Home at Last

By Marie S

“Today, love?”

“Mmm, little Lachlan.” Ashley’s voice came out lazy, sleepy and sated. Her fingers were stroking through his curls. They were lying naked in their bed; tangled in the sheets after making love. It had been quite some homecoming.

Lachlan leaned over to gently kiss her burgeoning belly. She looked like some goddess of fertility to him. He couldn’t get enough of her like this. Ashley had kidded him that he wanted to keep her barefoot and pregnant for their lifetime together. Perhaps she was right.

“G’day, mate. How’s my boy today? That good?”

Ashley giggled and pushed the hair away from his face to watch him talking to their baby. Her eyes kept drifting shut every few moments, but she forced herself into wakefulness. She loved watching Lach have conversations with their baby.

Lachlan looked up at Ashley. His eyes sparkled with mirth. “He said it’s been a real quiet day for the two of you until recently when all this movement was going on and his Mummy started making all these funny noises. But he felt all warm and loved.”

“Be careful what you’re telling our son, Lach. I don’t want you corrupting him before he’s left the womb. Funny he didn’t hear all the noises his Daddy was making?” She grinned and yawned.

“Nope, he only heard his Mum making all these happy sounds.” He whispered something to her belly again.

“Yes, happy.” Ashley’s blue eyes slipped shut as sleep began to win. There was a sweet smile on her face.

Lachlan watched her for a moment before whispering to her, “Sleep, Sweetheart.”

Then he whispered to his son. “Take care of her, my boy. She takes such good care of you. Your Da promises to find a way to be home more for both of you.”

Lachlan again brushed his lips against her belly before lying down next to them. Sleep captured him quickly as he molded his body against hers.