The view was breathtaking with the autumn colors in the sky. It looked like what would only be described as a picture-perfect postcard.
“I can’t believe you did all this,” I expressed in amazement, trying to hold back the tears.
“Consider this our first date, sweetness.” He kissed my neck, stirring tingles to course down my spine.
I stood there dumbfounded for I didn’t know how long, taking in my surroundings before stepping onto the boat with him. Christian thought about everything, down to the pack-in-play that was in the living room, and the bassinet in our bedroom.
The four-bedroom yacht was fully loaded with everything we’d need for a baby.
“I can’t believe you did this,” I repeated, sitting next to him. Immediately I noticed he had all my favorite foods, from desserts, to the appetizers, and even my favorite drinks. It all lined the center of our blanket for us to enjoy.
Down to the guitar he had from college. I hadn’t seen it in years. He must have found it in our garage or attic. Christian picked it up as a hobby our freshman year and actually learned how to play several songs. He used to serenade me all the time. It was one of my favorite memories from our past, and I was excited he’d decided to bring it here tonight.
“I have no words, Christian Troy. You have officially outdone yourself.”
“Thank you, Kinley Troy.” He winked, tossing a chocolate-covered strawberry in his mouth.
“It feels amazing to be outside. God, it feels like forever since I felt the sun on my skin.”
He had put a lot of thought and effort into this date, and I couldn’t have been more grateful. We wanted to celebrate that we were in the safe zone of being able to finally tell his family I was pregnant. Although Autumn and Julian knew, we wanted to wait to tell his parents.
Just in case.
There were a lot of things that had changed in the last month, including Christian coming home early every evening so we could eat dinner together. We’d talk about our highs and lows of the day. It was something we picked up with Capri. She loved doing it when we’d babysit her for Julian and Autumn.
They had their hands full now—their son was born a few weeks ago.
Julian Adrian Locke II was seven pounds, six ounces, had bright blue eyes just like his daddy, and vibrant red hair just like his mommy. Autumn was in labor for an hour, no epidural. She was officially Superwoman and my hero. Their baby was the sweetest boy, and I was in love with him from the moment I saw him. The same went for Christian.
He adored his niece and nephew, and I had no worries that he wouldn’t be the same with our baby.
The way his face lit up when he met their son would probably go down as one of my favorite memories.
“You look good holding that baby, Christian.”
He smiled at me. “I can’t wait to hold ours, sweetness.”
The day continued on, and at one point I handed Christian his guitar. He asked me what I wanted him to play for me, knowing I had a few favorite songs that he used to serenade me with. It felt as though we’d gone back in time when we were just those two crazy kids who were madly in love with each other.
Christian ended up playing our wedding song that he actually performed for me during our reception. I sat there watching him with a fascinated regard, completely captivated by the man in front of my eyes. I hadn’t seen him in such a long time.
The hours flew by, and before I knew it, I was leaning against his chest, watching the sunset behind the horizon while he rubbed my shoulders and played with my hair.
“I missed this.”
He kissed my head. “Me too, sweetness.”
I sat up, wanting to look into his eyes. “You remember what happened the last time you made me a picnic?”
He smiled. “That didn’t happen at the picnic.”
“We can pretend there’s a Ferris wheel around here somewhere.”
“Is that right?”
I winked at him.
In the past month since we had found out I was pregnant, Christian hadn’t touched me once in an intimate way which was extremely unlike him. I was beginning to get a complex that maybe he wasn’t sexually attracted to me right now. I was petite and was starting to show. My body was already changing, bringing on a lot of hormonal emotions I didn’t anticipate this early on.
“What are you thinking about over here?”
“Nothing.”
“Kinley, don’t give me that. I can see the wheels spinning in your head.”
Before I lost the courage, I blurted, “Why won’t you touch me?”
“You sleep in my arms every night.”
“I know, but I’m talking about the other stuff.”
He mischievously smirked. “What other stuff?”