by Alana Jade
“You don’t always have to do that, you know,” I quip.
“I was once told that it’s good luck for a couple to do it each time they sleep in a new location. Mom and Dad had an amazing marriage, so perhaps there’s an element of truth to it.”
I can’t help but smile at his comment. He idolizes both of his parents, and it’s perfectly clear that he wants to be as blessed in a relationship as they were. I only hope I’m that girl for him as I know he’s that guy for me.
Adam puts me down and walks through the living room area toward the bedroom. He flops on the bed. I follow him into the room, taking in the amazing black and white décor of this room, not to mention the stunning view.
“Care for a swim, or a spa, or watch some television?” Adam asks with a wink as he sits up on his elbow.
I ignore his wink, but it makes me suddenly realize something. “I didn’t bring a change of clothes. I have no clean underwear. Nothing.”
“Well, within the room, feel free to walk around naked. That’s a gorgeous sight, and one I want to see constantly.”
“Be serious. I’m going to look like a girl doing the walk of shame tomorrow, except she’ll still be with the guy,” I whine.
“Look over on the counter.” He points to the bathroom.
Inside the white shopping bag, he’s arranged for some toiletries, new underwear, and a change of clothes for tomorrow.
“You’re too much sometimes, you know that?” I say, walking to the bed, hopping up on my knees, crawling over to him and up his body. I place my lips on his.
Adam lowers the zip on my pastel pink dress. “I’ll do anything for the girl I love. You’re my everything.”
I’m sure I won’t see the pool or spa in this hotel tonight, but I’m where I should be right now. In the arms of the man I love. It’s been such a wonderful birthday, and Adam’s pulled out all the stops to make sure I’ve had the best time.
Not many men are like Adam, and I’m so glad I can call him mine.
Adam
A Couple of Weeks Later…
“Christmas party time,” I hear Courtney say to Georgia as I walk from my office to the coffee machine. Sure, I could have used what I have in my office or asked Georgia to make it for me, but I need to stretch my legs, and, of course, I can’t resist stopping and having a conversation with my girl. It’s unfortunate that Courtney is there as well.
“It should be fun,” Georgia replies, half-heartedly. She hasn’t been herself for the last couple of days. I’m not sure what’s wrong, and when I ask, she changes the subject. I hope it’s not too serious, and nothing we can’t work out together as a couple.
The staff wasn’t thrilled when I announced that this year’s Christmas party will be a dry party in the boardroom downstairs with the money we would have spent on alcohol and a function room being donated to charity. Some staff understand and agree it’s great to support charity, others think I’m being a tight ass.
What they don’t know is that I’ll also be matching that figure as will Georgia, and we’ll be donating it to a local drug and alcohol charity which has just been founded. It’s in conjunction with the local YMCA to try and educate teenagers and young adults on what happens when drugs and alcohol mess with your life.
I’m not anticipating the party to be a wild one or even exciting. Hell, I’m sure people will leave at the earliest opportunity. But it’s Christmas, and I had to throw the staff a party. I know they’ll attend today at least to show their face as they all know they will be getting their Christmas bonuses.
“Back to your desk, Courtney. We’re still working until two,” I gently remind her, although I know her aunt has had a tough time getting her to concentrate over the last week. Johanna has advised me that she’ll be letting Courtney go in the new year and finding someone who’s much more qualified and interested in the job. Courtney seems to think this is party central, and I find her over near Georgia quite often, trying to distract her.
Once Courtney’s gone, I stroll over to Georgia’s desk and ask her what Courtney wanted.
“She’s just annoying me like usual,” she snaps.
“Woah. What’s the matter?”
“If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you ten times… nothing. I’m fine.” She’s angry, but I’m not sure why.
“Georgia, can you join me in my office, please?”
She rolls her eyes before getting up, and I lead her into my office. After she walks through the door, I close it and flick the lock behind her.
The door has barely clicked before I spin around, demanding to know what’s wrong.
“Fine, but you’re going to be just as angry as I am.”
Angry? What the hell is she talking about?
“So, you know how I had the birth control shot? Well, it’s been great and all. I got a reminder about going and getting the next one. But my doctor said before I go in, she recommends me doing a pregnancy test.”
Oh, fuck! I think I know where this is going.
“So, you did one, and you’re pregnant?” I quietly ask, a smile itching to curve at the corner of my lips. But I wait for her reaction first.
“What? No. Well, I don’t think so. I went and got one yesterday on the way home, and did it this morning like the instructions told me. But I don’t know what a blank face means. I’ve been googling it all morning. Some sites say it’s a faulty test, others say there’s a chance I am, and others say it’s too early. Now I’m waiting for a call from my doctor.” She blows out a frustrated breath and runs her hands along her ponytail. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this. Sometimes I think maybe I am, and other times I think it’s a long way off yet. I don’t know.”
“Does anyone know when the perfect time is? You’ll know when it feels right, sweetheart.”
“Yeah, maybe,” she replies.
“Did you buy another type of test? Maybe it didn’t work?”
“I didn’t buy another one. I followed the instructions exactly.”
