Wiggling in his arms, I respond to his teasing. “True. But a new year is a new year. A long cycle. Last year was full of surprises. Tomorrow, we wake knowing our baby is no longer a surprise, where I live is no longer a surprise, and we’ll be focusing on nesting and enjoying the newborn phase. See? All planned, and we should celebrate that.”
He kisses my cheek before letting me go. “I’m following along with your logic because you’re carrying our child. I’ll be back.”
I wave my fingers in the air as acknowledgment that I heard him while he disappears upstairs. Meandering to the kitchen, I’m on the search for pink wafer cookies and some carrots because it’s the perfect combo in my book.
Finding the dry cookie in the jar, I snort a laugh to myself because out the window I see pawprints in the thin layer of snow in the back. There is no Jet in sight, but clearly, he escaped and was here. One crunchy bite and I ease into a lazy afternoon. I hear Carter zip down the stairs, and the door shuts right after.
This happens a lot lately since I’ve been teaching less. Minutes where I stop and immerse myself in my surroundings. It’s no longer Carter’s house; it feels like a home. The days are routine, and I don’t mind.
It causes my mouth to etch a smile.
When I was married to Carter, every day was a little spontaneous. There was less structure because I wanted to go with the flow. Now? Some things fall into blocks during the day, and I’m okay with that. It’s actually pretty damn enjoyable.
Puzzle pieces eventually fall into place. Even if there are hundreds. With Carter, we only had a few, but it took a while to lay them out.
We’re running out of the final pieces to place.
And that’s a good sign.
* * *
Vaguely,the heaviness of someone close to me causes me to stir groggily in bed. I’m struggling in an attempt to wake, and instead, sigh blissfully and keep my head comfy against the fluffy pillow for my sleepy slumber.
There is a briskness to the cool air inside the bedroom, but underneath the blankets, it’s toasty and warm. My uncovered shoulders feel warmth now cascading down my skin.
I hum a sound and feel the gruffness of Carter’s stubble. Even with the tip of his nose sensually snuggling against my skin, I refuse to wake fully.
There is no need.
Everything feels right.
His arms wrap around me as he spoons me from behind, and our hands find the spot on my stomach that we always touch when sleep takes over us.
“Happy New Year,” he whispers.
Mumbling something back, I return to my dream.
* * *
My eyessquint open to light from outside. Rubbing my eyes, I yawn and notice that it’s morning with clouds outside, as half of the blinds are raised. I slept heavenly, which explains why the clock says 9:30 in the morning and I’m only just waking up.
The sound of someone in the other room instantly makes me happy because it’s Carter. Using my arms, I begin to sit up on my side. One more yawn, and I realize that I completely missed the stroke of midnight.
It’s disappointing, but a good night’s sleep isn’t half bad either.
Stretching my arms up in the air, I set my feet on the floor and kick on one unicorn slipper then the next. I quickly go to the bathroom and grab a sweater and opt for staying in my pajamas. Before the baby, I loved to chill in leggings and t-shirts, and with a baby, my style hasn’t changed because it’s now a necessity.
The moment that I pause at the door of the small bedroom that will become the baby’s nursery, my entire heart melts all over again.
Carter throws me a glance mid brush stroke, painting the wall. “Morning. Welcome to a new year.”
I laugh. “I missed it, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, I wanted you to sleep, though.” He sets the brush by the side of the canister on plastic covering the floor before he comes to give me a kiss.
Jabbing a finger into his chest, I can’t break this grin that beams on my face. “You picked the paint color without me!” It’s a light beige which makes sense and will go well with creams, but still. “Love the communication on this one,” I say, sarcastic.
“Relax.” He curls his fingers around my pointer finger and brings the pad of my finger to his lips for a kiss. “I know you don’t care, now get the hell out of here. The paint fumes aren’t good for you. I thought I would paint the accent wall that we talked about. I’ve been awake since six.”
