Slowly I’m working on that word count.  Still unable to get rid of my inner editor entirely.  There is plenty of work to be done on this chapter but I couldn’t help but edit it as much as possible. LOL

Chapter Two: Combat Baby

“That was the most exhausting day I think we’ve ever had.”

Dropping her purse on the table by the front door Neve trudged into the living room and collapsed on the couch.

“We should have seen about getting Liam a babysitter.”

Tossing his keys and wallet into the bowl on that same table Keaghan crouched down and removed Liam’s jacket.

“Yea, chasing him through all those houses didn’t speed the process up any.”

Removing Liam’s jacket and hat Keaghan patted down the wild strands of hair sticking straight up from his head.

“I want you to go back into your room and look through your books for a bed time story.  Mommy and I will be in to help you change and finish getting ready in minute.”

Pressing his small hands to his father’s cheeks Liam bobbed his head then snuggled up closely to Keaghan’s torso.

“Daddy?”

Smiling as his son yawned so widely that practically his entire face was engulfed in the creases created Keaghan held the boy into a loose embrace to keep him upright.

“Yea Sprout?”

In a voice so soft and dreamy from exhaustion the young boy answered, “I wee-ally wee-ally like the last one.”

Rubbing soft circles on Liam’s back Keaghan released a soft tired breath of his own.

“That’s because you like the play set in the back yard.”

Giggling, Liam let a knowing smile creep up to his lips.

“Nuh – uh.”

Rising to her feet Neve walked over and put her hand on Liam’s shoulder, “Alright you, time to head in.  Go do as Daddy asked then we’ll be in to tuck you in and read.”

Rising to his feet Keaghan watched Liam’s retreating form vanish down the hallway.  Once out of sight he moved over to the couch and placed himself squarely in the center.

“I have to say though, bringing Liam with did give us an idea about how we’d have to manage him in any one of those houses.”

Dropping down next to him Neve snuggled into the space between her husband’s torso and the arm he had extended over the back cushions of the sofa.

“True enough.” Neve agreed dropping her head on his shoulder, “I think the two floor option is the best as far as managing him goes.”

Not surprised that she’d prefer less ground to have to travel when caring for Liam Keaghan still lobbied for the three-floored Victorian they had viewed last.

“I did like that one with the finished basement.”

Leaning forward Neve smirked up at her husband knowingly,  “Only because you envision some man room with a pool table, wet bar and 100 inch plasma screen television.”

“That room was a thing of beauty wasn’t it?” Keaghan gushed, “I mean come on Neve, imagine how much peace and quiet you’ll get with me all the way down there.”

Patting his leg several times Neve deadpanned, “Except, while you’re downstairs manning up with all your fun toys I’ll be upstairs caring for our son who is not really a bearer of peace or quiet.”

“I’ll take him downstairs with me.” Keaghan replied matter-of-factly, “He can’t be versed in football, baseball, racing and any other sport too soon as far as I’m concerned.”

Laughing from the depths of her belly Neve dropped her head back down to his shoulder and shook it back and forth.

“How benevolent of you but I think I’ll take a pass on raising a Neanderthal.  I’d like for him to have just a smidge of intellect too.”

Feigning indignation Keaghan playfully pushed Neve off his shoulder and wrapped hs arms over his chest in a huff.
“I’ll have you know that designing sports plays and strategizing are highly intellectual.”

Turning to face her Keaghan brought his leg up to the couch and bent it at the knee.  Tangling the lace of his shoe around his finger he smiled bashfully.

“How about we split his time up?  Three days a week he’ll be a sportsman downstairs with me and three days a week he’ll be a nerd upstairs with you.”

Mirroring his position Neve too folded her leg up underneath her. Pursing her lips in a pout she furrowed her brows until the entirety of her forehead crinkled into several wrinkled folds.

“Hey, I resent that.  I’m not a nerd I’m bookish.” she deadpanned.

“Face it sweetheart you’re a nerd.” Keaghan laughed taking hold of her hand and bringing it to his lips, ”But you’re the sexiest nerd I’ve ever seen so I say it with the utmost respect, admiration and desire.”

Laughing incredulously at her husband Neve slipped her hands from his andran them through her hair.

“Whatever.  You do realize that there are seven days a week right?”

Creasing his forehead much in the way she had just done Keaghan shrugged.

“Yea?  You’re point?”

“Well you’ve only accounted for six in that stellar plan of yours.” she replied.

