Chapter 29 – Let's Play Happy Families
Standing at the edge of the bed, Izzy watched her husband. The duvet was resting at his waist, showing off his sculptured chest and arms. His breathing was shallow, peacefully captured in a deep sleep. It was only 7am, but she was wide awake thanks to feeling uncomfortable and before Stephen woke up she wanted to do a few laps in the pool. Her hand tightened on the towel in her hands, slowly opening it then wrapping it around her body. She was already wearing her bikini, though it only just fit her.
Eventually she tore her gaze from Stephens sleeping form. Carefully she walked down to the pool, the breeze from the ocean hitting her, the smell of salt clearing her mind. It was just what she needed, trying to forget Stephens words the previous night but finding it increasingly difficult. Trying to forget was easier said than done. Stephen showing his true wants and needs, without giving her a second thought had shocked her.
Pulling her towel free, she placed it on one of the lounge chairs, shivering in the cool breeze. Gently she dipped her toe into the water, suddenly having second thoughts as it wasn't as warm as she expected. She knew she needed to keep fit and she was lacking motivation. Sitting down on the edge of the pool, she carefully slipped in, gasping as her body adjusted to the temperature. She started swimming laps, taking it easy under the doctor's advice.
30 minutes was enough. Izzy dried herself off with the towel, eager to get inside and get something to eat. "Good morning." Stu's booming voice greeted her as she stepped into the kitchen. She could already smell the coffee brewing, a few pots and pans lying about.
"Hey." She greeted, scanning the room but seeing no sight of Katie or Isabelle.
"How are you feeling?" Izzy smiled, touched at Stu's concern.
"Better thank you."
"About Stephen-"
Stu started but was quickly cut off by Izzy. "You don't have to do this Stu."
"He's an idiot." He was quick to blurt out and Izzy couldn't help but laugh.
"I know that." Everyone including Stephen knew it. His timing couldn't have been worse; Izzy was going to put it down to everything that had been going on.
"He's waiting for you upstairs."
"He is?" Izzy frowned, curiosity now growing through her.
Stu nodded, feeling the need to explain Stephens behaviour. "Look, I've known Stephen for 7 years and he's never been this happy. He goes on about you none stop."
"Like you do with Katie." She smiled as his eyes lit up at the sound of his wife's name.
"Exactly. He only cares." Stu moved around the kitchen, pouring a mug of freshly brewed coffee.
"I know, thank you Stu."
"What are you doing?" Izzy asked, stopping in her tracks as she stepped into the bedroom. She eyed the tray on the bed; the sigh of fresh orange and a stack of pancakes with syrup and strawberries making her stomach rumble.
Stephen turned to her, wearing only his gym shorts and a smile on his face. "Breakfast in bed."
"You seem to be making this up to me with a lot of food." Izzy smiled as Stephen walked up to her, cupping her face in his big hands and pressing a soft kiss to her lips.
"Ah know, ah just want to enjoy our last day together." Stephen pressed his forehead against hers.
"I've been thinking about what you said." Izzy watched as Stephens face dropped with her words.
"Ah wish yeh wouldn't."
"You're right, we need somewhere for the children to play without us worrying." Stephen looked surprised more than anything. "When they're older, we can work something out. But I'm not giving up my job." Stephen nodded, wanting nothing more than to get off the subject.
"Okay." He kissed her lips again and nodded to the breakfast. "Get stuck in."
"And what are you having?"
"Protein shake." Izzy grimaced, the thought of one of those making her feel nauseous. "Ah know yeh can't fly now, but ah've got a plan to get yeh back home."
"Go on." Raising one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows, Izzy urged him to continue.
"Francesca is in Tampa with Brian at the moment, she's going to drive yeh back to New York."
"Really? That's so kind of her." Touched at the gesture, Izzy let out a heavy sigh. It had been playing on her mind through the night, along with everything else.
"It's a long trip though, will yeh be alright?" His big hands started rubbing her shoulders gently, sending ripples of pleasure rushing down her spine.
"I don't really have a choice, Ste." He stopped rubbing, one finger resting under her chin to make her look at him. She swiped her tongue across her lips, staring up into his eyes.
"Ah know, lass. Ah wish ah could take yeh back."
"It's fine. Thank you so much for this, Ste." Izzy nodded towards the delicious smelling breakfast then kissed him lightly on the lips.
