Of Body And Soul (13 page)

She walked over to the tree and touched the rattles.

"Clever, isn't it?" said a friendly voice from behind the desk.

"Yes, it is. Did you do this?"

"I'd like to take the credit, but Doctor Kalic is responsible for all the decorations."

"Well, she did a wonderful job."

The receptionist smiled, "Yes, she did. Are you here from Dr. Mitchell's office?"

"Yes. I'm Andrea Purcell."

"Why don't you take a seat? Doctor Kalic will be with you shortly." The woman showed her to a chair next to the tree. She waited only a few minutes before a beautiful woman, about her age, with short curly blonde hair and a good figure, entered the room and extended her hand.

"Mrs. Purcell.
Doctor Kalic. Please come in." She smiled a smile that invited a grin back. "So tell me what’s been going on with you for the last few months and then we'll examine you."

Andrea proceeded to tell her everything.

"Well, you sound as if you are about two and a half, possibly three months pregnant.

Does that sound right to you?"

Andrea smiled, feeling the heat flood her cheeks as she remembered the weekend in Windham and their love making by the lake. "Yes, I guess so."

Dr. Kalic's examination, gentle and quick, reassured Andrea
of the doctor’s kindness and caring.

"If you have any vacation plans in June, I think you'd bette
r cancel them," she said, patting Andrea’s knee.

Andrea sat
and cried. Dr. Kalic smiled accustomed to such emotions. "You're in great shape, and once the morning sickness subsides your pregnancy will be a breeze. Let's look forward to a due date of June fifth. I'd like to see you in a month, and every month thereafter. I also would like your husband to come with you, if at all possible."

"I'm sure he’d like to meet you. Thank you for seeing me so soon. Have a wonderful hol
iday." Andrea glowed with happiness as she left the office. Magic bubbles of anticipation and excitement bounced within her like the street lights bounced their glimmer off the glistening snow.

The drive home was a blur as she wrapped herself in happiness, sweeping aside the
nagging question of Kurt’s reaction to her news. She hoped Kurt would also be pleased. It would take awhile, but he’d come around.
After all, he is the father,
she thought confidently.

"What an
exciting time to find out I’m pregnant," she said, as she left the highway and turned down her street. Night swooped over the village, turning it into a fairyland. New snow, puffy and clean, reflected the colored lights that adorned the houses and shed a soft light over yards and shrubbery, making the neighborhood warm and inviting.

As
she slowly drove past the homes she peered into the windows stealing glimpses of the decorated Christmas trees shining in the front windows. Snowmen and ice sculptures stood sentry in several yards, while lighted nativity scenes graced an equal number of homes. 

Andrea drov
e through the winter wonderland  uttering a prayer of thanks for all the good fortune the Lord had bestowed upon her.

When she approached home, she noticed all of the lights had been turned on. She was su
rprised Kurt had gotten home early. With his new job, he was usually late.

She smiled with delight when she saw the tree standing in front of the living room window. When she turned into the driveway, she saw Kurt look out
. She honked the horn and waved.

He ran out to help her out of the car. "Where have you been?
I began to worry." He took her arm, "As you can see, I haven't had time to shovel."

"I decided to take your advice and go see Doctor Mitchell," Andrea said, giving him a quick hug and a kiss.    

"It can't be anything serious. You look happy and content. Do I need an invitation to share this contentment?" He smiled and kissed her softly.

She ignored th
e question sniffing the air. "Hmm, something smells delicious. What's for supper?"

"Why don't you find out for yourself," he said, and gave her a slap on her behind.

Andrea kicked off her boots and turned toward the kitchen, stopping abruptly in the dining room doorway. She glanced around and saw candles blazing everywhere. Kurt had set the dining room table with their best lace table cloth, china, crystal, silver: the works.

"What's going on?" She walked over to the table and caressed the a
rrangement of white poinsettias sitting among branches of Douglas Fir and sprigs of holly. A soft smile tugged at her lips as Barbra sang ‘White Christmas’.
What a perfect setting for my news,
she thought.

"Andrea, come in here," Kurt called from the living room.

As she turned toward his voice, the lights went out. She felt her way into the living room. "Kurt, where are you?"

"I'm here, Darling." He took her hand as he switched on the tree lights. A blaze of miniature
white lights adorned a tree at least ten feet high. Andrea took a quick breath of utter astonishment and felt the holiday tingle. "Oh, Kurt, the tree is beautiful." She walked over to it as the branches reached out to her. She grazed the branches and leaned into the tree to enjoyed the fresh scent of the Douglas Fir.

Kurt leaned do
wn and kissed her velvety skin. “You smell like wild flowers, mixed with the scent of Christmas.. The combination is driving me mad."

He took her hand and led her upstairs and down the hall to their bedroom.
The impact of his gaze stunned her. He pulled her into his arms and within moments, between feather-like kisses, tantalizing touches, and clothes stripped away, they were as they should be.

Hours later Kurt nudged Andrea gently. "Ready for some dinner?" he whispered.

She sighed. "In a minute."

He left her warm comfort and headed for the shower.  Turning, he held out his hand.
“Come shower with me."

"I'll be there in a minute, Darling," she repeated. "Let me rest. You gave me a workout," she said, and dug herself deeper into the warmth of the comforter.

He grinned down at her. "Come on, Tiger. Join me."

She giggled, and covered her head.

Kurt dried himself off and walked into the bedroom to see what had happened to Andrea. Gazing at her sleeping form, he smoothed her hair back away from her forehead, leaned down and kissed her tenderly. "Sleep, my darling." He'd let her sleep while he finished preparing dinner. He covered her shoulders with the comforter and left the room.

