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‘There you go, Tobes.’Cara tucked her son into bed at the motel after rubbing on eczema cream, and inserting under his blanket the large toy Easter Bunny that had passed the can’t-fit-through-the-cot-bars test earlier. The kids were exhausted as planned, helped by the fact they were up past their bedtime. They’d had dinner at Hooters, as their choice of restaurant had been booked out and they’d forgotten to make a reservation. Despite a broken glass due to Lily’s enthusiastic toast to her parents’ anniversary, it had been a fun evening. Pete had teased Cara when she’d been reluctant to go to Hooters because she thought it was a place where women rolled around on roller skates in their underwear.
She giggled at the memory as she sauntered towards the small bedroom, steam exuding from the bathroom as she passed it, where Pete emerged wearing a towel. She climbed into bed and Pete followed, planting a kiss on her mouth.
‘Happy anniversary,’ he whispered in her ear before kissing it.
‘Happy anniversary to you too.’ Cara said with a lazy yawn, wrapping her arms around his neck, enjoying his soft skin, warm from the shower. ‘Maybe one day we can go away for our anniversary, just the two of us,’ Cara suggested, between kisses.
‘One day,’ Pete echoed. ‘When Toby’s a bit older. You know how he gets when he’s left with Grandma for more than a couple of hours. I’d hate to think what he’d be like overnight.’
Cara’s parents lived only a half hour away, in the same house she’d grown up in, and they’d been a great support to her and Pete when their unexpected offspring arrived. But with years of, ‘Can you mind Lily tomorrow,Mum?’ and ‘How is next Tuesday afternoon, Mum?’ Cara often felt guilty at the repeated babysitting requests.
Pete’s parents lived in their native Canada, having moved back to take over the family restaurant when Pete finished high school in Sydney, unaware they’d soon become grandparents. Pete had opted to stay in Australia, having made strong friendships and knowing what he wanted to do with his life. Although kids at a young age weren’t part of that plan, he took the responsibility in stride. He was a natural at fatherhood.
‘Did I tell you Lily’s friend invited her to a slumber party?’ Cara asked, as Pete trailed a finger along her shoulder.
‘She sure is growing up,’ he replied.
‘I know, but I think she’s too young for a sleepover. What do you think?’
‘I think we should talk about this tomorrow.’ Pete smiled, pulling her closer.
‘Honey, I was thinking maybe I could go back to university when Toby’s at school. God knows all the technology’s changed now, and I’d probably have to start my degree all over again. But it’d be good, don’t you think?’
‘What’s brought all this on?’
‘I saw someone from my uni course, down at the beach. She’s got a great design career now.’
‘And you’re wondering what might have been, is that right?’ Pete bent his elbow and propped his head onto his palm.
‘I guess. And whatcouldbe.’
‘But what if we have another child?’ Pete asked. ‘Hmmm, maybe we could start making one now.’ He ran his fingers through her hair, andkissed her again.
Cara broke away. ‘Another one? Pete we never talked about having a fourth child.’
‘Well, let’s talk about it then.’
‘Why do you want another child?’
‘Why not? I’d love a bigger family. And it’d give Toby a playmate, and maybe a little sister for Lily – she’d love that.’
‘But, I’m not ready, I mean … I don’t know if…’
‘Cara, you’re a great Mum. We’re still young, and it’s the perfect time to have more kids. Just think, when they’re in high school we’ll be the cool young parents their friends will envy, and we’ll still be fit and healthy to play with our future grandchildren.’
‘Grandchildren?’ Cara pushed herself up to sitting. ‘Whoa, hang on a minute! Less than a year ago I was a human vending machine, and now you’re talking about grandchildren?’
‘Honey, calm down.’ Pete grasped her arm, but she pulled away. ‘I just meant that having more children while we’re younger will allow us to travel and enjoy time to ourselves when we’re a little older.’
‘I’ve been waiting too long already for those things; I don’t want to add another twenty years to the mix!’ Cara stood, tears working their way from her heart to her eyes.
Pete climbed off the bed and held onto her shoulders. ‘Hey, it’s okay. I didn’t mean to upset you.’ He lifted her chin to meet his gaze. ‘We don’t have to talk about it now.’
‘Pete, I don’t think thereisanything to talk about.’ Her eyes pleaded with his and she drew a deep breath. ‘I don’t want any more children.’
Pete released his grasp and sat on the bed.
Cara stepped towards him. ‘I’m worn out. I love our kids to death, but three is enough,’ she confessed. ‘I feellike I’m always giving, giving, giving; to everyone but myself.’
