Stay [a Roman Reigns story]

16 Doves and chickens

I guess it was safe to say that my parents were totally delighted with Roman. Although, of course, it was a bit tricky with the communication. Neither of them spoke a word of English and Roman spoke no German. So it was up to me to translate everything and I had to admit that it worked out better than I thought. Even though I sometimes had trouble keeping up with my mother when she babbled on and on without stopping to make a point. And if she said something that embarrassed me, like things from my childhood, I just left it out.

It was so nice to see Roman with my family. After his initial shock when Mom came home, I had to calm him down a bit, but in the hours that followed, it was like they had known each other forever.

Mom was just a little sad that I would leave them again tomorrow. But she always told me that as long as I was happy, they were happy. And I was happy. Somehow I was happier than I had ever been in my life. Part of me couldn't believe that such happiness was even possible.

While my parents were now at work, my husband and I enjoyed a relaxing day. I really enjoyed showing him everything. The big garden with the vegetables we grew ourselves and of course the animals. That had always been Dad's balance and hobby.

I just went into the aviary to feed the doves when I noticed Roman's slightly worried expression.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Aren't you afraid they'll attack you?" he wanted to know as the many birds fluttered around me, occasionally touching me with their wings.

"No, they won't. Right now they're just excited because they're getting something to eat. Don't worry, big man. Do you want to hold one?" I replied and then grabbed one of the doves off the ground.

I held it in my hands and waited for his answer. However, Roman looked at me like I had lost my mind.

"Um... no thanks. I think I'll pass. I'm not a big fan of birds." he finally replied.

"Okay... maybe we'll start with something smaller." said I as I let the dove fly and stepped out of the aviary.

"What do you mean?" he wanted to know.

"I'll let you hold a chick." I said as I went into the chicken coop to see where the mother hen was hiding with her little ones. 

Before the mama noticed, I took one of the chicks in my hand and stood next to Roman to see how he reacted. The corners of his mouth pulled into a sweet smile when he saw the tiny little something in my hand.

"Here!" I said, holding it out to him.

"I don't want to break it!" he contradicted me.

"Don't worry, Ro. They're more durable than you think. Trust me." I replied, putting it in his hands.

"It doesn't weigh anything. And it's so fluffy. Hey little guy." he cooed in surprise.

"They' re 7 days old now. If you look closely, you can already see they're getting feathers on their wings." I explained as I watched him hold the little bird in his big hands.

After a few minutes, I put the little one back with his mom and siblings. But I had hardly left the chicken coop before I found myself wrapped in Roman's arms.

"Thank you." he said softly to me.

"Thank you for what?" I asked as I looked up at him.

"Thank you for being you. And showing me this." he replied, nodding his chin in the direction of the chickens.

"You're welcome. What's next? The doves?" I asked to tease him a little.

"I think I'll pass." he said with a grimace.

"Good thing we didn't have doves at the wedding. I wouldn't have wanted them to scare you, my big, strong man." I replied with a smirk.

"I'm not scared of anything, baby girl," he said.

"Sure. Just keep telling yourself that. Hey... what are you doing?" I asked as I felt his hands sliding back and forth over my jeans.

"I want to know if you brought your phone." he explained to me with a smirk that couldn't mean anything good.

"I didn't... why?" I wanted to know suspiciously.

But instead of an answer, he just yanked me into his arms and ran off like that. It only took a few seconds for me to realize what he was up to. Immediately I started to struggle to free myself, but it was no use.

"Don't you dare! Don't do that! Roman, no!" I squeaked as he was already standing at the edge of the pool. The pool that was still pretty cold.

But as expected, he did not listen to me, but simply jumped into the pool with me in his strong arms. With a loud splash we landed in the water. When I resurfaced, I gave him a dirty look, but that didn't faze him in the slightest.

Roman's deep laughter resounded through the garden. I swept my wet hair out of my face and then clung onto him.

"Look, I got you all wet," he chuckled.

"What was that for?" I asked through chattering teeth.

"Oh just a little lesson.... don't make fun of your husband, baby girl." said Roman.

"That was really mean, mister. Now you have to warm me up." I retorted.

"I think I can handle it." he said with a cocky smirk.