Making Plans

by Marie S

Lachlan kissed her belly which caused Ashley to sigh. Her fingers ruffled through his hair. They were lying together on the couch. He leaned up to capture her lips with his while his fingers stroked her belly lightly. Their kiss started sweet and gentle, but worked its way toward passionate.

Their moments together were precious. They felt stolen. Lachlan’s work had caused a great strain on their marriage. He’d been working a lot with many hours of overtime. Any extra flight he’d been able to fly he’d taken. He was earning as much money as possible as quickly as possible. This craziness wasn’t going to continue.

Lach loved Ashley with his whole heart. He felt great responsibility to provide for her and their baby who’d be here in less than 2 months. Ashley had wanted him to start his flying business. She’d wanted to work at his side. It was a bonzer dream, but the timing wasn’t right. They needed money that wouldn’t come in for a long time with building a new business. And Lachlan had promised after all the time and hours away that he’d take off some time when the baby was born.

He wasn’t doing that only for Ashley. He missed her too and he felt he was missing her pregnancy and the changes in her and their baby as it grew. He caught small glimpses only. Since Egan and then Jessica had come Lachlan had felt a lot more reassured that Ashley wouldn’t be left alone and in need. She was safe. It didn’t make them miss one another any less.

A lot of their time together was spent making love. They had a great need to touch one another. It seemed they only talked about what else was going on in life by phone when he called between flights. Together was more frantic and urgent.

He whispered to his baby. “G’day, my wee sheila or g’day, mate.” He kissed her belly again.

“Lachlan?”

“Hmm?”

“It’s time to take childbirth classes. I want you to be my coach when I deliver. Do you think you could do that?”

He hated hearing the possibility of disappointment in her voice. Did she think he’d miss them? Could he do it with work?

“Ash, when are they?”

“They’re on Tuesday night’s in Coffs. It’s four 3 hour classes. I know it’s a lot. I thought Marie could attend too. Just in case.”

Just in case he missed the fucking birth of his child and her cousin had to step in. It wasn’t like him to be negative. War had made him a realist though.

“I’ll try, love. If I miss one then Marie and you could teach me what I missed?” He’d do everything he could to make at least three of the classes. He’d switch shifts and flights as much as possible. The airline did frown on pilots falling asleep while flying.

“Okay, Lach.” Her lip trembled. “I know you’ll try to make it.” She put a smile on her face. It didn’t reach her gorgeous eyes.

Why didn’t she just say it? He was a lousy husband. Except she’d never say that. He pulled her fiercely to him and held her tight. He felt the baby kick his side. Too bloody right. Their kid had the right idea.

She giggled. The sound was still music to his ears.

“Did you feel that?”

He nodded; unable to speak for a moment.

“Our baby was saying g’day right back to you, Lach. You woke him up.”

“I thought she might be giving me a swift kick in the side for you, love, since she couldn’t aim for my arse.” He gave her a half cocked smile.

“No daughter of mine will be such a vengeful creature and especially not toward her father. I love him, ya know?”

He kissed her full on with not a little desperation. Her fingers stroked through his hair again. She whispered her love to him again when they broke from the kiss.

“I love you too, Ash. I’ll make this work.”

She nodded and cuddled into his arms.