It was the same dream again. If it was a dream, anyway. Whenever Charles became aware of himself - aware that he was in fact asleep, it was always moments before he'd wake up. But the picture was ever-lovely and ideal. A cityscape in spring, without a cloud in the sky. A balcony with just enough room for two... and his enchanting wife with that same echo of a laugh on her exquisite lips. That sinfully delicious one that Zap always wore when she found something terrible he'd said to be amusing. The kind of thing he'd only say around her and she'd never admit to enjoying. He never remembered what they'd been talking about - or what the comment that had curled her lips was. Because he'd be sure to repeat it in the waking world.
Once he realized he was actually face down on purple bedding, the balcony disappeared and the afternoon sun was replaced by the almost-morning rays that filtered though there window dressings. It took Charles a moment to realize he was alone, which was normal these days, and always forced the chivalrousness side of Professor Charles to attempt a hastened return to reality. But before Charles could ever get very far, Zap returned, and all was right in his hedonistic home life again.
"I think it's time to let everyone know... they're going to starting planning a shower before too long."
"I assumed everybody already knew." Charles answered into his pillow, but very much directed at Zap. His hand left the confines of the warm blankets to stroke the softest hair at the top of her head. "Can't keep a secret around here." He added with a smirk - he was kidding of course, which Zap deserved utmost credit for. "Probably so." He added when she mentioned the uptight doctor, while simultaneously he allowed his mind to wander about the house. Athena and Orion still danced with sugar plum fairies and large fluffy ducks, but Faolan had once again woken up before his mother and step-father. Charles gently nudged the nightmares away from the young boy's head, not unlike a breeze might blow dark clouds from a perfectly good picnic. Then Charles smiled when he felt the boy drift off again.
"Yes." He simply answered her question, then brought his head-rubbing hand to meet hers on his backside. "I think we should tell them, I think you should definitely dye the cream... and even make extra waffles." He grinned when he felt the happy current and finally shifted so that he could look his wife in the eyes. "Speaking of tart things." Charles started, and projected the image of strawberries into her mind so she'd know he'd spied that detail as well. "You and that balcony again." Then the image of fruit changed to the last thing he could remember of his dream and her sweet, but just a bit keen smile. "I have a new theory." He started in complete confidence she knew what he was talking about. "I don't think it's a recurring dream. I think I'm walking right over into your head every night." Charles explained while he clasped his hand tightly around hers. "I think we talk every night, I think I charm you all over again while we sleep... and I think I fall in love with you again while the stars shine. It's the only way to explain how much more I love you every morning." He turned, and made sure her head stayed on his thigh even when he settled on his back. Charles sat up and put his other hand squarely on Zap's delightfully full belly. "I think we talked about this last night, because I woke up thinking it was time to let the rest of them in on our joy." Charles smiled and bent low enough to smooch Zap on the forehead. "But... I will be happy when the wake ups come a little later." He joked through a smirk, with the knowledge that that took years not months. "But then again, maybe Athena and Faolan could get some much needed experience with their newest sister..." Six and seven-year-olds did great with infants, didn't they? Charles smiled, when he projected his last thought toward Zap - knowing she'd be less than thrilled at the idea.
"Come on." Charles added and eyed his slippers on the floor. "You mentioned waffles and fresh fruit - that's the second best way to wake me up in the morning." He smiled, while he projected a few of the memories of his favorite ways she'd woken him up before.