually the novelty and newness of being able to fuck whenever we want will wear off, but for now we’re insatiable. When we finish swimming, I think about what else we can do after lunch. I’ll suggest board games since she noticed several she liked on a shelf beneath the TV.
I know it’s much easier to pass the time and enjoy this house with a large family since there’s always something to do and someone to hang out with. But we both enjoy the solitude. We have nothing we must do after the games, so we nap. I know mine is a lifetime of accumulated exhaustion since I never ever nap.
The constant stress and adrenaline of the past two days are probably affecting Flora. Even when we’ve been relaxed, there’s the ever-present knowledge there could be a credible threat at any moment. That’s exhausting. Plus, we’re not sleeping much at night considering we wake each other at least twice for sex.
The day isn’t creeping by, but we have a couple hours of daylight left before dinner. I ask her whether she wants to go outside for a while. We bundle up, and I take her out on the snowmobiles.
“We can’t go too far from the house, little one. But we can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.”
“That would be nice after being inside all day.”
“There’s a second garage door that leads to a path that can be our escape route if we need it.”
“I spotted it from the window yesterday. It’s steep.”
“It is, but I’ve ridden snowmobiles along it for years.”
We head down the mountainside. Flora’s riding behind me since she’s never been on one before. They’re like jet skis, which she’s been on plenty of times apparently, but they’re not exactly the same. I’ll give her lessons another day. For now, she laughs and squeezes my waist, enjoying the speed. I don’t go as fast as my father andtíostrained me to since this isn’t an emergency escape.
It’s just a joyride. Our cheeks are red from the wind and excitement by the time we get back inside. We shower together, but surprisingly, no sex, just plenty of kisses and long embraces. Then we cook together again. It’s a good thing we both enjoy thissince it’s more time we can spend together. All this togetherness could be stifling.
I know we’ll wind up wanting to do things apart even while we’re here. It wouldn’t be healthy for us to spend every single minute together no matter how much we enjoy each other’s company. But for now, we want to do most things as a couple.
I wake up to an empty bed, but I can see the light shining underneath the bathroom door. I roll over, but I’m only dozing since I’m waiting for Flora to get back in bed with me. As the minutes tick away and I don’t hear the shower, the faucet, or the toilet, I get nervous. I knock on the door.
“Flora, you all right?”
She opens the door, her face pale, and tears brimming in her eyes.
“What happened? What’s wrong? Do you not feel well?”
I have a lifetime of training and practice controlling any hint of panic. It all goes out the window.
“I’m all right.” She’s speaking and shaking her head at the same time. That’s hardly reassuring.
“Baby girl, what’s the matter?”
She looks over at the counter where our toothbrushes and toothpaste stand.
“Pablo, I don’t know how I could’ve forgotten, but I don’t have my birth control pills with me. I’ve taken them every day for fifteen years. Somehow, I completely forgot over the past three days.”
A tear tumbles down her cheek as I pull her into my arms.
“I know I should probably be okay, but that’s certainly no guarantee.”
“Flora, nothing but abstinence is one hundred percent guaranteed. I’ve told you before that I’ve never come inside another woman. That hinted at the risk I know we’re both taking. If I didn’t see a future with you that could include kids, I would never have done that.”
“Yeah, but you thought I was on birth control. I told you I was.”
“I know, but I also knew there was always a chance.”
“Pablo, what if I am pregnant?” She pulls away from me, wanting to look me in the eye.
