Read The Masterpiece (Work of Art #3) Online
Authors: Ruth Clampett
The Masterpiece (Work of Art #3) (38 page)
“What?” I ask gently, cupping his cheek with my hand. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“It’s just that I want another baby so much, Ava. I know I promised a while back to give you more time. But time is slipping by. Now you’re talking about taking some time off. Wouldn’t this be a good time?”
“You think so?”
When he nods, his energy is buzzing. I can feel how intensely he wants another baby, both for Lizzie and for us. His hand moves gently over my hips. “Besides, don’t forget I’m going to be an old man.”
“So old,” I tease.
He groans. “Really old.”
“Max,” I whisper, “I’m glad you want another baby.”
He turns to face me and kisses me tenderly.
“Does that mean you’ll consider it?”
I rest my hand on his chest, right over his heart.
“Have you noticed how much I’ve wanted you lately?…Or that I’m insatiable, and we’ve been getting wild whenever we can get enough time alone?”
He smiles contentedly. “I’ve been having too much fun to question why.”
I take his hand and pull it over my breast, and his fingers gently caress me.
“My breasts are so full and tender.”
His fingers pause.
“And I’m sleeping all the time.”
Suddenly he freezes, and then shifts so quickly that I’m suddenly under him with his face just above mine.
“Ava?”
My heart’s full as I nod.
“Lizzie’s going to have a little brother or sister.”
His expression is full of joy as he takes me in his arms. Instead of words, he kisses me gently across my face, trailing down across my breasts, and finally he kisses my belly. The warmth and contentment radiates through me until I’m sure the baby is feeling it too.
“How long have you known?”
“Well, I’ve suspected for days, but I’ve been wrong before. I took the test a few minutes before you came to find me. I’d just figured out on my laptop calendar when we’re due. I was about to come get you.”
“And?”
“We can expect our baby in February.”
He gives me a tender kiss, then another and another… “I’m so happy. God, I love you, Ava.”
“I’m happy too.” I wrap my legs around him, pulling him close. “So, let’s celebrate.”
“And I know how to start.” He moans as he settles between my legs and pulls me into his embrace.
Sometime, in the middle of the night, I feel a little hand pulling on my fingers.
“Mommy?”
I immediately wake. Thank goodness Max remembered to unlock our door, and we put sleepwear on. “Lizzie, what are you doing out of bed? Are you okay, baby?”
“I had a bad dream,” she says softly. “Can I get in bed with you?”
I’m tempted, but I know we should help her get over her fears, not succumb to them. We need to soothe her in her own bed.
I hear Max rustle next to me.
“What is it?” he asks with his sleep soaked voice.
“Lizzie got out of bed. I think it’s your turn to take her back.”
“Please, Daddy…”
He doesn’t even put up a fight. When he pulls her up onto the mattress, she happily crawls over between us and snuggles in.
“You know, we swore we were going to stop doing this,” I whisper, biting my lip to keep from laughing.
“Uh huh.” He smiles lazily as he pulls his two girls into his arms. I feel his free hand glide over me until it rests on my belly. I rest my hand over his and sigh as I sink into my pillow.
This is my family. This is the best part of my life.
For a brief moment, I look out the window, and in the dark sky dotted with points of light, I imagine Van Gogh’s
Starry Night.
His vision, swirls of stars suspended in cobalt blue, lingers as we fall into a deep sleep.
In my dream, we’ve lassoed the moon and flown through the Starry Night. In our bed-shaped chariot, arms and legs, large and small, are intertwined.
Together we are one, full of hope and love, brimming with the sweetest promise for what our future holds.
Animate Me
Mr. 365
Work of Art~Book 1 The Inspiration
Work of Art~Book 2 The Unveiling
Many thanks to those of you
that take a moment to leave a review
~it
’
s much appreciated.
I began writing Work of Art over four years ago with a dream to one day publish it. It’s a beautiful thing to have that dream realized.
My teenager daughter, Alex and I work and write in our family room, about ten feet apart from each other, and she’s been my cheerleader, opinion giver, and occasional eye roller through the writing and editing of this trilogy. I hope I’ve shown her by example that if you work hard, you can make your dreams come true.
I have so much love for my dear friends, both in my real life and online one who have encouraged and supported me~ Thank you. I am forever grateful.
Endless thanks to my editors: the amazing Angela Borda, Janine Savage and Janell Parque for making my words look good.
Endless gratitude to my visual team, photographer/cinematographer David Johnston and designer Jada d’Lee for my stunning bookcovers and trailer. Big love to Elli Reid, Pinterest/visuals wizard and awesome proofreader.
So much thanks to Neda Amini whose passion for Work of Art and terrific promotion skills made a pleasure, with what’s for me the toughest part of publishing. You’ve been a delight to work with. And speaking of promotion, sincere thanks to the bloggers who have supported my work. You give indies a voice, helping us find readers we may never have found. I’m very grateful.
Love to dear friend Michael Senich, who is my Max, and Patricia Ashley, my Ava.
Flavia Viotti Siqueria and Meire Dias of Bookcase Agency are a class act. Your support is always appreciated, my friends.
Last, but far from least, is you, dear reader. Thank you for going on this grand journey with me. Your reviews and comments have endlessly inspired me as you fell in love with Max and his muse.
I wish you all the peace and beauty of your own Starry Night, and I hope you set out every day to make your life the work of art you dream of.
Ruth Clampett, daughter of legendary animation director, Bob Clampett, has spent a lifetime surrounded by art and animation. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, her careers have included graphic design, photography, VP of Design for WB Stores and teaching photography at UCLA. She now runs her own studio as the fine art publisher for Warner Bros. where she’s had the opportunity to know and work with many of the greatest artists in the world of animation and comics.
The Work of Art Trilogy
is Ruth’s third publishing endeavor, following
Animate Me
and
Mr. 365
. She lives in Los Angeles and is heavily supervised by her teenage daughter, lovingly referred to as Snarky, who loves art and visiting museums as much as her mom.
Connect with Ruth:
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