The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 16 - A Private Celebration

"We couldn't even have imagined a kitchen like this back then," Susan commented.

"There is something to be said for modern convenience," Greg told her. "And heating too," he added as the heating system kicked in.

"Yes, but I love you kept the back door ... even though it's original purpose was to clear out the smoke," Susan recalled.

"It also gave us the means to escape after Marie was born," Greg remembered.

Susan nodded as they went back to the great room to look at it again. "Do you remember  ... or did you ever know ... I was pregnant with Marie the first time you showed me this house ... just before we originally moved in."

"I do remember. We were standing in front of the fireplace, just about here when you told me you were going to have a baby ... and then immediately it began to rain. I hadn't gotten the roof sealed around the chimney properly and the materials I used began to pull away. It all came in with us. We were soaked to the skin, and I was so concerned about you becoming chilled, but especially so after you'd just told me you were pregnant," Greg said as he held her in his arms.

Susan smiled as she leaned into him, remembering those times.

"That's the only other time I can remember being pregnant with you," Susan said after a while.

"I was thinking that too," Greg told her. "Do you think it's significant?"

"I don't know. Maybe we'll remember more as this goes on," Susan said with a vague wave towards her abdomen.

"Possibly," Greg agreed.

Susan nodded as she pulled away, and began to look at the space again, this time in its modern context instead of what it had been to them back then.

"It's like we've gone full circle with this cottage here. We're home, in the house we built together when our marriage was new. It isn't new any more, but our life together in this lifetime in some ways still is. I'm pregnant again, and from the look of things outside, we'll be together in our new modern home not too long from now. It's like everything has gotten pulled together, into this single lifetime."

"I've been feeling that too, for quite a while now. I think that's the reason I felt compelled to build it," Greg confided. "I only hoped you'd like it."

"I do," Susan said. "But didn't you say you intended us to use this as office space?"

"I did, we don't have to, but that was my intent," Greg told her.

Susan nodded, going to the windows to take in the view, then going to the loft to look from there too. She was pleased by everything she saw and couldn't help thinking what a good guest house the cottage would make. She came back down and looked at the built in counter in front of the wall of windows again.

"This is the same height as our desks at the farmhouse, isn't it?" she asked.

"Yes. I thought it might coordinate with the wood tone in the Ikea pieces we have," Greg explained.

"But these also have storage underneath," Susan observed. "Are you thinking it might be possible to clear off our desks at times in order to use this space to entertain?"

"Or we could simply put our desks upstairs and leave the great room open for that," Greg suggested. "The loft is twenty by fifteen feet, plenty big to serve as an office."

Susan nodded as she looked over everything once again, as though trying to decide.

"We don't have to figure it out right now, Susan. We have time to decide if it will work for an office," Greg assured her. "But for now, do you think it will work for the party?"

"Yes, very well," Susan told him looking pleased, "provided I know what kind of furnishings you plan to rent."

"The furnishings come on Monday. I've ordered a trio of over-sized, rustic looking, lodge-style sofas to arrange around the fireplace, a large coffee table for the center, another two sofas to have along the walls, some end tables and lamps, and a dozen small round raised cocktail tables with tall, high-backed chairs. We can use the counter space in here buffet style to serve food and drinks, Richard and I are planning to set up a DJ in the loft with speakers looking out over the great room. We'll also have party lanterns out on the patio in back and tables with chairs out there," Greg said describing what he had in mind.

"It sounds perfect," Susan told him. "I've already talked to Marion about the caterer and we found one, so there's no problem there. I suppose it's just a matter of providing the address to those we've invited."

"I've already done that," Greg said, "so I'm really glad you feel it will work."

"I do." Susan was smiling broadly as she looked around. "I can't believe this is ours ... again. Do the boys know? What this place was? What it represents?"

"No. They have no idea what this place is beyond the obvious. They just see it as this random thing I've built that in no way matches the rest of the house," Greg told her with a smile. "I hope you will like that as well ... but I'm not quite ready to share it with you yet."

"I'll try to wait," Susan promised. "But as long as I'm allowed to come here on my own in order to get ready for the party, I'm happy to wait for the rest ... and I'll try really hard not to peek."

Greg ached his brow. "You should not peek beyond the limits of the paved walk," he cautioned. "There is still heavy construction equipment here on a regular basis and trucks making deliveries, so until you know your way around ... which I'm not prepared to show you just yet ... it's not safe to go wandering about."

"I won't," Susan told him seriously. "Now that I've seen it, I think there are some other preparations I'd like to make for here. Can we go home and work on that for the rest of the afternoon?"

"Yes, absolutely," Greg told her. "Just one more thing."

"Yes?"

Greg pulled her into a kiss in front of the fireplace.

"Welcome home Cadence," he whispered.

"Thank you Jalyn, for everything," Susan said and she kissed him again, her heart swelling with love, in what was rapidly becoming a very private and intimate celebration of their life together and their love.

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"I haven't done anything like that in years," Susan commented with some embarrassment as they redressed before leaving the cottage.

"Nor have I, but it was an excellent way to initiate this place and the role it will have going forward in our life," Greg said.

Susan smiled. "Well, just as long as you don't tell anybody," she murmured.

"I won't," he assured her. "But Susan, are you certain your breasts haven't gotten any bigger?" he asked as he came to stand behind her, cupping them again in his hands.

"Maybe a little," Susan answered. "Why, do they feel bigger to you?"

"They feel ... different, firmer maybe? Fuller, definitely," he said as he released her, coming around to survey her shape from the front. "I will be very surprised if we do not notice a dramatic difference within the next few days."

Susan arched a brow at him. "Are you looking forward to that?" she teased.

"It was rather fun last time," he admitted.

Susan smiled. "Come on Mr. Abernathy, I think it's time to go. We have a lot to do before we can really call this home."

"Yes, we do," Greg agreed. "Beginning with our party next weekend."

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