Page 7 (1/2)

Steve shifted his position and completely withdrew his body froone blind; the whole world seemed black and lifeless She started to protest, started to cry out, but before the sound escaped her throat, Steve sank his ht filled her senses once ain, free

"Now," Steve told her "Now" Heinto her again and again, gifting her with the sun, revealing the heavens, exploring the universe Soon all Carol kneas this insistent wars of pleasure Her body trembled as ripple after ripple of deep, pure sensation pulsed over her, driving her crazy as she rehtly been hers

Breathless, Steveher into the circle of his arms An hour passed, it seeood?"

The whispered question was so low Carol had to strain to hear hi, tiainst the top of her head andCarol are of was aheavy crashing to the floor

"Steve?" she sat up in bed and reached for a sheet to cover her nakedness The room was dark and still Dread filled her – it couldn’t beNot yet, not so soon

"I’?" She sent her hand searching for the laht filled the rooot the watch today," he reruffly, "I didn’t , Steve’s fingers orking the buttons of his shirt and having little success in getting it to fasten properly "Call what happened last night what you will – the holiday spirit, a ment… whatever I’m sure you feel the same way" He paused and turned to study her

She leaned forward, resting her chin on her raised knees Her heart was in her throat, and she felt shaken and miserable "Yes, of course"

His mouth thinned and he turned his back to her oncewe can do is put the entire episode out of ourso out exactly as she’d planned it: they would both wake up in the o their separate ways once more

Only it didn’t feel the way she’d anticipated It felt wrong Very wrong

Steve was in the living roo a thin robe from her closet, she slipped into it as she rushed after hi the entry-way He coh his hair a couple of tiet last night?" he asked

"I… if you do," she answered

"I do"

Carol’s world toppled for a hted itself She understood – it was better this way "Thank you for the poinsettia and candy" It seeht" His ansas clipped, as though he was eager to be on his way "Thanks for the dinner… and everything else"

"No probleood to see you again, Steve"

"Yeah, you, too"

He walked out of the house and down the steps, and watching his to Carol’s equilibriuainst the doorja strong and more powerful than her oill demanded that she stop him

"Steve," she cried frantically She stood on tiptoe "Steve"

He turned around abruptly

They stared at each other, each battle scarred and weary, each hurting Each proud

"Merry Christmas," she said softly

"Merry Christmas"

Three days after Christmas, Carol was convinced her plan had worked perfectly Thursday ish and sick to her stonancy and childbirth stated that the best way to relieve those early bouts of– even before getting out of bed

A burning sense of triumph led her into the bathrooh her reflection would proudly announce she was about to become a mother

It had been so easy Siht of passion and the feat was accomplished Her hand rested over her abdo both proud and awed A new life was being nurtured there

A baby Steve’s child

The wonder of it produced a ready flow of emotion and tears dampened her eyes

Another symptom!