Chapter 39: Chapter 39
"Mark, everything is fantastic, my wife and I have been married for more than six years now," said the man. The following explains her line of thinking: When I do this, it looks a little strange because I'm pressing the side of my cheek on the base of my neck.
"Sorry." I say again.
She moves closer to me in the distance that separates us. "I love you." She breathes a sigh of relief into my arms before she envelops me in a bear embrace and wraps her arms around me.
"I adore you too." I start by taking a few steps back from her, and then I go in for a passionate kiss on the lips. Since quite some time ago, I have been giving serious consideration to carrying out the aforementioned action with regard to my Alyanna. at least the Alyanna that I can remember from when I was younger.
"Let's go." Her voice can be heard uttering the phrases as she shows us the way out of the room.
Although everyone else is in the same room, Charlie and Chris and I are watching the football game in the living room together. Alyanna, with the help of Abby and Maddy, is currently in the kitchen making supper for everyone. According to what I've learned, Landon is a daddy's boy. As a consequence of this, he enjoys sitting with me and watching television. There is absolutely no indication that I am unhappy with anything. My entire life, as far back as I can remember, I've had a strong desire to have a son. To tell you the truth, I've always pictured having somewhere between five and six kids in my family. I think that is what it's like to be the only child in your family when you're growing up if you're the only child in your family.
Milly and Lexi will occasionally join Mark and I on the couch in the living room so that they may play with our phones while we are there. While we are on the couch, they will also sit with us. Guys also have the option of taking a break, at which time they can either attempt to help the females in the group prepare dinner or play games with them while they are seated at the table.
"Can you give me an update on the situation at this building?" I was wondering if it would be possible for you to accompany me into the kitchen so that I may fetch another beverage.
It would appear that Milly is the one in charge of mashing the potatoes, while Lexi is the one responsible for producing the gravy. Alyanna is in the process of making her way to the table where she will prepare the place settings.
"At what time are we going to sit down and enjoy a meal together?" My question is posed as I make an attempt to get a hold of a roll of toilet paper. The quick movement of her palm repulsed my hand and caused it to withdraw.
"As soon as each and every one of you arrives," the host instructed. How she puts it. In the past twenty-four hours, I've come to the realization that I shouldn't query things about which I have the impression that I should already be knowledgeable.
For example, when I asked about the date of the day after tomorrow. It would have been more appropriate for me to keep my mouth shut and focus solely on drawing a connection between the two occurrences. The one and only item in question was the one and only object in question! saw was pie, and considering that I adore pie on any given day of the year, I merely figured that it was another day of the week. On the other hand, I really doubt that Alyanna would prepare a pie for the sole purpose of preparing a pie. I say this because I have a lot of doubts. I suppose it's my fault for not being able to put two and two together and figure it out. Oh well.
When I make my way back to the living room, I pause for a moment to take in my immediate surroundings and identify the other people that are now in the house. My recollection of the situation leads me to believe that every single one of the people she listed is already present. I only shrug my shoulders and then sit down in the chair again. In addition to that, I encircled Landon's shoulder with my arm.
A ringing sound can be heard in the ear. Alyanna can be heard yelling, "I have it!" as she makes her way quickly toward the exit. I understood it!
"Hey!" I am aware that I am hearing a voice that is recognizable to me; nevertheless, I am unable to locate it or determine who is speaking.
As soon as I stand up, Landon grabs hold of my hand. After that, I take him up, sling him over my shoulder, and start walking toward the exit of the building. I head in the direction of Sophie, who is rather older, and pay her a visit. Then, following closely behind her, is a Hannah who is much older. I am keenly aware of the fact that the space between my irises is gradually increasing.
"Hello Mark." Sophie, who seems to be a little bit older and also sounds a little bit older, adds that she is hugging me right now. Despite the fact that I am still in shock, I return the hug that is extended to me. "Are you ok? It seems as though you could be just a little bit... off your rocker."
"Good morning, and how are you today? I'm good." As I say this, I can't help but let out a chuckle.
"Landon, how are you feeling today?" Sophie zeroes down on the particular person to whom the question is directed.
I step aside to let her in. After that, we have Liz here with us. "Hi, Mark! It has been quite some time. It is wonderful to see you once more." Before she encircles me with her arms, she bends in close and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Oh no, Liz, I'm very sad to hear that!" My pupils start to enlarge once more. What if I stopped calling her Liz altogether? How would you feel about that? She did not have a negative response, which was a fortunate turn of events for us.
"Mark, good to see you." Will tells me this as he extends his hand to shake mine as we are talking.
I take it. "You will, of course, do the same thing. Take a beer, and then join the rest of us in the living room to watch the game together after you've finished your beverage." I say. I have a strong suspicion that he has mentioned before how much he adores playing football.
"Oh my my, Hannah, you are getting to be way too tall!" "I can't believe how much you've grown!" Alyanna says, giving her a hug. Because to the fact that both Will and Liz are on the petite side, I don't see Hannah growing any taller than they already are. Nonetheless, Alyanna is still almost one foot taller than Hannah, and I don't foresee Hannah growing any taller than that in the foreseeable future.
"Hi Hannah." It is my suggestion that you give her a bear hug when you see her.
"Mark, I've been looking forward to getting caught up with you." She will then tell you that she is embracing you right back and that she appreciates it. She developed into an adult along with everyone else. There has been a change in the manner in which she is speaking. In all seriousness, every single person has acquired new traits throughout time.
After the last person has finished eating, the plates are put through a cleaning process and then thrown away. We did, in point of fact, go ahead and get the ones made of cheap plastic that can be thrown away once they had been used. Even though I don't remember placing the order for them, the fact that we done so cannot be denied. Before I give Milly and Lexi any sweets, I go to Milly's room on the second floor and ask them about their respective cravings for sugary treats. They both struggle to get to their feet and start running down the stairs. After that, I go to Landon's room to see how he is doing and to find out if he has already gotten out of bed. The door's squeak was what jolted him up from his slumber.
"Daddy?" He is curious as he makes a slight adjustment to his position in the chair before asking.
"How are you doing, buddy? Would you like something sweet to finish off your meal?" I politely inquire as to whether or not he would mind if I sat on his bed.
"Not even a considerable amount," the speaker said. By moving his hand in a certain way, he's letting you know what it is that he's about to say. When I reach down to pick him up and carry him down the flight of stairs, I let out a jovial chuckle to break the tension in my chest.
Landon is sitting on my shoulder as I walk into the kitchen where I'm working. I was unaware that we were having pie or any other dessert till I walked into the kitchen and saw Alyanna in the middle of slicing it. The amount of food that she has been consuming has given her the appearance of having a small baby tummy. Please excuse my impoliteness. It should go without saying that I would never tell her something of that nature, but just in case:
In reaction to what she said, the wrinkles on my brow deepened even farther. Is there even the tiniest potential that she could be carrying a child at this point? I ask myself. I make an effort to shrug it off and simply sit back down, putting Landon on my lap as I do so. While I am doing this, I am thinking the following:
"Okay, so I understand that this is a little bit of a weird timing but, I have an announcement," the speaker said. "I have a little bit of a funny timing." Alyanna says standing up. "I am so sorry, Mark, that I did not inform you of this. I wished for everyone else to experience the same element of surprise as I did." I have some cause, at the very least, to be able to let out a sigh of relief. I'm not entirely sure how to break the news to you, but... I'm pregnant! It almost seems as though she is squealing.