Title: This Thing About Birthdays
Author: Andrea (CarbyLove@aol.com)
Rating: R for smut. You've been warned.
Summary: It's Abby's birthday. Still. It just goes on and on.
Author's Note: Thanks, Cath.
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This Thing About Birthdays
Part I
Chapter 8: When Day is Done
Oh my God.
I can't believe this is happening.
And on my birthday.
My hand falls, almost involuntarily, to my belly.
The bowl of whipped cream tumbles off my lap at my sudden, desperate movement.
I feel the tears spring to my eyes.
What timing.
I don't believe it.
Oh my God.
I reach out for Carter's hand and squeeze it tight. I'm so glad he's here.
"John," I whisper quietly.
I turn to look at him and see an expression on his face that he's never worn before: sheer terror. Not just worried or nervous or even panicked; it's beyond that. His eyes are wide and frightened.
"Abby, what's wrong?" His voice is sad and scared and breaks my heart. Oh God, what have I done to him?
"Nothing. Nothing's wrong." I quickly reassure him. I reach up and lay my hand along his cheek. My other hand moves one of his to my protruding belly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Nothing's wrong. Everything's fine. Great even."
"Then what …"
"I just felt the baby move."
"It's kicking?" Suddenly the look of panic turns to one of delight, and his voice is full of excitement.
"More like turning cartwheels. It wasn't so much a kick that I felt as this whole … wave of movement."
"Where?"
"Here." We hold our hands over the general area where I felt the flurry of motion, waiting.
"You sure it wasn't just gas?" He asks, glancing over at the table and probably thinking that after that feast, I'm likely to be experiencing some sort of gastro-intestinal event.
"That wasn't gas. I've been feeling all these little flutters for the past couple weeks, but I was never really sure. But that … that was, without a doubt, the baby."
"But it's not moving now." He's pouting. Just like a little boy. He can be so cute.
"Well, maybe it just needs some encouragement. A little prodding maybe."
"Oh yeah. Okay."
We give my firm stomach a little push, hoping to inspire the baby to push back.
Nothing. Well, nothing that can be felt on the outside. Suddenly though, I'm very aware of an almost constant fluttering and even some vague thuds inside of me. Did this just start all of a sudden? Or am I just now recognizing it for what it is and always was?
"Abby … it's not working."
Why's he complaining to me? Does he think I have some sort of control over this situation? Sorry to say, there's nothing much I can do about it. But I figure I'll put on a good show anyway. With my free hand, I poke at my belly. "Hey, Baby … Daddy wants to feel you kick. C'mon …" 'Daddy' gives me a look like I'm nuts … right, like he doesn't spend enough time with his head against my stomach 'talking' to the baby. "What? It could work. They respond to familiar voices, you know."
"Well, then maybe I should try."
He leans his head down to my belly and starts talking. "Hello, Baby. I know you're awake in there. Say hi to Daddy." We try pushing on my stomach again. And this time we're rewarded with a kick. An honest-to-God kick.
"Did you feel that?" He asks in breathless excitement. "It kicked!"
"Yeah, I felt that. And I guess you did too. Guess the baby likes hearing its daddy's voice."
"You think so?" He sounds happy and proud at the thought.
"Well, you got it to kick didn't you?"
"There it is again!" He laughs.
"Yeah," I agree with a giggle. "Wow …" The tears are back in my eyes again. My baby is moving. I can feel it kicking around inside of me. It's amazing. "John … there's a baby in there." My voice sounds kind of astonished, even to my own ears.
"Well, yeah, I hope so." He's still laughing and brimming with excitement.
I'm excited too, but also awestruck by the emotional moment. Overwhelmed really. And for some reason, embarrassed by these tears that are rolling down my cheeks. I brush them away with the back of my hand and extricate myself from Carter's embrace. I walk over to the bed and lie down, just needing a moment to take it all in. Thankfully, Carter seems to understand this. I hear him puttering around, putting the food away.
I lie quietly, my hand resting on the baby, feeling, from both the inside and now the outside as well, what suddenly seems to be a constant stream of motion. Thump, flutter, flutter, thump. How can this little peanut suddenly be moving so much? It's incredible. But then, I guess it's probably been moving this much these past few weeks, but now, suddenly, it's gotten big enough that I can feel it. And thanks to those more noticeable movements, now I recognize the flutters for exactly what they are. I guess what I've been feeling for a while now, really was the baby all along. Even though I had my suspicions, there's something about knowing for sure that it's my baby I'm feeling that brings me to tears. Feeling such strong, purposeful movements from the tiny being within makes my heart swell with pride and love and happiness. But there's something else too. Something a little disconcerting. It feels amazing, but certainly different from anything I've ever felt before. And it's … well, weird.
