Of course, the day they had their party, it would be one of the hottest days of the summer so far. Sam grumbled all the way up the stairs to his bedroom, tugging his shirt over his head.
"I finished with the backyard." he called, knowing Ainsley was in their bathroom. She had sent him out an hour and a half ago to set up tables and chairs along with decorating their large yard.
"I know. I was watchin' you. Did you get the coolers out of the garage and make sure they were filled?"
Sam winced as he pulled on his dark blue polo.
"You didn't, did you?"
"I'll do it when I go downstairs."
"Okay and can you get the kids dressed? I put their clothes on their bed."
Who did she think he was, Superman?
"Anything else?"
"Uh... make sure Reagan's food is out of the kitchen and in the laundry room. Then just clean up that corner so there's no garbage on the floor."
"Okay."
"Thanks. You've been a big help."
"As opposed to me never helping?" he smirked, turning into the bathroom. His smirk faded as he saw her standing there, leaning slightly towards the mirror as she applied her lipstick. She glanced towards his reflection and lowered the tube in her hand.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Did I insult you?"
"Nope."
"Then what's the problem?"
"There is none. You just never cease to amaze me with how gorgeous you are."
"Yeah, right." she scoffed as he stepped forward, a serious look on his face.
"It's true."
"You have to say that." there was a glint of humor in her eyes and he bit back a smile, not wanting to be baited by her.
"No."
"Yes because you tell me at my worst times that I look gorgeous, which is a total lie."
"Just because you and I have different views about things doesn't mean yours are right, y'know. And, I would never lie to you."
"Really?"
"Really." he frowned slightly. "What, did you think I did?"
She couldn't bring herself to say yes. She couldn't bring herself to say anything. Somehow, their playful banter had turned into some deeper meaning, at least to her. He saw the look on her face, which was a bit of a blow to his ego, and pulled her into a hug.
"I mean, okay, I have sometimes." he admitted. "Like about taking out the trash. But not about us. I've always been truthful."
She wanted to say that she knew that, that she had never doubted it for a moment. But she had and the guilt was eating at her.
"I'll go finish what you told me to do so I continue to be a big help." Sam's voice broke through her thoughts with a teasing tone.
"Thanks." Ainsley smiled, giving him a quick kiss. "Close the door on your way out."
"Okay." he did as he was told and she leaned her forehead against the wall with a groan. I'm without a doubt the worst wife that has ever lived.
Sam walked downstairs to find Mia and Drew sitting on the couch, as they had been when he had went upstairs, watching cartoons. He managed to get them both dressed— he considered that a victory because trying to do anything with the twins could turn into a struggle— and out to the garage within twenty minutes. He had been in the process of grabbing the packs of ice out of their spare refrigerator when he heard a car pull up to the house and a door slam.
"Am I too early?" Sam lifted his head to see Colleen walking into the garage.
"No. Everyone should start showing up soon. Did you find your way here okay?"
"Yeah. You give good directions." she smiled, stopping just a few inches from him. "Do you need help with anything?"
"That's okay."
"I insist. I feel awkward just standing here. I gave myself extra time in case I got lost."
"Uh, well, the trunk on my car should be open. There's a bunch of soda and water in there. You can load up the coolers if you want. I have to run back inside for a minute."
"That's okay. I'll be fine on my own." Colleen flashed him another smile and began to pull the drinks out of the car.
Ainsley was walking into the kitchen when she saw Sam huddled over Reagan's food.
"I thought you forgot about that."
"No, that's why I came back in." he straightened up and nearly dropped the food as his eyes landed on his wife.
"Wow."
"Close your mouth, Sam, the flies will get in."
"That's a nice dress."
"Thank you."
"Really. I love it."
"Yeah?" Ainsley glanced down at herself, then back up at Sam, who eyed the pale blue dress.
"Yeah. It looks great on you."
"Thanks." she beamed at him. He was about to say something else when Colleen called out to him.
"Sam,"
"Is someone here already?" Ainsley asked, looking at Sam, who nodded.
"It's Colleen."
Of course it is. She turned as the redhead entered the kitchen and felt a wave a jealousy sweep over her. This is dumb. You have nothing to be jealous about. Besides the fact that she's so thin and tan and has long legs. She wore those shorts just to show off. Yeah but I'm thin too. Oh really? Well, if I wasn't pregnant I would be. See, that's a reason why I'm not jealous. I'm with Sam. She's not with Sam. We have a family together. Keep telling yourself that.
"Hi Ainsley. Wow, you look great!" She's just being polite.
"Thanks. So do you." Yes, she does. Why are you fueling her ego?