Send me a sign 09

9

 

After she finished breastfeeding her two months old son Lena got up from a rocking chair and put the sleeping baby in the crib. She stroked his cheek gently and smiled for herself. She left the room that was used to be a guest room before and went dowstairs.

 

She pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge and stepped outside. Unscrewing the lid she took a swig from her bottle and put it on the table. She leaned her hands on the banister, staring at the garden.

 

It's been a year since Eric completely returned into her life. She had to admit that she was happy. The anniversary of their wedding would be in a month. She glanced at her left hand with a beautiful ring, smiling. She would never forget the moment she told Eric he would be a father for the second time. It was four months after their wedding and she was three months pregnant. He was thrilled, his eyes shining.

 

Ellie celebrated her sixth birthday in April. She was also thrilled about having a little brother or sister. At least in the beginning. But in the middle of August Lena overheard her talking to Eric.

 

Drawing on the back porch Ellie looked at Eric who was doing something in the garden and was on his way inside.

 

„Daddy?“ she asked. „And when will my brother or sister be born?“

 

Eric took a seat next to her, stroking her hair. „Very soon, Ellie, in two weeks. Are you looking forward to seeing him or her?“

 

Ellie nodded shortly. She thought for a few seconds before she raised her eyes to him. „Will you like the baby now?“

 

„Of course, I will. I love him or her already now,“ he smiled gently. „Why are you asking?“

 

„I'm not sure,“ she shrugged. „Will you stop liking me? And my mom... Because... how could you love two kids?“ she averted her eyes, glistening with tears.

 

„No! How can you think something like that?!“ he pulled her closer to get her on his lap. „Of course we both can love both our kids, you and the future baby.“

 

„But it will be smaller and cuter than me,“ she objected.

 

„It doesn't matter, my little princess,“ he hugged her. „You were smaller as well. A baby needs more attention and care that we have to give them but it doesn't mean we won't love you, too,“ he kissed her on the crown of her head. „If you want to know anything else, just ask me, OK? I love you very much and I always will. Did I make myself clear?“

 

Ellie nodded, looking up at him. „I love you, too, daddy and I love mom and granny.“

 

„See, if you can love so many people, me and mom can too,“ he gave her a smile.

 

Lena was sitting in the living room next to the slightly open window and overheard them back then. It warmed her insides to hear Eric speaking so nice to their daughter.

 

Their son was born in the end of August and Ellie started school in September. The end of October was coming soon.

 

Lena settled on the bench, pulling her knees to her chest, enjoying 'the calm before the storm' as she called the moment when Eric usually arrived home from work, having picked up Ellie at school on his way.

 

Hearing the keys in the door lock she stood up and walked inside. Ellie was running to her over the hall.

 

„Hi mom,“ she jumped in Lena's arms. „I got an A today,“ she announced proudly.

 

„Really? It's fantastic. Glad to hear it,“ Lena smiled and put her on her feet while Eric got to her, too.

 

„Hi love, how are you today?“ he kissed her. „How is Eric?“

 

„Hi, I'm OK and Eric, too. He's sleeping,“ she stroked his cheek. „He'll be up soon, so you can see him.“

 

„Alright. I'm going to take a shower,“ he captured her lips in a long gentle kiss and retreated to the bathroom.

 

„Ellie, don't wake him up, OK?“ Lena called at Ellie as she was running upstairs. She nodded without stopping.

 

Lena walked into the kitchen and started making dinner.

 

„Mom, Eric's crying but I didn't wake him up,“ Ellie called from upstairs in a few minutes. „I'm going to look at him, OK?“

 

„OK, Ellie, I'll be there in a minute,“ Lena answered.

 

„Go to feed him, Lena, I'm going to finish it,“ Mary patted her shoulder, smiling.

 

„OK, thanks, Mary,“ Lena shortly hugged her and walked upstairs.

 

Ellie was standing next to the crib, talking to the baby. She told him what she was doing at school and that mommy would come soon to feed him. Lena stepped closer and put her hands on Ellie's shoulders. The little boy was holding Ellie's finger in his little fist, listening to her closely.

 

„Look, mommy is here,“ Ellie looked up at Lena, smirking.

 

Lena kissed her on the crown of her head. „Thank you for calming him down. You're my big helper,“ she said seriously.