I feel the bed shift under Carter's weight as he quietly lies down next to me. He snuggles up behind me, with his chest to my back. His chin rests on my shoulder, and his arm slips around me.
"Pretty intense, huh?" I nod a little, glad he understands. "What's it feel like? Does it hurt?"
"No, it doesn't hurt. Not yet. It's not bumping into any organs. And it's not big enough to really kick that hard. Mostly it just feels … funny. Good, but kinda weird. I mean, on the one hand, it's indescribable how amazing it is to be able to feel the baby. It's great to know it's moving the way it should be. So that's reassuring. Because every little thump that I feel tells me that the baby's okay. And that's a wonderful feeling. And just feeling the little one that's growing in there is exciting, and touching. But …"
"What?" He asks. I roll over onto my back and look up at him.
"Well … it's like there's an alien inside of me. It's a part of me, but it's also separate from me. With a life of it's own, just moving all around. There's a whole other person, only it's inside of me."
For some reason he seems to find this funny. I glare at him for laughing at me when I was being serious. "Sorry, Ab … it's just … when you said 'alien' it made me think of the movie … and comparing your pregnancy with a sci-fi horror flick is kind funny. But you know, the baby's not gonna just pop out of your stomach like in Alien …"
I roll my eyes at him. "That's not what I meant." I give him a little swat on the arm to prove my point.
"I know." He gives me a little hug, getting the laughter under control. His hand strays down to my belly, slipping inside my robe to rest on the bare skin and, I'm sure, wait for more furtive movement from the baby. I don't think he'll have to wait long. The kid seems to be in training for a decathlon in there, some of those movements ought to come through. He chuckles slightly and I know he felt something. "That is so cool. I'll never get tired of feeling it." He kisses my cheek. "That's my baby in there."
"Yeah, that's you in there."
"That's us in there." Yeah …
We spend a few moments just feeling the little thuds against the walls of my womb … he feels it externally, but I get to experience it in a whole different way. And being on the internal end of this exchange takes a little getting used to. "I guess it must be kinda tough to get used to something flailing around inside your body," he says as if he read my mind. I nod vigorously. Yeah, yeah it is.
"But it's pretty cool, though. Strange, but amazing, really. It's just … it makes it all very real. I mean, I thought seeing this little one on the sonogram that made it feel real. But that can't even compare to this. There's a real, live baby growing inside of me."
"Were you expecting a puppy?"
"Carter …" There's a note of warning in my voice. This isn't something I want to be teased about. He gives me a contrite smile, and I instantly soften, voicing a thought that's been running through my mind. "You know, five months ago, this baby didn't even exist. And then, from practically nothing, it grew into a kicking, somersaulting baby. How did that happen?"
"You did it, Abby. You grew it from nothing into a baby."
"No, nature did it."
"Your body did it. So I guess you must be nature's conduit."
"Ah yes, that's me. Just a vessel." I pause and look at him, then give him a rueful smile. "For the great Carter spawn."
"Well, somebody had to do it."
"Lucky me." I say wryly, but I know that he knows that I meant it. And I do mean it. I really do. He gives me a big smile.
"Well at least you got a nice ring out of the deal." He says playfully, lifting my left hand up and inspecting the ring.
"It's a beautiful ring."
"For my beautiful Abby."
"What have I told you about all the unnecessary compliments?"
"Um … that they're unnecessary?"
"Exactly. But I have to say, that ring does look pretty good there, doesn't it?" And it feels even better. And all I have to do is look at it to feel this incredible sense of security.
"Absolutely. It'll look even better when there's a wedding ring next to it." We both gaze at my ring finger for a moment. "Abby?"
"Yeah?"
"When do you want to get married?"
"I don't know." I glance down at the little bump under my robe. "Soon?"
"Before the baby? Or would you rather wait until after its born?"
"I think I'd rather do it before. Makes things less complicated if we're already married when the baby is born."
"Yeah, I thought so too. So I guess we'd better get moving on the wedding arrangements."
"Wedding?"
"Yeah, Abby. When you get married, you have to have a wedding."
"No, you don't have to. I thought we'd just … you know, go to City Hall. I mean, considering …"
"You mean, because you're pregnant?"
"Well, yeah."
"So what? Pregnant women can have weddings, you know. And we can do something small and simple, if you want."
"I know. But …"
"What?"
"Well, I don't want to waddle down the aisle."
"You don't waddle."
"Well, not now. But by the time we pull a wedding together, I might be on the verge of giving birth. And I certainly don't want to go into labor in the middle of the ceremony."
"Well we shouldn't have to worry about that next month."
"Next month?"
"What? Too soon?"
"Not for me. But do you really think we can make all the arrangements by then? Even if we do have a simple wedding, it's still a wedding. We have to find a place, and get flowers and food, invite our friends and family … oh God, our families …"
"It'll be fine. They'll be civil. And if they can't be, then they don't have to come. I don't really care who is there, as long as you are."
