"Just be quiet," Cal said again.
"Can we play?" Owen asked from his bed.
"If you have some rest time then afta, yes you can play quietly," he reiterated. He closed their bedroom door. Both boys were in bed with books. They probably wouldn't sleep but a bit of quiet time would probably do everyone some good. For some reason, there was tension in the house. It had started with Gillian and the toilet and now it had spread to Lewis, who Cal had made help him clean not just the loo but their bathroom too. Him and Owen. But there was a lot of complaining from Lewis, who denied the mess even being his, which was pretty confusing to Cal, because he thought only two of them used that bathroom and he wondered aloud which bathroom Lewis was in fact using.
Cal headed down the hall to where his wife was curled up in bed. She had her eyes closed but she wasn't asleep. She had only just got into bed herself. One of the curtains was closed so the room was less bright and she was still fully dressed. Cal clambered in behind her, curling his body around hers tightly. He leaned over and placed a kiss against her ear. Then settled. "And so it is. Just like you said it would be," he murmured melodically.
Gillian gave a little hum and shifted her arm so he was closer still, against her body. "What are you singing?"
"Damien Rice."
"Do I know it?"
"Maybe?"
"It's nice. Keep going."
Cal moved his hand against her stomach and she bent an elbow to place hers over the back of his. "Why are you so grumpy today?"
"I don't know," she responded tightly, the tension still there.
It was Saturday and the weather was nice. They didn't have cabin fever, they couldn't have. Not enough time had gone by for that to occur.
"I woke up on the wrong side of the bed," she grouched. "Ok?"
"Ok," Cal agreed lightly. "Want me to give you some peace? I can read downstairs or somethin'." He started to move away and Gillian quickly turned to grab him by the arm.
"No," she protested. "I need cuddles."
"Need me to squeeze the naughtiness out of you?" Cal murmured, making his wife laugh lightly. He bear hugged her, holding her tightly, almost painfully. "I can't take my eyes off you."
"Now what are you singing?" Gillian asked softly.
"Same song luv."
"I like it so far."
Cal grinned, sang that same line a few more times. "And so it is. Just like you said it should be. We'll both forget the breeze, most of the time. And so it is. The colder water. The blower's daughteeeeeeer." Cal paused. "Oooh did I say, that I looooove you? I love you."
"You're so laying it on thick today," Gillian retorted. "I love you too."
"You seem like you need some love."
"I do," Gillian groaned.
They lay together, chest to chest, arms wrapped, under the covers. "Phoar," Cal complained. "You're like a furnace." He turned back his hand to grip the edge of the blanket and threw it from his body. Now his front was warmed by his wife and his back was to the cooler air of the room. He pressed another kiss against her forehead. Gillian made a pleased sound. "Is work particularly stressful at the moment?"
"No," she shook her head.
"Shouldn't be. I'm a fantastic boss."
Gillian pinched his stomach and he flinched. "Not my boss," she grouched.
"Partna," Cal corrected.
"That is true. And you are fantastic at that."
Cal fell silent. He was pretty sure he had covered all the bases. She must just be in a funny mood. Those he understood. Sometimes he had those too. Sometimes the boys had them as well. He relaxed against her and closed his eyes, breathing in the familiar scent of her.
"Could always have sex," Cal added.
"Thanks for that completely self-less proposition," Gillian responded dryly. Then she giggled. Then she started really laughing and Cal joined her, amused. Gillian pulled away from him and shoved the covers down off her body too.
"You're not supposed to laugh at the idea of gettin' naked with me," Cal murmured.
"I don't know why that was so funny," Gillian breathed.
"Me eitha," Cal mused, more to himself, waiting for her to calm down again. But it had worked and he afforded the ceiling a smile.