Party of Four

Valentine’s Day: Riley

In the weeks that followed, we adjusted to our new normal. Nica told us that until a doctor said she wasn’t capable of doing something, we had to stop treating her like she was fragile. I couldn’t speak for Cole, but I knew it wasn’t something I was doing intentionally. I just naturally had a desire to take care of her, and the pregnancy seemed to heighten that.

On the plus side, that wasn’t the only thing heightened either. As Nica’s nausea and fatigue started to subside, her s*x drive started to go up. Not to say we didn’t already have a healthy s*x life before, we definitely did, but there was an increase in the amount of physical affection she showed us, and it seemed like almost everything turned her on.

Additionally, anytime I wasn’t at work, with Nica, or asleep, I was with my mom. I was trying to handle the majority of the house hunting with her so that Cole didn’t become overwhelmed. We’d lived in this house for over a decade, ever since he’d come back from Oklahoma, and I understood his reluctance to leave. Mom was right about us needing more space for a baby though…and hopefully Nica.

With Valentine’s Day just a couple of days away, I also recruited my mom for helping Cole and me plan a surprise for Nica. I didn’t want anything too big, but I still wanted it to be special. It was our first Valentine’s together, after all. Besides that, having something to split her attention with meant not having to deal with the idea of moving as much.

At work, we mostly continued as if nothing had changed. We had stopped trying to actively hide the fact that Cole and I were both dating Nica, but we weren’t going around announcing it - or the pregnancy - to everyone. Though when Mackenzie asked me about it, I knew word was definitely getting around. With each question I answered, and each person that asked, it got easier and less nerve-wracking to discuss. I quickly realized that our friend group was more supportive and accepting than we had realized they would be. Even if a few of them were a little confused at first. Anyone else in the restaurant either didn’t care enough to bring it up, which was fine, or was following the age old rule of “if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all,” which was also fine.

When Valentine’s Day actually arrived, I took my time getting ready. I always made an effort to look nice anyways, but it felt even more necessary now. I didn’t want to be mistaken for wearing my work uniform like I had been when we’d went out for her birthday, so I’d bought new dress pants. They were more obviously nice than the basic slacks I wore to work. The fabric was thicker and softer at the same time, clearly a better quality. I wore a black turtleneck with them and the Dr. Marten’s Willow had recommended I buy. After styling my hair and spraying cologne, I put on my black pea coat and examined myself in the mirror. Satisfied, I took the coat off again. I’d put it back on when we left, but I was still waiting for Cole. So I started setting up my room for tonight.

Whenever Nica stayed with us, we would always choose to stay in my room, simply because I had the bigger bed. I smoothed out my bedding, trying to make the room look as nice as possible. I got out the bag of rose petals I’d bought and sprinkled them around. I had bought flameless LED candles and set them up, casting the room in a romantic glow when I turned the lights off. I didn’t want to have to take time making Nica wait while I lit real candles, so this was the smartest option. Then I took out the little black box of things I’d bought specifically for tonight and placed it on the nightstand.

The doorbell rang, and I grabbed my coat as I left my room. Cole stepped out of his room at the same time, and I was proud to see he had dressed up too. Though, I was sure mom had a lot to do with it. He wore charcoal gray slacks and a red v-neck sweater with a white button down peeking out. Dad’s borrowed light gray oxfords created a nice contrast. I noticed he’d even trimmed his beard for tonight.

We answered the door together, grinning when we saw Nica standing there. Her red dress was covered completely in sequins. The neckline showed off ample cleavage, and the sleeves were loose and flowy, but gathered at her wrists. The dress itself hugged her body, then flowed out at the hips before hitting mid-thigh. She wore sheer black nylons underneath, and black satin flats. Her long curls hung down around her shoulders, almost hiding the little black studs she wore in her ears. A black velvet choker rested around her throat with a teardrop shaped ruby hanging from the center. Her make up was done; dark eyeshadow, dramatic liner, and bold red lips.

“Wow,” Cole breathed beside me.

“You look incredible,” I complimented.

“Thank you,” she blushed, smiling. “You both look quite handsome as well.” She leaned in to press quick kisses to our lips.

“We have something for you,” Cole told her, stepping out of the way to let her in. He retrieved the bouquet of roses we’d gotten her. It was actually two separate bouquets that we had each picked out, then combined for her.

“They’re lovely,” she grinned again, smelling them. She carried them into the kitchen to put the flowers in a temporary vase until we got back. “Thank you,” she gave us both another kiss.

I moved to the door again, patting my pockets to make sure I had everything. Phone, wallet, keys. “I believe we have a reservation to make?”

The Garden Terrace was one of the more upscale places in town. None of us had ever been before for that very reason. Mom had insisted we needed to do something special and out of the ordinary for our first Valentine’s together and had made the reservation.

