Page 1 of They Found Us

Chapter One

Leo

“Good morning, handsome.” Katie lies facing me, her hand between her face and the pillow. God, she’s beautiful.

“I’ve been thinking,” she starts as soon as she sees me awake, “there are still a few things we need to get for the baby. Nappies, some formula just in case I need help feeding, more clothes, bibs—definitely bibs.” Katie continues to chatter on, more to herself than me. Her voice is soft but raspy, as she’s just woken up. I could listen to her talk for hours.

“We will go today and get whatever you need.” I know we don’t really need anything, as there’s a wardrobe full of clothes and drawers packed with nappies. But if that’s what my wife wants to do today, then who am I to argue. She is carrying my second child. Her beauty and voice have my morning wood pulsing. I disappear under the covers and nestle between her legs. I’m just about to work my magic when a whack to the back has me faceplanting the mattress.

“Papa, are you hiding from me?” Mark continues to jump on my back.

“That’s enough now. Let’s leave Papa to rest for a few minutes while we go and get the breakfast ready.”

Katie lifts the covers and climbs out of bed.

“Sorry,” she whispers. “Come down when you’re ready.” She looks at my crotch area covered by the duvet.

Definitely best to stay here. I don’t fancy having that conversation with my three-year-old son. Once I have thought of everything under the sun other than my wife, I’m ready to go downstairs.

“Your coffee is ready, Leo,” Katie shouts up.

“Thanks. On my way now.”

I throw on some sweatpants and meet my family in the kitchen. Katie stands at the sink, her back to me, I take a moment to enjoy the sight of her perfectly round ass bursting to get out of her tiny shorts. She is quietly narrating what she is doing and what her next plans are for the day.

“I’ll just finish these pots, then I’ll collect the eggs for breakfast, and then we can all go to the baby shop…”

It’s like she has her own personal podcast and I’m her number one listener. My hands are on her ass before I even know what I am doing, my face in the side of her neck, breathing in her scent.

“Hey.” She spins around, kisses me, then pushes me away with her wet hands.

I just can’t help myself. When I’m around her, all I want to do is touch her.

“Mark and I are going to collect the eggs. You put the pan on with boiling water and slice some bread for toast. Mark has requested egg in a cup for us all this morning.”

“Yes, egg in a cup, egg in a cup!” He jumps about excitedly.

They both go out into the garden and collect today’s eggs from the chicken coop. I do as I am asked, slicing the bread and get the pan ready. Egg in a cup is something I had never had before meeting Katie. It’s a boiled egg, or two, mashed up in a cup with butter and it bit of salt and pepper. We have it on toast. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. It’s one of my favourite breakfasts now.

I watch from the back door as my wife feeds the chickens and Mark the billy goats. They both talk to them like they are people but in funny, squeaky voices. Mark just copies everything Katie says. They return with the eggs, wash their hands, and we all work together to set the table and prepare the food.

Katie

When we arrive at the baby shop, Mark gets instantly distracted by some sort of toy and runs in that direction. Leo insisted he didn’t need his reins on for the shopping trip even though Mark has started to be a little unpredictable. “I’ll be there” was his reasoning as if he has some magical powers to control children.

“You keep an eye on him while I get what we need,” I say sarcastically, giving him a “I told you so” look.

I grab a trolley and make my way around the shop. My eyes dart over the pastel-coloured baby clothes, tiny hats, and booties. The air smells of baby powder and excitement while nursery rhymes play quietly in the background. I can’t help but smile as I imagine my newborn. I load up the trolley with neutral baby outfits, nappies, and toiletries. I think I am just about done when Leo appears in front of me.

“Wehaveto get these,” he says excitedly holding two matching outfits.

“Absolutely not. Why would a newborn and a three-year-old need a black three-piece suit, shirt, and tie?”

“You never know. We might get invited to an occasion.”

“By who?” I ask, but then notice that the excitement that was there a moment ago has started to fade. “Put them in the trolley. They are very cute.”

Then I ask, “Leo. Where is Mark?” My eyes dart frantically around us. “Mark!” my voice comes out strangled as I call his name. I force myself to breathe and think. “You go and alert the staff. Get them to make an announcement.” Leo marches off to the customer service desk while I rush up and down each aisle.

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