When he reached us, he saw the confused look we were all giving him, and he gave us a dirty look.
“What? Why are you all looking at me like that?”
“Where were you?” I asked. He waved his fishing pole at me like I was an idiot.
“I went fishing. Catch and release. What? I like fishing. I used to go with my dad all the time,” he said defensively. Mark just shook his head and chuckled.
“Alright, don’t get all worked up. Just tell someone when you leave next time.”
He put his pole against the camper and came to join us in relaxing with some good beer and good music. Chase offered to go with him tomorrow morning and he was hesitant.
“I’m not trying to teach someone. Do you know how to fish?” Chase rolled his eyes.
“I’m from Louisiana, of course I know how to fish.”
We had some time before dinner, so I offered to take the twins over to the beach to swim for a bit. I asked Mark if he wanted to join us, but he declined. He was cooking dinner tonight, and he wanted to prep.
“I’m making hobo packets. Potatoes, onions, sausage, all smothered in cheese,” he bragged. I kissed him quickly and hurried off to catch up with the twins.
“Sounds delicious. Have fun,” I shouted back at him.
The twins had a blast playing in the lake. I don’t think they had ever been to a lake, or if they had they had been too young to remember. They got a kick out of seeing people pass by on their boats and wave at them. I relaxed on a blanket and soaked up the sun.
After a few hours the kids started complaining that they were getting cold, so we packed up headed back to the campsite. I looked around for Mark when we returned and stopped in my tracks. My stomach did a complete flip.
He was standing with Cleo, her back to me. His hands were on her stomach and his face was lit up like he had won the lottery. I was stuck in place, frozen to the spot. Finally, Cleo turned and saw me. She hurried over excitedly and grabbed my hands. She put them on her belly and looked up at me, her eyes wide and smile even wider.
“Tot’s moving! This is the first time I’m feeling it.”
Mark came up behind me and put his hands next to mine on her hard, round belly.
It took an excruciatingly long minute but finally I felt a little something bump against my palm. I felt three more small but definite movements before it stopped.
“That was amazing. I am so glad you guys were both here to feel it,” she exclaimed and then threw her arms around me, squeezing me tight. I forced a chuckle, but it still didn’t feel great.I think Cleo could tell I wasn’t as excited as her and Mark. She pointed to her belly and rubbed it.
“That’s your baby in there! Little Icarus Lesley.”
“Icarus?” I asked and she nodded enthusiastically.
“Yeah and we can call him Icky for short!” Realizing that she really was trying to cheer me up I hugged her again and thanked her. I shouldn’t ruin a good moment with my insecurities. However, I must have still been acting weird because that night when we went to bed Mark asked me if I was okay.
“You’ve been acting weird ever since you got back from the lake. Do you want to talk about it?” He reached for me in bed and I snuggled closer to him. It was comforting being wrapped up in his warmth.
“I don’t know. I just felt like I missed it. Tot’s first kicks, and I walked up to you and her sharing that beautiful moment together. I just wish I had been there.”I wished it could have been me sharing those feelings with him.
He reached up to run his fingers through my hair.
“Oh baby, I’m sorry. You know it wasn’t like you were left out. She just got excited. You literally walked up a moment after he started kicking.”
I turned my body to face his. His eyes were filled with unnecessary guilt.
“I know. It’s just weird. I’ll get over it. I just wish things could have been different.” He leaned in to kiss me tenderly.
“I know baby. I wish that too. But just think, in five months we’ll get to hold little baby Icky in our arms and he’ll be 100% ours,” he chuckled lightly. I rolled my eyes.
“If that is the boy name she has her heart set on then I really, really hope it’s a girl,” I joked as I closed my eyes for sleep.
The next morning Cleo pulled me aside and asked me if I was okay. She also explained that I was just a moment late, and I didn’t miss anything.
