002:

We ran on the beach. We ran barefoot, near the water line, sometimes in the water, and sometimes kicking water on each other. It was early, and my private parts were sore. I called it quits after just a short time--- maybe forty minutes and we turned around.

His eyebrows rose in question. We'd been running about an hour one way the last few days. But today was day one. I was sore, and we were going back.

"I'm sore." I whined with a fakey smile.

His eyes sparkled in the morning sunlight and cool breeze. A flock of seagulls rose higher up on the shore as somebody came outside of their multi-million dollar home and let their dogs run. I saw a guy--- with a mug in hand, on his patio. We were higher up the privately gated community and private beach, in the division made for the multi-millionaires. Rafe and I were next door neighbors the last time we were here together--- and we definitely didn't live in the super uber rich side of the community. He could have---- not me.

His grin was knowing, proud of himself. He adjusted his man parts in the basketball shorts he wore, and gave me his downright sexiest suggestive eyes, and I had to roll mine---- in the month we'd been married--- we'd become experts at love making--- a lot of lovemaking.

"Proud of yourself, are you?" We padded along together, away from the dogs and the man and his uber rich house.

"And why not? Today's the day, right?"

"I already did the test." I couldn't resist a small smile. Rafe stopped running and swung me around and off balance, so up against his body. He caught me by the shoulders.

"You kept it from me?"

"I was going to tell you a special way."

His eyes grew rounder, his spider leg lashes blinked against still fair skin. "Tell me in a special way right now."

I let my eyes stay glued to his, knowing they sparkled, and twinkled in the early morning rays. Then I threw my arms around him. Rafe tossed back his head and howled.

I howled with him, exuberantly, with as much excitement as possible. We howled again!

"I want to see the test." He shouted.

"Why? You don't believe me?"

"I want to see it myself!"

"Fine!" We started running back toward our place. In the middle of running, Rafe swung to the side, grabbed me and tackled me into his arms, we almost fell, but he righted himself and picked me up sideways, my arms around his neck, his arms under my sore nether regions.

In the house I took him to the downstairs bathroom where we'd been showering and I got the pregnancy test out of the drawer where I'd stashed it. Positive.

He stared at it. "Never thought I'd be happy to see one of these." He whispered and then dropped it in the sink and swung me up again, kissing me. And--- hot and sweaty and full of ourselves and our new found joy, we had to celebrate once again.

We lay in each other's arms, satiated for the time being, and laughed about how we'd picked out baby names before we'd even decided to get married the whole way. He was ecstatic, wanted to call Ben and tell him instantly, even though we'd be seeing him in an hour. But then I heard Rafe cancelling the meeting in an hour, and postponing it till Monday. This was Friday. We were supposed to have the meeting then head to his folks for the reception his mother had planned.

"What are you doing?" I asked suspiciously.

"Lunch at Il Cielo, and then a temple session?"

"Reception?"

"Fashionably late?"

"It's your family."

"We'll tell them the good news."

"Your mom will be appropriately exuberant." I joked, knowing his mother was not a bit happy about our union. But her reason was that I was Mormon--- and she was anti-Mormon.

"She will be very happy. She only has the two biological grandchildren."

"Lance's kids are her grandkids too." I picked up my phone and even though it was barely seven I called Lance.

"Sister!" Lance's sweet voice came over the air waves in actual welcoming tones. I loved Lance for accepting me so readily, for believing in me.

"Hey, about tonight. I was just calling to remind you to have the kids in their outfits. I was hoping to get some cute pics."

"Already on it. Kaye got something on her white sweater top though. Darnel was working to get it out."

"Om--- Mom got those online at Amazon. I think we could get another one if he can't get it clean."

"Okay. I'll text her in a little while. Are they coming to the reception?"

"Yes. Not the whole family, but my folks are coming, and the So Cal group."

"Well, Kaye is very excited to see her new cousins again."

"Oh, is she? Hm... I better make sure a few are there then."

"You're a doll. Thanks. Love ya. Have a great day."

I hung up and dialed Kell. I didn't even say hi. "Are you guys coming tonight?"

"Om--- coming--- to...?"

"Rafe's Mom is having a reception."

"Is my presence required?"

"I don't want you to go to a lot of trouble, but Lance's little girl is hoping to play with the cousins again."

"Then we will be there. Who is her age for sure? Cooper?"

"Yes. Roughly, and Sierra."

"She is four?"

"Kaye is four, yes."

"Carson spent the night with us, would you like for me to bring her as well?"

"You had Carson over night? How did that go?"

"You will ask my wife this question. I sleep with ear plugs and a fan. I don't hear the ruckus in the night. I am sure there was one. Shall I dress also?"

"Casual. I only care if the kids are dressed. Make sure Carson matches."

"This I can do."

"Thanks Kell."

We hung up and I texted Lance that Kell was bringing Melia's daughter Carson and his own two for sure, Cooper and Sierra. He texted back that that was perfect, and I was an angel.

I smiled. Rafe came out of the shower, rubbing his tousled hair, stark naked. Not sure I would get used to having him parade around in the raw as much as he did. No one in my upbringing did that.

"Are you wearing the dress tonight?" Rafe asked admiring that I was still half in my shorts and t-shirt. He picked up the discarded pregnancy test from the floor where he'd dropped it and stared at it again with a grin.

"I gotta tell Ben."

"Didn't you already tell him?"

"No, I cancelled the meeting, and Allen or Kevin called. Do you want me to invite them to Il Cielo?"

"That's up to you, love." I traipsed by him to the bathroom, feeling happy, but a little queasy, and realized I had not had my morning herbal tea, my shake or anything to drink. I heard him say hello to Ben, so I stopped to hear the response to Rafe's first child's impending appearance.

"So, lunch at Il Cielo? We have news for you."

"You cancelled the meeting? Too much going on today?" Ben's voice was awake, but musical, and I knew he'd been composing.

"No, something I --- we--- needed to tell you."

"I'm going to be an Uncle?"

"Wh----?"

"What else could it be? Il Cielo? Cancelled meeting? You've been married a month? Adds up, bro."

"You're taking the wind right out of my sails, man."

"Sorry. I'm bringing Addie, Jeff, Rhonda, and the kids."

"Did the kids get their outfits?" I called from the bathroom.

"Congratulations, little angel. Yeah, we got the outfits yesterday. Thanks. Foss has been running around crazy with the bow tie on. In his hair."

"Perfect." I laughed and slipped into the shower.

"We're going to the temple after, you want to come?" I heard Rafe ask.

"Yes." Ben said instantly, and I was grateful for the thought to do this wonderful work. Both of them were solid right now. I hoped it lasted. So far, Jeff's wife Ronda was interested in getting back in the church so her kids would be in it, too. Ben's girlfriend Addie wasn't quite so interested. But she was taking baptismal classes.

I dressed in Sunday clothes, a tan and black skirt, tweed with a stripe, and a white blouse, with black buttons. My hair, as unruly as it was, would have to be done later. I was so thirsty. I went out to get my shake and some water, only to find Rafe already with the table set, with bamboo placemats, gray linen napkins in brushed nickel carved napkin rings, Aztec pottery dishes with cut up fruit at each of our places, and a place set for our baby too. The shake was in a tall brushed nickel stein. I was the luckiest woman alive.

I told Rafe so, and he sat beside me and we held hands while he asked the Lord to bless our efforts this day and always, and bless our child to be healthy and feel our love. Oh yes, I am the most blessed woman.

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