“Ohhhh, right.” he nodded knowingly now seeing her point, “ Well I thought at least one day a week Liam could spend at some friend or family member’s house.”

“Why?” Neve asked curiously.

Ever since Liam had been born neither of them felt the need to pawn him off on family or friends.  Sure, the occasional evening out or weekend away but regularly scheduled outings without them was not something they felt was necessary.

Having always enjoyed Liam’s company Neve now wondered why suddenly Keaghan was interested in a day a week away.

“I figure we’ll need one day to ourselves for baby making and the like.”

Suddenly understanding where it was he was going with this direction in the conversation Neve’s posture immediately stiffened.  Going momentarily silent she stared at him with widened eyes until she finally mustered up the ability to respond

“Right” she sighed, “I should have thought of that.”

The change in his wife’s stature and tone not going unnoticed Keaghan began to get into a defensive posture of his own.

“Can I ask you a question?”

Hoping desperately for a change in subject Neve repositioned her rigid body to face forward and away from her husband.

“Sure you know you can ask me anything.”

“Why are you suddenly so averse to having another child?” he asked.

Disheartened that he wasn’t going to let the subject go Neve’s discomfort increased.  Conflict pulsing through her body her mind raced with possibilities as to how she could get out of this conversation.  She didn’t want to have it yet but she also knew her husband deserved an explanation.

“I’m….I’m not adverse.” she stammered weakly.

Feeling the irritation bubbling up Keaghan grabbed one of the throw pillows on the couch and dropped it firmly into his lap.  Wrapping one of the pieces of fringe around his finger until the tip turned blue he tried to remain as calm as he could.  Tired and cranky from lack of sleep the night before as well as a day chasing after their son in various empty houses had his patience at an all time low and if Neve continued to dodge him he had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to hold back his temper.

“Really?  Could have fooled me.” He growled.

Wincing at his slight change in temperament Never braced herself.  She knew he wouldn’t be pleased about her reaction but she didn’t calculate in the factor that he would be angry.

“What does that mean?” she asked tightly trying to reign in her own frustration.

Fiddling with the fringe around his numb finger Keaghan kept his eyes plastered to the blue digit it was wrapped around.

“It just seems like every time I mention it you get all rigid and distant.”

“Are you kidding me?” Neve asked in amazement, “You’ve brought it up twice in the past twenty-four hours after we haven’t spoken about the possibility in over at least a year.”

Hopping up from the couch she started grabbing at some of Liam’s toys strewn across the floor.  Dropping them into the toy chest across the room she swiveled around to face her husband.

“Am I supposed to jump right on board without any thought to it just because you say hop to?”

Now his turn to wince Keaghan let the fringe fall back to the pillow before setting the entire bolster aside.

“No not at all.” he responded gruffly, “But I do find it odd that suddenly you are so spooked by it.”

Searching the room for something else to occupy her physically Neve fell short when she saw that all of Liam’s toys were returned to their proper homes.

“I’m not spooked I just want to give the issue the attention it deserves without feeling rushed into it.  Having another child isn’t a small matter that requires little attention.”

Startled to hear her call having another child an issue it was Keaghan’s turn to get up from the couch.  Pacing across the floor away from his wife he made his way to the kitchen.

“I never said it was or did.  But I’d like to think that you’re just even remotely interested in the possibility at all and right now I don’t get that feeling at all.”

Hearing only silence in response he opened one of the cabinets and retrieved a glass.  Filling it first with ice then with water he took several gulps before turning around and going back into the living room.

Standing there waiting Neve had wrapped her arms tightly across her chest.  She was in protective mode now.  She always got herself wrapped practically in knots trying to don her imaginary suit of armor.

“That is patently unfair.  How do you get I’m not interested from anything I’ve said or done?” she asked.

Placing his glass on a coaster Keaghan watched as the condensation started to collect in the tiny tray.

“Could it be the fact that you physically lock up every time I mention it?”

Dropping back down on to the couch he sifted the fingers of both his hands through his hair before dropping his gaze to the floor.

“God Neve, it looks like you’re ready to vomit every time the words children or baby come out of my mouth.”

Hearing the strain in his voice Neve made a step toward him only to see his hand go up in a silent plea to stop.

“Or maybe it’s the way you referred to having children with me as something that’s akin to birthing animals.”

Trying desperately to keep the emotion in his voice evenly toned he continued to keep his eyes to the floor.  He knew that if he didn’t the instant he raised them to meet hers he would lose his ability to hold it all in and what he wanted more than anything right now was to avoid having her see how much he was hurt by this.

