The luckiest

My daughters are finally asleep and I breathe a sigh of relief, exhaustion having been the only feeling before that.  Caitlin and Cara, named after one of Charlie’s grandmothers and one of my great aunts, both with wisps of blond hair and grey-blue eyes.  They’re almost six months old and such busy, happy babies. “Ginny?”  Charlie’s voice jolts me out of my almost-slumber. I hear his eager footsteps taking the stairs towards the bedroom.  I leave the comfy armchair in the nursery and meet him on the stairwell.  My husband is delectable in his light blue Oxford shirt and dark blue jeans.  I smile dreamily at him and stretch out my arms. “Hey.”  He mouths against my neck as we fall into one another.  He smells like his cologne and pub food; its perfect! “Hey.  I missed you.” “You always say that, but do you?  Really?” I pull away to look at him and take in his handsome face.  He smiles crookedly and I melt all over again. “How could I not?  You’re gorgeous and you bring home the bacon!  Speaking of, did you bring home some of that Guiness stew?” Charlie throws his head back, “Ah, of course this was all a strategy to get to that stew!” We head downstairs to have a quick dinner before the girls wake up again.  The teething has been slightly nightmarish, but other than that, they’ve got their father’s passive temperament.  Everyone seems to agree on that.  My Dad the most vocal about how lucky Charlie is they aren’t mini-Ginny’s.   We are seated in the kitchen, at our little breakfast nook, Charlie opposite me, as we eat in utter peace and quiet. We catch one another’s eyes and his mouth twitches into a sly grin, “Mrs King, are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Immediately, I drop my fork and find myself in his lap, my hands unbuttoning his shirt and my mouth greedily kissing his. He pulls away, “I was thinking of a game of scrabble or gin rummy.” I poke him with an index finger, “Not on your life, Mr!  Its been three days!” Our kisses become more earnest as he gets up with my legs wrapped around his waist and my arms gridlocked around his neck.  He stumbles into the living room and lays me gently down onto the plush deep wine red rug. “Here?”  he asks, his voice  a whisper. “Here.” Charlie expertly slides my leggings off, leaving me commando. “No panties?”  he makes it sound so dirty. “Who needs ‘em?” I am fiddling with his jeans, his zipper seemingly stuck and my patience wearing thin, “Damn it, Charlie!” “Sssh, I’ve got this.” And he slips out of his jeans like a pro.  I burst into giggles and he shuts me up with a deep kiss. His hard length is grazing my tummy and I feel myself moisten immediately.  Charlie is stroking my jawline and nibbling my ear, but I am not in the mood for a lengthy love making session.  I want this man hard, fast and now! His head jerks up as I take a firm grip of his manhood and guide it towards the apex of my thighs and lift my hips up in offering. “Now, Charlie!”  my voice is breathy and sweet. “Ginny!” “Shut up!” As if suddenly possessed, he rolls onto his back and pulls me down onto his length, “Like this?” My head rolls from side to side as I languish his thick, long, hard length.  No man has ever pleased me like this shy, gentle man.  His silence hiding a wealth of s****l angst. “Uh huh, like that.”  I manage, biting down on my lip, “Just. Like. That.” His thrusts are long and languid.  His hands firmly grasping my hips as he moves me up and down. Almost as soon as its begun, my orgasm starts building and I fall forward, my palms splayed on his chest.  The longing I felt for my husband, satiated. He looks at me, confusion etched onto his lovely face, “Already?” I nod shyly and he quickly turns me over, my legs over his forearms.  He grins at me as he slowly pushes into me, taking his time.  Just as I feel myself succumbing to his thrusts once more, the piercing wail from upstairs vibrates through the baby monitor. My husband’s disappointed face breaks my heart, but also teaches him the value of a quicker session.   Caitlin is content as I sit with her in the rocking chair, her eyes locked on mine.  I hear Charlie open the shower door in our bedroom, the spray of the water hitting the glass doors.  