"Well, I'll definitely be there. But … maybe we should just elope." The thought of our families all thrown together for an impromptu wedding is a pretty scary thought.
He's laughing, probably thinking the same thing I am. "It won't be that bad."
"Oh really? Because you mother and grandmother just love me so much. At least your dad seems to tolerate me."
"He likes you, Abby."
"Well that's good, considering I think he's my favorite Carter. Well, right after you, of course."
"Don't forget the baby. The baby's a Carter too."
"Yeah, I know."
"And you will be, too, very shortly."
"For better or worse. Even if you dad is the only one in your family that I actually like or that actually likes me."
"Abby … look, I know things didn't go so well at Christmas. But Mom and Gamma … they just need a little time to warm up, that's all. Once they get used to all this, they're gonna love you. And I think then you might actually like them."
"I hope so. But if they have a problem with me, I can't wait for them to meet my mother. Because, you know, there's no way Maggie would miss our wedding. Assuming of course that she forgives me for waiting so long to tell her that she's going to be a grandmother."
"I'm sure once she finds out that not only is she going to be a grandmother, but that there's a shotgun wedding involved, she'll forgive you. Not that you did anything wrong. It's not like she's the last to know. And after the fiasco with my family, I think it's understandable that you'd want some time."
"Yeah, but that's not why I put off telling her."
"Why did you want wait to tell her?"
"I don't know. I guess … Well, things are always so complicated between us."
"But it's getting better, right?"
"Yeah."
"And she's making an effort, so …"
"I should meet her halfway. Yeah, I know." He's right. I know he's right. At some point I have to leave the past … well, in the past. And if there's ever a time for starting over, it would be in the midst of all these other new beginnings. "I guess we should really tell her soon."
"Well, look at this way: now we can tell her about the baby and the wedding at the same time. Save on the phone bill."
"Yeah, the phone bill tops my list of concerns." His turn to roll his eyes at me. And then something occurs to me. "You know, she might want to know when we are planning on doing this whole wedding thing. Everybody might. Hell, Susan asked me today when our wedding day is, and that was before she knew we were engaged. She won't give us a moment's peace now. So I guess we better figure out the when part, at least."
"Oh yeah, that's right. Before we got sidetracked, I was suggesting next month."
"And I was saying that I didn't know how we'd make all the plans by then."
"Well, let's just say we could. Would that work for you?"
"Sure. But where? I think that's the most difficult of the arrangements to make if we going to have any actual wedding."
"How about here?" I look around the hotel room, and he catches my glance. "Not here, this hotel room. But here, this hotel. Downstairs, in one of the ballrooms. Lots of people have weddings there."
"And I'm sure they'll just happen to have an opening sometime in the next month or so."
"Well, as a matter of fact, I already looked into it."
"Oh, of course you did." Resourceful, I'll give him that. I don't know when he's found time to do all this.
"It just so happens that they've had a cancellation, and the room is ours if we want it."
"When?"
"Exactly five weeks from now. Which should give us enough time to make the other arrangements. And you shouldn't be too unwieldy just yet." He pats the potentially unwieldy bugle, making me chuckle. Yeah, let's hope I haven't turned into a blimp five weeks from now. "It's a Friday night.," he continues. "I thought an evening ceremony might be nice. We can have the reception right there afterwards. And then you and I can come back to up to this same suite. Sound good?"
"Five weeks from now? But isn't that …"
"Valentine's Day? Yep. Perfect day for a wedding, don't you think?"
"But John …" I study his face carefully, trying read exactly what emotions are there. He can't really want to get married on February 14th, can he? "We can wait, you know … I mean, if that's the only date, we'll just wait or find some other place or go to City Hall." The last thing I want is him putting on a brave face because he thinks I want to get married as soon as possible. For all I care, we can go find a judge or an internet minister or a sea captain next week and be done with it. I want to be married to him, I don't really care how we get there.
"Abby, it's been three years. I've thought about this. I don't want to spend the rest of my life with the bad memories. I think it's time to start making some good memories. That way, when I think of Valentine's Day, I'll think of it as the best day of my life, instead of the worst. And, come to think of it, that Valentine's Day wasn't all bad."
"Oh yeah, there's a real upside to getting stabbed with a six-inch butcher knife."
"Well, I didn't mean that part. Of course, that was a horrible thing. I lost a friend; it changed my life forever. But there was at least one good thing that started that day." I give him a puzzled look. He strokes my cheek softly and looks into my eyes. "You remember." Yeah, I do. I smile at him, and he continues. "I wonder sometimes, what would have happened … you know, if things had gone differently that night, if I hadn't gotten stabbed. Because even then … I was, well, drawn to you. There was just something about you."
"Really? Even then? But you barely knew me."
