Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
“Here,” I say, holding out a wrapped package to Melody. “This is for you.”
“What is it?” Melody asks, taking the package from me with a surprised smile. She opens it and gasps softly, her eyes filling up with beautiful light. “This...When did you paint this?”
It’s a painting of Melody that I’d unconsciously painted.
In the painting, she’s pregnant and glowing just like she is now.
Back then, I thought I was going out of my mind. I couldn’t stop thinking about her growing big with my baby when I’d sworn to myself never to father a child.
What if I turned out like my own father?
I couldn’t bear the thought of putting any child through what I went through. But I couldn’t let the wish go to see her carry my baby.
I’d been so startled that I’d hidden the painting away.
I thought it was over, she wouldn’t see. I knew I couldn’t let her go but I had to give her time…and then she came to me.
We made love that night, and I couldn’t stop myself from planting my seed in her. That was the day I threw away my doubts about being a father. With her, by my side, I could do anything.
I could be a good father, brother, and…son. With Melody by my side, I could open my heart to and let go of my past just like she had with her mother.
“It was that day, right?” Melody asks, twisting her head so she can look me in the eyes. “The day you came inside me for the second time, right?”
“How did you know that,” I ask, surprised that she actually guessed correctly.
“I knew you were acting strange that day,” Melody replies with a shrug.
“Yet, you accepted me without complaint,” I say, feeling my throat constrict with emotions.
“I knew you were hurting,” Melody says, raising a hand to my face. “I just wanted to do everything I could to comfort you.”
I let my mouth pull up in a slow, deliberate smirk. “Honey...I think I’m in need of some comforting right now.”
“What?” Melody says with an amused laugh. “Look how heavy I am.”
“So...” I drawl, clearing my throat. “The other night, I was reading up on comfortable positions for heavily pregnant couples, and you’d be surprised at the amazing things I found. I could show you some of them right now.”
Melody gasps playfully.
“No sex. Not when I look like a big bag of potatoes. And don’t say I’m the most beautiful woman in your world.
“But you are,” I reply with a chuckle. “You’re still as beautiful as the night I found you sleeping in my bed. Even more.”
“Gosh,” Melody says, her cheeks coloring up in an adorable blush. “You do have a way with words. And this painting. Oh my God, it’s so beautiful. It looks like me just now. How’s that even possible?”
I clear my throat loudly.
“Apart from the fact that your husband is a genius, should I say it was some sort of epiphany?”
Melody laughs.
“Modest much, aren’t we?”
“You love me like that,” I reply with a cheeky smile.
“Of course I do,” Melody says, snuggling deeper against my chest. “More than the world itself.”
FIVE YEARS LATER
Abram
It’s been a few years since Melody and I had a night out to ourselves. Tending to the twins has been a full-time job for both of us, and now I feel we owe it to ourselves to go out on the town. It just so happens that it is Melody’s birthday soon.
Ella has offered to sit for the children at her place so we can be alone. Melody is hesitant about leaving the kids, but I convince her that it’s good to get a break once in a while. Reluctantly she agreed.
I’ve booked a table at our favorite restaurant out on the dining patio. The evening air is so refreshing, and it makes everything taste better.
We each enjoy sharing a bottle of wine, a sumptuous dinner, and a decadent dessert. After finishing our second cup of coffee, I reach into my suit jacket pocket and pull out a gift for Melody.
Feigning surprise, she clasps her hands to her cheeks and says, “You shouldn’t have,” to which I respond, “Yes, I should have. You deserve the world.”
She opens the tiny box to reveal the diamond anniversary ring I wanted to get for her but didn’t want to wait until our anniversary.
Melody slips it onto her finger, and the fit is perfect. The rose gold band has miniature rubies set in the thickness of the band, and a two-karat diamond adorns the center.
She throws her arms around my neck, gently kissing my neck and my lips. It’s been a while since we have had enough time to enjoy each other properly, and this show of affection tells me that she misses it just as much as I do.