Present
Milly sat underneath her electric blanket, which was cranked up all the way, curled up on the sofa, sipping a cup of tea, looking at the beautiful Christmas tree Eric had surprised her with late last month. He knew how much Milly loved Christmas, and had surprised her one Saturday evening, after she spent half of the afternoon napping. Dr. Weaver said Milly could, and should do the stairs in their house. That as long as she limited how many times she climbed them, the exercise would do her good. That the risk of Eric accidentally falling while carrying her was too great, and that as long as Milly was safe, she could go downstairs whenever she liked as long as she was careful. Milly knew this made Eric nervous, but so far Dr. Weaver had been right about everything, and both agreed that if it hadn't been for her, this pregnancy might not have even happened. Still, it was extremely high risk, and Milly still had to stay off her feet as much as possible, and continue with her appointments with Dr. Weaver every two weeks. Ever since they found out that Milly was having a boy, Eric seemed completely over the moon.
He couldn't stop smiling, and the entire drive after they found out the baby's sex, Eric drove with the biggest smile on his face Milly had ever seen. He seemed to have an extra swing in his step lately. He continued to fuss over Milly, and couldn't seem to stop giving her kisses, and gently touching her stomach, or putting his ear against it, smiling, and listening. He was always kissing it, or laying his hand against it, since just recently they just started to really feel movement. This was a first, since none of the other pregnancies had made it this far. Milly had been home alone in bed when she first felt the baby move. It was less than a couple of weeks ago, and Eric was at work. Milly was sitting up in bed, reading some articles online when it happened. At first she thought maybe it was her imagination, or maybe just gas. She waited a second, before the fluttering came from the pit of her stomach. She waited, instantly placing her hands against her belly, which was slowly starting to show if she wasn't wearing baggy clothing. When she felt it again, a giddy surge of excitement came over her as she laughed, and got the sudden urge to call Eric from the worksite. Instead, she decided to surprise him. She was worried he might race back here, and it might not happen again.
Lucky for her, that night after she got out of the shower, she felt it, and cried out with excitement, before calling for Eric to hurry. Quickly, Eric raced in, having been in the middle of changing for bed. He ran in just wearing his jeans, his eyes concerned, before he signed...
"What is it? What's the matter?!"
Milly laughed, and took his wrist, firmly placing it on her stomach where the frantic series of flutters were coming. Eric instantly felt it, and his eyes widened, before he looked up at Milly, and he laughed. He gave the same completely amazed look he gave her whenever something truly touched him. He smiled at Milly, before she gently covered his hand which was touching her stomach with her own hand. Smiling, tears of happiness filling her eyes, she sighed.
"That's our baby. He's moving. Our baby is moving."
Eric looked down at her stomach amazed, before he slowly struggled to speak.
"O...Ou...Our b...b...baby?"
Milly laughed and nodded.
"That's right. Our baby. Our little boy."
Ever since then Eric seemed to be on cloud nine. Milly had been receiving weekly beautiful flowers sent from him. Every Friday evening when he came home from work, he would walk into the bedroom carrying a bouquet of gorgeous flowers from the florist. For Thanksgiving, the two decided instead of going over to Geneva's, that they would spend a quiet night in, making it as stress free as possible. Eric had ordered a whole turkey dinner for the two of them from one of Milly's favorite restaurants, including fresh pumpkin pie from a baskery new to the area that Milly had been dying to check out. He brought up a tray with their plates, and all the trimmings that evening, as he lit candles, and both toasted to their little boy, who they honestly couldn't wait. As they ate, both sitting up in bed, Milly chuckled to herself and asked Eric if he remembered the first Thanksgiving they spent together as teenagers? If he remembered how she had given him a bath so his uncle wouldn't force him to take a shower to go see his two aunts? Eric chewed his food, before remembering and quickly signed...
"Yeah, I remember."
"Remember how...I showed you my breasts?"
Eric softly laughed, and nodded before signing...
"How could I forget. You were the first naked girl I had ever seen, well besides those dirty magazines my uncle kept in his room. I remember how quickly I had to get my clothes on since I was getting a hard on."
