The gentle ripples of the lake against the shoreline. The cool breeze driving back the heat of the summer sun. The soft touch of her increasingly tight sundress set against his rough and powerful hands as they embraced her. Supported her. And most of all, the gentle, rhythmic kicks of the children growing inside of her.
A few short years ago, she wouldn't have thought it possible. Her old life was one of chaos, of unceasing business and broken promises. Overtime shifts on two jobs, parallel parking, boyfriends cheating with some chick on the side, overdue bills, and deadbeat exes who expected her to take care of their new mama's baby.
There was a particularly robust kick at this last thought, and she gripped her belly tighter to reassure her charges. "Don't worry. I'm not going to abandon you. I'm going to be there for you whenever you need me. I promise."
"And so will I." he said, leaning down to kiss her neck.