Chapter 29 #2
“Hey,” I answer, trying to keep my voice even, not wanting him to detect the disappointment that had pooled inside me earlier.
“Hey, love.” He sounds tired. “I’m really sorry about earlier. Right when I was leaving, we got a call for a three-alarm fire.”
“It’s okay,” I tell him, though we both know it’s become the norm rather than the exception.
“Listen,” he continues. “I just left Long Island and am heading home now. Do you think you’ll still be up? I want to spend some time with my favorite lady.”
“Si.” I find myself saying without hesitation. “Yes, I’ll wait up.”
“Thank you. I miss you.”
“I miss you more,” I say as I rise from the now-tepid water.
After ending the call, I quickly dry off and cover myself with a robe. Moving through our bedroom, I get dressed in a cute nightgown before heading into the living room. The minutes pass slowly as I sit on the couch, flipping absentmindedly through a health magazine.
Finally, I hear keys in the lock and snap out of my half-distracted state. Vulcan walks in, looking exhausted but undeniably relieved to be home. I stand up and toss the magazine aside. He pauses briefly at the sight of me and drops his bag, then steps forward to wrap me his arms.
“God, I missed you so much,” he whispers, nuzzling into my hair. I often fall asleep before he gets home, and then there are the nights when I work double shifts at the hospital and don’t see him at all.
“It’s been a long day for both of us,” I say softly.
He takes a step back. “You could definitely say that.”
“Well, I’m happy you’re home.” I kiss him softly on the lips. “Let’s get you relaxed. How about a bath,” I suggest, slipping my hand into his and leading him toward the bathroom.
“Are you going to join me?”
“I already had one,” I tell him, then let go of his hand and head toward the bathtub, turning on the faucet and adjusting the temperature. I add some Epsom salts and a few drops of lavender oil. “I can fix you something to eat while you unwind.”
“The only thing I want to eat is you.” He undresses and steps into the tub, letting out a sigh of relief.
“I’m not opposed, but—”
“Get in with me,” he insists.
“I already—”
“I know, but I’m telling you what I want now. Please? I just want to hold my wife.”
I relent and slip in next to him, letting him guide me onto his lap. Our bodies press against each other, and I wrap my arms around his neck.
“This is perfect,” he whispers. “So, how was your day?”
“Too many emergencies, not enough time. So…” I continue. “About this weekend. What did you have in mind?”
“How about a cabin up in the mountains? It would be just the two of us, with no cell service or interruptions, just snow and firewood.”
“That sounds perfect. But are you sure you can manage it?”
“Positive. I have some good news as well. I’m finally back at Station 112 for good. Which means I’ll be back to cooking dinner and waiting for my favorite person to come home.”
“Really?” I smile. “You aren’t joking, are you?”
“Of course not. I got news before I left earlier. So, this weekend I’ve already made all the arrangements, and we can leave Friday afternoon,” he says.
“That makes me so happy.”
“Would you want to have children one day?” he suddenly asks, and I’m at a loss for words.
Vulcan mentioned it once before the wedding, but with our schedules conflicting, any thoughts about having children went out the window for me.
I’ve been diligent about taking birth control every day since because I didn’t want any surprises.
“Kids?” I stutter.
“Yes.” He nods slowly. “I mentioned it before, remember?”
“Well, yeah… but”—my fingers trace patterns on his chest absentmindedly—”our lives are hectic at the moment, and I don’t think I’d make a great mother. We both know mine didn’t set a great example.”
“You’d make an amazing mother,” he says, capturing my wandering hand with his and pressing it to his heart. “How many times do I have to remind you that you are nothing like her?”
I blink and whisper, “You think so?”
His eyes soften as he brushes a strand of hair from my face. “I know so. The way you care about people, how deeply you love… I’ve seen it firsthand, Karina.” His thumb traces my cheekbone. “You’re nothing like her.”
“I never really allowed myself to imagine having children. It seemed… impossible.”
“With our careers, it would be challenging,” he acknowledges. “But not impossible. Especially now that I’ll have more time at home.”
I bite my lip, picturing a little girl with Vulcan’s determined expression or a boy with his quiet strength. The image brings an unexpected ache of longing. I want to have his children, but I don’t know if I’m ready yet.
“Would you want that?” I ask. “A family with me?”
“Mrs. Montgomery, I have told you countless times I want everything with you. We got married because we are in love. Yes, things got pretty hectic once I was assigned to help cover other fire stations, but one thing that hasn’t changed is my love for you and wanting a family with you.
Unless… you want to get divorced in two years? ”
I shake my head, not wanting to entertain the thought.
“It’s been a while since we talked about having children. So, it slipped my mind, but I don’t want to divorce you. It will always be till death do us part.”
“I love you, Karina. No need to feel pressured about this. We have a lifetime together and all the lifetimes after.”
“I love you, too.” I lean in to kiss him. The water ripples around us as he deepens the kiss, his hands roaming over my back. “And thank you for always being so understanding. I don’t want to rush into having children only to later regret it.”
“Of course. We will take it at your pace,” he says, kissing my forehead. “I want you to be one hundred percent sure you’re ready. But in the meantime, we can practice the art of making babies.”