He stepped into his dressing room and grabbed his knapsack, pulling from it a large fabric package.“The one victory that I did manage in London was recovering a few things left in Spain.I thought I recognized a few of your belongings...and your father’s.”
Tears instantly filled Ana’s eyes, causing their near-black depths to sparkle in the light.
“Darling, don’t cry.You haven’t even seen what I brought you yet.For all you know, it could be a broken shoelace.”
“I do not care what you bring me.I only care that you feel it was so important to remind me of my countryprecioso..”
Peter held out the knapsack, expecting her to grasp at it with eager hands, but she pushed it aside, instead reaching for him.Her short arms wrapped around him as she touched her chin to his chest, tilting her face up to him as tears trickled down her cheeks.
“Gracias, Pedro.Muchísimas gracias.”
She then rose on her tiptoes, puckering her lips, their rosy bow and curve enticing him.Peter more than happily obliged, lowering his lips to hers in a quick, innocent kiss...which turned into a number of quick, innocent kisses.And although they were brief, they still sent sparks coursing down Peter’s spine.The flush that rose on Ana’s cheeks and neck indicated that she had enjoyed them as well.His wife was beautiful.But she was downright irresistible when she was freshly kissed.
He helped Ana to settle onto the sofa once again and joined her as they sorted through the knapsack.Her clothing hadn’t been recovered, and neither had her father’s, but he’d managed to gather a number of items that he thought would be valuable: A collection of maps and journals in various languages, tied with a strip of thin leather, a quill still pressed between some of the pages.A well-worn Bible, its Spanish wordinglong-faded from the front.A length of black Spanish lace pinned with a single pearl earring, carefully preserved from the dusty, day-to-day life of a siege.Perhaps they had been her mother’s?Her father’s pistol, dented and empty but still preserved with intricate carvings of Spanish flair.His war medals that had been attached to his formal uniform.It seemed the jacket itself had been confiscated, but the medals had been sent along in hopes of finding his remaining family with the rest of the items.Lastly, he had recovered a miniature of Ana and her mother—a rather outdated one.Ana had still been a child.He wondered why she would insist upon carrying such an old painting with her.
When he’d been questioned regarding his claim to the items, he insisted that he had connections to their family members and would ensure that the treasured items reached them.It had seemed believable enough, apparently.And Ana was certainly mighty pleased.She had pressed each of them to her heart, if not her lips.She touched the Bible reverently, tears welling in her eyes.The lingering, wordless looks that she sent Peter throughout the process would be seared in his memory forever.It was not just gratitude that shone in her eyes but peace.Healing.
Peter reached for the Bible that still lay on her lap.
“I was particularly eager to recover this one.I know it may not have been your father’s, but I thought that we might take up our studies of the holy word together.It would help bring us some peace, I hope.And perhaps it would even prove an aid to my sorry Spanish.”
“I love this idea so much,” Ana said, “What a privilege it be to study with you.”
“Well then, it is settled.I have made a habit of reading in the mornings.Unless another time would please you?”
“Está bien, if I still take mysiestalater,” Ana said with a smile, humor shining in her eyes.
“Of course, I wouldn’t deny you of your precioussiesta.You are doing a hard work, carrying and growing this little child.”Peter nodded at her growing form.“Now, I hoped that today we might celebrate some of the traditions that we missed while I was gone in London.”
At his words, Ana leapt to her feet and hurried to the door that adjoined their rooms.
“Do wait, before it starts—I as well have something for you.A gift ofla Navidadeven if it may beun poco tarde.”
“Ana, you needn’t gift me anything, really.”
“But you have given me so much.”Her voice cracked, and her still-wet eyes filled with tears again.“You have given metodo.I don’t know how to thank you for how you save me.But I can give yousorpresas...surprises and presents.”She giggled and sniffed hard at her tears.Her roundness bumped into the door’s edge and she laughed harder now, the sound echoing in her rooms.Clearly she was not used to her growing shape.
Peter felt a rush of pride filling him like a deep breath after a long training exercise.It took his breath away.Shetook his breath away—even if he had to remind himself time after time that he was not properly the father of the babe growing inside her.Just when he thought Ana could not look any more stunning, she started to show lovely signs of becoming a mother.He would have to be careful, as her rounded, growing figure was one that he found to be most alluring.Perhaps they would be having many more children than he had intended.Peter chuckled wryly.It was shocking how comfortable he felt with the notion of becoming a father, even repeatedly, when he had discounted the possibility from his future for so many years.He would simply have to avoid pondering what he and Ana would have to do to ensure that more children were born into their family.He pulled at his waistcoat, all the layers he was wearing suddenly feeling quite restrictive and much too warm.
A moment later, Ana returned, her eyes bright, and her hands hidden behind her back, revealing her rounded middle in a most advantageous manner.
“Thisregalois not only for you.”
“Ah, did you buy a present for us both?”Peter smiled more widely, his imagination already expanding as wide as the sky.
“Para mí, no.It is for you and for our child also.”
“Children,” Peter added, feeling strangely bold as he settled his hands on her waist.
“Sí, children.Hijos.”A reddish blush raced up her neck and cheeks, begging him to kiss the flushed surfaces.She squeezed his hands and then raised them up in front of him, palms upward.
“I am even more excited to receive it than before.”
“Cierra tus ojos.”
Peter obliged, shutting his eyes.Pressed into his hands were a number of oddly shaped objects that felt strangely familiar.“Are these...”He couldn’t keep his eyes closed any longer.
Knuckle bones and dice.One of his favorite childhood games.
