Chapter Five

Faith

 

Opening my eyes, I quickly reached for a pillow to shield the flowing sunlight that came in through the large windows by the bed. My muscles ached and I was still tired but didn’t want to sleep the day away. I smelled coffee in the distance. The aroma gave me a jolt even if I didn’t drink it. The birds were happily chirping outside alerting me that spring was in full bloom. I smiled when I remembered what day it was. Three years ago today my life changed forever. I walked into a club and found a man I didn’t even know I was searching for. To think I wanted to go home before I ran into him. I recalled that exact moment when I realized the handsome man was Avery Giles. A man I had fantasized about when I was in high school. Someone I never thought I’d get a chance with much less spend the rest of my life with.

 

When I rolled onto my side I spotted him in the doorway holding a tray with breakfast on it. He spoils me. 

 

“Hey.” I smiled as he came into the room, setting the tray on the dresser. “What time did you get in last night?”

 

“Around three.” He sat on the edge of the bed, stroking my hair. “I wanted to get a few things done so I wouldn’t have to go in today.”

 

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

 

“You were out.” He leaned down and kissed my cheek, resting his hand on my stomach. “How are my girls?”

 

“Good.” I stretched my almost-nine-month-pregnant body. “Sleepy.”

 

“The doctor said that was normal.”

 

“Do you know what today is?” I sat up and leaned against the headboard.

 

“Friday.” He grinned. “And I have the day off.”

 

“Avery!”

 

“Of course I know what today is.” He lifted my tank top so he could see my belly. “It’s the three year anniversary of one of the best days of my life.”

 

“You mean hooking up with me wasn’t the best day of your life?” I giggled when he traced his finger along my side. Pregnancy made me ticklish.

 

“It was one of them. It ranks right up there with our first official date.”

 

“That was a good day too.” I recalled the night we’d gone to dinner and a show. Avery had arranged for us to go back stage after and meet the cast. Some of them liked to hang out at Posh so they were more than excited to give us access.

 

“Then there was the time you said yes to my proposal.”

 

“In front of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.” He’d had both of our families come and watch as he proposed. I had no idea they were there until after I said yes. It was the sweetest moment of my life.

 

“Our wedding day.”

 

“A complete fairytale.” I still looked at our album in awe of how the photographer captured the way Avery gazed at me. When I was with him I was surrounded by love.

 

“And the day we found out you were pregnant with our princess.”

 

“Making said fairytale even more complete.”

 

“Three years ago tonight set a chain in motion.” He kissed my stomach before resting his head on my thigh. “One that I didn’t think possible when you approached me.”

 

“You were staring at me.”

 

“Could you blame me?” He looked into my eyes. “You’re irresistible.”

 

“Even with this big belly?”

 

“That makes you even sexier.”

 

“You’re still a smooth talker.”

 

“I’m romantic,” he said.

 

“I’m not going to argue with that.”

 

“I’ve made early dinner reservations at your favorite restaurant.” He ran his fingers along my leg. “I requested one of the tables overlooking Times Square.”

 

“But we’re going to Posh after, right?” That had become our tradition on this anniversary. Avery would take the night off, we would go to dinner and then we’d stop by the club.

 

“I was thinking we could skip that tonight given your current state.”

 

“I’m pregnant.”

 

“I’ve heard.” He smiled. “I think I’m responsible for it.”

 

“Tell me why a pregnant woman can’t go to her husband’s club.”

 

“It’s Friday night and we have a few celebrities on the VIP list. It’s going to be crazy in there. Too crowded for me to make sure you’ll be safe.”

 

“Safe? What’s going to happen to me?”

 

“Faith, what if someone bumps into you or knocks you down?”

 

“When has that ever happened?” He was so protective of me and our baby. It was sweet. “Going there is our tradition.”

 

“We’ll resume it next year.”

 

“No.”

 

“Don’t pout.” He reached up and swiped his thumb over my lip. “Even if it is adorable.”

 

“Please?” I ran my fingers through his hair. “Just for a little bit. It’s important to me.”

 

“For a few minutes.” He sighed. “Before it gets insane in there.”

 

“That’s fine.” I took his hand and rested it on my hip. “Then we’ll go to your office and reminisce about our first time.”

 

“You mean reenact?” He slithered up to meet me, hooking his fingers in my panties. “That’s tradition too.”

 

“One of my favorite traditions.” I kissed him. “All part of the fairytale.”

 

“I love you.” He inched closer to me. “More every day.”

 

“I feel the same way.” I hitched my leg over his waist. “I love you so much.”

 

“I’m thinking we need to start our celebration a little earlier than usual.”

 

“I like the way you think.”

 

The End