Meeting Mr Firth

15

The following morning I woke up to see Colin and Cathy still asleep. Cathy was close to me, one of her little arms on my own. I removed it slowly and tried to get off bed without waking them up. But as I got up I felt Cathy's hand grabbing my blouse as she mumbled "mommy". She called me Andy since the moment we met and I wasn't expecting to hear her saying that so soon. I took her into my arms and kissed her soft cheeks.
Colin woke up too and got closer to us, embracing me from behind and kissing Cathy on the forehead.

-Mommy, daddy, can we play?
-We should have breakfast first, little darling. But we can play later, okay?
-Okay? What we have for breakfast? Do we have pancakes?
-Whatever you want.
-I love pancakes.
-Alright then, daddy goes to make pancakes while we get dressed, agreed?
-Okay.
***
-Cathy, would you like to come to work with me today? There are some people I want you to meet.
-Who?
-My coworkers and most importantly my best friend. She would be like an aunt to you.
-I want to have another Auntie like Auntie Sara. From the centre.
-The nurse?
-Yes. Her name is Auntie Sara. What's your friend's name.
-Viv.
-Auntie Viv is as nice as Auntie Sara?
-She is very nice and she can't wait to meet you. I'm sure you're gonna love your Auntie Viv.

We went downstairs for breakfast after we got ready. Colin was just finishing up putting everything on the table. We watched Cathy eating her pancakes happily..

-Daddy makes good pancakes.
-I'll tell you a secret. Daddy is the best cook, he makes great pasta too, I whispered.
-Would you come with us to mommy's work?
-Of course I would. Who do you think drives mummy everyday to work?
-You?
-Exactly. And who drives her home?
-You again?
-Wow, you're so good at guessing.
-Did you hear mommy, I'm good at guessing.
-Yes, darling. You are. Finish up your pancakes while we will get ready to go, okay?
-Okay.
***
-She's a blessing. She already calls us mommy and daddy. She's an angel.
-And this angel has your eyes. Did you notice that?
-I did. It's that fate we've been talking about. And experiencing since the day we met.

He gave me a slow, long kiss. As we were still kissing we felt the embrace of Cathy's little arms around our legs. We laughed and Colin raised her, carrying her in his arms as she gave him a kiss on the cheek. I stepped a little backwards, watching them walk to the door. My husband and my daughter.. Two words I never thought I would use..quite so soon.
***
Arriving at the parliament I saw Viv waiting for us outside. I told Cathy to go and greet Auntie Viv and so she did. As Cathy ran toward her to give her a hug, Viv took her niece into her arms and held her tight.

-Nice to finally meet you, Cathy!
-Nice to meet you, Auntie Viv! Would you like to play with me and Betsy?
-Who's Betsy?
-My favorite doll. Mommy, where is Betsy?
-She's in the car. Colin, would you please go get Betsy?
-Sure. Why did she even remained in the car?
-Mommy said you are nice. I think she was right. You seem nice.
-And you are the sweetest little girl, just as your mommy described you to me. Would you like to stay with me tonight?

Cathy glanced at me and I nodded. I knew how much Viv wanted to spend some time with her niece. She loves children. Especially the child of her best friend/soul sister.
Colin came back from the car with Betsy in hand and took Cathy in his arms as Viv came to me to talk..

-She's so precious. Gosh, you're so lucky.
-Do I see tears in your eyes?
-What?! No, don't be ridiculous.
But you guys truly are a beautiful family.
-Coming from you it means the world. You know that, right?

She said nothing but hugged me. I was having tears in my eyes too. I knew I was very lucky to have them all and I didn't even knew what I did to deserve them.

-So my niece stays with me tonight. I can't wait to get to know her better. Such a sweetie.
-She's gonna love you.
-Good, because I love her already.
-Okay, Auntie Viv. Take good care of our little princess.
-I would. And you have some fun tonight, she winked. You don't have to have a quiet night.
-You're impossible!
-What?! That's why people get babysitters usually.
-Usually people need help with their kids. That's the purpose of babysitters. We don't..
-You need time to yourselves. Whenever you want I would love to babysit.
-You won't have a hard time. She's an angel.
-I can see that. I can also see the happiness in your eyes.
-How else should I feel? Did you see them walking away together a moment ago? Why, I have 2major reasons to be very happy.
-I saw them. Colin seems so proud of his girl. Girls, actually.
-He wanted a daughter so badly. So did I. Catherine is the best thing that could've happened to us.
-I know.

We finally went inside to see Jen and Jack playing with Cathy. They congratulated me, giving me such sincere hugs that I knew I could trust them as much as I trusted Viv. I also won 2new real friends. And we were such a beautiful family, all of us. Jack said I could take some time off if I wanted but I didn't. I already had a week of as honeymoon. And they needed me at work, I knew that.
Cathy was so sweet with them both of them, calling them Uncle Jack and Auntie Jen. But she whispered to me that Auntie Viv was still her favourite. I laughed slightly and glanced at Colin who was standing next to me. He heard it too and smiled.
I was then thinking of the moment my mother would meet her granddaughter. I sensed that mom would love her. But again felt like I couldn't tell her just yet and over the phone.

-Darling, how do you feel about visiting mom this weekend?
-I was wondering when you were to ask that. I've been thinking about it too.
-We think alike, huh?
-Apparently great minds do think alike, he winked. Consider it arranged.
-I wonder what mom will say..
-The same she said at the wedding. Or even better things. Because with such a sweet granddaughter I say she should be happy.
-She would. I know that.. it's just. Well, I worry for nothing again.
-You're an expert at that. But you should stop.

He put an arm around my shoulders and gave me a little kiss on the lips.
***
The rest of the day passed slowly after Viv left with Cathy and Colin went to a meeting again. Strange how someone's priorities could change in a moment's notice. At some moment you think having a career is your purpose and at another the love of your life enters your life and changes everything.
Back home after work I saw that Colin didn't yet come so I decided I may try cooking dinner for us. Surprisingly I succeeded without setting the kitchen (or whole house) on fire. And when he came he was pleasantly surprised.

-The house is still standing. And dinner smells delicious.
-It's a double win. I deserve a prize.
-After we eat maybe, he laughed. I'm starving.
-How went that meeting?
-Well, I had to refuse them.
-Why?
-I was supposed to film a great deal of it in US. And the last thing I want now is to part from my girls.
-But you shouldn't let go of good opportunities like that. We'd do fine.
-Well, is already done. Is about priorities right now. And I'd rather stay.
-We could've came with you.
-And your job?
-You said is about priorities.. Well, you and our princess are now my priorities.
-So you'd sacrifice your job for me?
-Like you didn't just do the exact same.
-It's different. I'd get another opportunity, hopefully something filmed here. But you were willing to give things up to come with me.
-I could go anywhere with you. As long as we're together the rest is details.
-Are you even real?
-Touch me and find out for yourself.

He took me in his arms and kissed me passionately. His embrace meant everything, being there with him was the best place to be. He carried me in his arms to the bedroom. He was smiling brightly.

-The truth is I would've missed your beautiful smile if you would've accepted that offer.
-And wouldn't you have missed this as well?

He started to undress me slowly, touching every inch of my skin gently. I returned him the favour and we laid on the bed kissing hurriedly.
Then he did his thing best...mmm..