"Can I wear my bear feet slippers? You won't pick on me too much?"
Hugging her tight, he said, "I love big-footed women."
Taking a deep breath, she let her shoulders drop, and he released her. As she headed down the hall, he gave her bottom a playful swat and she hopped forward. With one hand covering herself, she looked back at him and wrinkled her nose. "What was that for?"
"Couldn't help it. Your bottom was too tempting."
She arched one brow and disappeared into the privacy of her bedroom. What on earth was she going to wear? Her sleepwear consisted of some oversized ratty t-shirts and one two-piece pair of Christmas pajamas with yellow ducks all over them. Unsexy was an understatement. Monster feet couldn't make it any worse. Maybe they would make him smile.
By the time she gathered enough courage to come out, the wine was poured and Adam was waiting on the couch with their plates with a fluffy comforter spread over his knees. Mimi stuck one giant bear foot out and struck a pose.
"You couldn't be any cuter."
This was her, unadorned. With her curls drawn into two ponytails and her face scrubbed free of makeup, she took a shy step toward him.
"Is there a movie you would like to watch, baby bear?" Adam patted the couch cushion next to him.
On impulse, Mimi said, "Up." It was one of her all-time favorites.
"That's a pretty sad one. Are you sure?"
"If you are gonna watch with me, yes."
When she sat down next to him, he tugged the comforter over her knees and handed her a plate. "Up it is."
"What about Sarah?" Mimi snuggled closer and lifted her fork.
"My sister is staying with Marge for a few days. I hope you don't mind being at my mother's after Sunday for a few weeks."
"That's fine. Sarah needs support and structure."
As she took her first bite of the tasty chicken, he scrolled to the movie of her choice. His knee brushed hers, and he handed her a full glass of wine. "To making our dreams come true."
The pour was generous. Mimi peered into the velvety red. "Are you trying to get me drunk?"
"Only if you want me to. Tonight can be anything you want. Would you rather have juice?"
"No."
The warmth of his body radiated outward. Unable to resist, she allowed herself to relax and shift closer to him on the couch. Taking a sip of the rich wine, she tapped her bear feet on the braided rug. The flickering light from the screen lit their faces as they ate dinner alone for the first time.
***
When the movie reached the part about infertility, Mimi felt the rise of her own grief. She and Wade had tried for two years. Heart in her throat, she tried to wipe away the wetness of a tear before Adam saw it. The rough pad of his thumb touched her cheek. "Tears?"
Suppressing a sniffle, she said, "It seems unfair."
"The movie?"
"I feel stupid that I still get upset. I've had years to come to terms with not having children."
Adam tugged her closer and asked, "Did you ever consider adoption as an option?"
"He didn't want that."
"But what about you? Women and men can adopt as singles."
She peeked up at him. "I don't want that. Parenting alone sounds too hard."
With a sigh, he tugged her toward his lap.
Resisting, Mimi said, "I'll squash you."
"Bull shit. I don't want to hear that again. Get your cupcake self on my lap for a proper cuddle." He leaned back on the couch, pulled her bodily onto his lap, and drew the covers around her. "I think you are perfect." As she settled against him, her head came to rest on his shoulder and he patted her hip. After pressing a kiss to her temple, he whispered, "You are missing the sweet parts."
The hardness of his body contrasted with the softness of her own. As the movie continued, she couldn't ignore the rising pressure against her hip. Her brow furrowed, and she shifted her position. "What's that?"
With a start, his lips parted and then closed. "I have a beautiful woman on my lap and my body has responded." He suppressed a chuckle.