Milly laughed.
"Do you know that was the first time I ever saw a boy naked. I had never seen a penis before in real life until I saw yours. At first I was horrified, thinking I had crossed a line or something. That maybe I scared you or something. God, I remember how often I would look at you. Watching you from across the way into your bedroom, while you got ready for bed. Whenever you just wore your swim trunks when we would go by the pond, that time we laid out in Geneva's yard and she had her sprinkler set up. God...I was obsessed with looking at you. When we started making out, I sometimes felt like those old ladies that pinched baby's cheeks. Remember the hickeys we used to give each other? God!"
She laughed, making a face as Eric grinned and laughed with her. Milly then lovingly stroked her husband's arm.
"God, once we started having sex we couldn't get enough. How many times do you think we did it up in the attic?"
Eric grinned, taking a sip of his wine from the nightstand. He pretended to think.
"Probably as many airplanes that I've made in one lifetime."
Milly laughed, leaning against the headboard, giggling like a schoolgirl as she blushed, and covered her face with her hands.
"God you're probably right! Just two horny teenagers."
Eric smiled, and leaned in, kissing her neck, tickling her. Milly smiled, before she cocked her head to the side.
"Tell me something, and be honest? Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones but...I feel like lately when we make love it's been...really good. Like...beyond good. I've never climaxed harder in my life."
Eric laughed and signed...
"I thought it was just me, but yeah. I'm glad Dr. Weaver gave us the OK. You've never looked more beautiful..."
Milly rolled her eyes, pointing at the little belly she was starting to get.
"Oh yeah right!"
Eric made a face back at her, before gently touching her stomach with his large hand. He then used his other hand to sign...
"I think you've never looked more beautiful. I mean it. You're glowing. I think a big part of it is seeing you this happy."
Milly smiled, staring at her husband, before nodding in agreement.
"Same here. Happiness really suits us I guess."
Eric smiled back at her, before he leaned in, and deeply kissed her. For them, it was one of the best Thanksgiving they had shared in a very long time. Once Demember first hit, Eric surprised Milly with a fresh tall lush Christmas tree, already decorated with lights, and the bulbs they had collected throughout their marriage. He led Milly downstairs carefully, his hands covering her eyes, before finally he took his hands away from her face, and Milly saw what he had been working on all afternoon. The tree was right next to the fireplace, and was lit up with gorgeous string lights, was their new tree. She knew this must have taken him hours, but it looked absolutely perfect. Earlier that day Milly was worn out after getting more bloodwork done, and laid down upstairs, while Eric told her he was going to be moving out the old antique server table he had loaded up already on a dolly, and was planning on stripping and staining. He told her she might hear a little bit of noise, but if she needed anything, to just call down to him. Milly was exhausted, and changed into sweats, and one of his shirts, before crawling underneath the blankets, and sunk into a deep sleep the second her head hit the pillow. Dr. Weaver explained since her body was working twice as hard, she would find herself growing more tired as the pregnancy continued.
This was all perfectly normal, and that she needed to listen to her body, when it showed signs that she needed to rest. She slept heavily, until Eric woke her up, gently shaking her arm, sitting on the edge of the bed, before he leaned in and softly kissed her forehead. When he brought her downstairs to look at the gorgeous Christmas tree he had set up and decorated for her. Eyes filling with tears, she leaned up against Eric, and stared up at the tree in complete wonder.
Now it was Christmas Eve, and she sat curled up underneath her heated blanket, sipping her tea, as the fire in the fireplace crackled and popped. On the radio, Christmas music softly played, as outside the snow that had started earlier, had just begun to pick up, making the wind howl outside. The weatherman said they could get anywhere between three to four inches before midnight. It certainly looked like they were getting a white Christmas after all. Milly couldn't wait to give Eric his gift tomorrow. She had special ordered a black leather motorcycle jacket for him, and couldn't wait to see his face when he opened it. Eric kept teasing her that she was going to love her gift, which was making her more than a little curious. Setting her tea down on the coffee table, she stretched out, before smiling as Eric walked in, wearing cord pants, and a black turtleneck. He tended to the fire for a minute, before glancing outside where the snow had really started to pick up. Turning, he signed to her...
