Yay! My concussion is gone! I've been working on this since I last updated, can you believe that.
I wake up to an empty bed. The sounds coming from downstairs alerting me.
We've been married for the last four amazing years. It was just 6 months ago that we realized something was missing in our lives. Something and someone.
Chandler and I began house-hunting just after taking that second pregnancy test. There were no worries or regrets; not with Chandler by my side. We had little luck finding an apartment, with more space than the one we currently owned in the city. Then as the weeks passed and we scheduled our first doctors appointment something came to us. We knew we didn't want to raise this baby in the city with sirens and late night celebrators.
Coincidentally, Chandler knew this great relater that quickly showed us houses in the suburbs. There were houses with gorgeous views of the city, and houses with four stories and a basement where the kids could play. They all had beautiful landscapes in their front yard and a friendly neighborhood. However, the one we were over the hills for was a stylish, two story house with vinyl and brick siding. It had a massive backyard where the kids friends could play all sorts of kickball when they got older. It included a patio big enough to fit a Echelon stacked stone grill island that Chandler fell in love with the minute he laid eyes on it.
It was perfect, inside and out.
Pulling the blankets away from my body, I swung my legs over the bed. Grabbing my robe from the edge of the hope-chest, I put it around my shoulders and push my arms through. Nothing but the scent of a fresh house in the morning as I walk down the hallway; now that I could get use too.
Making my way downstairs, the sweet aroma of coffee takes over my senses. The bitter, yet invitingly warm smell filled the atmosphere, making my taste buds ache for the creamy, smooth coffee I longed for.
Leaning against the door frame I watch as my husband searches through boxes. "Unpacking already?" I smile.
We are officially moved out of our apartment. Unfortunately, not quiet moved in to our new home as boxes sit taped up tightly around the house.
He looks over his shoulder and chuckles "Can you help me find some mugs?"
Walking over I open the flaps of the cardboard box and unwrap a few breakable items to see what's inside.
My belly gets in the way of a few stacked boxes as we search for mugs to drink our decaf coffee in. Coffee was the first thing Chandler noticed pregnant women should be careful about drinking too much of. Nonetheless, he reasoned for decaf. Thank the Lord, because I don't think I can get through the morning of nine months without some energy in me.
"Honey?"
I look over to find Chandler holding up a small teacup for approval.
I nod "That'll work."
We have fun together. Scratch that, we use to have fun. It all stopped around 5 months ago when we heard that first THUMP-THUMP-THUMP. Ever since then Chandler was all about keeping me and the little one healthy.
Watching as my husband made his way to the coffee pot to fill up his teacup before sitting down at the table, I maneuvered my way over to his lap.
"I was thinking I'd start in the family room then make my way to the kitchen." He told me as he kissed my cheek.
Grabbing a hold of his small cup, I bring it to my lips. My nose deeply inhaling the strong undeniable scent of the coffee I was about to devour. "And where do you suppose I start?"
He wraps his arms around my abdomen and sets his chin on my shoulder. "You start by taking a nice warm bath. Relax and enjoy our day off." He gives me another kiss "If you need anything, holler."
"But Chandler..." I protest before being swept off his lap and into his arms making me squeak by surprise.
"But Monica..." He whines carefully lifting me up off his lap. One arm is tucked under my knees while the other holds up my back. "Both you and the baby need to relax. I will take care of everything."
My hands clasp around his neck as I lean in, sharing an intense kiss. Suddenly, I feel him stop in his tracks as he gets into it. "Mmm...I love you." A mumble escapes his lips and I run my fingers through his hair, making this moment more passionate just as he breaks away. "Keep that up and my knees will give in, making us all in trouble."
He leans down to kiss the small baby bump forming "And by all, I mean, you and Mommy." I hear him talk softly to our unborn child. I get the feeling of bats flapping around in the pit of my stomach each time he refers to me as "Mommy". Fluttering butterflies don't even compare to this feeling of admiration that we have towards each other.
I feel the comfort of my bed once again but I do not break the hold I have on him. "Stay with me." I plead for his body next to mine the way it was hours before.
"Babe, we will get nothing done if we repeat the events of last night."
His body comes down to rest on the edge of the bed. Propping himself up on his hands he looks down at me with one leg draped over mine.
"But I miss my husband." Reaching up I trace his features. I've done this to him hundreds of times before. Sometimes in the heat of the moment, when my eyes drift close, I can map out every single point from head to toe with this man. Although, once I close my eyes his head turns and he begins to kiss my knuckles.
As he looks down at me and I look up at him with the same emotion of love running through our system I can feel the baby start to kick.
