Amazonas, Brasil.
1982.
Together, we walk the familiar dirt path through the forest
A trail that cuts behind our backyard
Jungle, really
Or most properly, rainforest
But one could simply call it a forest
The idea's the same:
A place where nature, rather than people, reigns supreme
Untamed
Wild
Beautiful
... I've grown so big these days that our longer walks, something we both love, have become temporarily impossible
I miss the longer walks
Look forward to the day when we can resume them
The steady climb upwards to the twin waterfalls
Or that outcropping where we like to stargaze and reminisce
But for now, short walks are the order of the day
And despite the heat
Despite our swelling fingers
We walk hand in hand
... We really can't seem to help ourselves
To live is to constantly long for your touch
Clearing his throat, he finally says what's been on his mind
- What's been on both our minds -
For weeks now
"... Regarding names ..."
Biting at my lip, my eyes flit from the path before us to his handsome face
And though it's tremendously difficult, I manage an echoed back reply, "... Regarding names."
Together, we come to a stop. Reaching into the bag he's slung over his shoulder, he pulls out the large bottle of water and uncorks it, and hands it to me, "... Thoughts?"
Accepting the water, feeling my palm, my fingers wrapping around the cool glass, I hesitate, "... My honest thoughts?"
He smiles sadly, "Always your honest thoughts."
Leaning in, I whisper guiltily, "... Dreading it."
Guilt, because I feel I shouldn't dread anything regarding our baby
And yet, I do
Because naming ...
Well ...
"It's alright," he nods. Leaning in, he pushes a stray lock of hair off my face and guides it behind my ear, "I imagine that in this, as with most things, we're of the same mind."
Surely so
Nodding, I take a drink, sighing with relief as I hand it back to him
He takes a drink as well, and the two of us turn in unison
Resuming our leisurely stroll, we stick to the shady side of the trail
"... If a girl ..."
He squeezes my hand, "Yes?"
"There's at least three strong contenders ..."
As I turn to glance at him, he smiles gently and nods, "... Minerva, Pandora, or Mary."
You already knew
"I think we should wait, until she's here with us. Then, depending on how she looks to us, we might decide ..."
"Love that."
Hand slipping away from mine and around my waist, he pulls me into him and whispers, "All three names, exceptionally beautiful. And all three names, a tribute to outstanding, incredible women."
Coming to another halt, my eyes find his again
My worried, worried eyes
"... If ..."
"... If ..."
We stare at one another, each afraid to say what we're both thinking:
... If a boy ...
As birdsongs fill the air around us, he shakes his head, his hand finding its way to my chin as he guides me in for a long, sweet kiss
Pulling back ever so slightly, he whispers so that only I and the forest can hear: "... We don't have to go there. Not yet, not if you're not ready."
"... Are you?"
"No, I'm not."
Two people, one mind:
... I really hope it's a girl
YOU ARE READING
Coiled (Book 1 of 2)
Hayran Kurgu"This is our story: Reggie, Evan, and I." A Marauders Era story that follows the reader (FMC), Regulus Black & Evan Rosier through their last year at Hogwarts into the First Wizarding War. This is book 1 of 2, and contains the first two parts of th...
