AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Tons of doctors work from home,” I add, letting her know I’ll support her in anything she wants to do.
“Specializing in what?” she asks firmly, challenging me as she stands facing me with her hands on her hips.
Those hips.
“Family planning,” I offer cheekily, curling my lip and letting my eyes follow her curves as they move closer to me until she settles herself on my lap.
“Very funny,” she whispers into my ear, her hand already stroking me to full attention.
“You know I could never devote any time to anyone else’s problems in that department,” she adds. “I’m far too busy with my own.”
I moan softly and checking the kids really are asleep, suggest we move to the rug in front of the fire.
Pillows and blankets are everywhere, looks like Josh is gonna be quite the builder. His makeshift forts are really coming along.
Evelyn purrs under my touch, and just when I think we’re about to have some quality alone time, he coughs and then cries.
Awake.
“Hold that thought,” I tell my wife, pecking her lips as she props herself up on one elbow, smiling as she watches me tend to our son.
Not wanting to be left out, Jane joins her brother and squawks louder than he ever could.
In no time, Evelyn is up and nestling our daughter in her arms as I rock Josh gently, we meet on the rug by the fireplace in a very different way.
Smiling at one another, and with her brow lifted, my darling wife sighs with contentment.
Not every night in our home is blazing with passion. Not at this hour anyway. And not the kind of passion we got used to before the kids arrived.
It’s still passion though.
The deep love and affection for family. Belonging. Having each other.
Something I still give thanks for every single day, even when it’s just a gray sweat pants, daytime TV, and dirty diapers kind of day.
I love every single second of it.
My family. My wife. My kids.
Mine.
Extended Epilogue
Ten Years Later
Evelyn
“He’ll be here,” I comfort Josh. Worried his Grandpa is gonna be a no-show for his presentation in class.
I admit I do have a flash of doubt myself, but since his surgery, and some shouting matches with Mark over the years, dad’s lightened up about a lot of things.
He manages our own family practice now, something I thought I’d be doing, but once dad could slot back into the life he wanted it’s been smooth sailing all around.
The dreams I had when I was studying to be a doctor turned out way better, and none of them included much doctoring after all that.
I’m a board certified surgeon, a pediatrician that specializes in cardiology.
Something I’d never say out loud if it wasn’t for Mark asking me to remind him what it is I do again as he beams with pride. Always lifting me up with his words as well as his strong hands.
My family is my medicine. My husband. My kids.
I was working full-time and then part-time, then as a consultant. Now, I’m just Mommy and wifey.
A title I prefer a lot more than Doctor and it means I get to be home a lot more.
Josh fidgets and gnaws at his lip, while his teacher has been patient enough, she checks her watch and makes a face that tells him it’s now or never for his presentation.
Just when I’m about to say something, the door swings open, and my dad, along with Mark walks in, Jane in tow.
“Sorry we’re late,” my dad murmurs, apologizing to Josh, not the teacher before he takes a seat right upfront.
Josh’s face lights up at seeing the whole family here, not just grandpa and his mom as promised.
Mark joins me at the side of the room and I take a sleepy Jane from him, he grimaces too at being late but the relief on Josh’s little face is enough to forgive anyone.
It’s not a test, but just something they do in school now. Having kids prepare a presentation about something important to them, getting them up in front of the class, and speaking to build confidence.
I thought Josh’s presentation was going to be about building. He’s always talking about what he wants to build next, his blueprint drawings are beyond the cute stage now.
Mark’s more than impressed but doesn’t feel the need to pressure Josh into making any decisions about what he wants for the future.
Today though Josh has a big technical-looking drawing up on the board but it’s not what he’s chosen to talk about.
The teacher smiles primly and gives an encouraging nod in Josh’s direction to tell him he can start.
There’s an awkward silence, and I feel myself shift nervously as the seconds turn into almost half a minute of silence.
Mark stands strong next to me, and I can feel him nodding to Josh, letting him know we’re all here for him no matter what.