A large terrace was to the side of the building, with string lights criss-crossing through the air from corner to corner. Ivy climbed along the faded bricks and along the columns and banisters surrounding the terrace. Standing heaters were placed strategically amongst the tables.

“Holland, party of three,” I told the host as we stepped inside.

He tapped his tablet screen a few times, then smiled, “Give me just a few minutes while we prepare your table.”

I nodded, then the three of us took a seat on the upholstered bench next to the door. Inside, the lights were dim, creating a cozy intimate atmosphere. White tablecloths covered each table and oil lamps were lit and centered on each one. Rose bushes climbed the walls in each corner while massive windows lined the walls. Three sets of French doors were opened, leading out onto the terrace.

Another host walked up and the two exchanged words. The second host nodded, collected menus and silverware, and disappeared out onto the terrace. After a moment, she came back to collect us. “Holland, party of three?” We stood. “You can follow me.”

She led us out onto the terrace and we were sat at a table near the far banister. A heater towered next to us. There were no table clothes on the outside table. Instead, the tables out here were intricately carved stone tables with holes in the center, presumably for umbrellas to create shade during the day. More potted rose bushes were placed in the corners and in between each set of doors.

“This is so nice,” Nica commented as she settled into her chair.

Cole and I both nodded in agreement as I opened my menu.

“Is that the river?” Cole asked, leaning forward to look past me.

I turned, looking over the banister between the trees. Sure enough, I could see the moonlight reflecting off the water. “It is.”

“This is so romantic,” Nica smiled.

I reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze before turning my attention to the menu.

The server came to take our drink orders, and I got a glass of Merlot. Cole ordered the blackberry whiskey sour, and Nica ordered the virgin “Dragon’s Kiss,” a mocktail comprised of dragon fruit, pomegranate juice, ginger ale, and a mint garnish. It took us a little longer to determine what we were going to eat. There were so many options, and visiting again probably wouldn’t happen. At least not for a while anyways. Eventually, Nica settled on the herb-crusted chicken with roasted vegetables, Cole ordered the ribeye with roasted asparagus, and I decided to be a little more adventurous and ordered the duck breast with cherry sauce.

When the food came, Nica and I swapped small bites of each others, tasting them. The thought of trying Cole’s medium rare steak though caused her stomach to churn. “Maybe when I’m not pregnant anymore,” she joked, a small smile forming.

As we got closer to finishing our meals, the server came back to offer desserts. “Do you want anything?” I asked Nica.

Her eyes drifted over the dessert menu for a moment before she grinned. “Crème brûlée! I haven’t had that in years,” she explained. “I used to always get it on my birthday with my dad.”

“One crème brûlée it is, then,” Cole smiled.

We shared the dessert, and about halfway through, my eyes met Cole’s. I lifted my eyebrows in a silent question, and he nodded a response. “Nica, there’s something we wanted to talk to you about,” I started.

“Okay,” her eyebrow arched suspiciously.

“We know you went through a lot before, and we know your apartment is a symbol of regaining who you are and your independence after what you left,” I started.

Cole added, “We also know that you didn’t really want to ever get married again, and well…there’s not really a way for you to legally marry both of us anyways, but…”

He trailed off, and I picked up again. The conversation being one we had discussed in great detail over the last few days. “We love you, and…we don’t want you to think we’re only asking this because of the pregnancy, because we’re not. But…we hope that you’ll at least consider moving in with us before the baby is born.”

“Of course I’ll consider it,” Nica nodded. She blinked a few times, her eyes shimmering with tears she was trying to hold back. “This has just…it’s been a lot all at once, you know?”

Cole and I both nodded.

“We’re both here for you…and the baby. Always,” he reassured her.

“And hey, if they ever do legalize polygamist marriages, maybe you’ll reconsider your stance on remarrying?” I added, grinning.

Nica laughed, reaching over to cup the side of my face. “Of course, I’ll reconsider it if that ever happens.”

I gave her a quick kiss, then she gave Cole one too.

“We have something else for you too,” Cole told her, reaching into his pocket. “It’s not an engagement ring,” he explained as he passed the square velvet jewelry box across the table to her. I watched, not realizing I was holding my breath as she picked it up. “It’s just a symbol of our love. A symbol of the family we’re creating.”

“Like a promise ring?” she asked.

“Maybe, I don’t actually know what a promise ring is supposed to be,” I admitted, finally taking a breath as she opened the box.

“Oh…it’s beautiful,” she breathed, her eyes wide. She took the ring out of the box and put it on her hand, flexing her fingers so the gemstones caught the twinkle lights and the moonlight at different angles. This time the happy tears did fall, and she patted her face with her fingertips, trying not to ruin her makeup. “I love you both, so much.”