"Okay, what letter are we on tonight?"
Milly thought for a second, before taking out her small notebook, she kept by the latest pregnancy book she was reading. Her pen worjubg as a bookmark. Smiling, she opened it up, and scanned the top five names she had written down a few nights ago. She looked up and grinned.
"M."
Eric thought for a second, before he snapped his fingers and smiled before signing...
"Max."
Milly smiled before thinking.
"Marc, not with a K but a C."
Eric nodded and thought, before heading over and shrugged.
"Michael?"
Milly made he so-so sign with her hand, causing him to laugh. Walking over, Eric sat on the end of the sofa, carefully lifting her feet, before putting them in his lap, and gently beginning to rub them. Milly sighed, smiling, absolutely loving them he did this. She sat back, wiggling the pen she was writing with.
"Yeah, I want a name that isn't so normal it's boring...but I don't want it to be so unique it's weird. That make sense?"
Eric nodded, before Milly thought and smiled.
"Marshall."
Eric's eyes lit up before he nodded. Milly smiled.
"Yeah? You like that one? Add it into the notebook?"
Eric nodded again, clearly excited, as Milly laughed and wrote down the name to join the other favorites. Shortly after they tossed a few more names back and forth, the baby started moving again, shifting position, she smiled, setting down her notebook and pen. She placed both of her palms onto the swell of her belly. She felt pressure, from the movement, of the baby shifting. Dr. Weaver's latest ultrasound had been the clearest they had gotten so far, and was currently hanging from a magnet on the fridge door. They said the baby was healthy, and growing fast. Milly was gaining weight, and her anxiety had been down. She was sleeping better, and craving a lot of dairy. She was constantly drinking glasses of ice cold milk at night, and chewing on the ice afterwards. Sometimes after she got out of the shower, she would stand in front of the full length mirror that hung on the bathroom door, and stare at her body. She couldn't believe how strange it looked being now six months pregnant. She didn't think she looked fat or ugly. In fact, looking at her profile, and her stomach which was growing into a curve, filled her heart with so much joy. After eight heartbreaking losses, they were finally having the baby they so badly wanted. The baby that she suspected had picked them at the perfect exact moment for them to be his parents. Knowing how truly special Eric was, and how the thing Milly wanted more than anything in the whole world was to have his baby. A part of him, and a part of her, perfectly blended. Safe and sound in her womb, and ready to complete their family that they had paired and started all those years ago when she first looked out her bedroom window and saw him. This baby wasn't Jet, nor Lucky, or any of the other children they wanted so badly, but lost. No, this little boy she hoped would look just like his daddy, and be just as sweet and special as him.
She figured Luis or Garry, both who she had spoken to and revealed the good news to just last month, had told her mother. She didn't care what she thought, but she wanted it to get back to her that Eric and her were thrilled, and not the tragic cursed couple plauged with stillbirths and miscarriages. That even in their mid to late thirties, they could still hold onto hope, and be a shining example that the wait was well worth it. In just a few months their family would be complete. She had been daydreaming about what their little boy would look like. Would he have wavy dark brown hair like Eric? Curly crazy hair like her? She hoped he had the same big brown eyes like Eric, along with how badly she just wanted to hold this baby in her arms. She had been reading up on every book, and article, listening to Geneva, and Dr. Weaver and Kelly...but she knew her instincts would kick in, much like how they had began the second she took the first positive pregnancy test, or when she learned they were having a boy, or when she started feeling him move.
She smiled, before she motioned for Eric to feel. He grinned, absolutely loving whenever he felt the baby kick. He placed his hands on her stomach, before his eyes lit up, and he leaned down, gently nuzzling her stomach.
"He wants to meet his daddy."
Eric looked up, deeply touched, before Milly grinned.
"You wanna open your big present tonight?"
Eric shrugged, smirking, before Milly laughed.
