A/N: Thanks, as always, for the reviews. They make my day. Yes, all of the chapters will be from Adam's POV, though I'm not sure why. Kurukami, you're right. A little rain must fall even in a love like Joan and Adam's. Otherwise, this would be one boring story. Besides, it's through the hard, painful times that we discover the strength and depth of any bond. By the way, that was a beautifully worded review. Anywho, rest assured that I am building up to something and it won't be edenic. Enjoy the ride. Alexandri

November 22, 2017

Joan slipped her arms around Adam's waist from behind and laid her cheek on his shoulder. He smiled and continued mixing the filling for the pumpkin pie. "Is Simon asleep?" he asked.

"Finally," she answered. She snuggled closer and tightened her arms around him. "Thank you for making the pies."

"You're welcome." Adam patted her arm and went back to mixing. "Are you sure you don't want to go to bed?"

"I don't want to go without you," she said, a yawn distorting her words.

Adam poured the filling in the crust before turning in his wife's arms. She lifted her head and smiled into his troubled eyes. There was an aura of fatigue about her. Even her smile was weary. He knew that the demands of her job and a new baby, a young marriage, and too little sleep were responsible for the bags under her eyes and her dwindling energy. Making the pies for tomorrow's Thanksgiving dinner at Kat and Rodney's was the least he could do. He just wished he could take on more of her burden so she wouldn't be so spark-less. "I really think you should go to bed."

She shook her head.

"You'll feel better after you've gotten some sleep," he tried.

"Not without you," Joan said with another shake of her head. She buried her face in the crook of his neck.

Gathering her even closer, Adam kissed the shell of her ear and rubbed her back in long, soothing strokes. "I'll be finished in here in a few minutes. At least wait for me on the sofa."

Joan pouted, thrusting her lower lip out in a way that enticed him despite his concern. Grinning, he lowered his mouth to hers for a gentle kiss. With a soft moan, she leaned into the kiss, her hands creeping up his chest and winding around his neck. He murmured her name and tried to end the kiss but she swept her tongue over his lips and into his mouth.

This time it was Adam who moaned as he plunged his hand in her hair and kissed her with the full force of his pent-up desire. Their sex life had ground almost to a complete halt recently. Once the school year began, Joan had run herself ragged trying to juggle work and a three-month-old baby. By the time they got home and Simon was down for however long he'd stay asleep, Joan was exhausted, sometimes to the point of tears. The last thing on her mind was sex. For the past six months, Adam had held her at night and tried to help however and whenever he could. Now all thoughts of being helpful were driven from his mind as Joan pressed her body, still soft and slightly plump from the pregnancy, against him. He sucked her tongue lightly and was rewarded with the guttural noise she made at the back of her throat.

She had risen on her toes, straining to get as close to him as possible, when the teakettle began to whistle. He jumped and pulled back, startled by the shrill sound. "The pies," he exclaimed as he pulled out of her arms.

"Damn it," she muttered as she stepped back.

Adam laughed and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "Go to the living room. I'll be there in a minute."

Joan brushed her hand over his cheek and he could tell she was debating kissing him again. Finally, she sighed and said, "Okay, but hurry."

"Unchallenged," he answered and kissed her palm before she left.

He quickly switched out the pies then made a cup of Joan's favorite peppermint tea. He took it to the living room and sat beside her.

"Is that for me?" she asked, reaching for the teacup.

"Mm-hmm. I thought you might like some since it helps you sleep."

"Thank you." She took a sip and smiled at him. She'd perked up since their kiss but she still seemed tired.

Adam frowned and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm worried about you, Jane."

"I know."

"You can't keep going like this," he continued. "You're going to shut down like you did in college if you don't slow down."

"Adam . . ."

"I wished you'd let me help more."

"You've been wonderful, sweetie," she said, brushing the fringe back from his forehead.

"Yeah, but . . ."

Joan laid her fingers on his lips, cutting off the rest of his sentence. "You've been a huge help and very supportive."

"But you're still wiped out all of the time," he countered. "There has to be something we can do about that."

"I, um, I've been thinking about something that might help," she said, taking his hand in hers, "but I'm not sure how you'll feel about it."

"Tell me," he said as he turned toward her.

She took a deep breath and released it before meeting his eyes. "I've been thinking about quitting."

Adam's mouth fell open. "What, your job?"

Joan nodded. "If we can afford it."

"But I thought your career was important to you," he sputtered.

"It is, but I feel like I have all this stuff going on, you know. I mean, we've only been married for, what, two and a half years and already we've moved twice and gotten new jobs and had a baby." She raised her hands as if she needed to show the helplessness she was feeling. "I'm having a hard time balancing it all and something has to give."

"It's just the newness of it all, Jane. We'll figure it out."

"Probably," she conceded, "but in the meantime, I'm fulfilling my responsibilities at work and Simon's needs are being met, but I'm neglecting you. I don't want our relationship to be the thing that gives until we figure this out."

"I don't feel neglected," he said quickly.

She laughed. "Yes, you do. How long has it been since we kissed like we just did? If you don't feel neglected, then I should be concerned because I know I've missed you."

Adam propped his arm on the back of the sofa and absently played with her hair as he stared at her, thinking over what she'd said. "I've missed you, too," he finally said.

Smiling, she took another sip of tea. "So what do you think?"

"Would you be happy being a stay-at-home mom?"

"I'd get to spend more time with Simon. I worry about him when I'm at work," she admitted with a little laugh.

"But would you be happy not working?"

"It wouldn't be forever. Just until Simon's three or four, you know, old enough for preschool."

"Yeah, but, Jane . . ."

"Adam," she interrupted, "I'm choosing to make you and Simon my priority. Nothing else is as important as you two."

He smiled. "What about the gap in your résumé when you're ready to go back to work?"

After a moment's thought, she said, "Well, as Simon gets older, I'll volunteer at a shelter or something. I'm sure the children there need someone to talk to."

"You're sure this is what you want?"

Joan nodded. "Yes."

"Okay. We'll go over our bills and things Friday and see if we can do it."

"Thank you."

Adam kissed her, a lingering kiss that left him feeling a little light-headed. He pulled back and smiled at the desire in her eyes. "I just want you to be happy," he whispered against her lips.

She cupped his cheek. "I am," she said. Then she leaned in for another kiss.

April 3, 2018

Jane,

We've moved into a new phase. Having Simon has changed our life. Suddenly everything is fuller and crazier, better. Life means so much more now that we have him. Last night, the three of us fell asleep on the bed, you pressed against my side, Simon on my chest. Your fingers were twined with mine as they lay on his tiny back. Despite having to share you, I've never been happier than I am with the two of you. I can only hope I give you as much happiness as you've given me.

Love,

Adam