She finally feels complete.
I hear her coming down the stairs just as I’m bringing Gigi back inside for breakfast. I smile, ready to see her beautiful face. She appears, looking tired, but still smiling. Gigi runs over to her.
“Mama!” she cries, stretching her arms up to be picked up. I rush over to help, lifting Gigi into Amelia’s arms so she doesn’t have to bend. She snuggles Gigi close, kissing her face multiple times.
“Good morning, my little ray of sunshine,” she gushes with a smile. When her eyes meet mine her smile widens. “And hello, my handsome husband.”
I lean in to kiss her with a wide grin. She always makes my day immediately better from the moment I lay eyes on her. She rubs at her eyes with her free hand, balancing Gigi on her hip.
“You let me sleep in for too long. You should’ve woke me up.”
“Nah. I wasn’t going to wake my sleeping beauty,” I tell her. I can’t believe how beautiful she looks, even on days where she’s so tired. She’s still wearing her pajamas, her hair up in a messy bun, but she looks incredible. How did I get so lucky to have her as my wife?
She smiles at me. “Oh, you. But for real. I can’t sleep for too long. I get out of my routine.”
“You need to cut yourself a break. You do too much, especially now that you’re pregnant again. Sit down, baby. Let me make you breakfast.”
She smiles. “Okay. Just something light, please.”
“You’ve got it, baby.”
While I’m making up some pancakes for me and Gigi, I make some granola and yogurt for Amelia. She always loses her appetite when she’s pregnant, but I always make sure she gets enough for her and the baby. I’ve spent hours pouring over pregnancy books, consulting the best doctors, and taking classes on parenthood. I take this stuff seriously. I only want the best for my wife and our children. There will be no expense spared on taking care of them and ensuring they have the best life possible. That’s my contribution to this family. I’m the breadwinner and the head of the house. I’ll always protect my family and I’ll never leave them wanting for anything.
Gigi chatters away to Amelia as we’re having breakfast, talking about her time out in the snow. Every now and then, Amelia glances my way with a beautiful smile on her face. Sometimes when I look at her, it’s like I fall in love all over again. It still feels how it did right at the beginning. Everything has changed now, but our feelings haven’t. Even through marriage, job changes, and parenthood, we’re still so attracted to one another. No woman will ever compare to my woman. She’s still so goddamn beautiful, and she always will be.
“Mama, day, day?” Gigi asks as she eats her pancakes with her hands. I would try and stop her, but it’s just so adorable. I ruffle her curls.
“You’re going to spend some time with Uncle Robert today,” I tell her. Robert is still our lawyer, but he also acts as Gigi’s uncle. He and his wife never had children of their own, and he was so taken with Gigi when she was born that he’s always volunteering for babysitting duties. Hence, his newfound uncle status.
But Gigi’s face falls. “Dada, no! Mama play snow too!”
“You can tomorrow. Mommy needs some rest today.”
“I’m fine,” Amelia insists, all the while yawning. I tsk at her.
“You’re working yourself too hard,” I growl. “You’ll make yourself sick. I’m going to spend the day looking after you. Gigi can come home later tonight with Uncle Robert.”
Gigi folds her arms stormily, pouting her lip, but I’m not changing my mind. I love Gigi to pieces, but I also know that Amelia needs a day to rest. We don’t take much time away from Gigi, so this isn’t a common thing. Still, I think it’ll give Amelia the rest she needs.
“Mama play?” Gigi asks, looking at me with menace in her gaze. I almost laugh at her attempt to be angry.
“I promise we will play with you tomorrow okay,” I tell her.
She humphs quietly, making Amelia smile. Then she sighs dramatically.
“You no lie, Dada.”
“Would I ever?” I say, wiping a little jam off her cheek. “Okay, baby. Let’s get you ready for your big day out.”
Before long, I’ve got Gigi all packed up and ready to go. By the time Robert rings the doorbell, she’s cheered up. She gives him a warm welcome by hugging his legs and his face lights up.
“Hello, little angel! Are you ready for a day out with your Auntie and Uncle Robert?” he asks, beaming. Gigi nods enthusiastically.
“Walk snow please?”
“Of course we can,” Robert says, already leading her away. He turns to me and gives me a thumbs up. “I’ll drop her home at eight.”