Just in time for the spring blooms.
“I want another one… What do you think?” A curve of a smile grew on his face as he reached for his plate with his half-finished slice of birthday cake. She glanced back at him, sat on the soft play-mat with their one-year old, now fast asleep in her arms.
She chuckled, “Another baby? Screw that! As much fun as it is making babies with you, I am perfectly content with this munchkin for now. I think that he is perfectly happy without a sibling for now.” Reaching for the table to help her up, she planted a gentle kiss to the top of the baby’s head as he stirred softly in her arms.
They’d talked about it before, raising a family. Whispered plans in the dark turning into shining eyes and surprised gasps after a month of “not not trying”.
All things considered, it had been a relatively easy pregnancy. Well, excluding the tears when the bakery had run out of jam doughnuts, or his belly laughs as she stood upright with hands on hips in the July heat, feet submerged in the paddling pool to ease her swollen feet.
They’d found out quite early, only three weeks, thanks to a bout of what was originally thought to be food poisoning but had stuck long enough to raise suspicions. As he called in sick for her again three days after eating some questionable sushi, he had stopped mid-sentence, quickly thanking her boss for understanding, and rushed back to her. The words had tripped on his tongue as he smoothed her hair back, keeping his excitement at bay until they were sure, until they were safe.
The next eight months had flown by, heads spinning as list after list was written and ticked off. Evenings spent reading to her bump as she snoozed, snoring softly as a movie credits played in the background. Weekends strolling hand in hand with steaming cups of tea, soaking up the time left just the two of us.
When he had come, on a bright July morning, it had been an absolute blur, running on pure adrenaline and gas and air as she brought their baby into the world. And when they heard his strong cries cutting through the air, they’d both burst into tears, brimming over with pride, exhaustion and delight.
She smiled as she remembered the early days of bleary eyes and sleepless nights, an endless stream of nappies and bottles. Not yet, she thought, sipping her tea as she settled next to him on the sofa. Not just yet.
But, being young and irresponsible, it wasn’t long before she was back at the bakery every morning, a grin on her face as unwrapped yet another jam doughnut. A daughter this time, the doctor had said, due in time for the spring flowers to bloom.