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“Ooooh, cheese.”
Belly was standing in front of the open refrigerator, its light illuminating her face.
"I know it’s not midnight," Belly muttered to herself, eyeing a block of cheddar cheese and some opened saltines, "But if my body thinks it's midnight, then it's a midnight snack."
A pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind. Conrad leaned in, pressing his chest against her back and burying his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply.
"An early midnight snack," Conrad murmured, "My favorite kind."
Belly let out a soft laugh, leaning back against him but trying to play it cool. "Conrad, let go, I’m hunting for cheese."
"Forget the cheese," he whispered, his lips brushing against her jawline as he turned her around in his arms so she was trapped between him and the refrigerator door. He looked down at her, “You know what’s something creamier than cheese?”
“Jesus, Conrad. It’s 9:15.”
Conrad laughs, but he leans in closer, his hands resting on her hips.
“House is quiet. Jamie’s asleep… And I’ve been thinking, he’s getting so big. He’s four now…” Conrad whispers, “Don’t you think he needs a little partner in crime?”
Belly raises an eyebrow, a smirk on her lips, “Trying to negotiate another baby in me over cheese? Really.”
He continues tracing small circles on her back, “Hey, you know how persuasive I can get, remember? And we’re great at making them so we should definitely do it again like right now. C’mon think about it, a baby girl with your eyes?”
He leaned in to finally kiss her.
“Mama?”
Conrad froze, his lips still brushing hers. Belly’s eyes snapped open.
They both slowly turned their heads toward the stairs.
Jamie, standing at the second to the last step, wearing his red oversized Brachiosaurus pajama pants. In his arms, he was hugging a giant, brightly colored picture book.
Conrad let out a heavy, defeated sigh, his forehead resting against Belly's shoulder for a brief second. So close.
“Hi, baby. What’s wrong? You’re supposed to be in bed.” Conrad said, clearing his throat and stepping back just an inch.
Jamie blinked his big, sleepy eyes, completely ignoring his dad. He walked straight past Conrad, marched right up to Belly, and held up the heavy book. On the cover was a giant, smiling cartoon ladybug.
“Can’t sleep. Mama, read please.”
“Oh, I can read it for you, sweetheart.” Conrad offers
“Mmmhm-mhmmm.” Jamie shakes his head. “I want Mama to read.”
Conrad clutched his chest, pretending to be deeply offended, but still pouts, “I can do the little voices too…” he persuades.
“No, thank you.” Jamie insisted, turning his back on his dad and grabbing Belly's hand, tugging her toward the living room. "Let's go to the big couch, Mama."
Belly let out a small chuckle, “You like mommy’s voice, baby?” throwing a smug, playful look up at her husband as she allowed herself to be led away.
Jamie nods, then yawns.
Conrad crossed his arms, following them into the living room. Belly settled onto the couch, lifting Jamie up so he could snuggle right into her lap. She opened the massive book. "Alright, let's see what we have here. The Secret Life of Beetles and Bees."
“Look, mama. He has soooo many legs. So many shoes.” Jamie whispered, his tiny finger pointing eagerly to a drawing of a caterpillar.
“Yeah, he does have a lot of legs.” Belly smiled, her soft voice makes Jamie sigh and cuddle into her even more.
She began to read, her voice flowing gently through the quiet living room, describing the adventures of a little ladybug looking for a nice leaf to sleep on.
Conrad stood by the hallway near the staircase, then moved to sit on the armchair across from them, watching them under the soft glow of the lamp. Watching Belly read, her face soft and animated as she lowered her voice to a gentle murmur, made him realize he was already looking at the most perfect view in the world.
By page ten, Jamie’s heavy eyelids were losing the battle. His thumb slipped into his mouth, his head sinking heavily against Belly’s chest.
Belly’s voice grew slower as she kept on reading, the words now spacing out. "...and the little... beetle... found his... leaf..."
Conrad smiled as he watched Belly’s head lean back against the fluffy couch cushions. Within minutes, both of them were completely out. Jamie was snoring softly, curled into a perfect little ball on his mom's lap, and Belly was fast asleep right beneath him, the bug book resting open across her knees.
Conrad quietly walked over, kneeling down by the edge of the couch. He gently lifted the heavy book from Belly's lap and set it on the coffee table. Then carefully scooped Jamie up into his arms, cradling his son's head against his shoulder. Jamie let out a little sigh but didn't wake up.
Conrad carried the sleepy four-year-old up the stairs, walked into the bug-themed bedroom and gently tucked him beneath his covers. He smoothed down Jamie's hair and kiss his forehead.
“Good night, our little bug.”
He walked back downstairs to the living room, where Belly was just starting to stir on the couch. Conrad smiled, extending a hand to help her up.
"Come on, sleeping beauty," Conrad murmured, pulling her up gently and wrapping his arms around her waist once more, bringing her close. "Let's get you to a real bed."
Belly leaned her head against his chest, yawning. "Did I finish the book?"
"Yeah, the entire thing." Conrad whispered, kissing the top of her head as they walked up the stairs together.
Belly stops before they reach the top step and softly gasps, “Nooo, my cheese…”