 

„I am,“ Ellie nodded, got her finger gently out of his little fist and stepped aside to make space for Lena.

 

Lena took her son in her arms and put him on a table for changing diapers. After changing his diaper she took him in her arms and sat down in the rocking chair. She bared her breast and her son immediately found it and started sucking.

 

Ellie giggled as he was smacking his lips, his eyes closed. „He's cute.“ She watched them. „Mom? Did you feed me like this when I was a baby?“

 

Lena looked up at her with a smile on her lips. „Sure, I did, Ellie. You were smacking your lips as well,“ she laughed lightly.

 

Eric walked in the room and closed the door behind him. He leaned his back against the door and for a few moments he just looked at the beautiful sight he loved that much. His family... it was breathtaking for him to see them together like this.

 

He came to stand behind Lena, stroked her shoulders gently and watched his son feeding. Lena took his hand and pulled it to her cheek, brushing it against his palm. He held out his other hand to Ellie. Ellie stepped closer, taking his hand in both of hers.

 

Finishing feeding Lena covered her breast and moved the baby to her shoulder to let him burp. Then she stood up and gave him to Eric.

 

„Hi my little boy, how are you?“ he stroked his cheek with his finger. „Ahh, why am I asking, right? Your belly is full, you're totally content I know,“ he was smiling as little Eric took his finger in his tiny hand, squeezing it firmly. He sat down on the bed next to Ellie. „Look, your big sister is here,“ he put his arm around Ellie's shoulders, winking at her.

 

Lena watched them and the warmth enveloped her. She opened the door. „I'll call you two when the dinner's done.“

 

„OK. And we should take a look at your homework, my princess,“ Eric lifted his eyebrow.

 

„I have only one. Reading,“ Ellie announced.

 

„OK. Look, he's already sleeping,“ Eric stood up and carefully put his son in the crib. „Let's go,“ he whispered.

 

As they walked out of the room, he took Ellie in his arms. „Wow, you're a very heavy baby.“ He carried her to her room, both of them laughing.

 

Lena turned around and went downstairs, a smile lingering on her lips.

 

*

 

Later Lena checked on both of their kids and walked in the bedroom. She sat down in front of the mirror, combing her hair. In a minute she heard someone knocking on the door. She opened it and saw Eric with a bottle of champagne in his hand and two glasses in the other.

 

„Wow!“ she lifted her eyebrow. „What's happening?“

 

He walked in and put everything on the table. „Today is the day when I was completely forgiven a year ago. I thought we should celebrate,“ he gave her his charming smile, opening the bottle. He poured champagne into two glasses and handed her one.

 

„Thanks. Do you mean the day of our first... lovemaking after your return?“ she lowered her eyes, blushing.

 

He took her chin to look in her eyes. „Yes, I do. Mother of two kids and still blushing... I love it,“ he touched his lips to hers. „But that day means so much to me,“ he clinked his glass to hers. „To our love, our family and last but not least to health.“

 

„Yes,“ she sipped from her glass. „I must not drink too much not to get our son drunk,“ she smiled and put the glass on the table. „But it's delicious.“

 

She crawled under the covers, waiting for him. He put his glass on the bedside table and slipped under the covers to her. She snuggled up to him, her hand on his chest as she was used to falling asleep like that.

 

„That day means so much to me, too, Eric,“ she looked up. „I've never been so happy like since that day on. Thank you, my love.“

 

„I thank you, my guardian angel,“ he pushed her gently on her back and leaned over to kiss her. „You make me feel like never before. I'm happy, too. I love you very much.“

 

„I love you, too. Everything that happened in the last year was divine. Everything's divine with you by my side. I love seeing you with our kids. You're an amazing father and husband as well,“ she stroked his cheek. „I shouldn't say this but I don't only feel happy, I feel exceptional and loved,“ she smiled shyly.

 

„Because you are, Lena. You're very exceptional. And because you're here,“ he placed her hand on the place where his heart was beating, „you're loved, too.“

 

„Oh...,“ she smiled widely. „Thanks for your kind words.“ She felt his heartbeat beneath her palm, looking in his eyes and was overwhelmed by her love for him.

 

„It's not just the words I have to prove my love for you,“ he winked, reached out to turn off the lamp on the bedside and started kissing her.