I awoke a second time to the smell of coffee and biscuits and gravy. The events of last night played in my mind as I escaped from the cocoon of warmth from the bed. I didn't regret sleeping with Alex, nor did I believe it was a wrong decision. I was just glad we used protection.
Wringing my hair after my shower, I padded into the kitchen, wearing my usual sundress and sandals. Alex smiled at me from the stove, stirring the gravy in a pot as he took a drink from my coffee mug.
"Good morning, how did you sleep?" He asked as the oven went off, signaling the biscuits were ready.
"Good morning," I chirped, sitting down at the table, "I slept well. You know you didn't have to make breakfast. One of these days I'm going to have to make you breakfast."
"I know." He said, placing the cookie sheet onto the stovetop.
Grabbing some plates from the cabinet, I set them gently place them on the table as Alex shuts off the oven and brings the food over. Sitting down next to him, we begin to eat, finding comfort in each other's company. It was strange, but I didn't feel any different than who I was yesterday. But maybe I had yet to see it happen.
After breakfast, Alex and I left together with our scuba gear and towards the center where Alex worked. We would be spending a few hours diving and then heading over to Savannah for a day trip around the city. I had only gone scuba diving once since moving here, and I was thrilled I could go again, especially with the man I was falling for.
We set our gear down on the counter after pulling into the parking lot.
The equipment was heavy, and we weren't going to waste our energy when it could be saved. Dan came towards us from the back, carrying a pair of flippers before setting them down. Dan was one of Alex's closest friend who I met about a month ago and would be overseeing our dive.
"Hey Alex, Elsie, It's great to see you guys again." Dan said, his brown hair was pulled back in a bun, "How are you guys?"
"We're both good," I said, grinning, I liked Dan from the moment Alex introduced me, and he instantly let me in saying I was practically his sister. "We were just going for a dive, and Alex told me that you are overseeing it."
"Yes, all I need is proof of your certification and for both of you to sign this waiver," Dan asked, handing us a clipboard and a pen.
After we filled out the necessary paperwork, we were immediately heading into the locker rooms to change into our wetsuits. Once changed, I followed Alex and Dan outside to a boat that was docked just outside of the building. Strapping our gear at the bottom, we each took turns stepping into the boat. When everyone was securely and safely inside, Dan unwrapped the rope and started the ship.
"Are you excited?" Alex asked, turning to me.
I nodded, "Yes, I'm super excited. I can't wait!"
When we made it into open water, Dan cut the engine, placing orange flags out so that others will know that we would be diving. After reviewing the safety maneuvers and hand signals, Alex and I both put on our gear, making sure each person's BCD was secure.
Signaling okay, placing our masks over our eyes, we fell backward and into the open water below. The blue expanse of the sea surrounded us as we entered. Equalizing, we signaled that we were okay and descended together towards the reef below. Fish scattered as we came near, and I made a point to make sure my find didn't hit the ocean floor.
I checked my air supply regularly, and when one of us reached half of our air supply, we would surface. Alex swam beside me, pointing at a few fish that darted in and out of the seaweed a few meters ahead. The dive only seemed to last a few minutes until my BCD beeped. Checking the supply, I signal up to Alex, and we slowly ascend.
Once we surfaced, Dan helped us inside the boat, and we secured our equipment. Drying ourselves off with a towel, we head back to the center. It wasn't a long dive, but I was still happy none-the-less. After we made it to the center and changed, we dropped off our equipment at my house and left to spend the day in Savannah.
"Sorry, we couldn't stay longer." I said after I shut the passenger door to Alex's truck.
"You don't need to apologize." He said, smiling over at me. "Do you want to get some lunch before we go sightseeing?"
"Actually, I brought some sandwiches. I thought we could eat some food before we go." I paused, "They're in the cooler in the back."
"So, that's what was in that cooler!" Alex exclaimed, realization hitting him.
I nodded as we pulled into the parking garage and parked the truck. After lunch, we exited the truck and into the humid air of Savannah. Pulling my hair up into a high ponytail, I immediately interlock my hand with Alex's as we take the stairs down to the ground floor.
"Where would you like to go first?" I ask as we make it onto the sidewalk.
"Hmm." He hummed, thinking, "How about the park."
"Alright, sounds fun," I commented, walking with Alex down the sidewalk. It took us nearly ten minutes to get to the park, but by the time we were there, sweat was already dripping from our foreheads. Sitting down on an available bench, we admired the tall trees and the shade they provided.