Sure his words told the story but in the end if his heart was beating on his sleeve he wouldn’t be as able to turn things around if he needed to.

”I mean, gee, how I could ever view that as disinterest is beyond me.”

Despite the fact that she knew that her comment from before had cut him to the quick she tried frantically to defend herself.

“I didn’t mean it like that.  I couldn’t mean it like that Keaghan you know that.”

Finally mustering up the courage to look at her he brought his face upright.  Their eyes meeting he let his stare penetrate into hers.

“Then how did you mean it?  Because from this side of the world it was plain to see that you find the very idea contemptible.”

Her heart dropping into her stomach Neve rushed to his side and sat on the couch next to him.  Reaching out she took his hand in hers.  Rubbing small circles on his palm with her thumb she hoped that she could make him see how much she loved him.

“Keaghan it’s not that I don’t want to have a child ever it’s just that I’m not ready yet.”

Slipping his hand out of hers Keaghan rose from the couch again and walked across the room to the window.  Staring out into the night sky he shook his head.
“It’s been three years since you had Liam Neve and right up until about six months ago you were gushing with enthusiasm about having another child.  What happened that changed that so suddenly?”

Following closely behind Neve arrived by his side and brought her hand to the small of his back.  Startled when he stiffened at her touch she quickly removed it away.

“I don’t know.” she said meekly, “I guess I’m just scared.”

Still keeping his gaze on the blackness outside their window Keaghan gripped the windowsill so tightly Neve could see his knuckles turn white.

“But why?  Did you find out something that you haven’t shared with me?”

Making one more attempt at physical contact Neve reached out and placed a hand over one of his.

“No, nothing like that.  It’s just that as we move closer to the reality of having another child I get more nervous. I just don’t think I’m ready.”

Relieved when he didn’t recoil from her again Neve inched closer still.

“What specifically are you afraid of?” he asked.

Frightened by the possibility that he wouldn’t understand but empowered by the opportunity to speak honestly about her fears Neve wrapped her other hand around his bicep for support.

“I just….I had such a difficult time physically and emotionally last time.  I don’t know if I’ prepared for that.  I don’t know if I can go through all of that again.”

Finally turning to face her Keaghan’s eyes bore into her own.  The look of pleading shimmering in the pools of liquid collecting there practically breaking her heart.

“Right now.” he finished for her, “You don’t know if you can go through that again right now.  Right?”

Now her turn to look away, Neve pointed then downward towards the floor.

Her voice barely a whisper she shook her head, “No, Keagh, I don’t know if I can go through that again at all.”

Removing his arm from her grasp he backed away.

“I….I see.”

Lunging towards him as he hastily started to depart she missed him by only a centimeter.

“Aren’t we happy?  We’re happy as a family right?” she plead to his back as he took his glass from the table and headed for the kitchen.

“Yea, right.  We’re happy.  Clearly.  Yea.” Keaghan chocked out.

He was done pretending it was ok.  He was done pretending not to be upset and he was most certainly done hiding his emotions.  If Neve was going to call the shots about their family she was just going to have to live with the consequences of her decisions.

“Keaghan, please don’t be upset.  I don’t know if I can take you being upset about this it’s hard enough as it is.”

Amazed that she actually had the gall to ask for him to make it easier on her he felt his anger boil over.  Turning on a dime he came to within an inch of her.  His face flush with resentment he did his best to hold himself back.

“I’m sorry.” he seethed, “I didn’t realize that I was supposed to be excited and happy about your unilateral decision about our family. Forgive me for being so selfish.”

Unsure what to say anymore Neve started to stammer, “It….it’s not like that.”

Opening the dishwasher Keaghan placed his used glass onto the upper shelf then closed it again.  He figured that if he just kept himself busy with mundane tasks he would be able to calm down.

Taking a few deep breaths to try and settle both his stomach and his nerves he evened out his tone of voice to a low monotone whisper.

“Really?  Because from where I stand that is exactly what it’s feeling like.”

Closing the door to the washer he turned again and exited the kitchen.

“Keaghan please just listen….”

Unable to look his wife in the face for fear she would see how broken his heart truly was he kept his head low as he angled around her to the hallway.

“If you’ll excuse me I have a bit of a headache.”

“Keagh wait….”

It was too late though as he’d already worked his way back into their bedroom and closed himself in for the second time today.