It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing
Chapter 7: The Difference Between Dreams And Reality
Smelling the sweet aroma of pancakes, butter, and maple syrup, my eyes fluttered open, ever so slowly. My warm bed not so warm anymore as my 3 kids, Alison, Alicia (twins) and my youngest, Noah, threw them off of me. Giggling the girls screamed, "Wake up mommy!" I jolted upward, and accidentally threw little Noah off the bed. Laughing like a crazy maniac he got up and said, "Daddy's making breakfast."
They jumped off my bed and ran down the stairs. "It was all a dream," I thought. "All a dream." Yawning, I sat up, and walked over to my dresser, where I started to change.
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"Breakfast, is served, my wonderful little darlings," I said as I set a plate full of pancakes, bacon, and eggs in front of my twin daughters. The giggled, which sometimes meant thank you. Today was mine and Abby's 7th anniversary, and I had a wonderful day planned for her. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her walking down the stairs. She took my breath away. Even at her age, she looked as gorgeous as ever. Yes! And she even has her tight pants on! Just for our anniversary…ah…gotta love her.
Sharing a long, and passionate kiss, we could here our kids laughing in the background, which was soon followed by a stampede of "Ew's." Laughing ourselves, we pulled apart, and I could see her mouth, "Later."
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The day had flown by so quickly you wouldn't even believe it was a day! A baby-sitter had watched the kids, and John and I had flown to New York for a shopping spree. But of course, like all mothers probably do, we had bought the kids more things than us.
That night was the most breathtaking night of my life. Knowing I love to ice skate, we had my favorite food, Chinese, out on the ice rink. Candles were lit in front of us, and ice skates were on my feet. After finishing up dinner, we sat at the table, about to give and receive our gifts.
"Abby, we have been together for so long now, and it's been well spent. If you had never taken me back, that scary 7 years ago, my life now would be a living nightmare. You have given me three wonderful children, and I thank you for it. I thank you for loving me, for caring for me, and bringing me back into your life. I have never met anyone with more strength, and dignity than you. You had the courage to follow your dream by finishing med school and becoming a doctor, and might I also add giving birth three times! Nobody can even come close to overcoming the things you went through. No one. Now I can see why I married you…" Holding out a hand, he gave me a small box. I opened it, and inside was a silver necklace. The locket at the bottom was also gold, and about the size of a penny. On the front, in the form of a flower, were the birthstones, of everyone I love.
In the middle was mine, a sapphire, and all around it, were the birthstones of the people who mean the most to me. Peridot for Eric, Emerald for Maggie, Diamond for the twins, Ruby for Noah, Topaz for Carter, and Anythyst for Susan (can't forget her!) With a tear slipping down my cheek, he put it on me. Now it was time for his presents. The first one was a coupon for anytime he wants to…you know. But only if I'm up to it. (I think he like that one the best.) And I also got him the platinum watch he's wanted for about three months. Once the gifts were given, the music started playing. Moving the table out of the way, we began to skate around the rink.
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That is exactly how I remember it back then…Back when we were young, I mean. Now we are a bunch of old prunes who sit around and watch TV all day. The kids bring their children over a lot, and that cheers us up. Alison with two boys, Jacob and Aaron, Alicia with one girl, Kaylee, and Noah, with a son and a daughter, Abby and John.
