My alarm goes off and I hop off the treadmill. I hate waking Donna up this early on a Sunday, but she made me promise. She'd rather I wake her up than an alarm clock. She and Helen are making the campaign rounds this morning. They'll be hitting several Southern Baptist Churches to stump for Democratic Candidates and it's an early flight.
Matt's making the church rounds this morning too. But Bram and Jason are with him.
Church isn't exactly my thing. And since Donna's with the First Lady, we both feel it's better if I'm home with Lulu. Someday, though, I think I'll have a candidate I'm willing to attend church with.
In the meantime, maybe I can get her to join me in the shower.
I have a split second of indecision as I walk into the bedroom, if I wake her up the way I normally do, she might be late. But she's so peaceful sleeping there, that I feel kind of guilty about my plan to just yank the covers off and expose her to the cold. Plus there's the whole shower thing. I'd really like to see her naked this morning. Even if there's no time to do anything with it. If I just yank the covers off, my chances of seeing naked Donna are probably going to be greatly reduced.
I decide on a middle ground. I think it's the wise course. So as I get closer to the bed, I holler. "Donna! Time to get up!" Then once I'm by her side, I lean down and give her a kiss and whisper in her ear. "I'm getting in the shower, why don't you join me?"
She opens her eyes and sighs deeply. "I miss lazy, naked Sundays."
"Me too. But come on, we can have at least 15 minutes of naked time."
I head into the bathroom and turn the shower on to heat up. I can't help but smile to myself as I hear her getting out of bed while muttering to herself. At least she doesn't make me work for it anymore. It was only cute the first few times that she fell back asleep.
I step into the shower and start washing my hair. If I'm done with mine before she climbs in, then I can do hers. And let's face it, mine doesn't take that long.
I hear her brushing her teeth. Then, as I finish rinsing, she steps in.
God. I'll never get enough of naked Donna. I reach out and pull her close for a quick kiss, that ends up lingering for a few seconds. Of course, certain parts of me immediately get other ideas.
"Do we really have time for this?" She asks me suspiciously.
I plant another quick kiss on her lips.
"Not really." I admit. "Get your hair wet and I'll wash it for you."
She closes her eyes and tilts her head back under the shower. This move thrusts her breasts out toward me and I take the opportunity to soap them up.
"Hey, I thought you were going to do my hair." She grouses but her smirk is telling me she doesn't really mind all that much.
"I'm just trying to be efficient."
"Right." She's still smiling though so I make sure I do a thorough job.
After a few minutes she hands me the shampoo bottle and presents me with her backside. And a very fine backside it is! Somehow I manage to focus on the task at hand long enough to completely work the shampoo through her hair, massaging her scalp while I do. Her little sighs and moans aren't helping my focus. I think she's doing it on purpose.
I run my soapy hands down her sides and over her ass. I really wish we had more time this morning!
"Okay. You'd better rinse that out."
While she does that, I take the opportunity to start on her legs. As I'm moving on to the second leg, she works some conditioner into her hair.
"Do you think I need to shave?"
"Is anyone else going to be feeling your legs today?"
"NO!"
"Well, then I'd say you're fine.
Once she's done rinsing the conditioner from her hair, I pull her close for another steamy kiss.
"I love you." I tell her before I step out so she can finish. I've done all I can do while still having the strength to walk away.
I hear the blower dryer running while I'm getting the coffee ready. She walks into the kitchen just as the bagel pops up. Perfect timing.
"You look good!" I tell her as I give her the once over. She really does. Black pants suit with a bright blue collared shirt. It's open enough to reveal that she's wearing the necklace from our wedding, and she's wearing the matching ring too. It's exactly the right mix of professional and dressy. Perfect for the Southern churches.
She looks me up and down once, then laughs at my raggedy sweats and tee shirt. "You look relaxed."
"I'll change before I take Lulu to the Residence. You'll be there by 3. Right?"
"Yes. What time will you be home?"
