Routine was back on. Sky kissed his wife’s forehead softly, got up and went up to his upstairs kitchenette, made himself an expresso and a shake, changed into his training clothes and went for a run. Sky had not needed an alarm to wake up since his first movie training. It was as if his body knew the time before he did.
 
He had been thinking about moving lately. He had nothing else to do but think the last few weeks. First, they would have to transform the guest room into a baby’s room soon. The only way to have a guest room would be to place a sofa-bed in the baby’s room, which he didn’t like. As all his family and Maeva’s son were living far away, having an extra room was a must. He thought he would bring Maeva for rides around the areas he liked best to see she would fancy any place in particular. Then he remembered the Premiere.
 
“Oh Fuck!”, he said aloud, stopping his run, bending forward with his hands on his knees to rest a little. Then, it came flooding back. Her dress, his suit, the reservations for Los Angeles. He looked at his watch for the date. In two weeks exactly. He had hoped he had some free time to spend quietly at home with Maeva. He started back his run, heading back home. When he ran, he also looked around at birds, squirrels and on the path, there were horses belonging to the neighbour down the lane. He loved horses. He hadn’t grown up with them as some children do but, he learned to ride them for a movie and developed a fondness for the beautiful beasts. So strong, yet so gentle. His dream had been to have a farm with stables and have his own horses. He thought he should run it by Maeva and see where it goes. But first, the Premiere in LA. His house was in sight, so he slowed down. His phone ran.
 
“Yea?, Oh yes, I am well, how are you doing?”, Sky laughed his polite laugh.  “I was aware and getting ready to go, yea. Do you know how the promotional campaign lasts for me?”.
 
“Well. There are many interviews planned. Also, you might need to be a surprise guest on some morning shows with the rest of the cast, or some of them. Are you coming here with Maeva?”, Jess asked.
 
“Yes, I am. I am thinking of staying at Sherwood Lake, but not sure yet. Where was the production placing us?”, Sky didn’t say anything, but he remembered what Maeva said about Jess. He would have to think about getting another assistant.
 
“They said to ask you.”
 
“Wherever I want?  I’ll talk with my Maeva and will get back to you.”, he said curtly.
 
“Oh, really? Oh, OK. Get back to me as soon as you can.”, she said ending the conversation.
 
There was in fact something different about her, he thought. When he arrived, Yvonne told him Maeva was in the office writing. He carried on with his training routine. His mind wondered off to the murder of his friend. He was on set, right in front of the camera and he hadn’t seen anything. Sky noticed there was something wrong only when the director called “cut” and Gerald fell on the ground. Before the paramedics arrived, the scene was total chaos. His first reaction was to run forward to him to support and help until the paramedics did. But it was like everyone had the same idea and he couldn’t get through to him friend, unconscious by then. He retreated and walked in the direction of is trailer. He laid down thinking he would get some sleep. He knew there was no way filming would continue today, even maybe for the whole week. He could never have imagined that the production would be halted for this long. Come to think of it, he appreciated this unexpected pause. In the past, when he wasn’t with Maeva, his schedule was the most important thing in his life. Had an intermission like this happened, he would have been quite frustrated and would have pushed hard for the production to restart. Now that he was with Maeva, everything was different. He was content just being with her and, this was a special time for both as she was pregnant. He thought he might miss it completely because of work. It displeased him to think she would live this all by herself and he would not be able to support her and take care of her. It was so extraordinary. He never thought he would be a father this soon. And never thought it would be with the love of his life. His career was not the most important thing to him anymore. She was. Their family would be.
 
All of this was going through his head as he was training. He realized this exercise would be the last one. He would then take his shower and resume his day. He wondered if Maeva was done writing for the day. He worried that she was working too hard, putting in too many hours per day, stationary on a chair. He would explore the specialty chairs to see if some were better for pregnancy, than others. Then, he remembered that she used the yoga ball as a chair. She said that was the best. He would revisit this with her. He had so many things to run by her.
 
 
Dinnertime was finally here and Maeva decided to put down everything and just finish tomorrow. Sky’s return had made her a little late in her planned schedule. It didn’t matter. All she cared about was him being home. She could smell something cooking. She picked up her snack tray and open the door to go down to the kitchen. She smelled the odor of the freshly used shower and smiled. He was back. There were so many ways that showed his presence. He fully occupied a place when he was there. The perfectly made bed, army-style. The shake powder on the kitchen counter that she would wipe when she got her coffee, the dogs outside and rarely asking to come in, and Yvonne who made herself scarcer to let them have more time together. There were also a few scripts laying about in the living room. Some crossed off and some open to the page where he was at. Some clothes he had discarded when he changed in the bedroom. Most of the time Yvonne took care of all that as soon as she came in. When she wasn’t around, Maeva was happy to oblige. His absences accentuate the pleasure of having him around. Having a maid most of the time also made it quite trivial to complain as Maeva did so little housework.
 