I secretly wish the little cherub falls asleep quickly so I can join him. With my luck, the little munchkin falls back into her slumber just as Charlie walks into the nursery, his tracksuit bottoms are hanging off his hips, his torso still slightly damp. “See something you like?”  he teases. I snort at him as I place Caitlin back into her crib.  Cara is sleeping soundly, her little body heaving gently. He stands behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist, “Aren’t they amazing?   We made these two human beings and they’re perfect.” “They are.  Wanna pick up where we left off?” “Maybe later.  Your brother wants to come and see me about something.” “David?  Aren’t he and Holly away?” “No, Jamie.” I groan as I head to the bedroom, ready for a steaming bath myself. “I think its important.” “I think its money.” “Ginny!”  Charlie says firmly.  He’s tried to always see the best in everyone, but when Jamie has to see either Charlie or Dad, its money.  He wouldn’t dare ask David. “Whatever it is, be careful!”  I warn him. “I actually think its got something to do with Emma.” Emma was Charlie’s older sister.  She and Jamie had been on and off since our wedding.  No one expected it last, both of them being very volatile people. “Oh God.” “Ginny, come on!  He’ll be here in a bit.  Come and join me in the study while I look at the books?” “After my bath.”  I kiss his chastely. “Sure.  Love you.” I kiss him again, “And I, you.”  He swats my ass playfully as I turn towards the bathroom.     I find Jamie downstairs, sipping on one of my chai teas and before I can make a snide remark about it, I notice how nervous he looks, sitting on the edge of the bar stool, as he leans onto the counter. “Hey Ginny.”  He smiles at me. “Hey.”  I say in greeting, kissing him on the cheek. Before I can ask if everything is ok, Charlie comes into the kitchen, with what seems like a business card. I look at him questioningly, but he doesn’t say anything and hands it to Jamie, “Here you go.  Speak with Connor.” “Great, thanks.  Well, I’m off.  Give those two girls hugs from uncle Jamie.” Utterly confused, I hug him goodbye.  Charlie walks him to the door while I stay behind in the kitchen. He comes back in, winking at me as he places their used cups into the dishwasher.  He is whistling as he goes about it.  Being me, I fold my arms across my chest and let out with it, “Well?” “What?” He’s playing coy.  I don’t do coy.  Everyone knows that. “What did Jamie want?  Is he in trouble?” Charlie makes his way over to me and plants a kiss on my lips, “Ready for that second attempt?” I am not falling for his distraction methods, “Charlie King, if you don’t tell me, I’ll tell my brothers that you spank me!” He laughs throatily and it goes straight to my groin, “Oh, but you enjoy that!” “They wouldn’t!” “What is it with you Irish girls and your big brothers?  Besides, your brothers think I’ve done them a favour and Jamie had better play nice.”  He is laughing as he says it. “That’s it!  I’m telling the girls to call you Charlie instead of Daddy.” “You wouldn’t!”  he fakes anger. “I would!  Watch me!” He slips a hand under my t-shirt, finding an already erect n****e.  I almost instantly melt into his arms, but try to fight his charms. “Don’t fight it, Ginny.  Come on.  Give in.  You want to.”  He kisses me in the neck, his tongue hot against my flesh. “Damn you, Charlie!” I moan as I extend my arms around his neck.   This time I don’t rush him and let him have his way with me.  My body under his command.  Turning me around, his front to my back, he slips a hand into my pants, his fingers expertly stroking my spot. What follows can only be described as amazing. How did I get so lucky?     The next day is our usual routine of the girls waking up at around six AM and Charlie helping with a feed before he has to get ready to open up the pub. I grab a quick shower while he watches the girls. It’s a chilly morning and I plan on staying indoors with the twins.  My Mom has messaged to say she will try to visit for lunch and I’m grateful as I haven’t gotten out much this winter. Charlie is sitting up, his phone in his hands. “Hey, don’t think I’ve forgotten about Jamie.” He snorts, “Hah!  Sorry Ginny, this is something I can’t tell you.  I swore!  Just know not to worry.  OK?” “OK.”  I relent and head into the closet to get dressed. “Anything planned for today?”  