Andrea woke with a start. She reached over for Kurt and felt an empty space.
Night had arrived and there were enticing smells wafting up the stairs. She patted her stomach, visualizing this tiny body curled up inside her.

She felt
unconditional, pure love. She felt complete. "Next Christmas Santa will bring presents and put them under the tree for you," she said softly to her baby. She stretched, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Dragging her thoughts from the baby, she wrapped herself in her chenille robe and went in search of her husband.

She found him in the kitchen, removing a pan from the oven. She watched from the doo
rway, admiring the muscles that rippled lightly across his shoulders. His buttocks were outlined in his tight faded jeans, the only clothing he wore. He turned in time to see her smile.

"Hi, sleepyhead. It's about time you got up. I was ready to come up and bounce
you out of bed," he said, setting the hot dish on the counter.

"Kurt, you shouldn't work in the kitchen without a shirt," she said as she stroked his muscled arms and back.

"I know, but it was hot in here. Or, should I say, I carried the heat with me from the bedroom to the kitchen!" he laughed.

"
You are to much.”

‘
I have something to tell you,” he said continuing to putter at the stove.

“What.”

“I’ll tell you during dinner.”

"Kurt, quit teasing!"

He grinned and crossed the kitchen, pulling her into the circle of his arms. "I made reservations for us to go skiing in Vail for Valentine's Day. The bridal suite at the Sonnenalp Resort.”

He picked her up and twirled her around.

"What made you decide that?"

"
I originally planned to do it for our wedding anniversary, but April seemed so far away, so . . . .Valentine's Day, hearts, flowers, cupid, and all that muck.”

"Oh, Kurt, you really are a romantic." She kissed him as he lowered her feet to the ground. "I'm so happy you found me. I love you more than life itself."

Kurt leaned forward to whisper in her ear, his movement sensuous. Andrea snuggled eagerly against him, expecting to hear something provocative.

"Could we please have dinner
now? I'm starving." She gave him a playful slap on the bottom and laughed. She took him by the hand and led him to the dining room table. "Sit down, Sir. I'll take over from here." Andrea leaned over and kissed his neck, face, ears, and throat. "Be back in a minute.”

Kurt looked at Andrea from across the table.
“I can’t stop looking at you. You’re radiant. This is just as I always knew it would be: afternoon lovemaking; a playful love tap; smiles from across the table; dinner by candlelight. I love you. Truly in love with you.

Andrea’s eyes brimmed with tears.

"Don’t cry my love. I was just thinking how wonderful it's going to be to spend the rest of our Christmases together."

This was the
perfect opportunity to tell him about our baby but a sixth sense warned her against sharing the news at this moment. Nonetheless, throughout dinner her thoughts strayed to the baby growing within her, to their growing family, and to a growing future.  As they did the dishes, it took all the self-control she could gather to keep the wonderful news from him. If she watched her weight and wore the new styles with the tunic tops and slim slacks, Kurt wouldn't notice for awhile. She'd tell him when the time was right, but not now. 

Although Kurt had said he wanted to wait a couple of years, Andrea was sure he'd eventually share her excitement and her happiness. She just needed to find the right way and time to tell him. She smiled. Valentine's Day in Vail would be perfect.
I know I'll welcome the commitment a child will bring. Now, I only pray Kurt will feel the same.

"What are you thinking? You're smiling one minute and frowning the next."

"I'm thinking how happy I am."

The next morning she tried to hide her morning sickness from Kurt. "Honey, you never told me what Doctor Mitchell said."

"It's the flu bug, just like I said," she lied.

"I want you to see a specialist if the symptoms persist. Promise me."

"I will," she said as she pulled her head up from the commode. "Morning sickness," she whispered. "Eek."  Andrea walked out of the bathroom and over to her bed. She sat on the edge and willed herself not to crawl back in. She couldn't understand how Kurt could miss the signs of her pregnancy.

"Honey, do you want coffee?" he yelled from downstairs.

"I'll be right down." She put on a jogging outfit and trotted down the steps."

"God
, honey, you look awful."

"I'll be fine in a minute. I think I'll have tea instead of coffee."

"No problem. Lemon?" She nodded. "Oh, by the way, I forgot to give this to you." He handed her an engraved invitation. "We're invited to a black-tie dinner party on New Years Eve. I think it'll be fun. It will also give me a chance to show you off to my colleagues." He smiled and put his arms around her. "Would you like to go?"

"
Yes, I want to go. I could wear the dress I had made from the silk I purchased in Istanbul."

"I don't know if I want you to wear that. You look too sexy in it."

"Oh, Kurt you're so sweet.”
I wonder if he'll think I'm still sexy in another three months, when my stomach looks like I swallowed a watermelon and my feet are as swollen as pig’s hooves,
she thought.

Andrea planned the holiday
festivities like a composer charts his score. She and Emily were to share the holiday dinners, and they'd planned to host a Christmas party together. Andrea's high energy dwindled a little, but she blamed it on the busy holidays.

Emily noticed her fatigue. "You look tired, Andrea. You need to slow down or you'll get a r
elapse of the flu. Maybe you need more vitamins," she said, concerned.              

“
I'll be fine. The four of us have been non-stop party animals for the last two weeks," Andrea joked.

On Christmas Eve, after a family dinner, Andrea and Kurt had
an open house for all their friends. During the course of the evening, Mr. and Mrs. Santa arrived to surprise their guests and hand out presents. The ground cover of snow and feathering flakes made the evening enchanting, and the group went from house to house singing Christmas Carols.              

Once they returned
home, Andrea said, "I wonder if we'll be able to continue this after we have children," Andrea said, placing the last dish in the dishwasher. 

"We have a lot of Christmases
before
we think of that," Kurt said.

"One never knows what's in the future," she said, trying to get Kurt to think more about chi
ldren.