"Okay, we'll do what we usually do. Open our big gifts tonight, and wait for the rest tomorrow. Go grab yours, it's in that giant box under the tree with the blue ribbon."
Eric slid off the sofa, before grabbing the box, and then came back to sitting beside her on the sofa, as he turned the large box over in his hands. Smiling, he looked at her, before he began unwrapping it. Ripping the paper, pulling the ribbon, and opening the box, before removing the tissue paper. Instantly his face said it all. He loved it. His jaw dropped, before he pulled out the custom black leather jacket that Milly had ordered special. Smiling, she watched him lift the jacket up, his hands gently going over the sleeves, and stitching, before he grinned and looked at her totally amazed. Milly laughed.
"Do you like it?"
Eric nodded quickly, before Milly asked him to try it on and model it for her. He stood up, slipping it on, and Milly smiled, seeing it fit perfectly. He turned around, raising the sleeves, and showing it off, as Milly whistled, and pretended to fan herself.
"Damn, when did I marry Peter Fonda? You look hot!" Eric laughed, before he leaned down, and tenderly kissed Milly, their mouths slowly opening and closing, before he struggled and softly said...
"T...Thank...you...M...Milly. I...love...i...i...it."
Milly tugged on his hair, before he stood straight back up and carefully took the jacket off, before placing it back in the box it came in. He put it on one of the chairs, before leaning in and deeply kissing her again. Milly smiled through the kiss. "Don't tell me? You want another gift tonight?" Eric smirked, as they continued kissing, before Milly's hands gently rubbed the crotch of his pants, before he pulled back and smiled and signed...
"Do you want to open your big gift?"
Milly motioned to the crotch of his pants and laughed.
"You mean that's not it?"
Eric rolled his eyes and laughed, before Milly kissed him again, gently nuzzling against his face, ready to take this celebration upstairs. Instead, she smiled and nodded, asking him where her gift was? Eric smiled, before he went under the tree and picked up a small 8X10 box wrapped in red and green wrapping paper. He sat back down right beside Milly, and signed to her to open it. Smiling, feeling excited, Milly ripped the wrapping paper apart, before opening the box. The first thing she saw, laying on top of tissue paper, was a beautiful set of small gold hoop earrings. Milly's eyes widened as she gasped, and held them up. They felt heavy, and looked just like a pair she had seen while window shopping downtown a few times this past Fall. Holding them up, she was speechless.
"Eric, these are absolutely beautiful..."
Eric smirked, before he motioned towards the rest of the gift, still covered up with ted tissue paper. He signed...
"The rest is bookmarked."
Raising an eyebrow, totally confused. Milly took a second, before plucking the tissue paper, and seeing the local department store at the mall's winter catalog. She usually used these to go shopping with, which in total was fifty or so glossy colorful photos that showed everything from clothing, cookware, jewelry, hardware, furniture, and sporting goods. She had the Fall issue and had used it to order Geneva's daughter her birthday gift from. Holding the winter catalog, she looked at Eric with a raised eyebrow, before flipping through it, and instantly seeing in the middle of it, was a folded down page. Opening it, she froze. There, circled with black marker, was the sand colored baby crib she had spotted in the Fall issue and instantly fell in love with. She had stared at it, already fantasizing about what the nursery would look like. It was first Eric's childhood bedroom, now currently their office that they shared. Most of it had been cleared out from Eric, who was using the other spare room, which used to be used for storage, as Milly's new office. She didn't want to really buy anything yet, or start the nursery since part of her no matter how healthy the baby looked during the doctor checkups, and moved constantly in her belly, didn't mean something terrible could happen, and tragedy would strike at any second? She hated this way of thinking, but she had even been on the fence with telling people the good news, even though she was clearly showing now. She was still afraid she might jinx it, even though Dr. Kelly said all of these fears were perfectly normal, but she deserved to start planning for her baby, and enjoy her pregnancy, and "nest". That she was doing everything Dr. Weaver wanted her to do, and that her son was in fact perfectly healthy and safe inside of her. She had seen the crib, and showed it to Eric remarking how cute it was, even though the price seemed outrageous.
