Page 11 of Tides and Tidings

Messing with her was fun. I reached for her hand and kissed it, “I know. So what I’m hearin’ is you want to have babies to fill the silence and give Wren someone to play with other than the dog.”

Her eyes widened like saucers, “That’s not what I said…” She chewed the inside of her cheek while she thought, “But I’m not opposed.”

Oh fuck. Did she mean that, or was the wine still flowing?

“Did you just say you wanted to have kids?”

I meant that as a joke. What she said was not the response I had anticipated. When Blythe moved here a year and a half ago, she was firmly of the “I don’t want to date” and the “I never want children” persuasion. Then Wren and I came barreling into her life and she changed her tune. I’d like to think it’s my charming good looks.

Blythe shrugged, “I think so. You know how terrified of kids I was before I met Wren. If we ever had babies, I imagine they would be like her. Pretty chill, very cute, a good sleeper…”

I couldn’t help but daydream. I would have ten babies with Blythe. I love her with every fiber of my being and having mini versions of her around would be the best thing.

“Charlie?” Blythe waved her hand in front of my face.

“Hm?” I snapped back to reality. “Oh, sorry, I zoned out. Can you say that last bit again?”

“If we were ever to have babies, I hope they would be like Wren.”

“I’m positive they would be.” I stood up from my barstool and went to the sink to clean up. “Do you wanna practice how to make a baby again?” I smirked over my shoulder.

“Well yeah.” Blythe followed me, wrapped her arms around my waist, and rested her head on my back. “Some things need to happen before we have a baby, though.”

I turned to face her, “Such as?”

A crimson rose on her cheeks. “I don’t know.”

I lifted her chin to look at me, “No. What has to happen first?”

“Forget I said anything,” she turned away.

“Babe, what’s up? We communicate, remember?”

“I was just going to say I’d like to be married first.” Her green eyes wouldn’t meet mine. Blythe’s dad had abandoned her and her mom when she was only six months old. I get it; she wants more commitment before she makes a life-altering decision.

I hugged her tightly, squashing any fear she had of me ever leaving her. I hoped she wouldn’t feel my racing heart. Death will have to take me away from this beautiful human. “I couldn’t agree more.”

I felt her frame relax in my embrace. “Are you not going to tell me what we’re doing for the rest of the weekend?” She pressed on.

“Nope.” I popped the p.

“Not even what we’re doing tomorrow?” Blythe jutted her bottom lip out.

I narrowed my eyes as I placed a cup in the dishwasher. “What do you want to know?”

“Anything. You know I don’t like not knowing things.”

A laugh escaped. She wasn’t lying. The woman hated not knowing the details of every little thing. I wiped my hands on the dish towel and turned towards her. “I’ll level set with you and give you one nugget of information only because I have to.”

She couldn’t help but smile, “I’m all ears.”

“We’re spendin’ the night at a hotel tomorrow.”

Her mouth hung open out of pure shock. I could see her mind was going a mile per minute. “I have to pack!”

Blythe started for the stairs before I grabbed her arm, “No need.”

She cocked her head, “Why?”