Friends Apart

Chapter 19

The relative silence and intimacy of their room greeted Wendy like a welcome friend. She swung her legs on the edge of Peter's hand and put her hand over her stomach. "The little rascal's kicking again." She gave a soft smile, her voice entirely fondness. "Let me hear! I wanna feel how strong my child is!" Peter was already lifting Wendy to his face. His nose nudged her left arm out of the way when he pressed his lips to her swollen midsection. A minute later, he pulled away with glistening eyes. For a long moment, Peter said nothing; just stared at her, drank her appearance in the way she was tonight. Two massive fingers combed down her hair, finding her hand. "How are your hands always cold?" He asked with a quiet, affectionate chuckle. Wendy's nose was still red from the cold outside, a pleasant flush accompanying on her freckled cheeks. She rested her hands over Peter's fingertips and wore an elated smile.
"Because I've got you to warm them up for me." Peter wore the smile of a lover, a father, and a husband. He covered her hands with his thumb and gave them a gentle squeeze.  "Okay..." She sat on his pillow now, while he changed into his pajamas. "What do you think about 'Evelyn'?" He threw out a name he had been pondering. Wendy's gaze fell to her baby bump and she rested her considerably warmed hands over the surface. "Little Evelyn..." She thought about the name and it seemed to fit perfectly. A proud smile spread. "Evelyn's a beautiful name." "Really?" He turned around, finishing up with buttoning his shirt. Peter had offered her several names over a four-month period, and Until now, they hadnt been able to agree on one. His lower half was warmed by two consecutive blankets as he laid down. Sturdy fingers laced around her frame with a contrasting gentleness. The child within her seemed to have an increasingly personality as the days passed, and a concrete name to call it made it seem all the more imminent. "Yes." Wendy nodded and laid on her side turned to Peter's face. "Evelyn's the name, I think." She reached forward a hand and stroked his face, tender eyes beholding the man. Peter chuckled, a warm, rich sound. He blew out the lamp and rubbed her back. Outside, it was cold and voices were dwindling. But Peter and Wendy clung to each other with a confidence, remaining encased in each other's presence. "little one, we have to share your mother, Alright?" Peter smiled at her, then tucked Wendy against his chest half-under the covers. "I've barely had time with you at all today..." Wendy nuzzled his chest and gave him a little kiss.