The luckiest

Chapter 12

 We’re at the Vermont house with the girls and Mrs Cork. David and Holly will join us in a few days, along with Jamie and Emma for the last weekend. 

The end of summer is looming and we are enjoying the quiet of Lake Champlain while everyone readies for the start of the school year. Charlie and I are sitting on the porch, watching the last of the holidaymakers enjoy their time on the lake. 

“You ready for when Mrs Cork heads back to Maine?” Charlie teases. 

“No!” I moan. 

“Well, you did agree to only a week.” 

“And its been amazing, thank you.” 

We’ve gone to dinners, lunches and treated ourselves to long walks along the lake, picnics on the shoreline and just a lot of private time. 

“This is bliss.” I say, turning my face towards the sun. 

“It is. Pity we’ve only got just over a week left.” 

I stroke Charlie’s leg, “I know, but lets make the most of it.” 

“I plan to. I’m just so glad Ben has been doing such an amazing job running the bar.” 

“Yeah. He has given me my husband back. I think you should give him a raise.” 

“But I’ve just given him one for managing the place.” 

“Well, give him another.” I smile. 

“You’re too kind Mrs King.” I turn to face him for a kiss and he makes light work of smothering me in delicious kisses. 

"Its really hot today. Join me for a swim?” 

“I’ll watch while I work on my tan.” 

Eventually Mrs Cork looks like she’s had enough of the sun and I tell her to go ahead to the house and I’ll stay with the girls, who are asleep under the parasol. 

Charlie is dressing while I am still sun-worshipping. 

“Think we ought to get these two back inside. Where’s Mrs Cork?” 

“I sent the poor woman to the house. She looked like she was about to expire.” 

He lies down next to me, his face propped up on his hand, “You’re gorgeous. Know that?” 

“You tell me that all the time. I might just believe you.” He kisses me and just as things are getting interesting, one of the girls begins to stir. 

“Later?” 

“Yes, later.” 

We get our things gathered up along with our daughters and head back to our house. Our house, our home away from home is definitely what it is. I feel relaxed and at ease. Even in the small town, it feels almost like an extension of CE. 

Charlie puts his free arm around my waist while he straddles Cara on his side. I have little Caitlin toddling next to me, her hand in mine. She’s walking now and Cara looks like she’ll follow suit soon. 

“Dinner in an hour?” I look up at him. 

“Yeah, that sounds good. What are you cooking?” 

“Caesar Salad and I have ice cream for dessert.” 

“I would rather have something else for dessert.” I giggle as he nibbles my earlobe. How did I get this lucky? 

We’re lying in bed the next morning, Charlie delaying getting up. He rolls over to face me, “Do you hear that?” 

“What?” 

“Silence. The girls and Mrs C are still asleep.” 

“So?” 

“Come on.” He pulls me up and leads me out to our bedroom deck. Its at the back of our house so we get the morning sun and its private. It’s a bit cool and I quickly grab the throw off the bed on my way out, tucking it under my arm.

 “Good idea.” Charlie winks at me as he spies the throw. 

He gently pushes me onto the outdoor couch and shifts next to me. In one swift movement, he has me laying down and is inches above me. 

“Here?” 

“Yes, here.” He doesn’t waste another second and kisses me. It doesn’t take long for Charlie to get me grasping at every inch of him. 

He trails kisses from my clavicles down to my hip bones and has me squirming. I am giggling and dying for him to move on. 

“Charlie!” I squeal, trying to admonish him. 

He grins at me, “Something you want?” 

I don’t say anything as I find his long, thick length under the throw and gently tug. He bites his lip, his eyes still connected to mine. “Ginny, you’re just, just-“ 

“Just what?” 

“All mine.” He groans as he slips into me and begins to thrust. I softly moan into his mouth as he swoops down on mine; his lips almost searching for something. I tighten my legs around his waist and pull him further in. He doesn’t have to do anything more as he hits my spot with each stroke. I moan again, but not so quietly this time. Somehow I manage to top him and have my hands splayed on his chest. He entwines his hands with mine and we are both panting as I move up and down on him. 

“Oh my God, Ginny!” I shut my eyes and bite down on my lip, almost drawing blood as I reach climax. Charlie follows soon after, a stupid grin on his face, “Deck. Check!” 

I swat him on the chest, “Charlie!” I laugh at him. 

