Trying to Recall
Title: Trying to Recall Chapter 4 Author: myguys_sam_dean Rating: R Characters: Mary/John Disclaimer: I don't own the boys, I just play wtih 'em. Feedback: Makes my world go round. Summary: Written for fanfic100 prompt #016 - purple. Mary and John are still coping with her pregnancy.
We gave up on my cooking. John said it wasn't worth me gagging or having to take nausea medication. So, after work, he'd head into the kitchen. Sometimes he'd ask me what I was hungry for. Other times he didn't because I wasn't hungry for anything these days.
He was standing in the kitchen when I came downstairs from a nap. He had his back to me, washing at the sink.
"Hey, honey," I started walking toward him. "How as your day?"
He turned around and smiled. He had his sleeves rolled up and wiped his hands on a towel. He looked so handsome, so domesticated, and so sexy to me. It think it was his strong forearms. I closed my eyes for a moment. This line of thinking had to be pregnancy hormones.
"Usual," was all he said as he embraced me. "How was yours?"
I couldn't even answer. I was lost in the scent of grease, oil and something uniquely John. I just breathed in, loving the smell.
*** After supper, we relaxed in front of the tv. My eyelids started so droop. "I am so sleepy," I told John as I rested my head on his shoulder.
"You have every right to be," his breath brushed against my hair. "Did you need to go upstairs?'
"No," I replied. I want to spend time with you. I don't waste it by sleeping."
"Do you just want to rest here with me?"
"Yeah," I gave into the idea that I was going to have to rest whether I actually wanted to or not. My body was having it any other way."
John placed a pillow on his lap and covered me with the purple quilt from the back of the couch. He turned the tv down and I squirmed to get into a comfortable position.
I was drifting between asleep and awake when I felt John take the rubber band from the end of my braid. He slowly undid the braid, working little by little.
"What are you doing?" I asked him. I knew what he was doing. A better question would have been why.
"I just miss seeing your hair down," he concentrated on releasing my hair from the braid.
When it was all undone, I told John that I must look a sight because I didn't have a brush to work out the kinks.
John's response was to run his fingers through the long length of my hair, "You look beautiful to me."
I smiled even with my eyes still closed, "I wear it back because I get sick."
"I know," he said. "I can put it back right now if you want to sit up."
"You can braid hair?" I opened my eyes.
"Well," he stammered. "I've seen you do it enough times." He kissed my cheek and I closed my eyes again.
I'd learned two things that day. My husband was very observant and he could braid hair. At least he said he could. I hadn't put him to the test but I doubted it was something he'd just claim out of the blue.
***
With the news over, John shut off the tv. "Mare," he whispered in my ear, "It's time to go upstairs, honey."
"Do I have to?" I knew I sounded like a little kid but I was just so tired.
"Yeah, you do," John propped me up next to him so he could get a better grip on me. Together we made it upstairs and to our room.
John sat me on the bed and grabbed my nightgown. He slipped my shirt over my head without much help from me. Then, he slid my nightgown on. He moved his hands underneath the nightgown to unclasp my bra and free my arms. He finished getting my arms in the nightgown and pulled off my socks and jeans, which he noticed I wouldn't be able to wear much longer. He laid me down, covered me up and then got himself ready for bed.
He sat down on the bed and pulled my hair back as best he could. Then, he started to braid. When he finished, it was far from perfect, but it would do. He turned off the light and slid into bed beside me.
I body behind me and snuggled into his warm form with a sigh. "Oh, Mary," His deep voice cracked as he whispered. "Get some restful sleep tonight. Our baby needs it as much as you do." He moved one palm down to its usual position on my abdomen, where I was getting a baby bump. "Always remember that you are safe and loved."