Collaring Cinderella

I was going to make him a father again, and I wanted to keep doing it while my body let me. Rafe wanted a big family, and I wanted the mansion filled with children’s laughter and dreams we could help to make true.

I touched the swell of my belly as they came towards me, my Prince Charming in the middle, and my little girls on each side of him. Samantha could barely walk, tripping over her chubby little legs while Anabella raced in front of them both, tugging on Daddy’s hand impatiently.

They reached me, and the girls climbed on my lap while Rafe knelt down and kissed my hand, a habit he had developed and couldn’t seem to get rid of. He was so sweet with me, so kind and gentle I couldn’t help but fall in love with him more and more as the days turned into months and then years.

“Grandpa and Edna are coming over today!” I told the girls, and Anabella shrieked with excitement while Samantha clapped her chubby little hands together. “I bet you’re happy to see them, girls?”

“Yes!” Anabella said firmly, and Samantha muttered something indiscernible.

She wasn’t talking that well just yet, and even though there were only two months between them, the girls seemed worlds apart. It worried me a little, seeing my big girl progress so fast but our miracle baby lagging behind a little. I hadn’t mentioned it to Rafe, keeping my fears to myself, but I couldn’t help wondering whether something was wrong.

Now, as my little girl leaned her head against me on my lap, I felt fear surge through my body and wondered whether I’d ever be brave enough to bring it up.

“We have a little surprise for you,” Rafe said, and I looked up into his eyes.

They were so dark, but so warm at the same time. Every time I looked at him I convinced myself it was all going to be alright, because he made me believe anything and everything.

“What is it?” I asked, blinking away the tears in my eyes.

“Samantha,” Rafe said calmly. Our little girl looked up at him, her eyes wide open as they connected with her daddy’s. “Do you want to show Mommy what I’ve been teaching you?”

Samantha nodded, and my heart panged. She didn’t usually respond that fast.

“Go on, then,” Rafe went on gently, and my little girl wrapped her arms around my neck, then moved back and looked right into my eyes.

“Mama,” she said, smiling at me and pointing. “Mama, love you.”

My eyes filled with tears I didn’t even know were there, and they fell down my cheeks as relief made my body sag. I kissed both my babies all over, crying happily as my fears disappeared into thin air. I felt Rafael coming up behind me, his hand gently resting on my shoulder.

“I knew you were worried,” he said gently. “But she is perfectly okay. Just a little jealous of her sister.”

I looked down to find my baby girls pulling a stuffed rabbit, each from one end. It made me smile wide.

“Thank you,” I whispered to my husband. “Thank you, Rafe, you have no idea…”

“I do,” he said calmly. “But I’m a problem fixer, princess. That’s why you keep me around.”

“You sure about that?” I laughed as he lifted the girls off my lap and let them down on the veranda, where they continued to argue over the stuffed bunny.

“Yeah,” he said, grinning wide at me. “I’m fucking sure. Oh, and also…”

He touched my lips with his, making shivers go down my spine while his hand wondered down my stomach.

“You love me,” he said simply, and I smiled wide at him.

“I do,” I admitted. “I love you more than anything in the world.”

We kissed, his hand resting on my swollen belly and our girls playing behind us. And then I felt the baby boy in me kick, his strong little legs desperate to make contact. I giggled and Rafael laughed with me, gently massaging my tummy as the baby kicked happily.

“Someone wants to come out,” Rafe winked at me. “Bet he’ll be a good soccer player with those legs.”

“He?” My voice was shaking.

“Yeah,” Rafe grinned at me, looking a little sheepish. “You know I love our girls, but I was kind of hoping this one would be a boy. A son for my princess, a heir for my kingdom.”

I tried to hide my smile as he helped the girls to their feet and we walked inside just as the doorbell rang.

A minute later, our new maid—whom the children adored—brought in Rafe’s father and Edna. The girls lost it at the sight of them, shrieking happily and raising their arms to be picked up. I gave both of them tight hugs and asked about their latest vacation. They’d been traveling for years now, leaving their home behind to pursue places I’d only ever read of. I hoped one day Rafe and I could follow the same journey and see all the worlds our family spoke of.