CHAPTER 4

LUCAS

My arms shake under the weight of the bench press. Two more and I've finished my reps for today. I lay back on the bench, focus on the open rafters of my basement gym. Gritting my teeth, I push up. A low growl escapes as I lift the weight. I hold the weight above my chest, take a breath, and prepare to lower it again. I upped the weight this morning, another step on my personal work out plan. The first day at a new weight is the hardest, but also the most fulfilling.

I lower the bar, careful to control the descent.

"Lucas, you down there?" My wife's question breaks my concentration. I almost drop the weight, but catch it on the stand just in time.

I continue staring at the basement rafters.

"Lucas?" Her voice louder now, more insistent.

Colin starts crying upstairs, the shrill unavoidable cry of a young baby. "Coming."

Eleanor stands in front of the sink, near the wide window overlooking our front yard. Bathed by the morning sun, she struggles to contain Colin. He flails his chubby arms, pushes against his mom, and screams his displeasure. A surge of pride and protectiveness wells up at the sight of my family.

"Here, let me have him." I take Colin and settle him against my shoulder. He lets rip another wail, directly into my ear, then settles down.

"Look at the mess he made on my new sweater." Eleanor dabs at a spit-up stain on her shirt. "Now I have to change it, you little stinker." Eleanor takes Colin's chubby hand and kisses it as she leaves to change.

"How'd you work-out go?" she calls over her shoulder.

"Upped the weight this morning." I follow behind her down the hall to our room.

Eleanor pulls off the dirtied sweater and tosses it into the laundry basket. She pulls another sweater out of her closet, wearing only a bra and her well-fitting pants. I enjoy the eye-full. Since Colin arrived a few months ago, I rarely get to enjoy her body. I'll take whatever I can get at this point.

"You look good in that outfit," I say putting special meaning into my words.

Eleanor turns, steps closer, slowly. "Oh, yeah?" She arches her back suggestively, tosses the sweater over her bare shoulder, teasing in a delightful way. I reach to touch her bare skin, eager for the connection.

Colin lets out a wail from my shoulder. I drop my hand, mood broken.

Eleanor snaps back into mom-gear , slips the sweater over her head. "I've got to get going. We have baby class this morning." She takes Colin from me and kisses my cheek. "I made your lunch. It's on the counter."

I grab her hand to keep her from leaving the room. Pulling her close, I kiss her on the lips. She sinks into the kiss. "Finish this later?" I suggest.

"Love to." We both know it probably won't happen , but it's nice to think it might.

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