A Step Closer to Love

“Marigold, don’t start this morning again,” Ryder said.

“Start again?” Marigold asked. “You are making it seem as if I am always causing some kind of trouble or issue every day” she added.

Ryder was tempered to answer affirmative but he knew that he would never hear the end of it. After all, she was known for her ability to hold grudges for a long time and never let go.

“I am sorry that was a slip of the tongue. I must be out of my mind to think or even say that about you” Ryder said.

He knew his wife well. He had dated her for nine years and they got married five years ago. They loved each other and that was why they got married but recently Ryder was unable to pinpoint the reasons why she has been so cranky and difficult.

They were trying for a baby and having been trying for a year and a half and yet no results. The test confirmed that both parties were healthy.

“I thought as much” Marigold said and entered back into her room.

She found it hard to believe that the man she called her husband and wanted to spend all her years with did not understand her at all. How was he comfortable with the outcome of their trials every month? When she saw her period she told him and the news did not seem to get him down.

When they first started to try she had not expected to have the baby immediately but she could not understand why it was taking that long if she was healthy and why she has and was indifferent about it.

Could it be that he did not want the child anymore because he did not love her anymore? Rider walked back into the room and got a hold of his wife’s hands. He took the two of them into his and began to rub them very gently.

“Marigold, I love you,” Ryder said. There was no way he was going to allow himself to lose this relationship.

He could hardly tell what was going on in her mind but he knew that assuring her that he loved her was a good way to get her in high spirits.

“Even without a baby?” Marigold asked her eyes lined with tears.

She knew her husband loved her but she just could not understand why he was comfortable when she was having a hard time trying to have a baby.

“The baby would come. Trust me,” he said squeezing her hand. “I love you and that’s why I followed you around until you married me” he added a little laugh escaping both their lips.

“Maybe we could take it slowly and I am sure a baby would come”

“Are you sure?” she asked him.

“When have I ever been wrong?” he asked with a chuckle waiting to erupt at the back of his throat.

“Majority of times” Marigold responded now unable to hold her laughter.

“I would take care of everything Trust me”

“Good Morning Everly,” Arabella said as she came down the stairs.

“Oh darling Good morning” Everly replied turning to face the girl. “How are you feeling this morning?” she added.

“Nervous. I have a big presentation today and think I might piss myself” she replied.

“I am sure you would do well. Come let’s have breakfast” Everly said pulling her hand with her towards the bathroom.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Do you have anything special you want for dinner? I would make it” Everly asked as she took her seat beside Arabella.

“Why?” Arabella asked confused.

“To celebrate your success in whatever you might be presenting at work,” Everly said.

“But we are even unsure if I would do a good job,” Arabella said feeling pressured.

The pressure of meeting Michelle Michigan and being her help throughout her visit to their company was making her fret.

If she was too cozy with Michelle she was afraid that it would put her off and that she might be uncomfortable. She also felt that she might feel out of place if she did not feel like anybody was her fan.

Arabella wanted to find balance but could not know or decide how to do it. At first meeting, Michelle was the only thing on her mind and she was glad to be a part of the opportunity but now she was only feeling burdened.

“I know. I have known you for a long time. Your Mom brags about you all the time. I know that you would do a good job today” Everly said squeezing her hand.

“I hope so,” Arabella said breathing heavily.

“Aren’t we going to have breakfast today?” Kieran said as he entered with his dad to see an empty table.

“I would be having breakfast and I would be sharing it with Arabella only. You boys should fix something for yourselves” Everly said.

“What do you mean by that?” Ethan asked awestruck by his wife’s words.

“What I said is what I meant,” Everly said standing up to bring the meal she prepared from the kitchen.

“Can you see the strange way your mom has been acting?” Ethan said to Kieran his voice rising.

“Dad please let everything be done in an orderly manner today. It’s obvious she is not happy about something do not try to make it worse” Kieran said cautioning his dad.

“Even if we did something so outrageous does that mean she has to starve us in the morning?” Ethan said back. He came to his usual seat on the table and sat down.

“Mom, what is going on?” Kieran addressed his mom as she came out of the kitchen.

Kieran was less bothered about having breakfast at home. He started having breakfast at home when Everly complained that he never did so.

“I am just returning the energy and treating everyone the way they treat me. It’s only fair. Don’t you think so?” she asked sweetly.

“We are sorry Mom, we would do better,” Kieran said.

He did not want his parents to be caught in such a serious argument in the presence of the strange girl living in their house. He was sure she did not want to see the argument either.

“I did not hear him say anything.”