“OK Mr King, but right now, I could use a shower.” 

“Join you?” 

“Sure.” 

After about five minutes in the shower, my delectable husband is ready for round two. This time its quick, but completely satisfactory. 

“Come on, let’s get moving, baby.” He swats my butt as he passes me on the way out of the bedroom. 

“Where are we going?” 

“Breakfast. It’s the last day we’re with Mrs Cork and I want to treat her to breakfast in town.” 

“That’s kind of you.” 

“I like to think I’m a nice guy.” He says, winking at me. 

After breakfast, I find myself exhausted and remember to give Charlie a good talking to about narrowing it down to one morning session a day. We’re home close to midday and I decide to have a rest along with the girls. They’re on their cot mattresses in the living room and I am in between, having just read them a story. I find myself dozing off easily, with the midday sun heating up the front of the house. I wake up to the smell of something baking and rub my eyes, still feeling sleepy as I ease my way out between the girls. I find Mrs C in the kitchen, scooping cookies from a tray into jars. 

“Smells great Mrs Cork.” 

“I thought I’d do a few of your and Charlie’s favourite. Choc chip. Lord knows that you two can eat cookies.” 

I give her a squeeze around the shoulders, “Aww, Mrs C. Thank you.” 

“I’ve just had such a lovely break with you two. It didn’t even feel like work.” 

“Really? That’s kind of you to say. Well, I hope you’re going to enjoy the real break you’re about to have back home without the girls.” 

“I’ll miss them.” When she says that; I know she isn’t pretending. She has a genuine relationship with them. 

“When does your brother arrive?” 

“He and Holly arrive tomorrow morning. I can’t believe they’re braving a 5-hour drive.” 

“Rather that than a flight.” 

“Yeah, they’re leaving after Ginny’s first feed at two AM. Can you believe it and then driving through.” 

“Smart.” 

I don’t blame David and Holly, but I am not looking forward to guests at seven AM and no Mrs C. She leaves at six for her flight back to Portland. 

“Where’s Charlie?” 

“Oh, he left to get dinner for us.” 

“Oh. Great. He’s awesome isn’t he?” 

“You bagged a good one.” She winks at me. 

I put on the kettle for some tea and seat myself across from her and the cookies. 

“May I?” I ask, reaching for the jar. 

“Of course dear.” 

We’re sitting on the deck, just the two of us. Mrs Cork is with the girls in the house. She’s insisted we enjoy our last night of freedom. 

“This is the life, huh?” I smile at my husband who is completely relaxed. 

“You really like it here, huh?” 

“I do.” He sips his beer and turns to me. 

“You?” 

“I could retire here.” 

“Great that you’re on the same page.” 

We sit for a bit longer and then head in for a long bubble bath. By the time we get out, the twins are asleep and Mrs Cork is ready for her evening cup of tea, which I make for her every night. 

“Mom says it’s the one thing I do perfectly.” I laugh. “Make the perfect cup of chamomile.” 

“You’re a lovely young woman Ginny and your husband knows it. Hold onto that one. They don’t come made like him anymore.” 

I catch a glimpse of Charlie reading his paper in the living room, “Nah, they don’t.” 

The next day is crazy with Mrs Cork gone and the girls acting up while David and Holly sleep. Charlie eagerly agreed to watch both Ginny and Liam while they catch a nap. I try my best not to strangle him. Liam is all over the place; almost eating body butter at one stage and stuffing his grapes into the DVD player. 

Little Ginny is quietly napping in the camp cot in the kitchen while I prep lunch for all three toddlers and the grown-ups. Charlie looks positively exhausted as he runs after Liam, who has his cellphone in honey covered hands. My mind drifts to us having a little boy run around the house and I quickly recover when I feel the sticky little monster wrap himself around my white denim clad legs. 

Charlie laughs, “Ha!” 

“Yeah, yeah! Look, just wipe him down or better, throw him in the tub please.” Charlie looks like he is about to moan, when David and Holly come walking in. 

“Ah! Thank God!” 

“Liam giving you the run around?” David laughs. 

Charlie looks to me and we both laugh, “You’re here now, that’s all that matters.” He hands Liam over all too eagerly.

Holly picks up a whiney Cara, “You two have been spoilt by Mrs C.” 

I nod, “Yes, I have and I am not ashamed!” 

Charlie hands me a beer and I slump over the counter, “So, what’s new in CE?” 