She had only mentioned it once, and now Eric pointed to it and smiled as her jaw dropped again in complete shock. In one hand were a set of gorgeous gold earrings, in her other a circled almost two thousand dollar baby crib she had liked. Eric signed to her...
"The earrings I would love you to wear tonight, maybe you can pin your hair up the way I like it, so I can see your neck? The crib comes in another week. I'll put it together, and you can start picking out what color you want me to paint the walls."
Milly couldn't believe it. Beyond deeply touched she simply stared down at her amazing gifts, before she opened her mouth to speak, but couldn't find the words. Her eyes filled with tears, before she stared across at her husband. The love of her life. The man who was once that cute mysterious boy who lived next door, and would sit outside his bedroom window, arms stretched out, big brown eyes staring forward. She pushed her gifts to the side, before opening her arms. Eric smiled, and leaned forward, careful not to lean against her stomach. She gathered him up in her arms, passionately pressing her lips against his, tears of happiness running down her face as she squeezed him with all her might. Eric hugged her, kissing her back, before she pulled back slightly, and pressed her forehead against his. Looking closely up into his eyes, she thought back to that chilly October night when they first flew as teenagers. She remembered it just like yesterday, and how he kept calmly staring at her, nodding, and showing her that she was completely safe.
She remembered years ago when she tragically had to deliver their daughter Lucky, who she had miscarried. She remembered the painful heartbreaking hours of labor, and how as she pushed her out, sobbing and feeling as if she was losing her mind...Eric with the nurse held her legs open, and he stared at her the same way. Calm, and comforting. His large brown eyes staring at her, as he nodded, showing her that she could do this, that she was safe, and that she wasn't alone. For once she actually felt at ease. The past was the past. This baby wasn't going to be like Jet, Lucky, or the six other babies. This baby was different. This baby was going to complete their family, and whatever magic her wonderful husband had, she knew part of it was in their son, who she promised would protect and keep safe growing inside of her. Staring at Eric, Milly took a deep breath.
"I love you Eric Gibb. Thank you so much for my gifts. I..."
Eric smirked, shaking his head before signing...
"No, thank you for my gifts. This one is hands down the greatest gift you've ever given me."
Milly softly laughed, and shook her head.
"Eric, it's just a stupid jacket..."
Eric laughed shaking his head and signed...
"No. I do love the jacket but you gave me the best gift I could have ever wished for. You gave me our son."
Milly softly laughed, still lightly crying, before she cupped the side of his face.
"No Eric. You gave me our son, and I hope he's as handsome and as magical as his daddy."
Eric took a second, staring down at her stomach and smiled, before he raised an eyebrow. He signed...
"That name...Marshall. It's nice isn't it?"
Milly grinned and nodded, her other hand gently rubbing her stomach.
"Yeah it is isn't it? You think that might be it?"
Eric thought for a second before smirking and signed.
"Maybe. Let's think about it...but something about it is sticking."
Milly looked down at her tiny little stomach and smiled.
"Yeah, I think you're right."
Eric smiled staring at her, before Milly gently pulled at his shirt, bringing him in for another deep kiss. Once it finished, she smirked.
"Meet me upstairs in ten. I want to model my earrings for you."
Eric laughed, before he signed...
"I'll tend to the fire and meet you up there. Go slow going up the stairs okay?"
Milly nodded, kissing him again, before he scooted back, and Milly took the catalog and earrings together, before she got off the sofa. Eric took the wrapping and tissue paper. He helped her up, before kissing her cheek. Milly smiled and walked to the stairs, before glancing back at her husband. He was throwing out the discarded wrapping paper. Watching him, her heart fluttered, before smiling and climbing the stairs, she never felt happier in her whole life.
Marshall...Marshall Gibb sounded perfect.
Later...
Eric froze the second he walked into the bedroom. Milly was wearing nothing as promised, nothing but the pair of gold earrings. Her hair was pinned up, with tiny little curls framing on each side of her face. She laid in bed, leaning against the pillows, waiting for him. His reaction showed her that he liked exactly what he was seeing. Milly batted her eyelashes.
