Y is for Yours

Friday, April 5, 2013

Anastasia

"The steaks are marinating and the side dishes are in the fridge, ready to pop into the oven. The table is set," Gail says. "I'll come back in an hour to cook everything. Mr. Grey's parents are arriving at six, correct?"

"Yes, six. Thanks, Gail." I hope Christian is able to come home early today.

"Bye-bye, bye-bye," Teddy pulls himself to a stand, and squeals good-bye to Gail.

I scoop up and give him a noisy kiss on the cheek. He's fourteen months old, and his spoken vocabulary has exploded.

Teddy's first word was "da-da," which pleased Christian to no end. We were on Carrick's yacht with the entire clan, which made the moment even more special. Christian had missed all the earlier milestones, smiling, rolling over, sitting up, crawling. The week prior had been a tough one at work, and Christian needed an emotional boost. Teddy seemed to know exactly what his father needed to hear that day.

I plop down on the sofa with Teddy on my lap. "Brownie Bear," Teddy's lovey, is squeezed between the cushions.

"Oh, no, Brownie's getting squished. Can you pull Brownie out of the sofa?"

Teddy pulls the well-loved bear to his chest.

"Mommy needs a Teddy kiss and a Brownie kiss." I point to my cheek. Teddy presses Brownie to my cheek and then gives me a kiss of his own. "Thank you."

"Bah," Teddy says, climbing down. I know he's asking to play ball.

I find the transparent red plastic ball, and we roll it back and forth between us. Teddy soon becomes bored and pulls himself to stand. His green truck is under the coffee table. I hold it out to him.

"Tuck." He reaches for it and falls, but quickly pulls himself back up. As I'm about to scoot closer and hand the truck to him, he steps forward. One, two, three steps, and he falls into my arms.

Tears spring to my eyes. I can't believe my baby just walked.

"Oh, Teddy, you're so big and strong. I'm so proud of you." I hold Teddy close and kiss his forehead. My first instinct is to text Christian and tell him of his son's latest accomplishment. As I reach for my phone, I decide on a different plan of action.

"Teddy, this is going to be our little secret. Can you please surprise Daddy?" I clap my hands, and Teddy copies me. "Please? Will you walk for Daddy?"

"Da-da?" Teddy looks around for Christian.

"Daddy will be home soon," I say. Teddy seems satisfied, and plays with his truck.

I scoot behind the sofa, out of sight, and make little barking noises.

"Doggie dog," Teddy says. Teddy loves dogs as much as I do. I hear the approaching shuffle of Teddy's crawl, as he investigates.

"A-boo!" I say, jumping out at Teddy. He startles, then falls into a fit of giggles. A copper ringlet flops down between his eyes.

"Oh, little boy, I think you need a trim. Or maybe you need a tiny man bun. Your beautiful hair is getting too long." I run my hands through Teddy's hair, and consider whether my son is ready for his first haircut.

Teddy's eyes grow wide at the sound of the front door opening and closing.

"Hello?" Christian calls to us.

"Da-da." Teddy crawls toward his father's voice.

Christian is Teddy's favorite plaything. That thought makes me giggle. Like mother, like son, I think.

"There you are," Christian toes off his shoes, and joins us on the floor. I get the first kiss. Teddy gets a kiss and an airplane lift.

"I'm so happy you're home. You're all mine now."

"All yours, Mrs. Grey. How was your day?"

"Teddy and I had fun playing and reading. I worked on a travel segment during his nap. Teddy helped me bake brownies."

"You're a good boy to help Mommy," Christian tells Ted.

Teddy crawls over to the sofa and pulls himself up to retrieve Brownie Bear.

For one brief second, Teddy lets go of the sofa and stands unassisted.

"Did you see that?" Christian says, his voice full of wonder.

"He's ready to walk. It won't be long now. Perhaps you can coax him."

Christian finds the green truck, and holds it up.

"Hey, son, let's play truck."

Teddy crawls to Christian, pushes up on his knees, and reaches for the toy.

Christian holds it just beyond Teddy's reach. I pull Teddy to a stand. Christian scoots back a couple of feet, and holds out the truck. I let go of Teddy and he walks into Christian's arms.