he calls from the bedroom. “Mom might visit.  I actually want to ask her if she could watch the girls on Friday.” “Oh, yeah?” “Yeah.  We haven’t been out in a while.” I come back in as he is heading to the bathroom, “What were you thinking of doing?” “Dinner and a movie?” “Ah, gone are the days of you saying something like ‘pub crawl’.” His teasing rings true.  I haven’t thought of a dancefloor or a ridiculously short dress in ages and I wonder if I’ve lost my spunk.  I know my parents love the stay at home Ginny. I, on the other hand, can’t wait to get back to counselling.  I agreed to take a year off after the girls were born.  Its been lovely, but I sometimes crave adult company.  With Holly and David living in the heart of Cape Elizabeth, we don’t see each other as often. “Hey.  Ginny?”  Charlie has come back out of the bathroom and has both his hands on my shoulders, “You OK?” “Uh, yeah.  Sorry, was just reminiscing about the devilish days.” “Well, thank goodness those days are done!”  he says and kisses me quickly before heading into the bathroom.     The girls are cooing away in their bouncy seats while I cook a pasta for lunch.  Mom has called to let me know she’ll be around just after one.  I can’t help, but drift back to thoughts of my life before them.  Yes, I am beyond happy with my life, but after my conversation with Charlie this morning, I wonder about whether I am still appealing as a female and not just his wife and mother of his children. I look down at the girls, their little eyes preoccupied with the shapes of the toys dangling from the bouncer.  They are beautiful and look very similar to what Charlie did when he was little.  I sigh and smile at them. Hopefully, a night out with my husband will make me fill the sudden void that’s crept up on me.  I shake the feeling and carry on with lunch.  Before I know it, Mom is at the front door.  I rush to open it, not wanting her to freeze to death on the porch. “Mom!”  I gush, genuinely happy to see her.  She pulls me into a tight hug and for some reason, I feel like crying.  I put it down to hormones. “Ginny, baby, what’s wrong?”  She ushers me into the kitchen and I head straight to pour the tea I’ve been brewing on the stove, the way Mom likes it. “I don’t know.  I just feel so, so-“I trail off for lack of a word to describe how I’m feeling. “Unlike your old-self?  Like just someone’s Mom?” My mouth is agape, “How did you know?” She shrugs and smiles, “I just know.  Its normal.” “When will it end?  I feel so bad, feeling the way I do.  I love my little family, I do, but I just think that I’ve lost Ginny in between it all.” “I think perhaps a date night might help.  Well, a few actually.” I smile nervously at her, “Do you think you and Dad could help us out on Friday night?” “Of course!  I think your Dad secretly misses the city.  He’d love to come out this way.” “Thanks, Mom!  Now, tell me, how is everyone in CE?” “Well, Hope is looking forward to coming to see you.  She’s been acting out a bit lately, but I think it has a lot do with Marie’s issues with baby Liam.” “Ah, that’s too bad.  What does Holly and David say?” “You know Holly, she’s trying to play peacemaker between David and Hope, but she’s gotten most of the problems with Hope.” “Really?  How?” “Well, it seems Hope’s being a bit disrespectful towards her.  Obviously, she won’t reprimand her and have to deal with Marie.”  My Mom shakes her head.  I feel for Holly, but she needs to grow a back bone and fast.  Maybe I’ll call her once they’re back from Millinocket.  Perhaps that’s what Charlie and I needed – a mini break from everything and everyone. “Well, she needs to take charge at some point.  Even David has stopped relenting to that woman.  Tell me, do you know anything about Jamie coming to see Charlie?” My Mom takes a quick sip of her tea and then quickly gets up, “Here we are talking away and I haven’t even gone to see my granddaughters!”   I can’t deny her and follow as she heads to the living room.  While she coos over the sleeping munchkins, I wonder what she knows about Jamie. “Mom!”  I say earnestly, “Is he in some sort of trouble?  That’s all I want to know.”  As I ask it, I realise that this is the most exciting thing to come across my keen ears in ages! She spins around, hands on hips, “Ginny Cleary-“ I hold up a hand, cutting her off, “King.” “King, Cleary, whatever!  