"And yet, somehow, you'd already cast your spell over me." Oh God, he can be so cheesy sometimes. But still, I laugh. "Why do you think I was hovering around you all day?"
"Because I was the new med student and you didn't want me to kill anyone? Or, as the case may have been, do too much when there was really nothing to be done?"
"Well, sure, that was part of it. I mean, it was my job to supervise you and you were new. But that doesn't really explain why I found myself pausing outside the door, watching you watching the patient. It wasn't about observing your bedside manner, I can tell you that much. And certainly, hot coffee on the cold roof wasn't part of my job description. So … you see, it's an anniversary of sorts, for us. Not precisely the day we met, but what kind of feels like the first time we met. The first time we connected. Or maybe the first time I really noticed you, anyway."
I consider that for a moment before asking him, "So this is what you really want?"
"Absolutely."
"You're sure?"
"Yes." I look into his eyes. They're sparkling with excitement. I don't see any hesitancy there.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yeah, Valentine's Day it is." I tell him. If it's what he wants, it's fine with me.
"You don't think it's too cliché?"
"No. Well, maybe. But I don't care. Who wouldn't want to get married on Valentine's Day? And it works out well for you … combining a mushy Hallmark holiday with our anniversary. You're sure to remember one or the other, and you can double up on gifts. Not to mention bragging rights. It's doesn't get more spectacular than giving your girlfriend a wedding for Valentine's Day."
"So we have a date." I nod in agreement. "Five weeks from now we'll be married."
"And five months from now we'll be married with a baby."
"It's gonna go by so fast."
"And there's so much to do in the meantime. Plan a wedding, buy all the baby stuff …" And then something hits me. "There's no room for all the baby stuff in the apartment. I hadn't even thought about it, but maybe we'll have to get a bigger place."
"Funny you should mention that. I've been thinking about it myself." Uh-oh … thinking. This can't be good. "Wait here, I'll be right back." He gets up from the bed and heads across the room to his bag. When he comes back, he has a small square box in his hand. Wrapped up and tied with a bow. Now what does this have to do with that thinking that he's been doing?
"I don't think the baby, or all its stuff, will fit in that box."
"Ha ha. There's something in the box, for you."
"John … don't you think you've gotten me way too much already? If you spoil me now, I'm gonna expect this kind of treatment all the time."
"You deserve it." That gets him a little eye roll. "Besides, this is the last one, I promise." He hands me the box. "Open it." I take the box and open it carefully. Inside I find a key chain in the shape of a heart. "Look, it opens." He demonstrates for me, showing how the key chain opens as a locket would. And inside, there's some sort of black and white image. What is that? Oh, it's very small version of one of the pictures from last week's sonogram. My baby. At its fuzzy best. But so sweet of John to think of it.
"Thank you. This is great. Now I can show off a picture of the baby wherever I go." I notice the key attached to the key ring. "What's this?"
"It's a key."
"Thanks, Sherlock. I meant, what's it for? The apartment?"
"Nooo … not exactly." I'm not sure I like the sound of that.
"What did you do?" He doesn't answer, just gives me his best puppy-dog-eyes look. "John."
"Well, it's like you said. There's just no room for our little peanut in the apartment. There's barely enough room for the two of us and our stuff."
"So … you rented us a bigger apartment? You didn't think I might want to have some say in the matter?"
"I didn't rent us a bigger apartment." Oh, okay. Well, that's good. Or so I think until he goes on. "It's not an apartment, it's a house."
"You rented a house?" I screech those words. Call me crazy, but I like to get to choose where I'm going to be living. Especially when it comes to moving from an apartment to a house. That's a big change. And God knows, we're already facing enough changes.
"No." No, well then … what? Oh my God. No, he didn't.
"Tell me you didn't buy a house."
"I didn't buy a house."
"Did you buy a house?"
"No. I didn't buy a house. I just … found a house. " He pauses. "And made an offer and put down a deposit."
"Carter!"
"What?" He looks genuinely confused.
"What do you mean 'what?' Why would you buy a house without consulting me? What if I hate it? I'm not a child, you know. I want to have some say in these kind of decisions too." I'm practically shouting at him now. I can't believe he would do something like this with no warning, no discussion. He must see the anger in my eyes because he hastily tries to explain and placate me in some way.
"First off, I didn't buy a house … I made an offer. Which can be withdrawn if you don't like the house. If you hate it, we can find something else. But it's a great house, and I didn't want to miss out on it. Secondly, I never intended to find a house, much less make an offer on one, without consulting you. I just happened to notice that this house was for sale. It's in great location, a nice property, and the house is beautiful. So I thought I'd take a look, see if it was something we might be interested in. And I fell in love with it. And you'll love it too. I know you will."
