Beyond the Consequences

Collapsing next to her, Phil pulled Taylor near. “Shall we get dressed and head up to the mansion for dinner?”

The sweet aroma of Taylor’s shampoo wafted through the air as she shook her head against his shoulder. “No, I meant what I said about cooking. I saw a grill outside, past the screened porch. Let’s drive to that little grocery.” She lifted her head and filled his hazel eyes with crystal blue. “I want to cook that dinner for you.”

“You don’t have—”

Her kiss stopped his words. “I know. I want to. Let me spend tonight thinking about other things, like salad, and steak, and maybe some wine.”

Flipping their world, Taylor’s hair fanned out on the pillow and her smile grew. “Well,” Phil replied, “if keeping your mind occupied is my main mission, I’ll do my best not to fail.”

Taylor’s back arched, confirming their connection. Unlike before, they were skin to skin. “You’ve already done a great job. But don’t get too comfortable. I think it could be a long night.”

Sighing contently, Phil replied, “You know me, always a workaholic. I strive for perfection.”

Finding himself lost in her aura, Phil realized what he’d just said—you know me—and the tips of his lips moved upward. Such a simple statement, truer than anything else he could utter, and more powerful in meaning.

The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.

—Thich Nhat Hanh

“HOW DO YOU like having two children?” Julia Simmons asked Claire, as they walked with their sons back to the screened porch from the nursery.

“Now that this little guy is sleeping through the night, I like it a lot more.”

Julia smiled. “Yes, Christopher started doing that around five months. At first, I’d wake up to make sure he was all right. Caleb had to convince me not to wake him.”

Claire laughed. “I know the feeling.”

“And Nate sure isn’t little,” Julia assessed. “Goodness, he’s grown.”

“Yes,” Claire replied as she juggled her son on her hip. Making her way to the sofa, wisps of her hair blew in the breeze of the ceiling fan as it circulated the warm summer air about the porch. As she sat, she heard squeals of delight coming from the backyard and pool. “He’s over doubled in size since he was born. The doctor said that he’s over the one hundredth percentile in height.”

“Well, look at Tony, Claire,” Courtney chimed in. “Of course Nate will be tall.”

“But look at Nichol,” Claire replied. “She’s not nearly as tall. I mean, they say to double your height at age two. By age three she was only thirty-two inches.”

Emily shrugged. “She’s petite, like her momma.”

“But a fireball like her father,” Courtney added.

Claire grinned. It was true: someday despite her petite size Nichol Courtney Rawlings would be a force to be reckoned with, just like her father. Even now, Claire heard her daughter’s voice above the glees and splashing coming from the pool.

“Look at them,” Emily said. “It’s like a daycare center here.”

Claire scanned their backyard. For only a second she remembered the serenity and stillness of the estate when she was first brought here, maybe not serene but lonely. Now the pool and deck were filled with people she loved. Not only were Tony and Nichol in the pool, but so were John, Michael, Tim and his two sons, Shaun and Steven, as well as Brent and Caleb sitting on the deck. The sight was heartwarming as the children and fathers played and laughed.

Shaking her head, Claire agreed. “Like a daddy daycare.”

“Well, that’s fine with me. The boys love having time with Tim,” Sue said.

Emily smiled, watching her daughter walk from lady to lady, petting the babies. “I think she thinks she’s hot stuff.”

“Well, she should,” Claire confirmed. “She can walk. Nate and Christopher are still content to watch the world. Although, Nate is rolling all over the place. It’s so funny. The first time I laid him down on the carpet and a few seconds later he was missing, I was shocked—he’d rolled himself under the coffee table.”

“Well,” Julia continued, “Christopher isn’t that content. He’d rather be crawling all over the place.”

“You can put him down. He can’t get off the porch.”

The bright sunshine warmed the air throughout the afternoon as the shrill laughter turned to pangs of hunger. Eventually, all made their way into the house for dinner. Shannon took Nate as Claire helped Nichol change out of her bathing suit. Once they were in her room, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Claire called as she worked to convince Nichol that her shorts and top were better dinner clothes than her Disney princess costume.

“But, Momma, it’s dinner. I want to dress up.”

“Honey, these are very nice shorts. You’ll look beautiful.”

Her lips pouted and dark eyes narrowed. “Not as butiful as I do in my princess dress.”

Emily entered.

“You can wear the dress after dinner. You don’t want to get it dirty with food, do you?” Claire asked.

With a sigh, Nichol agreed.

“What’s up?” Claire asked turning to see her sister.

“I wanted to tell you something in private,” Emily replied.

Claire’s green eyes widened. “Okay.”