Chapter Twelve
Rafe opened the door slowly, never really knowing whether or not she'd be sleeping. Alison kept a weird schedule nowadays.
As he eased the door open he was appalled at what he saw.
Alison, seemingly lifeless, on the floor near the couch.
Panic filled him as he rushed to her side, pulling her to him.
As he grabbed her she pushed him away immediately. "RAFE! Stop! What's the matter with you???" She said shocked.
"I thought…" He started - completely confused.
"What!?" She said - still annoyed.
"I just saw you, lying on the ground. I thought something happened."
"Yeah well - something did." She said, sarcastically.
The meaning her tone of voice held escaped him. His eyes grew wide with concern. "What?"
Alison was completely exasperated. She shoved him away. "I was doing yoga - you doofus!"
"What?"
"Yoga." She gestured to the TV.
It was only then that Rafe heard the strains of new age music in the apartment. He saw the credits of a video running across the screen, and finally realized the fact that she was dressed for exercise and sitting on a yoga mat.
"Oh." He said suddenly embarrassed.
"Oh," She laughed at him, rolling her eyes. "My hero. Saving me from the horrors of meditation."
He couldn't help but chuckle. "Alison. You have to admit - you - meditating - not a usual occurrence."
"It's good for the baby." She said running her hands over her stomach. She pouted a bit as she continued. "And you interrupted my favorite part."
"What's that?" He asked, running his hand through her hair and staring in her eyes.
"Corpse pose. It's the best. You just lie there - you're supposed to just let everything go."
"Well that explains why I was all in a panic." He heaved a sigh of relief.
"Yes it does." She leaned in and kissed him quickly. He was so cute.
"Angel. Seriously. You might not have noticed but we actually OWN a gym. You can take yoga classes downstairs."
"Regular classes - yes - Rafe. But we don't have any pre-natal yet."
He realized that she had a point. "Oh yeah."
"Oh yeah." She repeated, clearly making fun of him. "Doofus." she muttered under her breath.
"You like calling me that don't you?" He said pretending to be offended.
"Haven't had to in a while." She admitted. She looked away, smiling - her fingers playing with the edge of the mat. "But - y'know. If the shoe fits.."
He caught her chin in his hand, making her meet his eyes. He leaned close and placed his lips on hers.
As he did, she sighed with contentment.
She pulled away and gazed into his eyes, her hand lingering on his cheek. "So. How was your day, dear?"
"How very 50's sit-com of you." Rafe laughed, before he answered. "Terrific. I signed up ten new members."
Her eyes flew open wide. "Ten!? Today?!"
"Yeah. We have over 350 now. In just like 3 months. It's incredible."
Her voice got soft and serious. "So are you. I am so, so proud of you - you know."
"What?" he whispered, his hand moving to her hair.
Her eyes misted over. "You really, truly did it. You actually gave me "normal". How can I ever thank you?"
What a loaded question. Rafe thought with a grin. "Hmmm. I have a bunch of ideas. Where do you want me to start?"
"Rafe. I'm serious. You're so good to me." She looked straight into his eyes. "Good to us." She added, running her hand over her stomach.
Rafe kissed her softly and then moved to sit behind her, pulling her close, inhaling the scent of her hair.
She leaned back, pulling his arms around her. She looked around their apartment and sighed. "Rafe?"
"mmm?"
"I've been thinking - how are we ever going to fit everything we need in here?"
"Hmm?" He asked, clearly preoccupied as he was busy nuzzling her neck.
"I mean it - a crib, dresser, changing table - not to mention a ton of toys. I just don't see how we'll make it all fit."
Her words brought him back to the present. He searched for an answer, suddenly worried. "We'll figure it out."
"I guess so." Alison didn't sound at all convinced.
Just another thing to add to the list. Rafe's mind began to race. As if he didn't have enough to worry about.