The CEO’s Quadruplets

            “Oh shove it, Amory Blake!” Isabella scolded him as she playfully pushed him away.

            Amory just laughed and asked, “Can I make you something to eat? Are you hungry?”

            Isabella groaned. “Oh my god, constantly!”

            Making him laugh harder, Amory set to familiarizing himself with the kitchen. He hunted for all the necessary tools and ingredients to make something for them both. Isabella laughed as she thought that he looked like a toddler in a sandbox as he pulled open each door and cabinet in the extensive kitchen space. It was not hard for him, since the same female consultant organized all his spaces. Everything was placed to maximize efficiency, and Amory knew the drill. Opening the fridge, he chewed on his bottom lip as he looked over his options.

            “How about breakfast for dinner? My omelettes, as you know, would have made Julia Child herself weep.”

            Isabella laughed as she pulled herself back up onto the stool, replying, “I don’t know about that, but they are pretty good.”

            He grinned triumphantly. “I’ll prove it! I am going to make you the best omelette you ever tasted!”

            Isabella played along, watching her husband put on his show. He let the butter melt in two separate pans as he dramatically whisked several eggs together. The skillets lightly sizzled with browning butter as Amory poured in the fluffed eggs that were smooth like silk. He sliced up the cheeses from the party into even finer little pieces, and sprinkled them in before letting the eggs get rolled up. Gently shaking both pans, he simultaneously rolled up both omelettes, and then quickly fished out plates before they became overdone. Isabella gave him a small round of applause as he finally gave each creation a sprinkling of salt and pepper.

            Giving a quick bow, Amory said, “Dinner is served, my dear.”

            They had fallen back together in a matter of moments. There was no need to argue or go in loops deciding who did what wrong. As Isabella looked into his eyes, she felt at home once more, and there in her happy place nobody needed to apologize. They only had to move forward together. For now, they only had to move back toward the couch. Picking out a movie, they streamed a favorite of Amory’s. It was good to hear him laugh, and Isabella actually enjoyed the movie too. Going a few months without seeing it made the jokes feel a bit fresher, so she could actually laugh along as well.

            The credits began to roll, and Isabella leaned into Amory’s chest. She felt whole again as she took in the scent of his cologne and the laundry detergent he liked. Being there with him brought a wholeness to Isabella’s heart. She listened to his heartbeat in the quiet of the room. Romeo had wandered back to the kitchen to eat, leaving them alone in the stillness of their house.

            “You know,” Amory said breaking the soundlessness of the space. “There is one thing I keep meaning to do, and it kills me that I have not yet.”

            Isabella turned around to look at him and asked, “What are you talking about, Amory?”

            He took her face in his hands softly, brushing a stray lock of her hair from her eyes to gently tuck behind her ear for her. Isabella felt locked in his gaze as his very intent expression grew closer, and finally their lips met.

            The sensation could only be described as if Isabella had just realized she had been starving or dying of thirst. She had found an oasis in the desert as she explored the taste and feel of his kiss once more. Isabella had known that the feeling had been missed, but until they met there she had not realized how deeply and intently the longing had been in every bone of her body. She wanted more. She needed more, and finally it gave her cause to pull away.

            “Do you want to see one of the bedrooms?” she asked with her face barely leaving his.

            “Yes,” Amory answered without hesitation.

            There was no time for Isabella to pull herself up the stairs. The momentum in her aching muscles would be lost to the agonizingly tedious exercise of climbing. Instead, she pulled him to the guest suite on the main level just down hall and off the sunroom. Inside, there was a wide fluffy bed in a fresh pastel floral bedding that had never been slept in, and Isabella was eager to mess up the pristine picture.

            Letting him sit against the best, Amory started to pull away her clothing, but doubt made her hands reach for his. He looked into her eyes, his longing clear. However, as Isabella became aware of her body there was a nagging insecurity that began inside of her mind. She did not have the same allure that she once did, and the thought did not come to mind until she found herself on the bed next to him. Her body wanted this, but her fears held her back.

            “Wait,” Isabella paused and caused Amory to frown as she continued, “I don’t know if I want you to see me like this.”

            “Bella,” Amory sighed. “I will always find you attractive. Your size or the marks on your skin won’t change that.”

            “I know, but it’s such a change. I just don’t want my self-consciousness to ruin this.”

            “Should I not look at your body? Can I no longer admire my lovely wife?”

            Quickly thinking, an idea came to mind as she said, “Let me take care of you tonight. You’ve earned it.”

            Pulling the bandana from her own head, she wrapped it around his eyes as he gave her a boyish grin. He seemed excited by the concept, but instinctively reached out blindly to find her. She let him find her face again as she kissed him deeply, distracting Amory as she peeled of his clothing piece by piece. He was left in his pants when Isabella had a wickedly wonderful epiphany, but decided to ask her husband first before committing the act that she had never been given the opportunity to do.