When she got to the kitchen, he was there already preparing something she couldn’t see.
 
“Hey, my love!”, she said as she put down the tray. She started to place the dirty plates in the dishwasher. He turned around, hands in the air. He was cutting up vegetables.
 
“There is my darling.”, he said advancing forward to kiss her. He was so gentle. He pulled away looking at her as only men can do, legs, groin, hips, breasts, neck and lips. He came back to kiss her more. “As ever, so beautiful.”, he said kissing her neck. He then backed away and continued cutting. Maeva sat on a stool on the opposite side of the island and put one hand on her belly.
 
“Can I have some to snack on? Please?”, she asked sheepishly. He turned around to look at her.
 
“How could I refuse to feed my babies.”, he took a plate from the shelf and placed carrots, red pepper and cucumbers and passed it on to her. Then, he went to the fridge, took out some Jarlsberg cheese, cut a few slices and added them to her plate.
 
“Humm…I am so hungry.”, she said biting into a carrot.
 
“Doesn’t Yvonne make a snack for you mid morning and mid afternoon?”, he asked frowning.
 
“Yes, she does.”, she said still crunching away.
 
“I will ask her to increase your portions.”, he said, matter of fact. Maeva looked at him.
 
“Did you tell her to do that? She has been doing it since we came back from LA.”, she asked. Sky smiled but did not answer. “You are a thoughtful husband, are you not?”, she kept on eating. He smiled again and continued his preparation. He looked out and she noticed the BBQ smoking. She also saw the dogs, just waiting to be let in. She opened the French door, patted each one as they came in. They all took turns drinking some water and went on to find their respective beds. Today had been a quiet day, she was thinking. Sky had talkative days and, quiet days when he seemed to be more into his head. She let him be. He was just as affectionate, still made love passionately. He simply seemed to talk more in gestures, than in words. Some of her best memories of life with him were some of the quiet days. Once, when he had dragged her into the shower with him and had proceeded to wash from head to toe, spending the most time around her vulva. Another, when he had signed for her to come lay down with him in the garden on the covered rocking bed. Another bout of extraordinary lovemaking, when they fell deeply asleep in each others’ arms until Yvonne called softly to them that supper was ready. I was good he had thought of bringing a blanket with him to cover them.
 
Sky went out to get the food that was cooking. She still didn’t know what they were eating apart for the salad, she could see. Coming back in, she saw lamb chops and corn on the cob. He smiled and signaled where did she want to eat? She got up, went to the living area and pulled out the small tele tables. He lifted his eyebrows and pursed his lips in appreciation of her choice. She sat down, saw him set up the plates, place them on trays with drinks, napkins and utensils. She had not seen him drink a beer at meals since she was pregnant. It was sparkling water or lemonade. Yvonne always served both and they had started to mimic Yvonne’s ways.
 
Supper was delicious. The salad had apples and she loved that. Sky had this way of experimenting with foods and often added fruits or nuts in salads. The lamb chops had marinated in mint and garlic which gave the mint an unbelievable taste.
 
“Wow Sky! You outdid yourself, as always. This is delicious.”, Maeva said eating like an ogre. Sky was amazed how much appetite she had. He had never seen this in her before. He always thought she ate like a bird.
 
“I am happy you are enjoying it. I love cooking for my pregnant lady.”, he looked proud. Maeva noticed he seemed to ne out of his silent mindset. “I agree. It is quite tasty. I am so happy I can cook my own food and get Yvonne’s delicious meals. Being on location, apart from missing you, I think our usual meals are what I miss the most.”, he laughed. “Food is so important to me. Without it, I cannot train or have much endurance.”, he said.
 
Maeva knew that well. Most of the time, his low-fat ratio and his muscles’ need of nutrients could cause some problems if he went without food for to long. Thus, the need for the shake to always be available. She was putting the last pieces of her meal in her mouth when Sky spoke again.
 
“I think we need to talk about a few things so that I can go forward with some planning. But first, I sensed something weird when I spoke to Jess. I think I have brought this professional relationship as far as it can go. I am thinking about letting her go.”, he said.
 
“Oh, no. Is it because of what I said?”, Maeva didn’t want this to be because of her. She thought she should not have said anything.
 
“Maeva, listen. Things were different with her since I met you. I don’t know why, but it might be because I like to consult you and I do tell her that she must wait until I take a decision. In the past, I asked her for her opinion and, if I didn’t have a strong opinion about whatever it was, I usually went with her advice. Like, the decision I need to make is this. Do you remember we have a Premiere to attend?”, she nodded affirmatively. “ It is in LA and I have a few promotional interviews and need to show up for a few events. This means we might need to spend at least a couple of weeks. I was wondering if you preferred going to the hotel or, if we should go to the Lake Sherwood house?”, he was looking at her waiting.
 