“We might need a new office soon.” David offers. 

“Yeah the main street is being overrun by eateries and we’ve been approached by none other than Starbucks.” 

“What? That’s so commercial.” I pull a face, sad that CE is selling out to big names. 

“I know, right?” Holly quips. 

“Anyway, I was thinking of going towards the south end of town. Close to the baseball field. What do you think Charlie?” 

Charlie nods at David, “Could work, but then you risk losing your base market.” 

“Bored housewives?” I muse. 

David rolls his eyes at me, “They bring in a lot of my income. I’m not complaining, unless they expect me to come and change light bulbs in the middle of the night.” 

We all laugh at his reference to the local cougar. 

Holly takes a peek at the fish cakes I was prepping, “Lunch?” 

“Yes, but I don’t know how you do it without any help.” 

“Well, help is here. Come on. I’ll finish up. You finish that beer.” She takes Liam from David and sticks him in a feeding chair, wiping him down with wipes. Then, grabs Cara and plops her into the chair next to Liam.   Caitlin is on her Dad’s arm, playing with anything she can pull on his face. 

I grab some cut up oranges and hand quarters to Liam and Cara. They immediately busy themselves. Looking around the room, I can’t help, but smile. I never would have thought I would be standing where I am with a room full of kids two years ago. I take a peek at my niece who is still sleeping and gently stroke the light summer blanket draped over her. 

“Don’t you just adore them when they’re asleep?” Holly laughs. 

“Yeah,” I sigh, nostalgic for the feeling, “I do.” No one else knows we’re trying as we don’t want to be under anyone else’s pressure, as much as we love our family. 

“You OK?” Holly asks. 

“Good, thanks. Just thinking back to before any of us had all of this.” 

“Its great, isn’t it? I fought so hard against it at first. I don’t know what I was thinking.” 

“Yeah, you did fight hard, but you also went through quite a bit to get here.” 

“I’m never letting go of him again.” She sighs softly as she watches my brother and its beautiful. 

Eventually by the second day, we find our swing. The guys take over any form of childcare while we cook. Charlie finds ways to make life easier for him and David and has the kids rolling around out in the backyard most of the morning while Holly and I clean up after breakfast. Its just one more day until Jamie and Emma join us. I have planned each day out for us, much to the annoyance of my brother and today is such a day. 

We enjoy a picnic lunch at the lake. David and Charlie even take out the pedalo while we manage the brood. 

“How is it having such a small gap between the kids?” I ask Holly as she nurses my namesake. 

“Its busy, but its also really interesting and exciting. Don’t tell David this, but I cried my first night in hospital with Ginnifer.” 

“What? Why?” 

“I felt overwhelmed and exhausted, but also just so happy.” 

“I didn’t know you felt that way.” 

“Its OK. I remember the first day David worked away from home again and my Mom was only coming over a bit later. I was so nervous. It’s a bit like riding a bike. A bit uncertain at fist and then remembering things as they happen.” She smiles wistfully, “I wouldn’t change it for the world though.” 

“Wow. How did it get better?” 

“I had to just make it work.” She shrugs. I try hard to imagine three kids. At least the girls are less busy than Liam. I would probably have to check with Mrs C if she would take on three kids. I would only get maternity leave for three months and then Mrs C would be on her own. Also, I never left the girls that early. 

I feel really tired and hope Holly won’t mind too much if I go back with the girls. It is their afternoon nap time anyway. 

Once back at the house, I settle the girls in their room and then make myself some nice chamomile before heading to the room for some shut eye. The room feels warmer than usual, so I open the windows, letting in some cool air. 

I must be really tired because I dream of babies and having another set of twins. Also, in this dream there is no Mrs C and I am no longer working. My hair is always tied up in a messy bun and I only own sweatpants. 

Waking up to the sound of the guys coming back, I am relieved the nightmare is over. Charlie comes in and smiles apologetically, “Did we wake you?” 

“Its OK. Are the girls still asleep?” 

“Yeah.” I look at the bedside clock. Its only just over an hour after since I left the lake. My head is groggy and I feel as if I have been drinking. 

“You OK?” I nod at Charlie, who stroked my face, “You feel a bit warm. I’ll get you some water and Tylenol.”

 “Thank you.” 