“Go and buy another one, and you can take it here. That way we’ll know for sure. If you are, we’ll deal with it, if you’re not, then life goes on, and you go and get another shot. But don’t bottle these things up on me. Share with me. I’m here for you to talk to, even if it’s something you think might anger me.”
“All right,” she says, smirking at me. “I’ll be back in twenty minutes.”
Waiting for Georgia to return with this stupid test as me on edge. In one way, I’d love for her to tell me we’re going to have a child, but in another way, I can see she’s not really ready for it yet. There’s no rush. I love it just being us.
Our quiet weekends around the house, hotel stays when she comes with me to conferences, or even when I feel like spoiling her. Having sex wherever we want in the house, whenever we want. Life with the two of us is fun, and I’m not sure I am quite ready to share that with a demanding little person.
Sitting at my desk, I drink my coffee while waiting for Georgia to get back. Basil knocks on the door, snapping me out of my daydream.
“All good to start at two today, boss,” he calls.
“Sorry? What did you say, Basil?” I shake my head trying to concentrate.
“The Christmas party? Starts at two? We’re all set downstairs,” he repeats.
“Great.”
“Boss, do you have any issues with the staff going out afterward. I’ve heard of quite a few groups planning on heading out for dinner or drinks.”
“What they want to do in their own time is fine with me. I know they don’t like me very much for making it a dry party. But I’m donating the money I’d normally spend on the alcohol to a local drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Zac’s name today. I don’t care if that gets spread around because it’s the truth. I’d like Isabel to know, though.”
Basil nods as Georgia walks up behind him.
“Basil, do you mind? We have something to discuss. See you downstairs at the party.”
“Sure, see you
then,” Basil replies.
Georgia steps inside the office, closing the door and locking it. I semi-cringe when she locks it, hoping that Basil didn’t hear the click and think that our important thing to discuss is me getting my dick wet before the Christmas party.
“Sorry I took so long. The nearest pharmacy is two blocks away.”
“That’s all right. As long as you got what you need.”
“Yeah. Well, I’ll go and do it.” She starts to walk away.
“I’ll wait here. Hey…” Georgia turns back around. “Whatever happens, I’m here for you. You know that, don’t you?”
“Of course, I do. I wouldn’t be so calm about all this if I didn’t have you by my side.”
Checking emails while I wait, I notice I get one from a nursing home I’ve applied to put Mom into. It’s much closer than the one she’s in, and it’s very new. They currently have a space open for Mom in the full-time care area, so I quickly type a reply email asking if I can have a tour of the facilities, and we’ll make our decision in the next few days. Hopefully, they can squeeze the meeting in before Christmas. As I press send, Georgia comes out of the bathroom, holding a small white stick. She places several tissues on the desk before putting the stick on them.
“You didn’t have to do that, sweetheart,” I smile.
“It’s my wee, Adam. Gross. You don’t put sticks with your wee on my desk… well, I hope.” It’s the first partial smile I’ve gotten out of her for a couple of days.
I shake my head and cheekily roll my eyes. “How long do we have to wait?”
“The box says three minutes. It’s probably already two.”
“And it’s a smiley face?”
“This one is two lines.”
I nod, staring at this little stick. It’s amazing how something so simple as a line coming up on a stick can make you feel quite nervous.
A couple of minutes go by, and it still only has one line.
“I think it’s a negative,” she says, picking up the stick.
“Well, that’s a good thing?”
“Yeah,” she says, before bursting into tears.
I jump to my feet and walk around to the other side of my desk, wrapping my arms around my teary girlfriend. “Shhh… what’s the matter?”
“I’m being silly,” she sobs.
“Tell me.”
“When I was at the pharmacy, there was a lady ahead of me who had this newborn girl, maybe two weeks old. She was tiny and so sweet sleeping in her mother’s arms. After the Mom had paid for her things, she turned around and saw I had the test, and she told me to enjoy every moment and that it’s the best thing ever. So, for a little while, I got my hopes up, thinking that if I am pregnant, maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing.” A new wave of tears flow.
“Oh, sweetheart. That’s not silly. You’re allowed to get a little excited about the thought of one day being a mommy. Hell, I get excited at the thought of being a daddy and taking my son to kick a ball around or watch my daughter’s dance recitals. It’ll happen one day.”
“I know. But the decision needs to be made within the next couple of weeks whether I get the next shot or not. It can take up to six months for my cycle to go back to normal, so if we think we might want to try anytime soon, then I won’t get it.”
Her statement shocks me.
Is she wanting to try for a baby now?
“How about we think about it, and we’ll decide in the new year?” I suggest.
“That sounds like a good idea. I’d better go and clean myself up and get ready for the Christmas party. Courtney’s already knocked off for the day by the looks of it.” Georgia rolls her eyes, and I smile.
I’m so glad she told me what was bothering her and that it’s sorted for now. Although we do have a big decision to make in the next few weeks. As much as I like the idea of adding to our family, I think we might get a dog first.
However, if we agree to try for a baby, I may just have to bring my other plans forward by a few months.
Georgia
Christmas Eve…
After grabbing a few things from the grocery store on my way back from getting my nails done again, I jump in my car and head home.
