Timeless/CH 13
The cries began to grow in volume and intensity until Daniel moaned, rubbing his eyes. His voice hoarse from a lack of sleep, he tried to rouse his sleeping wife, but she was clearly even more exhausted than he was and was still out like a light.
He took a deep breath, lightly stroking her cheek and placed a quick kiss to the same spot as he whispered, "It's okay, honey. I got this. You sleep tight. But you owe me. And I can't wait to collect tomorrow on my birthday. I love you, Betty."
His boxers were nowhere to be found at first, until he had a flashback to their activities the night before and looked under the bed on his wife's side to retrieve them, grinning like a kid in a candy store at the sweet memory.
The reality of having become a husband and father was still taking some time to set in, but the warm feelings of love and fulfillment were spreading in his heart, making it grow bigger like the Grinch at the end, he thought, grinning again.
Every time he held or kissed his wife it was like lightning was coursing through his veins. And his son? The way holding sweet baby Michael made him feel was a whole new level of love he could never have imagined (even in all his wildest dreams).
His smile broadened again as he picked up his baby boy and held him up over his head, "Hey, little guy! What's wrong? Are you lonely in here all by yourself, buddy? How about we go downstairs and listen to some music and dance around for a while? Sound good?
Your mommy taught me the Salsa. Maybe I can teach you, too. At least you won't be stepping on my toes like I did hers at first, huh? Hold on a sec. Let me change you first, then after our dance, I'll take you for a ride in the car.
Oh, shit...sorry, shoot! I should have grabbed some clothes for me. I can't go outside in my underwear, now, can I? I'd freeze to death, and have a bunch of girls chasing me! Then your mom would probably yell at me after she kicked their asses! Fine, we'll dance downstairs, then I'll see what kind of clothes I have down there that I can put on without waking your mom. I'll warm up a bottle to take with us.
We can go cruising for chicks. Just kidding, buddy. I don't do that anymore. And you're WAY too young! Maybe in sixteen or seventeen years. You have to learn something it took me the hard way to figure out, and that's to be respectful to girls who you like. Otherwise, you're just wasting your time. And you'll probably hurt the girls' feelings or make them really mad at you. Trust me, you really don't want that!
Once upon a time, there was a lady named Grace Chin. She was really nice when I met her in college, and I was a total jerk and was mean to her for no reason. Actually, she kind of looked like your mom did when I first met her. She was very cute, and really smart, like your mommy, but just because she had glasses and braces, I stood her up.
I know; total dick move...I mean...not a nice way to treat the kind girl who helped me with my school work. Anyway, the next time I saw Grace, she was totally hot! And she got revenge on me for being so mean to her by making me call all these other girls in college that I was a jerk to besides her.
At least, she thought I did. Actually, I was calling my goofy friend, Becks and just pretending to apologize to the other girls. What can I say, Michael? Your dad was pretty much a big, dumb jerk back then!
Meeting your mother was the best thing that ever happened to me. Other than her and I getting married and having you, of course. Honestly, I think I only went out with Grace for a few weeks because she kind of reminded me of your mom and I missed her so much while she was in England.
Well, that, and the fact that she really hit on me and I sort of needed her to defend your grandpa from a murder charge for killing this mean lady named Fey Sommers. I'll tell you all about her when you're older someday. She wasn't a nice lady at all.
But she had a very sweet daughter at least. Your auntie Amanda. You know, Uncle Tyler's wife? Of course, you know her as mommy to your two cousins, Jake and Jill. Or at least you will, once you're old enough to talk to them. Which I'm sure, knowing how smart you are, just like your mom, will be any day now, right, Mister Meade?"
Michael kicked and giggled happily as Daniel held him close to his chest, rocking him and swaying to the music on his phone, turned down low so as not to wake his wife while she got some much needed rest. After several minutes, the new father took his son to the kitchen, retrieved a bottle of breast milk from the fridge and heated it up, before expertly grabbing a diaper bag and attaching Michael to the front of his carrier, laughing at the reactions he was getting in response to his goofy sounds and faces.