Chandler looks down when he sees my stomach move slightly. His hand moves from the side of my body to rub the place I was just attacked "Has he been kicking all night?" He asks leaning down to talk in a more softer tone "Have you been keeping Mommy up all night?" Chandler has a feeling this little one will be a boy, whereas I can imagine it being a girl. Yet, we won't know until April 10th; when I'm due.
"Pretty much." I smile "But most of the time just when you're around."
He kisses my bump that keeps us further apart "Well in that case, I better go."
My hormones have been craving for him lately. But he still manages to love me just the same. Last night was amazing. Probably the best sex we've ever had. The way I felt his body move against mine just as I was about ready to explode sent me over the edge. I love him with so much passion it almost hurts when he's away for just 5 minutes. I yearn for him even more than the day before and these feelings are just going to get stronger.
He lifts his body up from mine and I watch as his smile gets wider when he comes back down to kiss my forehead. "Relax." He orders me before pulling away.
As he nears the door I ask him to turn on the bath water for me. With every month that passes my stomach grows even larger making it more difficult to bend over. Whether that task allows to tie my shoes or turn on the water. Either or, I can't seem to do anything anymore.
He bends over to reach the faucet and my eyes gaze over his butt. I'm going to need Phoebe's cardboard cutout of Evander Holyfield because I know Chandler doesn't have enough energy to keep my hormones in line. Not when there is still so much to do before the baby arrives.
"Honey?"
My eyes shot up looking straight into his.
"My penis isn't going to get bigger with you starring at it like that." I realize he is turned around and my eyes were down on his package. He chuckles and makes his way to the door as I bit my lip suddenly embarrassed. Before he leaves he turns towards me with a grin "I love you."
Smiling, I rest my hand where his once was "We love you too."
He grabs the door handle and shuts it slightly to give me some privacy. Not that I need any at this moment in our relationship, but I'm glad he cares enough to still have respect for me in that way.
First thing I do is unbutton my pants, causing them to shimmy down my legs and it doesn't take long for everything else to follow. The warm water envelopes my naked body as I sink into the tub. I watch as the water splashes back and forth over my growing stomach until it's calm. My hand runs over the bump as I imagine the adventures this one will take on in the future to come.
I can only imagine how small he'll feel when I'd hold him in my arms during his first weeks of life. I'll be combing his hair and packing a sandwich in a Jurassic Park lunch box on his first day of kindergarten. I'd recall at every dinner party his nervousness before his first middle shook dance; the way he drinks milk from the carton, no matter how many times I'd ask him not to. This little baby, boy or girl, has a big future before them. And to think, Chandler will be right beside me.
Grabbing the loofah I wring out the water so it hits my stomach gently. "You have the best Daddy in the world, you know that?" I whisper, getting a soft kick where my hand is, in response. Breathing contently I close my eyes and rest my head back against the foam bath pillow behind me. I imagine the future ahead, all the new adventures that are to come and the memories that will be with us forever.
I can remember back to the first ultrasound, the first beat that sent Chandler and I into overprotected parent mood is something every parent will never forget the feeling of. We held hands, never daring to let go until we saw all ten toes, all ten fingers, a head and a full body curled up against my side. It was our baby. Another person to bring into the world, someone that will fill the space that's been missing in our life.
Coworkers, friends, family, neighbors, everyone has been asking what I hope to have and all I can think of is a healthy baby. I don't mind if they turn out to be a ballerina, a soccer player, a football star in high school, or an artist that can't put down a paintbrush. I don't care if this baby is straight or gay. As long as they find love and are happy and healthy that's all that matters to me.
The baby kicking just reminds me of how lucky I am to have found the love of my life.
I feel the tip of my fingers wrinkling as I caress my stomach and I've realized I've been in the tub far too long. But nothing gives me the strength to pull myself out.
I'm relaxed to the point I start to hear music in the silence of the room. It doesn't take long for me to recognize the unfamiliar song and hear it slowly get louder. It's then that a smile appears on my lips. Chandler is playing our song downstairs.
The stillness of the room allows me to hear word for word, bringing back all the memories.
Was in the spring. And spring became the summer. Who'd have believed you'd come along. Hands, touchin' hands. Reachin' out, touchin' me, touchin' you...
Sweet Caroline.
I smile as I hear Chandler shout "DUN DUN DUN!"
Good times never seemed so good. "So good, so good so good!"
I've been inclined. To believe they never would. But now I...
The song gets louder and louder and suddenly I'm back at Rough Trade East Records. Shoved underneath the table in the booth, my knees brushed against Chandlers.
I was thinking about adding more but I figured you all waited far too long!