Just mind your own business already.”  I nearly laugh at her frustration as I’m reminded of previous situations with my Mom begging me to butt out. “OK!  Geeze, you’d swear I was going to tell the first person I see about whatever it is Jamie’s up to.” My Mom laughs and I end up giggling too, because quite honestly, I’d probably tell someone. “Come on, I made Pasta Alfredo.  You can take some home for Dad too.” “Ginny, trust me, he’s OK.”  I know she’s referring to Jamie. As miserable as my eldest brother can be; he’s still my brother and I worry.  He hasn’t had the best luck with females and is very hot headed.  I worry he’ll end up alone or worse yet, with Charlie’s mean sister, Emma.   Mom stays until Charlie gets home at about six and helps with bath time, so he can unwind and have dinner in peace.  He looks exhausted and hasn’t said much since getting home. The twins are like little livewires by the time Mom leaves and my dutiful husband joins me in the nursery to help with bed time. We sit in the rocking chairs next to their cribs, me with Cara and him with Caitlin.  Caitlin has bigger eyes and looks almost exactly like Charlie did as a baby.  Cara has smaller eyes which are also a bit more blue than grey.  She tries to reach for my face, fighting the imminent thing that is sleep.  One thing I have done and that I am proud of, is attempt to keep to a routine.  Either that, or my sanity! I smile at Charlie as he hums the tune of With or Without you by U2.  He’s the ultimate catch and I want to climb all over him right then and there, but I manage to control my urges and give him, what I imagine to be a dirty smile. He winks at me, a crooked smile on his face.  I look down at Cara, who is almost asleep, here little eyes fighting to stay open, but the battle is lost as I snuggle her closer to my chest.  A few minutes later, both babies are in their cribs and I am snuggled under my husband’s arm as we head downstairs. At the end of the staircase, he turns to face me, “How was your day?” “Good.  Your’s?  You look so tired.”  I stroke his face, my heart lurching for him. “We were understaffed for the lunch rush and then our whiskey delivery never happened.  So, was a busy day.” I hug him, “And here you thought this was going to be less stressful than the tech world.” “At least I have you and the girls.” “Want some tea?”  I offer, heading to the kitchen. “Please, I’ll be in the study.” “What?” “Yeah, I need to go through my e-mails to check up on orders and then have a look at some résumés’.” I openly sulk and watch as he goes down the hallway to his study.  I remember to mention a little getaway to him later.     We reach Friday fairly quickly and I’m completely ecstatic to be heading out of the house, but also feel slightly guilty.  Mom and Dad arrive by late afternoon; Mom, excited to spend some time with the girls and Dad looking slightly anxious. “Mom, there’s a casserole on the stove top and their feeds are in the refrigerator.” She nods reassuringly, “I’ve got it.  Now, get going!” Charlie seems just as eager to get out.  He ushers me out to the garage so quickly, I realised I haven’t kissed the twins. “Babe, we’re going to lose our reservation.”  He moans. “Charlie, they’re my babies!” I rush back in to find my parents with a girl in each arm.  Dad looks like he’s slightly out of practice and I suddenly feel a bit worried. Kissing each baby, I look at Mom, “Call me!”   Charlie is a sight for sore eyes and I gush with pride as we walk into the cozy restaurant not from our house.  The hostess is pretty and flashes me a smile, but it lingers with Charlie as he asks about our booking. “Uh, King?  Here it is.  Please follow me.” And she leads us to a table close to the window that has a bottle of my favourite white wine chilling.  I kiss Charlie on the cheek, “Baby, it’s perfect!” I swear he flushes, but I quickly get distracted by an envelope on one of the place settings. “What’s this?” He shrugs. “Maybe someone left it behind?” “Open it.”  He says matter-of-factly. Not thinking twice and that it could be personal, I open the long embossed envelope and peek inside, then quickly around to see whether anyone is about to yell at me to stop. “So, what is it?” Charlie probes. I bite my lip and giggle, “Charlie!”