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He guides me back to the bed and the plush mattress welcomes us back. I sit, my legs splayed out wide. River sits beside me and his thigh presses against mine. He picks up a slice of toast, butter glistening under a veil of strawberry jam, and holds it to my lips.
"Open wide," he teases.
I roll my eyes and oblige, taking a bite. It’s extremely sweet followed by the buttery flavor that bursts across my tongue. As I chew, he pops a piece of melon into his own mouth. He seems a bit restless and watches me with eyes that are a late-night sky.
"Delicious," I sigh, reaching for a strawberry. But instead of eating it, I bring it to his lips. "Your turn."
He accepts the offering, his teeth grazing my fingertips in a fleeting kiss that promises more. We continue this dance of feeding each other, laughter mingling with the clink of cutlery, each bite an unspoken vow.
"River, this is..." I start. Then I pause and shake my head. “I wish you could know what I’m feeling right now.”
"Darlin’." He leans in, giving me a brief kiss. "Your emotions are really apparent. You are too easy to read."
“For you, maybe. Other people seem to find it hard.”
“They obviously aren’t trying.” He cants his head with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
I lean back against the pillows and a contented sigh escapes me. River's hand finds mine, his thumb drawing idle circles on my skin.
"So, what's the game plan for today?" he asks.
"Let's tackle the nursery," I say, excitement bubbling up inside me. "I can't wait to see the crib that my family made for me in there. Plus, we need to find the perfect spot for Sarah's quilt."
"Ah, yes, the infamous crib. I can’t believe that they just gave that behemoth to your Aunt Delta. It must’ve taken five people to build it," River says with a playful grin.
I fold my arms across my chest. “It was made by my relatives. It’s definitely going in the nursery.”
"I’m just teasing you, darlin’. It'll be the centerpiece of the nursery, no doubt. My mom said that having someone buy or build a crib for you is actually a huge honor."
I eye him. “It is. Not to mention it’s insanely beautiful. I know that it’s all wrapped up in protective bubble wrap right now. But I can’t wait to put in in the nursery.”
“Well, we’d better get to it, then.”
He squeezes my hand. I smile and get up. We make our way to the nursery, a room that just screams potential. The walls are a blank canvas, awaiting my personal touch. Flat-packed boxes of unassembled furniture beckon us. I roll up my sleeves, ready to dive in. But before I can even consider one of the boxes, River halts me with a gentle tug on my elbow.
"Wait, Pearl. I've got something for you first." The corners of his mouth twitch. He’s excited.
He strides over to one of the big square boxes. With a flourish, River lifts out an assortment of baby items. And not just any items, either. Each toy and decoration is adorned with images of adorable aliens and tiny UFOs.
"River!" My hand flies to my mouth. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "This is...” I shake my head. “It's perfect. You know how much I love this stuff."
"I know, I know," he says softly. He wraps an arm around me and pulls me into his chest. "I wanted our baby to have an interesting hobby, just like her mom."
"Thank you," I whisper, leaning into him.
"Anything for you and our mini cosmonaut," he murmurs, kissing the top of my head. Together, we begin arranging the furniture. Soon, the nursery slowly transforms from a room into a realm of starry-eyed adventures.
I’m standing on my tiptoes, pressing a decal of a shooting star onto the pale blue wall. River sidles up behind me, his hands finding my waist.
"Imagine," he whispers, his breath tickling my ear. "A baby with both of our features gazing up at these stars. She’ll be dreaming of galaxies far, far away."
“Easy there, Han Solo.” I can't help but giggle, leaning back into his solid chest. "Maybe she’ll be an astronaut. Maybe she’ll chart a whole new world."
“Speaking of that…”
River steps back, reaching for a hefty book that's been sitting on the edge of the crib. It's bound in soft baby blue leather. He hands it over.
“Before you thank me, I want you to know that my mom suggested this. She’ll probably ask if I took credit for her idea.” He sticks his tongue out.
