Irresistible

For all his adult life, Horatio had found the sight of a woman showing off her pregnant belly to be beautiful. On the woman he loved, it was just sexy and downright irresistible. He was glad she was comfortable with her pregnant body and he honestly felt proud to be holding her hand when she was on the beach in bathing suit. Horatio was reading the newspaper one morning where there was a featured photo of a happy pregnant woman proudly showing off her belly to a friend in the mall. The father-to-be thought it was nice photo. Reading the paper the next morning he found some readers felt just the opposite. Letters to the editor about the photo ranged from it was "disgusting," "utterly offensive" and the most ridiculous one came from a woman in her 60's. She said "pregnancy wasn't something you show off. You cover up and try to be seen as little as possible." Another one said the woman said "the woman should take a modesty lesson."

Horatio scoffed at the "be seen as little as possible" remark.

Some people, he thought.

When Aimee was pregnant with Rachel they had a set of couple's portraits of Aimee proudly displaying her pregnant belly with her blouse off. (She wore a black sports bra the whole time.) Horatio had his shirt off in the pictures and he and Aimee skin-to-skin contact in most of the photos. Some of the photos were taken in color and some in black and white. They planned to have another set done with this pregnancy pretty soon—and of course, include Rachel.

Horatio felt a small tug on his arm as he closed the paper. Eighteen-month-old Rachel's blue eyes and a big smile stared up at him. It was still early in the day, Rachel wasn't dressed yet. She wore just her diaper and a t-shirt. Horatio tussled his daughter's hair.

"Hi sweetheart," he said. "What ya doing?"

Rachel tugged at her father's hand.

"Play, dada," she said, pointing over at the toys on the floor.

"Okay."

Horatio didn't have to work till 1:00pm. Aimee was still asleep. He was going back to work later this evening so he wanted Aimee get some extra sleep because she would have Rachel on her own till late. The toddler could really tire her pregnant mother out.

Aimee woke up at 10:15 and took a shower before going to the kitchen for breakfast. Rachel was dressed for the day now. Aimee entered the room to see her husband and daughter sitting on the floor playing with Rachel's Little People Zoo©. The duo didn't notice her. Aimee smiled.

A moment later Rachel looked up and saw her mother. "Mom," she said.

"Morning," Horatio said, turning to look at his wife. "'You sleep well?"

"I did."

Horatio had left Aimee's breakfast in the microwave. Their dining room and living room was an open area. Aimee sat and watched her husband and child play while she ate. She knew they both enjoyed these mornings together so she didn't join in. Rachel was going to have her all day and when Horatio left he wouldn't be home till late.

"Daddy go?" Rachel said, her eyes sad.

Horatio held her in his arms and kissed her cheek.

"Yes, baby. Daddy has to go to work. I'll see you and mommy tonight."

Once Horatio was gone Rachel was always fine. But she was a daddy's girl so she didn't like to see daddy go to work.