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Kite

"Max," Spencer strode into their bedroom with his scarf around his neck and car keys. "I'm on my way to the park. Are you alright?"

Max looked up from the magazine she was perusing and said. "I'm fine, babe. Michelle will be here in ten minutes." Max held up her cell phone, and Spencer saw the text from his sister-in-law.

Spencer leaned in and kissed Max on the forehead and then the mouth. "Bye, baby," he cooed and laid a gentle hand on her belly.

"God, I'll be glad when this is over."

"Two more weeks," Spencer said.

Tears formed in Max's eyes and slid down her cheeks. "I wish I could go with you."

"I know. Don't worry, I'll take pictures, and Garcia will video the entire contest.

"It won't be the same as being there to cheer."

"Look on the bright side. I checked the wind, and it's blowing at eight miles per hour, which is perfect conditions for flying. It might rain, too."

Max finally smiled. "Okay. I get it. Outside bad, inside good."

Spencer touched her shoulder and grinned. "Yes, my love."

"Go, you're going to be late."

"Love you."

"Love you, too."

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Spencer hurried into the house and up the stairs to his room after shedding his coat, shoes, and scarf. He entered slowly and found his wife sleeping. He bent over to kiss her, and her eyes opened. She blinked sleepily at him and said. "You're back."

"Hi, Spencer," said Michelle from the doorway. "How did it go?"

"It was amazing. Michael won."

"Oh, babe, that's wonderful. I told you he would."

"You were right."

"Yeah," said Michelle. "Nice job, Spencer."

"Thanks, but the design was Michael's choice. I helped him to make it a reality."

"I'll leave you two alone," Michelle said. "Gotta run to the market before I go home."

"Thank you," Spencer said.

'Yes," Max said. "Thank you for keeping me from losing my mind for a couple of hours."

Spencer walked out with Michelle, then hurried back up to show Max the video Garcia had taken and sent to his phone. "You ready to see the winning entry?"

"Yes," Max said. "I'm very impatient."

"Remember what the doctor said, no excitement."

"I'm fine. If you don't show me the video now, when I'm up and around again, I'll banish you to the sofa for a week."

Spencer rolled his eyes. "Yes, Ma'am."

When the video began, it showed Spencer with Michael standing near several other people at the City Park. She could hear and see the wind ruffling their hair and clothing. The sky was gray with pewter and white clouds, but no rain that she could see. "Was it cold?"

"No, not really. It's 50 degrees right now."

"That's nice for the end of March."

'Yes."

"Oh, there is Michael," Max said. "He's so handsome."

"I find it difficult to believe that he's six now."

"Me too. We've been married for two years and have a baby on the way. Where does the time go?"

"Hey," Spencer's excitement pulled her eyes back to her phone. "That's our kite."

Max grinned when the box kite made to resemble the Tardis from Doctor Who appeared in the frame. She could hear Garcia whooping and laughing, and she saw the grins on Spencer and Michael's faces as the kite went airborne. It swooped and turned and dipped with the air currents. Spencer stood with his hand on one end of the spinner, and Michael held the other end. "You ready to take over," Spencer shouted over the noise of the wind and the people around them

"Yep," Michael shouted."

"Okay, she's all yours."

Max clapped as the replica of the blue police box soared and flipped through the air. She saw other kites but thought that Michael's was the most beautiful. After a while, it was time to reel in the kites. The camera shifted owners and Max saw that Garcia helped Michael bring his kite down for a safe landing. JJ and Will came into the frame and hugged Michael tight as the category winners heard their standing.

"That does it," Max said as the video ended

"What?"

"You've completely converted Michael and Henry to the dark side."

"Max!"

"Don't pretend you don't know what I mean. Both are Star Wars, and Doctor Who and whatever else fanatics."

"Why is that a problem," Spencer wondered as he looked out the window at the trees tossing in the wind.

"JJ and Will must find it annoying."

Spencer shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Right. Just remember whether our kid is a boy or a girl, they will be indoctrinated into sports by my dad and by Eloise."

"I can handle it," Spencer said. "Anyway, Michael and Henry are both in soccer and baseball."

"I know, I'm teasing you, Spencer."

Spencer gently tugged on Max's hair. "You better behave, Mrs. Reid."

"Or?"

"Or, I won't take the first dirty diaper as promised."

Max grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "We'll see about that!"