He gives me a contrite, but hopeful smile and goes on. "I was just trying to save you some stress. I know you have enough to think about, I didn't want to worry you with this. So I thought if I did the legwork, it would make it that much easier on you. I was trying to help." The puppy dog eyes are back. And they're beginning to work. I feel myself soften a little. After all, his intentions were good.
"How do you even know that I want a house? What if I don't want all that responsibility?"
He furrows his brow at me. "But we're getting married and having a baby."
"Just because you get married and have a baby doesn't mean you have to have a house."
"I know that. But I just thought it might be nice. There'd be plenty of room inside. And it would be nice to have a yard for the kids to play in. A garage to park the cars in. A big kitchen. Big bathrooms. Lots of bedrooms."
"How many bedrooms?" I'm not sure what to expect when a Carter says "lots of bedrooms" … about forty or so, maybe.
"Four. They're all upstairs, which I thought would be important because we'll want to be close to the baby. In fact, there's a room right next to the master bedroom, that would be great for the baby. It's the smallest of the bedrooms, but it's already painted a nice shade of yellow. It would make a perfect nursery." He looks at me to see how I'm taking all this.
"Keep talking."
"Then there's another bedroom across the hall. It's a little bit bigger, so it would be good for when the baby's not a baby anymore. A good child's room. In fact, it's big enough for two to share, if necessary. And then the last bedroom is over the garage. It's down a little hallway, kinda secluded, so it would make a good guest room."
"Because we get so many guests?"
"Well, my parents, your mom, your brother … it never hurts to have a little extra room. I mean, you never know what's going to happen. Like with our little surprise package here." He pats the belly. "I wouldn't want to have to move because we run out of room if a few more come along someday."
"A few more?"
"I'm just saying that with the extra bedrooms, there's plenty of space, no matter what happens down the road. And did I mention that all the bedrooms have their own bathrooms? Which is good, because then the kids won't be fighting over the bathroom all the time."
"Yeah, the nonexistent few more kids that we need these rooms for." Nothing like getting a little ahead of ourselves here. And then something else he said registers. "Wait, did you say that all the bedrooms have their own bathrooms? This is starting to sound a little too fancy for my taste." A house full of suites? This is starting to sound like a mini Carter mansion.
"It's not that fancy, Abby. It's beautiful, but not … lavish. I really think you'll like it. Wait until you see the kitchen. It's gorgeous."
"Which is important, considering we're such gourmet cooks."
"Well, you never know, once the baby comes along, maybe we'll feel the need to cook something at home once in awhile."
"Yeah, that's likely."
"Oh, c'mon, Abby … it's the perfect house. It's in the city, but in a nice, residential area. In fact there's a park just up the street. But we'll still be close to work, shopping, restaurants, museums, all the good stuff about being in the city. But in a pretty neighborhood. And the house itself is pretty. Did I tell you that in the front of the house there's a courtyard with a fountain and everything? And a there's a backyard with a patio and a grassy area … and there's even a swing set that was left behind."
"And I've always wanted my own swing set."
"Could you be any more sarcastic?" He seems a little bit irritated.
"Could you be any more insane?" I shoot back.
"What?" A note of genuine confusion in his voice.
"You bought a house."
"I didn't buy it."
"Whatever. I just can't believe you did it without talking to me about it. I thought this was supposed to be a partnership. And where we're gonna live is a pretty major decision. One that I think we should make together."
"I know. You're right. I'm sorry." He looks crestfallen, like someone just popped his balloon. Well now I feel kinda bad. I didn't mean to burst his bubble. But still. "Look, Abby, for what it's worth, I wasn't trying to force anything on you, I really thought you'd be happy. But I guess I got a little overzealous about the whole house thing."
"Ya think?"
"Just a little." He says with that lopsided grin that I love. "You're not gonna stay mad at me, are you? I can call first thing tomorrow and withdraw the offer if you want. And we can find a place together. Just don't be mad at me … not on your birthday." He's giving me the puppy-dog eyes again. Damn him. I melt every time I see that expression. And he knows it too. No, I can't stay mad at him. Especially not on my perfect birthday, all made possible by him. So maybe he went a little too far, I still appreciate the thought behind it.
"Come here." I crook my finger at him and motion him toward me. He moves from the end of the bed where he'd been sitting and comes to join me once again, laying his head down next to mine on the pillow. I turn to look at him. "You know I can't stay mad at you for long. Especially not when your heart was in the right place." He grins and moves closer to me, wrapping his arms around me. "But John … a house?" I'm still pretty incredulous about this whole thing. "It had better be some house."
He lifts his head from where he's been snuggling against my neck and says, "It is, believe me. Wait until you see it. We can go by and take a look Monday morning if you want."
"What about work? Somehow after being off all weekend, I don't think we should show up late."
"Oh. Didn't I mention that we don't go in until Monday afternoon?"
