The Lover's Children novel Chapter 29

RICHARD

Charlotte's yell reverberates down the stairs and along the hall, accompanied by a wooden thumping. All heads rise, following the sound.

Elizabeth's eyes light with laughter. “What… Again? That’s the third time today.”

“I make it four.” James clicks his tongue. “Charlotte wants to be pregnant again. Michael wants her pregnant. Between them, they’re making every opportunity for it to happen.”

Another wail echoes. I fold arms. Grin to James. Jerk my chin up the stairs. “Don't you miss the days when you could keep that up? Three, four, five times a day. Come up for air, then go under again.”

James tugs at an ear. “He’s looking pleased with himself for sure. When Charlotte does find she’s expecting, she'll remember who’s responsible.”

The front door clicks open and Klempner enters, Mitch right behind him. “Ah, James, I…” Another yell reverberates. Klempner halts mid-step, wincing. “Christ, they still at it? She's going to need a fucking walking frame.”

Mitch flicks invisible lint from his shoulder. “Larry, perhaps you and I should go out for a few hours. You need a new jacket. I’ll come to help you choose.”

Klempner rumbles. “I don’t need another jacket…”

The thumping grows louder, faster…

“Headboard?” I suggest.

James nods, face bland. “I’d say so, yes.”

The banging dies away again, but the wails amplify and extend.

“Probably grinding into her,” comments James. “Aiming for her g-spot.”

“Sounds like he’s succeeding,” I nod.

“Perhaps I do need a new jacket.” Klempner spins and exits. Mitch drops us a long slow wink, then follows him out.

And we all burst out laughing.

*****

JAMES

Ground-plans for the latest phase of the work outspread on the dining room table, Richard and I work through our itinerary. Or to be accurate, we try to work.

Richard consults his notes. “Item sixteen. Where are we with the ground works for F-site? You were hoping to have them completed by next week as I recall.”

“We’re still on schedule and…”

I’m cut off by another rendition of Charlotte’s siren song. Richard raises eyes as though he can see through the ceiling to the bedroom above. “Doesn’t that man ever get tired? For that matter, doesn’t she?”

“Not that I’ve noticed. They’re both young and healthy and determined. I think we simply have to ride it. It can’t be long now before he succeeds in getting her pregnant. After that, things should calm down.”

“I suppose so.” Richard blows out his cheeks, pushes spectacles up his nose. “You were saying, James? F-site?”

I trace a fingertip over the work area, outlining the boundary. “On the north side, we’re all but complete. To the east…”

Another wail echoes along the hall, quickly joined by the percussive headboard accompaniment. The chandelier rattles.

Beth enters, carrying a tray with coffee pot and mugs. She pauses. "What's wrong with you two?”

Richard snatches off his spectacles, slaps them down on the table. He jerks a thumb upward. “It's very difficult, Elizabeth, to think with your head when there's a woman in the background making sounds like that. The blood that should be powering my brain is all the while headed south."

Beth dimples. “Perhaps we should go and do something about it? Maybe Charlotte and Michael need some assistance.”

Richard throws me a glance. “Thank the lord for understanding wives.”

I stand, adjusting the fit of my pants. “Amen to that. Richard, would you like to bring your sub with you. I think my sub needs a little subduing.”

*****

CHARLOTTE

Sweaty, red-faced and smiling broadly, Michael lifts himself away from me, lying on his back to stare up at the ceiling. His erection is subsiding, but I’m giving long odds that it won’t be for long.

Who knew that the promise of paternity would be such an aphrodisiac?

His eyes slide sidelong. “Okay, Babe?”

“Absolutely.”

In fact, I’m rather tired. The first time I decided to get pregnant, by my Master, it all happened rather naturally, over a few weeks, albeit with Michael’s hearty co-operation. This time, Michael has taken his role as father-to-be to heart. Non-stop action is the theme of the moment.

He rolls back, lying side-on to me, pillowing his head on my breast. He slides a hand down my body, to rest over my belly. “What d’you think? Anything going on inside there yet?”