Five Times Kissed - Caidence (because I have control issues)
a love story in five parts. as told by robert loren storm.
( i ) ; she drove him to distraction. there was no peace to be found in the chaotic household she ran. whether she liked it or not she was the center pin that the entire home revolved around. nadia’s moods were dependent on hers, and even robert found himself pulled too and fro with her moodswings. he didn’t begrudge her emotion. in fact he encouraged it --- but this wasn’t grief, this wasn’t sadness, this was plain absurd emotion. he was reaching a breaking point, having already threatened to move back to the backyard and resume showering with the hose --- he had but one threat left. he’d kissed her. not the most romantic kiss, nor even the most lingering intimate kiss. and in truth he was more concerned with getting out of range of her fists instead of savoring it.
( ii. ) ; she’d asked him to marry him and while it may be one of the most de-masculinizing experiences of his life, he absolutely loved it. the kiss that followed was once in a life time. he probably shouldn’t have started humming ‘i’ll make a man out of you’ shortly after the kiss finished. or told her she made a beautiful proposal but getting down on one knee had always been his dream. and then following her around the living room on both knees making rather ridiculous kissy faces. needless to say he’d somehow managed to tackle her to the sofa and cover her with more kisses. which had of course woken nadia who was squealing with excitement over something she didn’t really understand.
( iii ) ; their wedding day was a non-traditional affair, but then again he hadn’t a single family member he knew of. of course the highlight of his day was the fact nadia was standing in as best man, especially since her father had been the one -- somehow cosmically arranging the entire affair. robert didn’t consider himself sentimental or overly traditional, but when the minister had pronounced them man and wife and given permission to kiss his bride ----- all those months of being on best behavior rather rapidly evaporated and he kissed his bride a little too much for mixed company. needless to say that adventure was met with gasps from all the indignant neighbors who’d complained about his living in the backyard.
( iv ) ; when she’d announced over a breakfast of bran muffins and homemade apple butter it had been an exciting event for both the father to be, and the sister to be. nadia by this time had grown almost accustomed to the impromptu moments where robert would do something utterly ridiculous like lean across the table and kiss her. which also served to smear apple butter over most of her face. but the joy on his face and the gales of laughter from nadia had prevented any further retaliation on the mother to be’s half.
( v ) ; the birth of a child was a glorious affair, even when the multi-houred labor went well into the night, even when his hands felt as if every bone in them had been crushed -- and even if on more than one occasion she’d cursed the moment she’d met him much less slept with him. but considering he was at least fifty percent responsible for her current discomfort, he’d endured it all. brushing the hair back from her face, holding her hand when she wanted it, and always telling her how very much he loved her. when the moment had arrived and they finally laid their son in her arms -- everything had been worth it. graham was born, and promptly named. it seemed fitting after all, even if some might think it macabre. how better to honor the man who had been everything to both of them. as their son drifted off to sleep in his mothers arms, robert leaned over - lips brushing hers as a lopsided grin played across his tired features.
‘ you still sure about a big family? ‘