He wore a charcoal gray suit that fit him like it was painted on. His success evident in every tailored line. “Hey, baby,” she said softly, descending the last few steps. “You’re home early.” Malcolm looked up at her and something flickered across his face. “Guilt? Regret?” It vanished so quickly she couldn’t be sure. He set his leather briefcase down and loosened his tie.
“Yeah, I uh I wanted to talk to you about something.” Allison’s hand instinctively went to her belly. The baby kicked as if sensing her nervousness. “Okay, should I be worried?” He walked past her toward the living room, not meeting her eyes. “Just come sit down.” She followed him, her heart pounding now. The late afternoon sun streamed through the windows, illuminating the expensive art on their walls, the custom furniture they’d picked out together.
Everything in this house represented their dreams, their future. But suddenly it all felt fragile, like a beautiful glass sculpture teetering on the edge of a table. Malcolm sat on the sofa, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, hands clasped together. Allison settled into the armchair across from him, studying his face.
He looked tired, shadows under his eyes she hadn’t noticed before. “Malcolm, you’re scaring me. What’s going on?” He took a deep breath, and when he looked up at her, his expression had changed. The distant, cold Malcolm of the past few weeks was gone, replaced by the man she’d fallen in love with.
His eyes were soft, almost vulnerable. I’ve been a terrible husband lately. Allison felt tears prick her eyes. Malcolm, no. Let me finish. He stood up and came to kneel beside her chair, taking her hands in his. I’ve been so caught up in work in this downtown development deal that I’ve been neglecting you. Neglecting us? He placed one hand on her belly and the baby kicked against his palm.
I’ve been so stressed about providing for our family, about making sure we have everything we need that I forgot what matters most. This baby, our love. A tear slipped down Allison’s cheek. This was what she’d been waiting to hear. I’ve been so worried. I thought maybe you were having second thoughts about the baby, about us. God, no.
Malcolm’s voice cracked with emotion. Allison, you’re everything to me. I’m sorry I made you doubt that. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope. I want to make it up to you. I want us to reconnect before the baby comes. Allison wiped her tears, curious now. What is that? Remember how we used to talk about going to the Blue Ridge Mountains? How you said you wanted to see the fall colors before the baby came? He handed her the envelope. I booked us a weekend getaway.
A private cabin in North Carolina right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the valley. It’s supposed to be the most beautiful view in the south. Allison opened the envelope with trembling fingers. Inside were reservations for the Mountain Serenity Resort, a luxury retreat she’d only seen in magazines. The photo showed a stunning glasswalled cabin perched dramatically on a cliff edge surrounded by trees ablaze with Allison colors.
Malcolm, this is incredible, but it must have cost a fortune. You’re worth more than any amount of money. He kissed her hands. I want this weekend to be about us. No phones, no work, no distractions. Just you, me, and getting back to what made us fall in love in the first place. Allison threw her arms around his neck, relief flooding through her.
