birds // hs

19. Suit and Tie *

"Ha-arry," I called loudly as I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. "I threw up again."

He leaned in the doorway and frowned deeply. "Damn."

"Tell me about it."

"And you're sure you don't need to take a pregnancy test?"

"I just finished my period yesterday," I informed him with pink cheeks. "So no."

"I'm all out of suggestions, darling," he pursed his lips, looking like some sort of god with his styled hair and suit on, Mia perched perfectly in his huge hand. "We've tried everything the doctor suggested."

"Yeah."

He watched as James ran past his leg and jumped on the bed, his little belly on full display as it suddenly became apparent to me that he had gotten out of his onesie. Was that even possible for a two year old?

"Mommy, mommy," he clapped as I mustered a weak smile for his sake. "Are we going on a walk?"

James loved walks. Ever since the air had gotten a little cooler we spent all our time outside with the girls, although Maggie had recently taken to crying whenever I was out of sight. Amelia would sit for hours in her carrier and just watch the leaves fall, not making a single sound while James colored or drove trucks around her. But Maggie was the opposite.

Her little screams would fill the house whenever I made dinner or went to the bathroom, and heaven forbid I should want to take a shower.

"Help me decide what tie to wear," Harry grinned as I continued to rock Maggie in her little bassinet, making sure to keep James away so he wouldn't accidentally fall on her.

"What color is Rose's dress?"

"Guess."

I rolled my eyes. "Red?"

"You're the smartest, baby. This one?"

I eyed the red bow tie and finally smiled. "Yes, that one. Come here and let me put it on for you."

He gently laid Mia in the bassinet with Maggie and came to stand in front of me, the smell of his cologne and body wash filling my nose as I looped the silky material around his neck.

"I could kill you right now," I mused quietly, pulling the tie tight as Harry winced.

"Please don't."

"Yeah, I'd hate for you to leave Rosie without a date," I sighed dramatically. "Tragic."

"Rachel."

I looked up at him innocently. "Yes?"

"Don't make me spank you before I leave, darling. I told you it's just a work thing, and you said you were okay with it. Do we still feel the same way?"

I slumped back onto the bed and pulled the covers to my chin.

"Yes or no?"

"Yes," I huffed in exasperation. "I just don't like seeing you dressed up for another woman."

"Well it's incredibly difficult to say no to your boss," he pointed out as he stood in front of the mirror and ran a hand through his long hair. "And I need a haircut."

"No, I like it," I protested with a yawn.

"I'll keep it long," he promised, chuckling lowly. "But now it's too long. I just need a trim."

"Humph."

"Don't make that noise at me," he laughed as James crawled onto the chair next to the bed and rested his head on the windowsill, his eyes looking out on the backyard.