"Merry Christmas Mr. Gibb."
Eric laughed, before he began pulling his clothes off, not once taking his eyes off her.
Later...
Milly laid with her head on Eric's chest. They had made love for the past hour, and both were exhausted. It had started snowing, and the only light they had on was the tiny lamp on the dresser across the room. It cast a warm golden glow, and currently Milly laid there wearing her gold earrings, and listening to Eric's heartbeat. Just then, the flutters continued from her belly. It was the strangest feeling, and turning over slightly, she smiled and felt her stomach. Laying back against her pillow, she laughed, before Eric cracked open an eye and looked over at her. Milly laughed, before she motioned down to her stomach.
"He's kicking."
Eric smiled, turning over, before reaching over and feeling her stomach. Instantly his eyes lit up before he smiled. Milly laid back smiling, still unable to believe this truly wonderful feeling. It almost felt like when Eric took her flying. It was a strange yet wonderful feeling right in her center. Glancing over at her husband, she smirked.
"I don't think I've ever wanted anything more in my life. Just think by April he'll be here."
Eric smiled and lifted his other hand and signed...
"I know. We need to start fixing up the nursery."
Milly smiled looking down at her stomach. For a second she sighed.
"I know I'm being crazy, I'm still so nervous. I know Dr. Weaver said everything has checked out. He's healthy, and everything looks fine. I just keep thinking about Lucky. I know I've carried Marshall longer than her, but it seemed as though as soon as we named her and started changing my office into the nursery..."
Her words trailed off, before Eric covered her hands on her stomach with his. He gently squeezed them, before his brow wrinkled, and he used his other hand to sign...
"Nothing is going to happen. I know it's taken years, but we're going to the best doctor in the state, you're on bedrest. We're doing everything possible to keep you and him safe. I won't have anything happen to you."
Milly smiled her heart still aching after all these years looking into those big brown eyes. She sighed, before tilting her head to the side.
"I know. I want to enjoy this pregnancy and see what a miracle this is. I'm just so scared..."
Eric leaned over kissing her forehead, before leaning in close. Softly he whispered, struggling to speak...
"I...l...l..lovvee...youuu...M...M...Milly. I...www..wonttt...l...l..let anything...happenn...t...t..to...youuu...t...twooo."
She knew he still after all these years struggled to speak despite the therapy. It was something he was uncomfortable speaking, and only did it to her. Still, she absolutely loved the sound of his voice, and it always instantly made her feel safe. Smiling, she nuzzled her head against his, both of their hands covering her stomach where their baby that they had worked on making for what seemed like an endless amount of heartbreaking time. 8 other babies they had lost until now, and somehow despite her fears, hearing Eric's voice made all of the anxiety and bad feelings go away. Laying here with him, glancing over and seeing it snowing through the window, she smiled never feeling more safe and happy in her life.
This was certainly the best Christmas yet.
August 1988
There was only one more week of summer, then school would begin. Today Milly and Eric were at the park, laying on a blanket they had brought, and enjoying the day. Both were dressed in shorts and T-shirts. Milly had her hair up in a ponytail, and she laying back enjoying the sun, while Eric sat cross legged, and looked down at Milly's auto school book. In fact, ever since Garry was giving him secret lessons, and Milly gave him the book, it seemed like something he was actually excited about. Milly loved how closely focused he was looking at the book, lipping the words silently as his eyes scanned the photos and words. The park wasn't really crowded since there was a baseball game happening across town. A few kids were running around tossing a football around, and a small group of women were sunning themselves near the beach area of the pond.
Milly finally opened her eyes, sat up, feeling warm, and toasty from the heat. The two of them were actually working on a pretty good tan between themselves, their skin turning a light golden brown. Sitting up, she looked at the water and frowned. Instantly she thought back to the beginning of summer. She looked out at the raft floating in the middle of the lake, and remembered that terrible panic feeling of not being able to breath beneath the surface. Ever since that happened, she had been spooked about water, including the public pool. Even when Garry took them up North she was too afraid to actually go swimming.
