David and Natalie sat in a stern silence in the aftermath of the president's visit. The press had hounded him for three hours now, asking him about every detail about the two meetings, and he'd given all they wanted to know. Well, except for the fact he and the president hated each other and he degraded Natalie every change he got.
"Natalie," said David, his voice sounding hoarse. "Why did you come in today? There wouldn't have been problems if you'd just…" His voice trailed off.
"I had to. There was nobody else to deliver the biscuits. I told Patty that it would cause problems, but she… you know, she told me to come in and get over it!"
"Fine." David shrugged, poking his shoulder towards her so she could lean on it. "But don't do it again. I wasn't all-the-way joking when I said don't come into the room this morning."
She laughed, letting her head fall onto his shoulder. "I won't come again. I promise."
David nodded. "And keep it that way!"
With that, he picked up the remote and began to flip through the channels. He landed on ENG, a local news station. "Want to watch this?" he suggested.
She shrugged. "Only if there's something interesting on."
The screen lit up with an image of David and the president, so David immediately changed the channel to a little Disney movie. Cinderella swept across the floor in her white, sparkling dress as Prince Charming fell in love with her.
"Nice," grunted David. "Prince Charming."
"Oh, come on! It's a nice movie," protested Natalie.
"I'm sure it is." He chuckled, then pulled her closer to him.
He was as close to heaven as he could ge.
- -
Aurelia clambered out of the bathroom, throwing towels off of hangers and soaps off of sinks. She was obviously angry.
Jamie sighed, throwing his head into his hands. "Zilch?" he asked.
"Nothing!" Aurelia waved the pregnancy test in the air for impact. "This isn't fair! I don't want to be one of those couples who… tries for a million years and never gets anywhere until one day—BAM—they're fifty-three years old and wrinkled and they finally have a kid! Ugh!" She flopped onto the bed. "This is miserable."
"Aw, Aurelia." Jamie hugged her thin waist. "We won't be like that. Anyways, at fifty-three, I'd like to think we'll still look young? You know… hip old people?"
"Fine." She obviously wasn't in the mood for humor. She crashed onto the cushioned seat, fumbling with the remote but not turning on the Tv. "It's not fair."
"I know it isn't."
"It can't…" She trailed off, sighing, then leaned her head against the back of the chair. "I'll try until I get a little girl."
"Yeah," said Jamie. "A little girl with pink bows in her hair."
"And a purple dress."
"And rosy cheeks."
"And hair like mine."
"And a nose like mine."
"I hope not."
The two laughed half-heartedly.
- -
Karen had never felt so alone. She was pressed against the corner of her room, the comforting meeting-of-walls right behind her back. Tears were coming, flowing in wild rivers down her face. Her heart couldn't take this kind of rejection.
Timothy had gone that morning, muttering something about "space" and "time off." He'd brought all his belongings, leaving her drawers empty again. Leaving her heart empty again.
Bernard sat outside the door, frowning, his hand wavering next to the doorknob. Daisy stood beside him, peering through the keyhole.
"Mum's sad again," she whispered, and Karen heard her. This only made Karen more hysterical, with the tears bunching up on her nose and spilling into her mouth.
"Let's just go," sighed Bernard. "She'll get over him soon."
Karen considered the butcher knives in the kitchen; considered adoption and how much happier her children would be if they were given up. She considered a lonely life, lacking Bad Bernie and Wonderful Daisy. She considered a life without children, just going through one guy and the next. She figured that would be better for her children.
She stood up, getting tired of the wall, and slipped under the covers of her bed. She rolled over the space where Timothy had slept, kicking the mattress—as if she was kicking an invisible Timothy.
"There," she gasped through sobs, "suits you right."
She continued to kick at the mattress, but silently now. She didn't want her children to hear her further.
The children outside were breaking free from the door, walking down to their rooms, and shutting their doors. Karen had, yet again, caused them sadness. She thought of adoption again.
- -
David returned from his time at sitting at the coffee shop. He lied to Mia, telling her that yes, the meeting had been fine, and that he was sorry—he just had a lot of things on his mind.
She'd forgiven him, held him close, and then gone aside to feed the baby one last time before bed.
David fell into the soft mattress, feeling its warmth. He was sick of thinking of Karen. He'd thought of her so many times over these short three years, and it was tiresome. He wished he could just move into this new stage of his life, with Mia, with Isabella—their baby. He wished he could leave behind all thoughts of the blonde-haired, awkward-waisted woman he'd left behind.
"David?" Mia whispered, entering the room.
"Yeah?" he whispered back.
"I wish you'd stop doing that."
"What?"
"Living in the past." She slipped in beside him, wrapping her arms around his waist. This time, he didn't dare resist. He thought of Karen once again, but refused to let that woman overcome his thoughts.
"I'm sorry," he grunted, leaning over to give her a kiss on the head. "I… really. I'm sorry."
"Should I take her calls from now on?" Mia relaxed in his hold, though, which was a good sign. "Because, if it affects you this much, I think that's the best choice."
"I suppose." He paused, clearing his throat uncomfortably. "I don't think that will make her happy."
"Is she your girlfriend?"
"No..."
"Who do you think is more important? Whose feelings do you want hurt least? Your own girlfriend's, with whom you have a beautiful baby, or your ex-wife?"
"My beautiful girlfriend." He shifted awkwardly, still holding her, but feeling his mind race. How could he say no without hurting Mia's feelings? Or sending her off on one of her rants? "I'll take the calls, Mia, but I won't … become distant anymore."
"If that doesn't work," she warned, "I'm taking the calls. And I'm going to be in charge of the check."
"That's fine." David nodded, then pulled her closer, feeling her body warmth wafting into his own body.
"Good." With that, the two began to kiss.