A New Verge

New Richmond

"Let's start a family." Those words still rang in Kate's head constantly as if like a looping record that played the same song over and over. She remembered being in the church and hearing Javi's acceptance of what she wanted, but she never would have imagined she would be the one to want a family someday. It just didn't seem likely to her. In her younger days, she was a bit excessive in going out and experiencing life in an extreme way, and she didn't exactly seem like mother material. 

Even when she married David, she was so unsure. But sure enough, she had become a mother to Gabe and Mari, even if they didn't understand Kate. She had grown closer to the kids, and found how easy it was to love them. Kate loved them with her whole heart, and wondered if they would ever feel the same. She always wondered if she would ever desire to have her own child. But it wasn't until she fell in love with Javi that she truly thought about it. The way he was with Gabe and Mari was adorable, and he was ten times the dad she ever would be a mom. He was so great at knowing the right things to say and do. Javi sure was talented in all walks of life. Over the years she spent with Javi, she began to think about the life she would actually want to live with him if they were ever safe again. Sure enough, Richmond was that chance.

Maybe it was selfish, stupid, and naive, but she wanted to build something in this world that wasn't pure survival for a day. Or maybe even better her experience in life on something that wasn't death and loss. She wanted a child that was biologically hers and the man she loved. Kate knew it was still a dangerous world, but she hoped with the help of Richmond, Jesus, and his friends they would be able to do it.

They had discussed wanting to start a family, and Kate was excited. She was also terrified, which maybe was a good thing after all. After that talk, Kate and Javi spent most of their time talking, eating, and sleeping. For days even, it consisted of learning to adjust to being somewhere safe where they could actually breathe. Gabe was out of their hair and exploring the community most of the time.

During the day, Javi and Kate worked on rebuilding Richmond and using some of the ideas David gave Javi on the rooftop. By the time it was night, they were usually eating as a family or laughing, trying to make the best of this paradise.

Little time was spent apart for Kate and Javi, and frankly she didn't mind. They had yet to actually try for the baby, but she didn't care. Somehow, she knew it would come now that they were well rested and adjusting to this beautiful, safe life. Kate received intimacy and happiness from Javi in a different way that went much farther than sex, that was for sure.

They spent every night wrapped up in each other's arms and legs, which was maybe her favorite thing. It was the one thing she had never gotten to do before with him or any of her other lovers. He was truly the sweetest man alive or at least she was convinced.

Somehow, this helped her see a side of Javi she never knew. Like the way he sprawled out and then curled up in his sleep. She could practically trace the familiar lines of his face and body perfectly on paper from staring at him so intently. When he was asleep, she would catch herself staring, sometimes even smiling as he snored some or talked in his sleep. Javier was her everything, and she couldn't be more thankful.

She wanted to breathe the same air as him, enjoy every single thing this difficult life perhaps had to offer her.

It was then that she realized she was staring at him, blatantly, across the dinner table. Kate quickly lowered her gaze, knowing immediately he was going to tease her for it. Which only made it 100 times worse for her.

"Well I know I'm dashingly handsome, but you don't have to stare." Javi spoke in his normal teasing tone, which quickly brought Kate out of her reverie. She was a bit embarrassed, but she hid it well.