Looking out at the calm water, she sighed, before glancing over at Eric and smiling. He was sitting, looking down at the auto school book. His hair slightly shaggy, and hanging down as he continued to silently lip the words. She knew enough time had passed from his surgery that he could actually go into the water, yet she knew how badly he had reacted when the incident happened in June. Sitting there, she nervously chewed on her nails, before she gently elbowed Eric. He stopped reading, before looking up at her. She smiled at him, before she motioned with her head towards the pond.
"You wanna go in the water?"
Eric's face instantly dropped. His eyebrows were drawn down, his eyes worried. Milly sighed, and thought back to the night before. They had walked, hand in hand to the drive-in, and sat in the fold out chairs watching the movie Young Guns. Eric sat with his arm around her, as she rested her head on his shoulder. She loved nights like this. As much as she loved double dating with Alex and Geneva, she really loved being one on one with Eric. Once the movie finished, they walked together, before they entered the wooded area near North Street, and Eric motioned up to the sky which was absolutely beautiful. It was a warm clear night with a million stars sparking in the sky.
Milly looked around, knowing nobody would see, before she squeezed his hand and nodded. Smiling, they slowly lifted off the ground and flew. The entire time she kept looking at Eric's face and knew she was completely safe as they zoomed up towards the clouds. Now, she felt awful for worrying him, before she bit her lip. She knew it was safer to go into the public pool, but she figured it was too crowded, and the noise might scare Eric. At least this way, they could just sit in the shallow end. Smiling, she stared at him.
"Just to sit in the shallow end, not over our heads. We'll just cool off, and I promise I won't let go of your hand."
Eric looked out at the pond, still looking worried, before Milly reached out and took his hand.
"Come on, I promise it will be safe. It's too hot out."
Eric didn't look so sure, but Milly pulled him up. She then motioned town to their sneakers, and Milly slowly wiggled out of her sneakers, before reaching and peeling off her socks. Eric sighed, before doing the same, before both stood barefoot on their blanket. Milly leaned over and kissed his cheek before they slowly walked down the grassy hill, and towards the sandy beach. The women all sunning themselves didn't even look in their direction as Milly smiled looking out at the pond, pushing away the thoughts of that night, before looking out at the raft. Taking a deep breath she squeezed Eric's hand.
"Come on, we'll sit right here in the shallow end and cool off, our clothes will dry off by the time we walk home. Come on."
Both slowly stepped out into the nice cool water, before Milly giggled and looked at Eric who frowned down at the water.
"Feels good. Come on."
Eric turned and looked at her, before Milly knew she would have to show him. She pointed down to their locked hands.
"I'm letting go for just a second. I'm sitting down right here, watch."
Milly slowly walked into the water, which was ankle deep before she slowly sat down. The water barley covered her lap, but she was sitting on the sandy floor, and instantly felt much better from the blazing heat pounding down on them. Eric stood at the shore for just a moment, looking out at the water looking unsure and scared. Milly waved over to him, she was less than eight or so feet away from him.
"Come on Eric. It's okay. Come sit down."
Eric took a deep breath before slowly walked into the water, before joining her, and slowly lowering himself down and sitting down beside her. Milly smiled, before she gently splashed at him.
"Feels good huh?"
Eric's large brown eyes looked around scared, before Milly reached and took his hand. Leaning her head against his shoulder, she softly laughed.
"See? Nothing to be afraid of."
Eric took a deep breath, before he nodded. Milly lifted her head and sat in the shallow lapping water around them as birds faintly chirped in the distance. Milly looked out at the raft and sighed. As much as she would love to try facing her fears, she knew she wasn't ready to go over her head. Besides, Eric couldn't swim, and after what happened in June. The two sat in the shallow water, sitting side by side, the sun beaming down on them. Milly then turned towards Eric, before she smiled, and leaned over kissing his cheek. She lifted their wet locked together hands.
"See? Not letting go."
Eric looked down at her and smirked, before he leaned over, quickly pecking her cheek. Giggling, Milly nuzzled against him as the two continued sitting in the shallow end of the pond, soaking up as much of this summer as possible before it ended.