hadnât seen their wedding video in years. He watched the whole thing on the edge of his seat, totally in awe of the digital work Claire had done on it. When the new commentaries started to play towards the end, George held on to his woman and laughed and almost cried at times.
When it went off, Claire popped in a CD so they could listen to their wedding song. George took her hand and brought her to her feet. He put an arm around her waist and pulled her very close. He buried his face in her neck, and inhaled her scents, and they danced slowly.
They were still rocking quietly long after the CD player went mute.
* * *
At 9:30 Claire left the bedroom to make sure everyone was getting in bed as they should be. No one was getting in bed as they should be. Nikki was on the phone in the den, Stacy was on her computer, and George Jr. was down in the kitchen picking at the leftover lobster.
Claire sneaked up behind him and startled him purposefully. â Whatchoo doing down here, boy ?â
He jumped, and then cracked a smile when he saw Mommy was happy. âHow come we didnât get lobster?â he asked, his lips glistening.
âYouâre getting lobster tomorrow.â
âReally?â
âNo! Now go up there and brush your teeth.â She gave him a soft swat on the heiney to get him going.
â Hey !â
She followed him up and was glad to see that everyone was bathed and in their pajamas at least. She shooed them to their respective rooms, but Claire wouldnât retire for the night until they were physically in the bed and under the sheets. She kissed her little goblins goodnight one at a time and thanked them for their good behavior today. She set the sleep timers on the girlâs televisions so they could watch one more hour of High School Musical.
âYouâre still busting out of your dress,â Nikki said when her mother turned off her lights.
âI thought you said you wanted another little brother,â Claire teased.
â Eww !â Nikki shrieked. âGet out of here! Iâm getting another mental picture!â
Claire left the room laughing.
Her good spirits didnât go away when she got back to the bedroom.
George was in his pajama bottoms only. He sat on the corner of the bed breathing deeply, and Claire knew heâd just finished his push-ups for the night.
Look at my man , she thought.
Georgeâs neck was massive. His traps were swollen like two small hills sitting atop his shoulders. His pectorals were huge and rippling, hard and smooth.
âCome here,â he said. He stared at her like he was hypnotized.
Claire closed the door behind her and stepped to him. She stood between his legs and put her hands on those well-defined traps. George put his hands on her waist then slid them down to her hips. He looked up at her and grinned.
âThis is a new dress?â
She nodded. âHow do you always know?â
âI never forget anything,â he said. He reached up and touched her breasts delicately, and then he slid his fingers down her stomach. Even after sixteen years, he still had the power to send a tingle down her spine.
âI love the dress,â he said, âbut how do you get it off?â
She turned so he could see the zipper running down the back. He reached up for it then stopped himself.
âWait,â he said. âTurn around.â
She did. George took her hands and looked up at her like he was going to propose again.
âYou know, baby, Iâve loved you since the first time I saw you.â
âWhen was the first time you saw me?â Claire asked. She knew the story, but it was never a bad time to hear it again.
âI was in detention,â he said with a smirk. âIt was after school, and most of the students were already on their way home. Mr. Jensen opened the door âcause it always got stuffy in his room, and about twelve seconds after he opened it you walked