"No. You didn't mention that, as a matter of fact."
"So … now will you forgive me?"
"I guess so."
"You guess so?"
"Well, I think maybe you need to do a little something to make it up to me. And maybe then I'll forgive you."
"Oh, what did you have in mind, soon-to-be Mrs. Carter?"
"Well, for starters you can not call me Mrs. Carter. Makes me feels like you mother. Or your grandmother." I can't help it, I shudder a bit at the thought. He just chuckles.
"Well, how about 'soon-to-be Abby Carter?'"
"Better. Much better. In fact, I like it quite a lot."
"In five weeks, it'll be official."
"Yeah. I know."
"And then a few months after that …" His voice trails off as his hand trails down to my belly. "God, it's running a marathon in there, isn't it?" He asks upon feeling another good thump.
"Yeah, something like that. It's pretty crazy. I mean, a few hours ago I wasn't even aware of all this moving around in there, but it must have been going on. And now all of the sudden it seems practically constant."
"Well, maybe it was sleeping before. And then all that sugar and fat and artificial byproducts at dinner woke it up."
"Oh great, my baby's on a sugar high."
"No, our baby is on a junk food high." He corrects.
"Way to start it on the right track to healthy eating, huh?"
"There are worse things than a little junk food."
"I guess. But I hate to think it's in there bouncing off the walls. So to speak." I say. Poor little thing's probably all jittery now because of my ice cream addiction. Oh wait, the poor little thing is the reason for my ice cream addiction.
"At least we get to feel it bouncing off the walls now. That's kinda nice."
"Yeah … hey, did you feel that one?" I giggle as a feel another good kick.
"Yep." He gives me a goofy grin as he absentmindedly rubs at my stomach. "You know, Abby, I think this is the best idea we never had. Our little intruder here."
I laugh. "I don't think you can really call it an 'intruder' when we gave it an invitation. Or at least left the door wide open. Lucky thing we weren't more careful, huh?" Now he's chuckling. I laugh for a moment too, before turning to a more serious though. "You know at first I worried because it happened so soon. Too soon, maybe. But now I think it's almost better that it happened this way."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we weren't together long enough to get used to just being a couple. So we don't have to go through that whole awkward transition from being a couple to being a family. After all, the baby's been part of 'us' almost from the beginning. Of course, sometimes I wonder what we might be missing out on, not having more time for just the two of us."
"We're not missing out on anything, Abby. Not a thing. Well, except maybe, a couple more years of leisurely morning sex. But somehow I think whatever we might miss out on, what we're getting in return is definitely worth it. And I wouldn't change a thing."
"Neither would I." If I ever had any doubts about that, I don't now. Especially after experiencing what it's like to have a future soccer all-star practicing kick-offs inside of me. Speaking of which …
"There's another one!" Carter exclaims. Sure enough, the baby seems to have settled into a favorite spot and the kicks seem to arrive at the same place at irregular, but fairly close, intervals. I rest my hand next to Carter's and wait for the next one. When we feel it, we turn in unison, towards each other, the same happy smiles on our faces.
"I can tell this is going to be our new favorite form of entertainment. Just sitting around feeling my belly."
"Feeling the baby," he corrects. "It's just so … incredible. Breathtaking, really. It's gonna take a while for this to get old. That's our baby in there, kicking against my hand." He leans down and kisses the spot where we've been feeling most of the thumping. And when he looks back up at me, there are tears in his eyes. Not surprisingly, I find tears springing to my own eyes in response. "Thank you," he whispers.
I almost ask him why he's thanking me, but I don't really have to, I know. "I could say the same to you, you know."
"Yeah, but I didn't do much." I raise my eyebrows at him. "I mean, I get the easier end of the deal, you know." That's true enough, but I'm the one who gets to feel our baby moving inside of me. As peculiar as the feeling is, I seem to be getting used to it. And it's pretty cool, really. I feel lucky to be able to have this experience. I'm glad I get to carry the baby. Feeling its kicks really does make all the rest of it worth it. Without a doubt. "What are you thinking?" he asks, probably after seeing the faraway look on my face.
"Just … that I love you."
"Well, I love you too."
He gives me a look that I know well. I have a feeling that he's ready to give me the second part of the birthday gift that I was most eagerly anticipating all day. Our tryst in the bathtub was a good start, but I have no intention of letting him off the hook that easy. So if he's willing to start round two, so am I.
He plants one last kiss on abdomen before shifting positions and moving his body over mine. His forearms resting on either side of my head, he seems to hover over me. He brings his head down, and his lips find mine, joining us in a passionate kiss. His tongue slips across my lips, begging for entrance, and I gladly comply. While our tongues tangle with each other, I reach in between our bodies, feeling for the tie of his robe. I tug on one end of the belt, quickly releasing the knot, allowing the material to fall open. Since his hands are tangled through my hair at the moment, I figure I'll make myself useful and open up my own robe while I'm at it, pushing the material away from my body. I slip my hand inside his now-open robe, running them over his chest and then around to his back where I begin to slowly massage the muscles of his lower back. In response to my ministrations, or perhaps just after becoming aware of our now nearly naked forms, Carter lowers himself from his suspended position, carefully covering my body with his own.