After dinner, we all spend some time in the living room, Liam asleep, but all three girls awake. Little Ginny sits quietly with her uncle Charlie and it’s a site to behold. He looks so at ease with her and it melts my heart. 

“Could you be any hotter?” I tease him. 

“I could take my shirt off.” He teases back and I giggle like an i***t. 

“Get a room, you two and no funny business around my baby girl.” David warns us. I love how proud he is of his daughter and its different to how he is with Hope. He loves Hope, but it just seems so stress-free with Ginnifer. 

“He loves her so much.” Holly whispers, “I think he might just call the cops if she one day ventures out too far in the front yard one day.” 

We both laugh and then almost as if having read my thoughts, Holly’s face grows concerned, “I worry about Hope though. It does feel like she’s drifted from him.” 

“She’s finding herself now I guess. Do they still speak?” 

“Yeah, loads. She’s still in the Hamptons with Marie and her grandmother, but they speak every second day.” 

“When is she visiting?” 

“She’s down for Thanksgiving. She misses everyone.” 

“Will be great to see her.” 

“You OK?” Charlie asks me as we’re lying in bed that night. 

I trace his jawline with my forefinger, “Yes, why do you ask?” 

“You seem so far away.” 

“I guess being around little Ginny has made me broodier than usual.” 

“Ah. I see. I was thinking we could sneak some alone time when Jamie and Emma arrive tomorrow morning. We could just do a runner and they would have to watch the girls.” 

I swat him playfully, “Charlie!” 

“Seriously though. I want you all to myself for a weekend at least when we get back.” 

“Where would we find the time?” I feel miserable about going back home. 

“Well, we can ask our parents to sit for us.” 

I sigh, “Let’s see what chaos our lives are in when we get back, shall we?” 

“Mood killer.” He teases and I poke my finger at his chest, which he promptly ceases and pops into his mouth, sucking at it. 

“Speaking of mood killer, which seems to be my alter ego tonight; I am going to have to decline tonight’s tryst.”

 “You’re kidding.” He groans. 

“Wake me up for our morning session. I’ll be on it like a desperate starlet on John Mayer.” He kisses me chastely and whispers his goodnight while I trail off into lala-land. 

I wake up to an empty bed and lots of shrieking coming from down the hall. Looking at the clock, I see its already after nine. When you have kids, that’s late. My shower is quick and cold. No Charlie to heat things up. The weather seems slightly cooler so I pull on a thin knitted sweater and my leggings. 

When I get into the kitchen, I see Emma holding little Ginny and Jamie having coffee while being regaled by David and Charlie. 

Holly is fixing Liam and the girls a plate of snacks at their little table in the corner of the kitchen. 

“Ginny!” Emma muses and places our niece into her rocker. Jamie quickly comes over to give me a hug and peck on the cheek. “The place is amazing!” Emma sys, motioning to the open plan kitchen and living room. 

“Thanks Emma.” 

“Thanks for the invite, guys.” Jamie says backslapping Charlie. 

“Now that you’re here,” Emma looks to Jamie for what seems like approval, “We have news.” 

Everyone goes quiet and she pulls out what looks like a scan, “We’re pregnant!” 

A sea of congratulations follows and I can’t help, but feel slightly sad, which I immediately feel terrible about. I put forward my best effort to ask the usual questions and even offer up some advice. 

“Have you told the parents?” Charlie asks. 

“No, not yet. We wanted to know if we could use all of the grandkids for the reveal.” Emma smiles questioningly.

 “Of course.” I say. 

“Great! Thanks! Holly?” Emma smiles, clasping her hands together. 

“Of course, but I don’t know what you’ll get out of Ginnifer.” 

“She’ll work.” Emma laughs. 

Later that day, the kids are forced to sit next to one another and bribed to smile, with little Ginny in her rocker, a little chalk board in front of her with the words “#Excited! New cousin on the way :)” with an arrow pointed at Emma and Jamie, who are standing next to them, Jamie proudly splaying his hands over Emma's stomach from behind her. 

I admit, its cute. Slightly nauseating, but cute. I manage to get through the day, even though I could do with another nap. 

By the girls’ bed time, I am spent and rethink having so many guests over in future or at least without the kids. The news of Emma’s pregnancy is amazing, but I can’t help to feel a slight pang of jealousy. 

I close my eyes and picture a little boy identical to Charlie and hope that he comes to bed sooner than later tonight.