I opened the door and was fully prepared to kiss my fiancé, but he just pushed a box in my arms and pushed past me. Something was wrong. I didn’t have the time to think about it, because soon Cam, Scotty and Gus came in. All of them where laden with boxes too. There usual banter was filling the house and I have to say, it eased some of my nerves.
“Where’s Ava?” I asked and got no answer at first. “Sleeping in the car,” Gus finally whispered when he walked past me. Noel took the lead and instructed where he wanted the boxes and went to discover the house. At first, he looked at the rooms on the first floor and then he walked up the stairs to where the bedrooms and the bathrooms were located. I followed him like a puppy on a leash. Noel opened every door, even if it was only a closet and nodded his approval or grumbled in disapproval. He was completely taking over my life and my home, and I loved it. The last door he opened was Ava’s room. He turned to glare at me, because I hadn’t listened to him. He had said – insisted even, that I didn’t have to change anything for her. But I couldn’t agree. The little girl was at home here too. I wanted her to like this house. I wanted her to like me. Maybe I moved too fast and Noel couldn’t follow? I don’t know, but eventually, his face lit up and his eyes became glossy.
“Thank you.” He put his arms around my neck and kissed the tender flesh below my earlobe. I shivered. He liked to kiss that special place and I liked to be kissed there. I put my arms around his waist and pulled him closer. To be able to touch him and feel his warm skin against my fingers as I slid them under his shirt was the best feeling ever.
“Noel?” I whispered in his ear. He looked at me with his big grey eyes and I finally got to say the words that I’d been wanting to say for so long. Without being interrupted and without being drunk. “I love you.” I was hoarse and… hard. We weren’t alone at home though and so I willed CJ – Cody Junior, to wait and behave. Its time would come in the evening. Noel had tears in his eyes. His eyes weren’t only glossy, I could see the tears cling to his lashes. He crushed my lips with his own and I felt that he felt the same. There was no denying it.
“I love the room.” Noel said with his lips still against mine. “And I love you too.” His hand grazed my crotch and he smiled innocently. I knew that it was an act and I pinched his ass. Noel yelped and I was ready to play some more, but Cam chose that moment to interrupt. Gus was close at his heels with Ava on his arms. She had big tears on her cheeks and clutched her favorite bunny in her hands. As soon as she saw her dad, she reached her arms out to him.
“Someone’s missing her daddy.” Noel let go of me and took his girl. He walked downstairs with her and I collapsed against the nearest wall. I sighed. Cam squeezed my shoulder.
“It’s going to be a lot like this. You know, being in the middle of kissing and the little one demanding attention,” he mused. I was aware that he didn’t want to have any kids of his own. He liked them, as long as he could give them back to their parents when they needed their diapers changed or other needs that were primarily taken care of by parental units. I was different. I always knew that I would have a family, sooner or later. I liked kids and I loved Ava. I nodded and grinned.
“Be careful and nice to him. He loves you.” Cam told the wall.
“I love him too.”
“I know. And I wouldn’t want to see anyone of you getting hurt.”
“Cam, go easy on him. I think he knows exactly what to do. Also, this is a second chance. You don’t often get second chances. They will not mess this up.” Gus turned around and left Cam standing there with a gaping mouth. I liked when people did this to him. I smirked.
“What Gus said.” I jerked my chin in Gus’ direction and pushed myself off the wall. Time to unpack the rest of the boxes.
“Don’t bother, kiddo. While you were making out with your boyfriend, the men worked their asses off.”
“I don’t know,” I let my eyes roam over his body and tapped my chin with a finger “Your ass still seems pretty fat to me.” Chuckling I ran down the stairs, Cam was at my heels.
“Boys, behave!” Scotty admonished us, but with a smile on his face.
“Is my ass fat?” Cam asked his boyfriend and I left to find Noel. I didn’t need to be part of that conversation.
Noel sat on the patio. His eyes were closed and Ava was sleeping against his chest. He took a deep breath, no doubt sensing that I was there.
“You have an amazing house, but the garden needs some work.”
“You know me and my brown thumbs. I can’t grow anything green.” Noel chuckled and nodded.
“I gave up my job at Ritchie’s today. I want to work as an interior designer again.” That was news, important news even. I was not sure if I was able to support all of us with only my pay. I chewed my bottom lip.
“No need to be nervous. I have savings.” I could read me like an open book. I realized that we had never talked about money before. What a grown-up thing to do. Ava stirred and opened her eyes. I smiled at her and she smiled back.
“Come on little Princess. Time to show you your room.” I took Ava from Noel and hesitated a moment. Would she cry if I left with her and without Noel? I tried it and she didn’t make a sound. I took her upstairs. I heard my brother laugh in the kitchen. I liked to have him in my house. The dull moments with Cam were rare.
On the way upstairs, I showed Ava the pictures on the walls and told her who was to see. She didn’t care and I made a mental note to try it again when she was older. I showed her the bathroom and her daddy’s bedroom – my bedroom and then I opened the door to her kingdom. Her face didn’t give anything away. I was a little disappointed about that, but then she saw the big bear on the rocking chair and squealed in excitement. I think it was for the bear and not for the chair. I couldn’t be sure.
Her face changed color, her eyebrows became red and then I felt it. It was time to change my first diaper. I wondered if I should call Noel, but dismissed the thought. We were taking care of her together now. Changing diapers was part of the package. Not the most pleasant part, but okay.
“What are you doing?” I hadn’t heard Noel. He leaned against the doorframe. “Changing her?”
“Here let me show you.” And Noel did. Together we fussed about the little girl, long after Noel was done. We sat on the carpet and watched her rolling around. I put an arm around my boyfriend and kissed his temple.
A perfect moment to make a perfect memory.
reflections of an unquiet mind 