"I don't know. Probably late. One more kiss before you go?"
She nods so I pull her in and plant a really good one on her, groping her ass while I do.
"You're pretty frisky given the fact that we aren't going to be together much today!"
"I read an article. It's called 'simmering.' Apparently couples that spend a little time making out even when they can't have sex immediately have a better relationship."
My beautiful wife laughs at me. I swear I never find her more attractive than when she does.
"Did you need an article to tell you that?"
"Not really. But I wanted to give it a try."
"I think we already had that covered."
"Yeah, but a little more can't hurt."
"God, I love you."
"I love you too. You'd better get going."
Once Donna's out the door I peak in on Lulu.
She's on her stomach with her knees scrunched up, and her bottom up in the air. Her face is turned towards me, her eyelashes long and dark against her cheek, and her curls sticking out in all directions. She's so perfect.
I close the door silently. I'd love to just stand here and watch her dream, but I should get some work done.
. . . . .
"Da-dee! Mama! Da-dee! Mama! Da-dee! Mama!"
An hour later, Lulu's voice breaks the silence like clock work. She really does have her own routine. I mark my spot and get up to get her.
The minute I walk into the room she breaks out into a grin. How'd we get so lucky to get such a happy baby?
"Hi big girl! Good morning."
"Da-dee!" She reaches for me and I lift her out of her crib and squeeze her tight. She squeezes me back then pats my back. God, I love this kid so much.
"So Lulu, it's just you and me this morning. I was thinking a Starbucks run. What do you say?"
"Bucks?" She echoes back. I'll take that as a yes. First we have to find some clothes.
In the top drawer, I find a long sleeve purple shirt that proclaims that she's adorable. Well that seems like an obvious choice. In the next drawer down, I find plaid pants that match the hat from yesterday. These must have all come together from one of the grandmas. I guess that means the shoes must match too.
As I grab a onesie for under the shirt, I see there is another pair of matching socks. Well this makes it really easy!
Once she's dressed, I grab the camera. I did a great job and I need to document it.
I sit her down in the yellow rocker and snap a picture, or two, or twelve, until she turns on her stomach and slides down the chair. She's standing there holding on and I'm holding my breath.
"C'mere Lulu." I call softly, hoping that she'll take her first step. At least I've got the camera ready. Donna's gonna be mad if she misses this.
Lulu looks at me, then drops to her knees and crawls over. Oh well! Maybe we can work on it later.
"Ohs?" Lulu asks me plaintively.
"Yes, baby."
Ten minutes later, Lulu's in her stroller with a cup of milk and a little container of Ohs to hold her over. We head down the street towards Starbucks with the detail following along.
Once we get there, I let Kevin put the stroller in the SUV while Lulu and I wait in line. I'm thinking a Caramel Machiatto and a breakfast sandwich to share with Lulu.
"Cookie Da-dee?"
"Awww, She's so cute!" The barista coos. "How old is she?"
"She'll be one tomorrow." I announce proudly. It is quite the accomplishment. We made it a year and our kid seems reasonably well adjusted.
"Well, then, she can have the cookie on the house." The barista slides a flower cookie into a bag and hands it to me.
Lulu and I find a table and I get her situated in a high chair. "Cookie?" She asks again. She sure is persistent. I wonder who she get that from?
"Okay, just don't tell Mama." I tell her breaking off a piece and giving it too her.
While I'm waiting for my breakfast, I see another agent enter the café and do a sweep. A minute later Charlie and Zoey enter and I wave them over. "Hey guys!"
"Hey Josh! Hey Lulu!" Zoey greets us while Charlie gets in line.
"Zoey!" Lulu greets her back.
"Is she having a cookie for breakfast?" Zoey inquires. Damn. Busted.
"It was free. Don't tell Donna, okay?"
"Okay, but it's gonna cost you."
"It is?"
"Yep. Hey Charlie! Josh is buying our breakfast."