His hands find their way out of my hair and cup either side of my face, holding my head in place as he deepens the kiss even further. My hands roam up and down his back and his kisses move down my chin, along my jaw line, and then on to my neck. He's gently sucking at a particularly sensitive spot, inspiring little moans from me, when suddenly he pulls away abruptly.
"What's wrong?" I ask, hoping that he didn't hurt his back with his fall earlier. Or with our performance in the tub. But he has an amused and surprised look on his face, rather than a pained one.
"I think I just got kicked in the stomach." He says, causing me to giggle. Oh yeah, I guess I did feel junior moving around in there, I was just slightly too preoccupied with other things to register that fact.
"Welcome to my world." That makes him laugh.
"I can't believe I can feel it."
"Well, if you can feel it when you put your hand against the bulge, why wouldn't you be able to feel it when your stomach is against mine?"
"Well, when you put it that way … but I don't know, Ab, this is kinda weird."
"What?"
"Well, you know … the baby moving around in between us. It's like we're making love with the baby here in the bed with us."
"Well the baby is here in the bed with us. Just like it was there in the tub with us a little while ago. And that didn't seem to stop you."
"Yeah, I know … but I couldn't feel it moving then."
"Carter …" Oh, I certainly hope he's not gonna flake out on me now. Between that display with the strawberries and whipped cream before and the more recent making out here, not to mention the flurry of hormones surging through me, I'm in no mood to be put off. I guess I'll just have to do a little work so that he'll feel the same way. Something tells me I can find a way to get him past his shyness.
I slip one hand up his back to his neck, and pull his head down close to mind. I plant kisses on the first available patch of skin, working my way up to his ear, lightly running my tongue around the contours before sucking the fleshy lobe into my mouth. My other hand slides over his hip and around to the front where I provide just the kind of encouragement that he needs. I smile around his ear lobe when I hear him sigh into my shoulder. I feel the breath as it escapes his mouth with a moan. Moments later I feel his moist lips and warm tongue against my skin. I continue my attentions between his legs while he kisses and licks a trail down to my swollen breasts. What a shocking development. With this pregnancy, everything has gotten rounder and fuller, and seems to make me that much more enticing to him. Considering my healthy libido these days, I consider it a good thing. And to be honest, I don't mind this curvy new figure too much myself. As long as the curves stay in all the right places.
For right now, the enhanced curves certainly are just where they should be. And Carter seems to be enjoying these fuller orbs. When his tongue finally finds a firm nipple and begins coaxing it to even greater hardness, it's my turn to moan. The other breast is getting careful attention from his nimble fingers, and sending jolts of electricity through my body. So it's a good deal all around. And he doesn't seem to be complaining about my own explorations. The aching that I feel for him is growing exponentially with each new caress, so I increase the rhythm of my strokes along his firm, hot flesh.
We still haven't bothered to completely remove this plushy hotel robes that we are wearing. And I guess we aren't gonna. Because suddenly my ministrations must have become too much for him. He reaches down and gently moves my hand away, placing it above my head. Then his body shifts slightly and I feel his mouth on mine once again. He lowers his weight slightly onto my body and positions himself at my entrance. I wrap my legs around him, signally my eagerness to feel him throbbing inside of me. I moan into his mouth as I feel him enter my body, causing him to thrust hard against me with a grunt. I find my hips thrusting up to meet him and instantly we've settled into a gentle rhythm that works for both of us.
As our movements become more frantic, I slide my hands up his arms and begin to push the robe off his shoulders. Damn bulky thing is getting in the way. He moves his arms in turn, without ever breaking our rhythm, allowing me to push the robe off him and onto the floor. See ya, don't think we'll be needing you anytime soon. Apparently he decides mine should come off too, and he rolls us over. I find myself laying against his chest, but soon I sit up. Immediately his hands slide over the firmly rounded contour of my belly, up to my chest. So maybe it had nothing to do with this damn robe, maybe he just wanted access to the big boobs. I shrug my shoulders in time to my body rocking back and forth on his, and the material slides down my arms to bunch up at my elbows. I pull my arms out of the sleeves leaving the garment to fall around me, bunching at my hips. Close enough. I've got more important things to worry about at the moment anyway.