"Way to go, buddy. You walked!" Christian hugs and kisses Teddy. There are tears in Christian's eyes, and I have my own waterworks.

Christian takes out his phone, and is ready when our son walks again a few minutes later. He proudly sends off the video to my dad, Grace, Carrick, Mia, Elliot, and all the Kavanaghs.

"Don't forget to write this on Teddy's calendar," Christian reminds me. My husband has no record of his early years, so it's important to him that we preserve every detail of our children's development. "This has turned out to be a fantastic day. I wish we weren't leaving Teddy with my parents for the weekend. You know he'll be up and into everything. We're going to miss out."

"Missing out would be Teddy taking his first steps without us." I push Christian down on the antique Persian carpet and straddle him. I loosen his tie. "Jazzy has been looking forward to a night alone in a hotel room with Clint. It's been months since she's seen him."

Christian's eyes light up at the mention of Jazzy, the hooker with a heart of gold. Jazzy and Clint were characters in our first role play scene. That experience in Montana launched my interest in cosplay and our mutual love for role play.

"If Jazzy and Clint will be making an appearance, I suppose we really must go to Vegas," Christian concedes. "And it would be rude not to support El and Kate."

After dinner tonight, Teddy is going home with Grace and Carrick. Bright and early tomorrow morning we'll board the jet with the other wedding party members, and go to Vegas for Kate and Elliot's bachelor/bachelorette party.

Teddy crawls over and climbs on his father's chest, so there are now two of us straddling Christian. Long curls cover Teddy's nape, and I consider again whether or not to give him a trim.

"What do you think about me giving our little man a trim? I want to keep his lovely curls, just neaten them up a bit."

"His first haircut on the day of his first steps…I like it."

"Let me get my scissors and comb. I'll be right back."

As I walk up the stairs to fetch my things, I hear the laughter of my husband and child. What did I ever do to deserve such riches?

I find my barber shears, the ones I've used on Dad, Kate, Christian, and now Teddy. I've so much love in my life, and more to come, I pray.

I return to my loves, and find Teddy looking in Christian's ears and pulling on his lobes. Is that something toddlers do? It seems as soon as I figure out each stage, Teddy is already on to something new.

"Ready?"

Christian carries Teddy to the kitchen island and straps him into the booster seat. I dip the comb into a glass of water and use it to dampen Teddy's hair. Christian takes pictures and keeps Teddy occupied while I trim. Soon our son begins to look more boy than baby.

"Hello, little boy blue," Gail says as she enters the kitchen. "You look very handsome, Teddy."

"He does, doesn't he?" Christian says, the pride evident in his voice. "And he took his first steps less than an hour ago. We have a toddler now."

"Sounds like time to have another little Grey," Gail says. She quickly covers her mouth in embarrassment. "I apologize for overstepping my bounds."

"It's fine," I tell her.

Christian and I plan to try for another child when we're on vacation in Montana this summer. I hope I don't get pregnant right away. I like the idea of 'trying.'

"I hope you have a wonderful time in Vegas," Gail says. "As best man and matron of honor, what do you have planned for the happy couple?"

"We'll all spend the day together," Christian says. "After an early dinner the girls and guys will split up for a couple of hours. We'll all come back together for Celine Dion."

Christian rolls his eyes.

"Don't judge," I tell him. "Kate wants Celine. She's the bride, and the bride should get what she wants. Elliot's fine with it. He wants to make Kate happy, and I love him for that."

"Celine Dion is a brilliant choice. I'm a huge fan." Gail pulls dishes out of the fridge. "If you'll excuse me, I'll step outside and get the fire started for the steaks."

Teddy sits on Christian's lap and pulls at his newly shorn locks.

"Elliot's pussy-whipped," Christian says, after Gail steps away.

"That's what he always says about you." I can't stifle my giggle.

"You and I are different," Christian says. "I can't quantify it or define it, baby, but it's different with us. I'm yours and you're mine." Christian joggles Teddy on his lap, and leans toward me, silently signaling for a kiss.

"Yours. Always."

I deliver my promise with a kiss, tender and light.

XXXXXXX

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