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Chapter 43

Favorite Things

1600 – Hereford, UK

Georgie finished brewing a fresh pot of tea and retrieved two mugs, moving at a leisurely pace, gently rubbing a hand over her bump as she went. Her smile was pleasant as she very quietly hummed a familiar lullaby. The two most beloved in her life were asleep. She lovingly plated her cannoli, wanting to surprise Elvis with his special treat when he awoke. She searched the cupboards for powdered sugar…

"Shit!" she blurted out with a hearty chagrin. "Yeah….not something we used much of before." She muttered to herself, head bobbling. She placed everything on a wooden tray and ceremoniously carried her handmade treasures into the lounge. Elvis was still asleep. His head was lolled to one side, his breaths were deep and measured. Georgie was stood in front of him, reckoning that this was probably the first he had really slept since planning her return. She placed the tray onto the coffee table. "Daddy is still sleeping." She said softly as she began to sit on the sofa. She felt that endearing warmth ignite in her chest and infuse throughout her as she gazed at her husband. She always loved this man. She stared at the naked cannoli, imagining Nonna's tut-tut at the absence of powdered sugar adorning her creations, but Georgie knew deep down, that Elvis would say he loved them anyway. He began to stir…his eyes slowly blinking open, then his head turned towards her.

"Georgieeee." he croaked out.

"Heyyy sleepy head." she responded, smiling at his sedate demeanor, maneuvering herself off the sofa to get close to him. He rubbed his eyes and looked at his wrist watch, squinting against the glare coming in from the window. 1620 hours. He looked up at Georgie standing in front of him. A sleepy smile rolled across his lips.

"I ain't dreamin, am I?" He said hoarsely, clearing his dry throat.

Her smile became amused and kind. "No…no it is really me…..or I mean…..us." she said tapping her bump. He focused his gaze on her reference and grinned.

"I dreamt about you two." he said, finally pulling himself upright in the chair.

"Were ya enlightened with any names?" she asked, leaning down as he leaned forward to accept her lovely kiss.

"Nah. But I heard him call me papa."

Georgie laughed. "Mister split-decision maker can't come up with a name."

"Just a second….might I remind ya….ya 'aven't fancied my suggestions much."

"That is not entirely true. We have a growing list." she said grinning, cupping the side of his face.

"The proper one will come along. Probably when we least expect it." He said, leaning up to coax another sweet kiss. She gently raked her nails over his facial stubble. He gazed at her, placing his hands on her hips.

"Actually I do have a suggestion. Perhaps as a middle name." she said.

"Go on." He said, happily anticipating what was on her mind.

"Paolo." She watched his reaction.

Elvis was surprised, but Georgie could tell it touched him. His eyes expressed it all.

"My nonno's name." he finally said.

"Yes. I know you two were very close." She said, now caressing the side of his face. "I reckon it would be perfect."

"Thank you. I would love it as his middle name." he said, taking her hand and tenderly kissing the knuckles, holding it against his lips as he gazed at her. She was a remarkable woman and he wondered how he could ever live without her.

"I have something for you." She said lightly fingering his ear.

"Oh do ya?" he asked pulling her closer to him.

" …..Your cannoli…"

His eyes flared. "My cannoli?!...Let's 'ave at 'em."

Georgie grinned happily as she pulled away gesturing towards the coffee table. Elvis scooted out of the chair.

"George, they look fantastic!" he said as she handed him a plate of two. He picked one up and examined it, her eyes watching his every reaction. He smiled at her, then bit down on the pastry, his eyes closing with the enjoyment of his first taste. She bit her lip anticipating what he would say. "My God Georgie, this is really good."

"Ya really reckon?" she asked, anxiously rubbing her hand together.

"Wait…ya know…maybe I betta take another taste…" He crunched another bite as the smooth filling spread onto his lips and he slowly licked it away. "Oh yeah…..this are reeeaally good! Thank you babe." He said leaning down to kiss her.

"I have tea." She said completely thrilled as she licked the sweetness he had left on her lips.

He sat on the sofa whilst she poured their respective mugs.

"I'm sorry there was no powdered sugar." She confessed.

He grinned. "But…there were pistachios on them." They clinked their mugs together. "This is nice Georgieeee. I was just gonna get take away for us tonight."

"Like what?"

"Pizza…"

"Oh no you weren't!" she said poking his upper arm.

"Yeah, I was." He said, rubbing where she had poked and playfully poked her back.

"I saw sauce in the fridge." she said grabbing his finger.

"At's for tomorrow." His eyes teased her from the rim of the mug. "Ya 'aven any mad cravins 'ere mama?"

"Crisps! I fancied some earlier and unfortunately we're out, much like the powdered sugar it seems."

Elvis tried not to grin but his eyes were full of merriment. "Sometimes ya just need to know where to look."

"What?" She watched as he got up and went to the hall closet, pulling out a grocery sack filled with packages of crisps. "Ahhhhhhh!!" she squealed and clapped as he brought the sack to her. She immediately dug into it looking at how many packages of cheesy onion crisps she could enjoy.

"Just promise me ya won't be up crunchin all night." Elvis said, amused at how thrilled she was.

"If I am….blame your little Junior here. I rarely ate crisps before, let alone cheesy onion ones." She said gleefully ripping a package open.

Xxxxx

2200 –

"Did ya stow any under the bed?" Elvis asked as he approached their bed.

"Can't. I haven't got any left." She said blithely.

He became still. Holding the duvet in the air, his expression one of complete astonishment. "George!"

"I am joking." She said. "Jeez Elvis. I had to save some for tomorrow at least."

He laughed then, leaning over to kiss her. She reached for his dog tags and pulled him in closer. "I missed this every night." She said looking up into his warm brown eyes.

"Me as well." He said brushing wisps of hair from her face.

"Ooooph." She uttered, exhaling through pursed lips.

"Wha' is it?"

"Junior."

Elvis pulled back and placed a hand on her bump. Sure enough the little one was busy changing positions. Elvis marveled at the movements, how this little one was becoming a unique little person and making himself known. "At has to feel strange." He said.

Georgie smiled and placed her hand over top of his. "It does. But it's wonderful Elvis. I cannot wait for us to meet him."

He kissed her again, then her bump, reaching back to turn the night stand lamp off. Georgie rolled onto her left side as Elvis moved in close behind her…sliding an arm beneath her pillow and with the other, tucking her against him. His actions were exactly what she hoped for. He slept with his arm under her pillow, holding her safely. She reached to take hold of his hand protruding from the end of the pillow. It felt so good. It felt so right with him holding her like this. It was one of her most favorite things.