As the morning began to get warmer, Stu decided to take Isabelle for a dip in the pool. The only thing stopping him was Katie and her reluctance to hand her daughter over. Eyeing Stu, he had changed into a pair of knee length shorts and nothing else. Stu reached for Isabelle, gently plucking her from Katie's motherly grip.
"Don't drop her." Katie held her breath, hands clutched at her chest. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, she just knew he had big clumsy hands.
"Why the hell would I drop my own daughter?" Stu muttered back, not once taking his eyes off Isabelle in his arms.
"And watch your language, she can pick up these things." Stu glanced up at Katie, a smirk slipping onto his features. Gently he kissed her lips, eyes shining with nothing but admiration for his wife.
"Don't worry." Easier said than done. Katie sat on the edge of the pool, her legs playfully swaying in the water as she watched Stu carefully enter the pool with Isabelle held flush against his wide chest. A giggle left her lips once her chubby little legs made contact with the water and Katie settled a little. "Look at her, she loves it. Maybe I could take her fishing."
"Stu!"
"I'm kidding." Stu laughed, holding Isabelle so the water reached her waist. Her little hands gripped at the water, trying to get a handful but failing every time. In frustration she reached out for Stu, her wet hand gripping his nose. Katie couldn't help the laugh at Isabelle's new habit. "Are you going to get in?"
"When I feel like it." Stu grinned, splashing water over his wife earning a giggle from Isabelle.
"I feel like you two are teaming against me." Katie slipped into the pool, careful not to get her hair wet. Stu turned slightly so Isabelle could see her and her eyes lit up. She pointed at Katie then held her arms out, her little face scrunching up, about to burst into tears.
"Hey sweetie, mummy is here." Katie took her daughter from Stu, his face a little disappointed that Isabelle wanted her and not him. "Maybe she doesn't like it."
"She was fine a minute ago. Isabelle?" Isabelle turned to her dad, eyes wide wondering what he was about to do. He dunked his head under the water, disappearing for a moment. The moment he went out of sight, Isabelle started to cry, cutting through the peaceful silence that once was.
"God you really are stupid." Katie whispered as he surfaced, his jet black hair now slicked back with the water.
"Look Isabelle, I'm back." Stu tried to reassure his daughter but she was having any of it. She clung to Katie whilst Stu tried profusely to get back into her good books.
"Where's daddy?" Katie whispered, rocking her slightly to try and stop the crying. Stu swam over, kissing Isabelle on the top of her head when she settled down a little.
"I love you." Stu spoke to his wife quietly, enjoying the precious time with his family.
Meanwhile, relaxing on one of the lounge chairs, Izzy was settled between Stephens legs, her back against his chest, his hands protectively held onto her baby bump, rubbing her stomach every so often. "Look at them, they're so happy." Izzy mused, watching her friends in the pool.
"Looks like he's getting a hard time from Katie."
"When doesn't he?" Izzy laughed, feeling Stephen nuzzle his nose into her neck and kiss her shoulder.
"Ah feel lazy doing this." Stephen grumbled, trying his best to just enjoy doing nothing but he was having a hard time. He felt Izzy push herself further into his embrace.
"Relax a little, you've had your workout and now you can enjoy your free time."
"Ah'm trying to lass."
"Ste, mate." Both Stephen and Izzy turned their attention to Stu in the pool. "Fancy having a barbecue later?"
"What do you say?" Stephen whispered to Izzy, knowing full well what her answer would be.
"I say the more food the better." Stephen chuckled, a grin creeping across his face.
"Sounds good, fella, as long as yeh don't cook." Stu frowned, arguing with Katie that he wasn't that bad in the kitchen, but he was soon shot down as Katie reminded him of the time he melted a plastic spatula in a pan of curry.
"Ste, the babies won't be moving, there isn't enough space in there." Izzy giggled as a frustrated puff of air brushed against her neck. He had been moving around her stomach, hoping to catch the babies moving. Her small hands covered his, rubbing them gently. Stephen couldn't complain though, he was just happy all three of them were safe and sound.
A/N – Thank you moxxie23, DefinitelyProbablyMaybe, DeansTrueGirl, wades wife, MissShelz, mrsa87, hotpocketbandit, DeirdreLaelia, peeps9705, wwemagpie, Thatgirl54 and xFindTheEnigmaWithinx for the lovely reviews. Hope you guys don't mind another short cute fluffy chapter :) Lou x