“What id the least complicated?”, she asked.
 
“Well, that’s not really how I look at it. I would like to know what is most comfortable for you?”, he was looking at her, putting away the plates from her tray and his. He placed the drinks in front of her. “Hey, drink up baby. You both need to be well hydrated.”, he smiled.
 
“I do not know what to say Sky. I will probably be writing most the free time I have.”, she said.
 
“Yes, I understand that. You also need fresh air and exercise. Would you consider going to the hotel gym and take walks in LA?”, he asked simply. He saw she was slowly getting his point.
 
“I guess that it is much easier to get exercise privately in our house? The pool, the training room, and taking walks in our gardens. But won’t you have to travel more? I don’t want to stay alone at the house while you are staying at the hotel.”, she said quite seriously.
 
“I get that. I cannot guarantee I will not stay a night or two at the hotel, but I could have the driver take you there if I must stay over. Overall, I believe that we would have a nicer time hanging out in our home when I am not doing PR stuff.”, he came close to her and sat down near her.
 
“Whatever you think is best Sky, but I will not stay alone, not in the Sherwood house and, not at the hotel. I do not feel secure enough, being away from home and pregnant and all.”, she was adamant.

“I get it. I am sorry. I should have thought about this.”, he said. He laid his head on her lap. She caressed his hair, playing with his curls. “OK. How about if we get the Sherwood house open, we stay in it when I have long more than 3 days off and then we go back to the hotel when I need to be available until late and start early morning. How is that?”, he thought it was too much going and coming for her, but he though he would offer and see how she responded.
 
“OK. That could do. What happens if I change my mind later, or while we are there?”. She asked.
 
“Nothing at all. I guess it is mostly a question of having the house ready for us, if we want to go there.”, he added. He decided to make the decision for her. “OK, Let’s do that. If we don’t go to the house, they will just close it up again. Ok?”, he said. She nodded affirmatively. “OK. Now, did you contact the tailor for your dress?”, he asked.
 
“I did and I inquired about your tux. All seems to be ready. We will need to go try them, If they do not need adjustments, we simply bring them back.”, she answered.
 
“We will need to go this week and have them send them to LA.”, he said.
 
“Isn’t it Jess who takes care of all of this?”, she asked looking at Sky who was now sitting cross legged.
 
“As I mentioned, I will be doing more and asking her less.”, he said. “I think we can manage by ourselves, no?”, he asked. Maeva was surprised as this was almost like asking her to be his manager and assistant.
 
“Ah, OK. Yes. It is possible. Only, this puts us in a professional relationship. It will change us.”, she said carefully. She didn’t like this proposition of his. She loved their relationship as it was. Furthermore, she had seen how he could be with his career. He was driven, to say the least. He could be too demanding. For an employee or “his team” as he called it, it was fine as he had a way of being friendly all the while keeping a distance. For someone already in a personal relationship with him, it could be hell. Sky had not replied. He was thinking about what she said.
 
“You are always so wise my love. Yes, let’s reflect on that for awhile. I will keep Jess for now and see how it goes. So what about the tailor. Should we have them come here, or do you want to go there?”, Sky was building this up to be a nice get-away for them. Not for him, as he was happy just staying home, but why not combine picking up the clothes and looking around for a rural mansion? He was looking at Maeva while thinking. She was rubbing her belly, as was her constant gesture since she found out about the pregnancy. He smiled, content and proud. Maeva noticed his proud smile. She side-smiled and couldn’t help teasing him.
 
“Well, don’t we seem full of ourselves Mr. Hawthorne! What is it that makes you so peacock-like?”
 
He smiled more and did his “look at this” expression looking at her mid-rift. She got up and stood sideways showing him her profile. She lifted the sweater, lowered the stretch leggings’ band so he could have the full view of his creation. He just looked, reveled in the view in front of him; the light filtering through the window and thin linen curtains created a halo around her, and fingered through her long white curls and wave making each strand appear ethereal. The white cut off sweater shaping her breasts and white leggings enhancing her buttocks added to the almost spiritual experience. His thoughts looking at her started to slip from pride to sheer lust, which he was somewhat confused at. He saw her look below his belt.
 
“I am sorry. I can’t control my feelings with you. And right now, it is complete chaos in my head.”. he said breathing hard and shaking his head clear.
 
She went to him, sat on his lap slightly nudging the bulge. He gasped. Sitting on him, she seemed taller and had to lower down and take his face in both her hands to tilt his head up to her lips. His lips were eager for hers, but the kiss remained soft and tender. She could feel the restraint in him, but his groin could not lie. He repositioned himself and got up with her in his arms, bringing her to the bedroom.