HARDSHIPS AND TRIUMPHS
Chapter 7: Life as a Family
On a cool September day, in the presence of a few friends, and family, Rick and Evelyn were married. They took a Honeymoon in Hawaii, leaving Alex in the care of Nanna, now that he was not taking anymore feedings from Evelyn. Upon their return, life for them fell into a normal pace. Evelyn continued to work at the museum, and Rick enjoyed his time as a father. One day while he and Alex were in town getting a few things Evelyn had requested, Sam saw them, and Rick got to introduce his son to him. Alex would be two in February, and that time seemed to be quickly approaching. He shook Sams hand and laughed as Sam pretended to be hurt.
“Great god, your as strong as your father,” he said.
“Big boy,” Alex said, then watched other people pass by as his daddy talked to Sam.
“I would need a partner,” Sam said as he told Rick of his plans to start a ship building business. Sam had always loved the sea, and had always enjoyed boating.
“I’m not sure I’d make a good partner, but if you think so, then I’m in...Well I would have to see what Evelyn thinks first,” he said as Alex started to get restless.
“Look why don’t you leave me your number, and I’ll talk to her, and maybe we can have you over for dinner,” he said.
“As long as Brianne can come with me. I’m a married man too you know,” he said. Rick laughed at that, then both went their separate ways. By the time they got to the museum, Alex had long since gone to sleep against his fathers shoulder, and when Rick walked into her office, he found Evelyn busy with some artifacts. Gently, Rick laid Alex down in his playpen then walked over to her desk.
“Hi beautiful,” he said catching her attention.
“Oh hello,” she said feeling bad that she hadn’t seen his entry.
“So what’s all this?” he asked.
“A few things from India,” Evelyn replied as she got up, and went into his arms. They shared a lingering kiss before parting.
“So how was your shopping?” she asked as they went over to the small couch on the other side of the room, and sat down.
“Good. I ran into Sam who is married now. He asked me if I wanted to start a ship building business with him, and I thought it might be an interesting venture, if you don’t mind me doing that,” he said. Nanna still cared for Alex, and Evelyn knew her husband wanted more to do than stay home all day.
“Of Coarse I don’t mind, but thank you for letting me in on this,” she said as they snuggled.
“Ucky,” came Alex’s little voice. The found him standing up still dressed in his warm woolen sweater.
“What’s ucky?” Evie asked as she went to him, then realized that he needed a nappy change, something she took care of with record speed. Once he was clean Rick got out his lunch and he sat on dads lap while he ate, and while mum had her lunch.
“Ummy doe if home,” Alex said as he finished the last of his sandwich. Evelyn leaned forward and gave him a kiss.
“I wish I could baby, but mummy has a meeting with a few people,” she said.
“Ucky,” Alex said which made both of his parents laugh. Once they had finished lunch, Rick packed things up, then he and Alex headed home.
~*~
A few nights later, Rick and Evie greeted their company. Brianne and Sam brought with them a bottle of wine, and it wasn’t long before they were all talking comfortably.
“Sam and I want to have children someday, but only when we can afford to take care of them properly,” she said as she and Evelyn talked. Alex was already down for the night, or so they hoped, and the evening moved on to a nice dinner. Nanna cooked a Ham, and served that along with green beans, mashed potatoes and warm bread fresh baked from the oven. At one point during the meal, Sam made a toast to their friendship and to his and Rick’s new venture. Once the Evening concluded, and their friends had left, Evelyn turned to her husband.
“I like them,” she said.
“Me too, I think having a wife is good for him,” Rick said. Evelyn smiled.
“And good for you too Mr. O’Connell,” she said. They shared a kiss, then went upstairs to their bed not ready to go to sleep, but most ready to spend the night entangled in one anothers arms making love to one another.
THE END