It’s been a crazy few months for us, and I’m so looking forward to spending time with Adam, Lucy, Rico, John, and Mrs. Angelsworth—or as she asks us to call her now, Dawn—for Christmas. I’m so pleased that both John and Lucy have found someone and are as happy as can be. It looks like it was a year of love for all of us, so it’s only fitting to have them share Christmas dinner with us.
Basil, Sonia, and their family are coming over earlier in the day to share lunch with us. We invited Darius, Max, and Johanna too, but they have their own family coming over, which is understandable.
What Adam doesn’t know is that I’ve also arranged for Beverley to join us on Christmas Day. She’s now in a new nursing home and is doing so much better. I visited with her just yesterday. She was clear-minded and looking forward to coming to our house. We’ll have a nurse there just in case, but I think it’ll be wonderful.
The cold is really getting to me this year. I feel like I’ve worn more layers than I ever have. It could be because I’ve lost a little weight since working out with Adam in the home gym. I’m not super strict about it, it’s just whenever I feel the urge, usually, after a donut or some other sweet treat.
I’ve been wearing my hair down a lot more than I normally would too. While I can’t get it as smooth as the hairdresser can, my natural curl makes it look quite pretty with the layers that were added to it. It makes sense to wear it down more as it seems it to help keep my neck warm.
I pull up to the gate as John’s collecting his things for the day. While I know he has a small heater in the booth to keep him warm, and he’s always rugged up, I still can’t imagine him being overly warm or comfortable. It’s so cluttered in their little space for their coffee and a toaster.
I’ve suggested to Adam several times that security should use the guesthouse as an office now. It’s heated, has its own kitchen and plenty of space for them to set up their equipment. But he tells me that the boys are comfortable in the booth, and they need to be at the front of the property.
Winding down my window, I greet John, and as he opens the gate for me, and I remind him again what time tomorrow to be here.
“Of course. We won’t be late.” He waves.
I’m so excited to be cooking my first Christmas meal ever. No one else helping, just me in the kitchen cooking up a storm. I’ve been planning the menu for weeks now, and while I’m doing turkey, yams, greens, and potatoes, I’ve also decided to make a rice dish that Lucy used to have when she was a child in El Salvador.
Mrs. Angelsworth, I mean Dawn, said she’ll bring a dessert, and we’ll have some non-alcoholic eggnog as well, which I know Beverley will love.
But before I even think about Christmas Day, Adam volunteered both his and my time at a soup kitchen for the underprivileged which is being run this year by Adam’s Alcoholics Anonymous group. I think it’s a wonderful idea. It not only lends a hand to a great charity but maybe the eye-opener that some of the men and women need, who have been here and are possibly tempted again at this time of year. Keep reminding them that their sobriety will help them move forward and upward in their life.
Walking through the back door, I call out to Adam but get no answer. We have to leave in fifteen minutes, so he has to be here.
I run up the stairs, and as I get to the top, I can hear the shower running. As tempting as it is to strip off and join him, we don’t have time for that right now.
He’s singing in the shower again. It’s something he’s only started recently. I find it funny but cute too. He can’t carry a tune, but he tries and loves singing Bon Jovi songs.
“Woahhh livin’ on a prayer,” I join in as I stand at the door of the bathroom before breaking out into fits of giggles.
“Yeah, you laugh. But singing relaxes me and makes me happy.
I don’t give a shit if I’m good or bad. I’m trying not to worry about taking you to the soup kitchen tonight. It could be confronting.”
“I thought I made you happy,” I playfully pout, walking toward the opening to the shower.
“You make me blissfully happy.” He places a wet kiss on my nose.
“As do you. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. You’d better hurry. We’ll be late.” I walk from the bathroom, wiping the water from my nose against his towel as I go.
Twenty minutes later, we arrive at the soup kitchen, and there’s a long line out the front. It doesn’t open for another ten minutes, but there has to be thirty people waiting in the cold.
My heart breaks into a million pieces, and I will myself not to cry. Adam warned me it’s the one thing I can’t do. They don’t want my sympathy, they need my help. I just wish I could think of something to help.
“Just hold onto me, and you’ll be fine,” Adam reiterates. He’s told me this about fifty times. It’s like he’s worried that I’ll either freak out over the people coming into the soup kitchen or that something will happen to me. I’m not concerned, though. These people have gone through some hard times and are simply down on their luck.
We walk through the small crowd of people, hand in hand. As we get to the entrance, a guy swings the solid metal door open, almost hitting us, and I squeal.
“Shit, sorry, didn’t know you’d be behind there. Good to see you, Adam,” he says, carrying a large pot of water.
“No dramas. Bad timing on both our parts. Georgia, this is Myles. Myles, this is my girlfriend, Georgia,” Adam introduces me.
“Pleasure,” Myles says. “Sorry, I’d shake your hand, but you know…”
“No problem,” I reply.
“Head on inside. Find Storm and see where he wants you both. There are aprons, gloves, and hair-nets in the boxes just over here. You’ll need to tie your hair up there, too,” he explains, pointing to my hair hanging over my shoulders. I nod in agreement. I knew I would have to tie it back tonight, so I came prepared.