Title: Handful
Possible spoiler: Great Barrier, Season Four
It was a spring Sunday morning. Bobby and Alex were plopped on the living room sofa sharing the day's New York Times and the Daily News. Bobby's long legs were stretched out on the ottoman in front of him. Alex was stretched out on the sofa, her back leaning against Bobby's right shoulder. She had the comics and the NY Times magazine; he had the Book Review section, OpEd and the sports pages. The remains of breakfast sat on a tray on the coffee table, blueberry pancake crumbs, bits of scrambled egg, orange juice, and herbal tea.
There was little conversation. None was necessary. Pachelbel's Canon in D wafted softly from the CD player.
Alex unconsciously rubbed Bobby's right thigh gently. He sighed a contented response.
"Would you like some more tea, Alex?" he asked quietly.
"Mmmm."
Bobby picked up the cobalt blue ceramic tea pot and refilled each mug with steaming hot liquid.
"Thanks, sweetie," said Alex, as she patted his leg.
Could we be any more domestic? Sometimes you get what you never knew you wanted. What you never knew you needed. I never saw my parents behave like this. Maybe that's what's so good about it. It's normal.
His reverie was disturbed when he felt Alex stretch.
"You OK?"
"Yeah…just tired of sitting in the same position. How about a walk in the park?"
"Sounds good. I'll get our sneakers and jackets."
A few minutes later they were out the door and down the block, holding hands, headed towards the neighborhood park. They could hear the sounds of the kids on the playground equipment. Alex sat on a swing and Bobby pushed her.
"Sure you can push me?"
"Positive," laughed Bobby.
They walked around the sail boat pond in the park. Relaxed on a bench in the sunshine. The fluffy clouds traveled across the aqua sky, while the little admirals launched their boats, then ran along side the water to keep up with them.
The couple walked back home. Alex yawned as they approached their building.
"I think it's your nap time."
"I think you're a brilliant detective."
By the time they got up to their apartment Alex kicked off her sneakers and headed for the bedroom. Bobby cleaned up the breakfast dishes, then looked in on Alex. Sleeping like an angel. His angel. He stripped down to his boxers and t-shirt and climbed under the floral quilt next to her. Spooned her. She unconsciously sensed his presence and relaxed back into him.
Bobby's hand splayed on her stomach. But even his big hand could no longer cover Alex's entire belly. She was way too large now. She was seven months pregnant. At the moment the baby…his baby…their baby…was apparently resting. But in a little while he or she would be active and Bobby could feel his child moving around in Alex' womb.
Bobby had started to drift off when the baby started moving. He lifted his head to watch the movments of Alex' belly. Grinned like a fool. Kept his hand on her abdomen to feel the kicks. Whispered his love to his child.
A thought suddenly flitted through his mind.
She was wrong. Dead wrong.
People like you and I aren't meant to have children, Bobby.
At the time he had admonished Nicole, Don't count me out just yet.
At the moment he'd just said it back to counter Nicole. But now he was proving her wrong.
The baby settled down again. The movement stopped for the moment. Bobby gently traced circles on Alex' belly.
He sighed. Life just doesn't get any better than this.
FIN.