After he had driven for quite some time, his phone went off, and he answered on the speaker, "Hello? Hey, you're up! Good morning, beautiful!"
"Yes, I'm up. You took Michael for a ride again?"
"I sure did. First, we did a little Salsa dancing downstairs. Then I thought it might keep him happy if I took him for a ride. Oh, and sorry, honey, but I think I used the last bottle of milk in the fridge."
"Okay, no problem. I'll pump some more. That's why I woke up, anyway, I was all set to nurse him and saw that my husband had kidnapped him!" she laughed. "I hope you're not letting Michael back seat drive you too much!" she teased.
"No, thank goodness, he's not like his mommy when it comes to being a control freak! At least, not yet. I'm sure once he's talking, though, he'll drive me just as crazy, telling me where to turn and to get directions when I don't really need them. Just like his mom!"
"You were LOST! Why can't men ever admit it when they don't have any idea where they are?"
"I admit it. I was totally lost without you, Betty. You saved me from myself."
"Ooh, smooth move, Daniel! Very good! Somebody's sure sucking up for a good birthday present! Or did you actually think I would forget? I'm not YOU!"
"Hey, I only forgot once! And that was way before we got married. Back when I pretended to be your boss! Now you're mine!"
"Very funny. Okay, oh, hey, can you please stop…"
"And get you some ice cream? Just who do you think you're talking to here, woman? I already got it. It's in the freezer bag I got just for you, sexy. I got strawberry for me, too. And whipped cream. The spray kind in the can. Easier to have lots of fun with. And don't even ask about the chocolate sauce. I can't believe you almost scarred me for life that one time, with the hot kind! Silly girl! Good thing your super talented hubby knows about food sex!"
"You did not! You knew about regular sex. But you can't tell me any of those swizzle stick models you 'dated' back in your bachelor of the year days even knew how to eat ice cream! Or anything other than a carrot or celery stick. I had to teach you how to deal with curvy girls!"
He grinned, "You sure did, honey! I like those curves of yours! Speaking of which, do me a huge favor and don't put the girls away when you're done, huh? Let me admire them while they're Dolly Parton size? Are you absolutely sure they won't stay that big when junior here is no longer borrowing my wife's amazing boobs?"
"Daniel! I've told you a thousand times, they are normally plenty big enough! Are you telling me, D isn't big enough for you?"
"D is fine, sweetie. But trust me, double D is pretty awesome, too! Man, I need to get home. I'm getting excited just thinking about you. Are you naked?"
"NO! I have a robe on. Please tell me you put something on before you took off with our son on your Sunday drive?"
"Of course I did! By the way, did you find your panties?"
"No. Why, did you hide them again?"
"Sure did."
"Daniel! This is getting kind of annoying, honey. You know, sometimes, just for the heck of it, I actually like putting on some underwear. Especially if I'm going out in public! You have to stop hiding them! Or ripping them!"
"I guess we have to agree to disagree on that issue, dear. First of all, I'm perfectly happy keeping you at home, barefoot and pregnant, at least three or four more times. I want more babies to play with and be adorable. Michael will be lonely if we don't have more kids."
"Possibly. But not right away. Maybe a year from now. And your solution is to hide my panties?"
He shrugged, smiling, "Hey, if it works, why not, right? I'm just messing with you, woman. They're under the bed on my side. Just like you did to mine last night, remember? You said two can play that game."
"Oh, right! I almost forgot. It's fine. I got a pair from my drawer. Thank you for not hiding all of them!"
"No problem-o! So, keep your panties OFF, I'm almost home. Five minutes. Love you, honey."
"I love you, too, Daniel. Hey, don't take long, okay? I miss you guys. I woke up all alone and started freaking out, thinking I was dreaming again, alone back in London."
"Yes, mommy. Never fear, Daddy's home. I just pulled up."