"Hey Kate, dinner's ready." Rick said softly, combing her hair out of her face.
When they had come back from their walk by the cliff overlooking the rocks and the waves, Kate felt tired so she laid down on the couch for a moment … which turned into a couple of hours. "Come on, I made the pasta you like. With the mushroom sauce."
"You do know how to talk to me." Kate mumbled, opening her eyes.
"I figured you would be hungry after we went on a walk in the wind. It's weird you know, you stay there, doing nothing but watching the sea and getting slapped in the face by the wind, and when you come back home, you're tired as if you had run a marathon."
"That's the strength of nature, honey." Kate laughed, getting up from the couch.
"Come on, let's go eat." Rick said, taking her by the hand and leading her to the dining room.
"Oh Rick! It's beautiful." Kate gasped as she saw what he had prepared for her.
There were candles all around the kitchen, the light dimmed. There were what seemed to be rose petals on the table, fancy plates, silverware and two champagne flutes.
"Only the most beautiful for the birthday of the most beautiful woman." Rick said, kissing her sweetly."
"But I'm wearing sweats. You should have told me what you had prepared, I would have dressed up."
"No need for that darling. You are perfect as you are. Now here, take this so we can toast to your birthday and the baby. Don't worry, it's sparkling juice." Rick said, handing her a glass.
"You really are the perfect man, you know that?"
"Yes I do." Rick said, making Kate laugh. "Now if you would like to sit down, your plate will arrive shortly." he continued, pulling the chair for her.
"This is going to be the best weekend of my life, I can just feel it." Kate said, kissing him on the cheek and sitting down.
"You just wait darling, you've seen nothing yet." he replied, winking at him.
"Wow. If the next two days are like the first one, this weekend is going to be absolutely fabulous." Kate said, her head on Rick's naked chest.
"Yeah. That's part of the reason why it wasn't so hard to leave Alexis with your parents. So that we could be totally free. Nothing to worry about, just us."
"I like that. Just us. Well, even if there is a third guest but ..."
"It's a more than welcome guest. Especially because it can't prevent us from doing anything yet." Rick laughed. "So, was it as you hoped it would be?" he asked.
"It was better than I thought. You, the view. It was absolutely perfect." Kate said, kissing him passionately again. "Thank you for loving me under the stars, with the view of the ocean, but still in a warm and comfortable environment."
"I think I am going to implement a new rule for the next two days. No clothes allowed. That way, it will be easier. No more waste of time trying to get rid of clothes that we always end up getting off anyway."
"If it wasn't for Alexis, I really think that I could live here." Kate said... "You, me, no clothes ... it would be absolutely perfect."
"As perfect as it seems, I can assure you that you would miss the city. And it wouldn't be good for our social life if we stayed here all the time locked in our perfection bubble with our children."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. But once in a while, we'll retreat here, just the two of us, or with the children. When everything gets too busy at home and we need some fresh air, we'll come here. Is that good with you?" Kate asked, cuddling in his arms.
"It's perfect. And also in the summer when it's too hot in New York and we can't breathe anymore. Here you always have wind, it's cooler without being cold."
"You did a good thing buying this house."
"Yeah. I never regretted it. "
"Do you realize that when we come here next summer, the baby will be with us?"
"Yeah. It's the miracle of life." Rick laughed, his hand carressing Kate's stomach.
"Don't make fun of me." She said, pushing his hand away. "It's all new to me. I have known for three days and everyday for a second I wonder if it's true or if I just dreamt it."
"I'm not making fun of you. Actually, I was exactly the same when Meredith was pregnant with Alexis. She didn't seem to care that much but I was completely overwhelmed by everything that was happening to her. I read all the baby books I could find. I completely understand how you feel. And it must be even better for you because in a few months, you'll have the sensations from the inside as well. It's the only thing that I will ever regret about my children, not being able to feel them like that." Rick said seriously.
"I don't know how Meredith did it, and I don't really want to know, but one thing is sure, I want you with me every step of the way. I can't do it without you, I need you with me for everything."
"I will be with you everywhere as long as you want me." He said, kissing her sweetly.
"I can't believe that we've become such saps." she laughed.
They stayed in each other's arms for a few moments, until Rick felt a shiver go through Kate's body.
"Come on, let's go upstairs, I'll run us a hot bath with bubbles since we cannot use the hot tub."
"Well, that was to be expected mid November." Kate said, laughing as she got up from the couch in all her naked glory.
"After you my lady." Rick said.
"Nothing to do with chilvalry Rick, you just want to stare at my ass as I go up the stairs." Kate laughed, swaying her hips more than normal as she walked in front of him.
"Yes I do. And I always will, just get used to it." he epleid, following her up the stairs.
The second day of their romantic-birthday getaway, the sun was shining. Kate was woken up by the smell of coffee. She rolled over to Rick's side of the bed and found him typing furiously on his laptop.
"Hey." she mumbled into her pillow. "Feeling inspried?"
"Hey love." he replied, kissing her cheek before going back too his laptop. "Yes, inspiration struck. I have a great idea for a scene in a storm like the one we had yesterday. Do you want to do anything special today?"
"I dont know. Maybe take a walk in town." she said, stretching in bed, making the sheet fall from her chest. "I don't remember dressing for bed" she said when she noticed she was wearing one of Rick's Tshirt.
"You didn't." Rick laughed. "You fell asleep in the tub. I got you out, dried you, dressed you and put you to bed."
"Sorry about that."
"Don't be. It was a pleasure. Plus, it meant that you were tired so you needed your sleep. Be ready to be tired for the next couple of month. I will gladly take care of you."
"I need to book an appointment with my doctor today so I can get one not too long after we get home." Kate realized.
"Will you want me to go with you?" Rick asked, putting his laptop away.
"I told you yesterday, I want you here every step of the way. Even for the most menial things." Kate said, smiling up at him.
"Good." he smiled, kissing her properly. "And we can definitely get around town. There is a bookstore that I'd like to go to."
"Ok. I also want to buy some food. I'm the one cooking for you tonight."
"I have absolutely no complaints about that." Rick laughed. "Before we get up for the day, here is your coffee." he said, handing her a cup.
"Do you think I should cut back on that?" Kate asked worringly.
"If you don't drink fifteen expressos a day, you're fine for now. The doctor is going to explain everything to you when you have your appointment."
"I am sure going to miss it when I can't drink it anymore." Kate pouted.
"It's going to be a small sacrifice, even for you, when you get a perfectly healthy child out of it, believe me."