I check the time before closing out my emails, sending the last of the contracts I finalized early this morning. It was rather convenient when Mr. Woods’ company ended up going up for sale. His wife didn’t want to deal with it, plus she got the insurance payout. She was in it for the money. Which she only had for a few months before she OD’d.
I was able to swoop in and buy it out from her at bottom dollar. Which worked well in my favor, seeing as all of my warehouses and docks were filled to capacity.
This made it easier to expand. It was a perk that Mr. Woods had gone up in flames. I could start from scratch on the land. Now I have finalized those new warehouses as well. We are growing and expanding, and it appears rather legit to the average eye. Not that I had anything to do with the downfall of the Woods family. They, in the end, were the makers of their own demise.
I pass through the kitchen, giving Chef Marcello a nod. He is busy at work making tons of small bites. It’s Wednesday night, and Wednesday is girls’ night. I already know where my wife is without having to check.
I head down toward her garden. I pause at the entryway, watching her. The sun is shining down on her, making it appear like there is a halo above her head. She’s in one of her dresses that goes to her knees, the wind blowing it as she picks another flower that will decorate the library for tonight. Tova goes all out when her friends are coming over. I love that she has these nights even though I hate being away from her.
When she sees me, her whole face lights up. It hits me right in the chest, igniting emotions in me that only she can. This tiny woman is my whole world. I make my way over to her.
“You remind me of our honeymoon.” I kiss her bare shoulder, which is still sunkissed from our month-long trip where I’d taken her all over Europe, starting in the Netherlands. I mapped out all the best places to visit for flowers. Tova loved every second of it. It was her first time being away from home. I enjoyed watching her experience new things. How her eyes would light up and the smile it brought to her face.
“Because we made this while on it?” Her hand cups the small bump that has formed. “Or the flowers?”
“All of it.” I rest my hand over hers.
“It was wonderful. I can’t wait for Japan next. The blossoms will be…” Tova lets out a dreamy sigh. ‘Perfection.’ We’re going next month. It will likely be our last trip before the baby arrives.
‘Not sure I can agree with that. I’ve been all over the world, and the only perfection I have ever seen is you.’
‘Oh, whatever.’ Her cheeks pinken, a shy smile taking over her face. ‘You already got the ring on my finger and the baby in me. No need for the smooth talk.’
‘I don’t think anyone has ever accused me of being a smooth talker.’
Tova laughs. ‘Probably not.’
‘But as you said, wife, I already have the ring on your finger and a baby in your belly. I have no reason to lie.’ She is perfect. Everything about her pulls me in. Tova lifts onto her toes, and I press my mouth to hers. ‘Are you ready to head out?’
‘Yes.’ She digs her fingers into the front of my shirt. ‘I’m dying to find out. So are the girls. They want to start making little outfits, and so do I.’
‘Then let’s go find out.’ I take her hand, leading her back through the house and out the front door. The drive to the city isn’t too long. We’ve talked about getting a place there so we can stay when needed, but Tova says she’s not in a rush. That she’s happy at the farm. If she’s happy, then I’m happy. That’s all that matters.
“There is no one here,” Tova says when we enter the doctor’s front office. “Wait, did you do that?”
“Yes.”
“Of course you did.” She laughs as Dr. Wills comes out to the waiting room herself. Dr. Wills is the best OBGYN in the city. I had her thoroughly vetted. She’s married with a few kids of her own. Which is what I’d wanted: a female that would truly understand the things my wife’s body would be going through.
‘Mrs. Marino.’ Dr. Wills greets my wife first, shaking her hand.
‘Call me Tova.’
‘Tova.’ She gives her a warm smile. ‘And you must be Mr. Marino.’
‘I am.’ I shake her hand too.
‘It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I always enjoy when the partner is extra involved and wants to be hands-on.’
‘I’m always involved and hands-on when it comes to my wife.’ I place my hand on the small of Tova’s back.
‘He’s kind of obsessed with me,’ Tova says playfully, though we both know it’s far from a joke. In fact, the only thing about what she said that is a joke is the “kind of” part.
‘I love to hear that.’ Dr. Wills laughs. ‘Come on back. I bet you want to listen to the baby’s heartbeat and find out the sex.’
‘Yes, please!’ Tova bounces on her heels. ‘Tonight is girls’ night, and we talk books while we sew, and everyone wants to start making baby items.’
‘That sounds sweet.’ Dr. Wills opens one of the doors to an exam room.
‘It’s really quiet here,’ Tova says.
‘Mr. Marino wanted complete privacy.’ I had. This is a moment my wife has been looking forward to. I want all of the attention on her. Tova is always putting her focus on everyone else. I want this to be all about her.
I also don’t want anyone to have access to her. Dr. Wills and I already went into that thoroughly. She was a touch skittish at first to work for me, but money can persuade a lot of people, and Dr. Wills wasn’t an exception to that. She had surprised me, though, when she asked for her payment to be in the form of a donation to a charity. I respected her even more for that. A lot might call it overboard, but I don’t care.
“I’ll have you change into this, and then we’ll get started,” Dr. Wills says before slipping out of the room to give us privacy. Tova quickly strips.
She has ruled my sex drive, and the small bump that has already formed isn’t an exception. There is something about seeing it, that it represents her and me together. A life that we created.
I never understood the want for a child. Now I do understand the need. Having children had never even been on my radar. I remember when I was younger my father talking about heirs. I blew it off. Children can be rather annoying and a lot of work. It held no appeal to me.
Once I knew Tova would be my wife, I was flooded with the idea. I needed it. My wife has a way of making things different for me than they once were. I suppose I see the world in a different light when hers is always shining so brightly.
“Don’t be getting any ideas,” Tova teases, putting on the gown. I pick her up, sitting her on the table. “You know I could have gotten up.”
“I know. I wanted to touch you.” She drops her head back. I lean down and kiss her. We’re interrupted by a loud, repeated buzz.
“They’re dying to know, but they’ll have to wait.” Tova rubs her hands together. “I’m going to make them do a baby gender reveal.”
“A what?”
“Nothing.” Tova shakes her head. “I thought it would be fun to do with them since everyone is so excited.”
“I’m sure they’ll love your gender reveal.” Tova has even befriended a few of my men’s wives. They too come to girls’ night. She has brought a lightness to our home, one that was more needed than I realized. “What do you think we’re having?”
“I’m not sure.” I have been trying not to ponder it.
“I think—” Tova trails off when a knock sounds on the door a few seconds before Dr. Wills opens it.
“Are we ready?”
“So ready!” Tova leans back as the doctor gets her ready. I’m not prepared for the sound of the heartbeat. “Ohh.” Tova’s eyes fill with tears. A wave of emotion tries to crawl its way up my throat.
“Everything is looking great,” Dr. Wills says. I miss a few other things she says. My eyes are on the monitor. That’s our baby. I grab my little mouse’s hand. “Are you ready for the gender?”
“Yes,” I say before even Tova can make her smile.
“You’re having a baby girl.”
“Yes,” I say again.
“A girl.” A tear slips down Tova’s cheek. I lean down and kiss it. “We’re having a girl.” I hear the doctor say that she will give us privacy as she slips out of the room. “How do you feel about that?”
“It’s right.”
“Really? A girl scares some men.”
“It should scare other men that we’re having a baby girl.” Tova bursts into giggles. Fuck, I love that sound.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, little mouse,” I tell her, my hand going to her stomach. “I would love to have all baby girls.”
“Let’s focus on this one for now.”
“For now,” I agree, knowing there will be many more. I can see brown curly-haired, little girls with glasses. We need more Tovas in this world.
That might be the one good thing I do for the universe.