"I don't think we planned this trip well," I commented, wiping my forehead with my free hand.
"Yeah." Alex laughed, "I don't think we did."
"There's a coffee shop on Madison." I suggested, not making a move to stand, "Maybe we could stop there and get out of the humidity. Or we could just go home."
"Yeah," he agreed, "Let's go home."
Smiling at no-one in particular, we continue back the way we came, away from the humidity and busy streets of Savannah, Georgia, and back to the quiet coastal island of Tybee.
*
The rain fell for the fifth time this week, and I was beginning to wonder if it would ever stop at all. Nova and Josh were supposed to find out what they were having today, and I expected Nova to call within the hour. I was almost positive they were having a girl, and I think Nova thought so too.
"Have they found out yet?" Alex asked from the living room.
"No, but as soon as she calls, we're going to the store to pick out the gift."
"Sounds good." He commented, still skimming through my library of movies.
"What do you think she's having?" I asked before my phone rang and I rushed to answer it. "Hello!"
"Hey, sis, guess what?"
"What? Tell me, is it a girl!" I practically screamed.
"It's a girl!"
"Really!?" I could barely contain myself as Alex came over, still unsure of what Nova and John were having, "Oh, I'm so happy!"
"What did she say?" He asked, turning to me.
"She's having a girl!" I exclaimed, jumping up and down, and putting the phone on speaker.
"Oh, congratulations, you guys!" Alex said
.
"Thanks! We should probably go." Nova said through the speaker.
"Okay, bye!" I said, handing up and grabbing the car keys from the hook. "Are you ready to go?" I asked, placing my hand gently on Alex's arm.
"Sure, but after we're heading over to my place," He paused, "Tabitha wants us to have dinner together."
"Alright, sounds good, but I'm driving." Grinning, we exit my house and into my car.
Once we made it to the store, we were wandering the aisles hand in hand until an associate came towards us. 'Hi, can I help you find anything?"
"Hi, we were just wondering where the infant section was," Alex said, turning to the employee.
"Yes, it's right over there." She said, pointing us in the right direction.
"Thanks!" I exclaimed, pulling Alex towards the aisle. "Oh! Look at this one!" Pulling a yellow dress from the hanger, I showed it to him, and he shook his head.
"Maybe we should get her some socks and onesies." He said in deep thought, pulling the clothes from the rack.
"Oh look, there are little flower headbands!" I gushed, thrusting them into Alex's arms. Alex shook his head as we grabbed a gift bag and tissue paper on our way to the checkout.
"Oh, aren't these the cutest!" The cashier exclaimed when she rang us up, "Are you having a baby shower?"
"My sister is." I explained, and the cashier's eyes lit up.
"Oh well, do tell the lucky couple a big congratulations from me." She said, handing me the bag and receipt.
"Thank you, we will." I said, walking with Alex towards my car.
By the time we made it to Tabitha and Alex's, it was nearly four. Nova and Josh would be coming over as well. I wasn't sure what we were eating, but I made sure to bring a veggie tray just in case.
Emma had answered the door, pulling Alex and me into a gigantic hug. I hadn't seen Emma much anymore as she had transferred to the Marine Biology department.
"Hey, you guys, how are you?" She gasped, "Oh, you brought veggies! Just place them on the table over there."
Alex's hand grazed the small of my back as we walked together into the dining room, just as Nova and Josh were snuggling on the couch, going through sonogram pictures when we passed. Setting the tray on the counter, I couldn't help but take a few out and begin to graze. Alex followed suit, grabbing a paper plate, and filling it with vegetables and dip.
"You two are going to ruin your dinner!" Tabitha scolded.
"Okay!" Alex and I both hummed, digging into the plate full of vegetables.
"Hey, sis!" Nova called, waving me over and thrusting a picture into my hands, "Look, she's so beautiful!"
"You're having a girl!" Emma and Tabitha exclaimed from the dining room table. Turning around to face them, I noticed that they had recently opened a bottle of wine and were pouring the glasses.
"Oh, I'm so happy for you both! Now I can buy her everything that's bedazzled!" Tabitha explained, her eyes twinkling.
"So, what are we having for dinner?" Josh asked, following his wife into the kitchen.
"We have roast and potatoes." Tabitha declared, pulling the dish out of the Crockpot and onto the table.
Pulling the plates and silverware from the cabinet, everyone began to fill their plates. Sitting next to my friends and family, I felt an utter sense of joy as we laughed and talked. But happiness can only last so long.