Precisely, an orgasm teetering on the edge and threatening to overtake me any second. His hands softly knead my tender flesh, the erect nipples feeling as if they could explode. He's thrusting deep inside of me and with each stroke, the feelings intensify. "Oh … yes … yes … oh … now!" And then it hits me like a million fireworks exploding throughout my body. For a moment I'm completely still before falling against his chest again. He allows me a moment to lie there basking in the feeling of him inside of me, his arms wrapped around me, his slick chest pillowing my head. I can still feel him pulsating within me, so once I've recovered sufficiently, I start planting kisses on chest, working my way to his hard nipples.
He rolls me back over on to my back, and takes over the process once again. I let my hands roam all over his body as he pushes into me over and over. After a few minutes of steady thrusting, he lifts himself up, letting his arms support his weight. He begins moving faster, and it feels incredible. I can't lie still anymore. I'm writhing under him, tossing my head back and forth on the pillow. I lift my head up, straining my neck so that my lips can come into contact with some part of his body. Even in his state of exhilaration , he notices and bends his head down to me. Our lips come together and our mouths open, allowing our tongues to mimic the actions of our bodies. When my need to breathe takes over, I drop my head back down to the pillow.
"Uhn .. Abby …" His voice is strained from the exertion, but I love the sound of my name on his lips while he's pumping away inside of me. It just pushes me that much closer to the inevitable.
"Oh, John."
"Oh my God, Abby …"
He's calling my name louder and louder and moving at frenzied pace. Oh God, I'm so close … just a little longer … just hold on a little longer …
"Abby, Abby … Abby!" He calls out my name as he finally lets go. And as I feel his warmth spread through me, I, too, can no longer hold on. There's a moment of sheer ecstasy, and then just quiet, satiated comfort. He falls next to me on the bed, and wraps his arms around me. Chests heaving, bodies slick with perspiration, we both enjoy the moment, grinning in satisfaction.
"Well, happy birthday to me." I finally say, causing us both to giggle. He leans over and kisses my cheek, just as a shiver runs through me. Whether from the kiss or a chill in the room, I'll never know. But I do feel cold as my body cools down after our activities. Carter rubs my arms, feeling the goose bumps. He manages to pull down the comforter, allowing us to slip under and snuggle into the sheets. And into each other.
Normally I would lie with my back to his chest and his arms wrapped around me. But tonight he requests that we lie belly to belly. I guess maybe he likes being kicked in the stomach. Not that those kicks can be very strong, what with my stomach as a barrier. But still, he snuggles up to me, pulling me close.
"Baby stopped moving. I wonder why?" He ruminates after a couple of minutes with no thumps or bumps from the bulge.
"Maybe we put it to sleep with all that … motion. You know they usually sleep during the day when Mom's up walking around and lulling them into one long catnap, and then, all night when Mom is lying quietly and there's no comforting motion, they wake up. Or you know, after Mom ingests about three pounds of ice cream. Whichever."
"So if we lay here long enough, it should wake up." He says as he starts poking at my belly. "Hey, hey you in there … wake up."
"What are you doing? I don't want it to wake up, I'm tired. It's been a very big day, and I want some sleep. I don't need a the kid doing high kicks inside of me while I'm trying to sleep."
"Sorry."
"It's okay. I love you anyway."
"I love you, too." With that, I close my eyes and nestle my head up against his shoulder. For what seems like a very long time we lie there quietly. And then …
"Hey, Abby. Did you feel that?" His voice is somewhat groggy, but apparently he wasn't asleep either when the little one decided to wake up and make its presence known.
"Yes, John. Inside of me, remember? If you felt it, so did I."
"Oh yeah. Hey you know? It was nice of you to work this out today of all days."
"I didn't do it, the baby did."
"Maybe it wanted to give its mommy a birthday gift too."
"Maybe so." I feel the little quivers and bumps of our 'little intruder' moving around inside of me and know that I couldn't have gotten a better birthday present. Well, the engagement from its father was pretty wonderful too. Not to mention this weekend in a posh hotel street with the man I love. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday. "All I know is … this is the best birthday I've ever had. I just hope they'll all be this good. Well, maybe not this good, because this would be pretty hard to top. But I hope they'll all be happy."
"Oh Abby, they will be. I promise you, from now on, nothing but happy birthdays."
And with those words, I close my eyes again, a smile on my face.
"Good-night, John. Thank you for making this a wonderful day. Thank you for … everything."
"I'm glad you had a happy birthday," he says sleepily. "Good-night, Abby. Good-night, little one," he says, gently patting the bulge that is our baby.
The smile turns into a grin, as I nestle my head into the crook of Carter's shoulder, feeling his arms around me and the thump-thump-thump of our baby within.
Yes, a happy birthday, indeed.
~~~~~~
Author's Note: So Abby's birthday has finally come to an end. But never fear, this fic has not. But since it is called "This Thing About Birthdays," my plan is to check in with Abby and Carter on the various birthdays. So next time around, it will be someone else's ...