The Maroon Beret

-Sean-
Charlie and I have officially been married four months today, and I couldn’t be happier. We got knocked out of the playoffs in the second round, which really sucked. I really wanted to make this the perfect year by adding a Stanley Cup to the list of amazing things that have happened. But I guess it just wasn’t in the stars for this year.

Today is a really tough day for Charlie. Not only is it the anniversary of her father’s death, but it’s also Father’s Day. Drew came by to pick her up, so that they could go visit their dad’s grave, about an hour ago and I decided I should call my dad while she’s out. So that it doesn’t bother her. He picks up after three rings.

“Hey, son.” He answers.
“Hey, dad. Happy Father’s day.”
“Thank you, Sean. How are you today?”
“I’m good, I guess. Today is hard on Charlie, but we’re getting through it.”
“Well let her know that no matter what, your mother and I are here for both of you. I know I can’t replace her father as easily as your mother replaced hers. But if she ever needs someone to talk to, I’m always available.”
I sigh.
“Thanks, dad. That means a lot.”
“It’s what I’m here for. Now tell me, when are you going to be coming home so we can go golfing?” He chuckles.
“Soon, I promise. Maybe next month? Charlie is still trying to convince the Air Force to let her become a basic training instructor, so we have to stay local. In case they want to talk to her in person.” I answer.
“That woman is truly remarkable, son. She’s faced so much adversity and she’s still fighting for what she wants.”
“Believe me, I know. She amazes me every single day.”
“Well, I’ve got to go. Some of us old retired folk are going golfing today. Give Charlie a big hug and kiss from both me and your mother.”
“Okay, dad. I will. Have a great day.”
“Thank you, you too. Love you.”
“Love you too, dad.”

We hang up and I can’t help but smile. I love how much my parents love my wife. After the whole Anne debacle, my mom took even more to Charlie, promising to be the mother she didn’t get to have. It sometimes makes me nervous, knowing how close they are. That they share secrets about me. But I’ve come to accept that they’re going to be like this for the rest of my life. And I’m okay with that.

Before I even have a chance to put my phone down, it’s ringing again with my best friend’s name on it.

“I got a favor to ask you.” He says.
“Hey, Couts! How are ya?... I’m great, man. How are you?... I’m great!” I respond, sarcastically. He chuckles.
“Sorry, Janine’s just been on my ass about some stuff and I need your help. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Just talked to my dad. What do you need help with?”
“Well, little Schenner is gonna be here in the next couple weeks and we still haven’t completely set up the baby room. I’m struggling massively to put the crib together, and I gotta move the changing table upstairs and it’s heavy.”
I laugh.
“Don’t you have a brother for that?” I ask.
“He went back home for the weekend. To spend time with our dad.”
“Alright man, let me text Charlie real quick and let her know what’s going on. I’ll be over in like twenty.”
“Sounds good. I owe you.”

Sighing, I text Charlie and throw a shirt on, grabbing my keys and heading out the door. Almost exactly twenty minutes later, I pull up to the Schenn household and find Brayden in the garage, looking at the pieces of the crib.

“Okay, first of all you’re an idiot.” I say, alerting him to the fact that I’m here.
“How?” He asks.
“You’re seriously trying to put together the crib in the garage. You know that you’ll just have to move it upstairs, right? So we should take all the pieces up there and put it together.”
“Oh.”
“Dude, seriously...” I laugh.
“Shut up.” He mumbles. “When you’re a couple weeks away from the birth of your first kid you’re going to be as spaced out as I am.”
My face falls.
“If I have a kid.” I sigh.
“You know you will. Soon enough.” He smiles.
“Whatever, let’s get baby Schenner’s crib ready.”

I shake off the pit in my stomach and in just a couple hours, we’ve got the changing table and crib both set up, along with a rocking chair and bookshelf Janine threw at us. They haven’t told anyone the gender, but the pink accents give it away. I promise not to tell anyone, and he confirms my suspicion. Baby Schenn is going to be a girl.

“I seriously owe you, dude.” Brayden says, sitting at his kitchen counter. Janine nods her agreement.
“Think of it as a thank you for taking care of me. Or just think of it as something friends do for each other.”
“We’ll repay the favor when it’s your turn.” Janine smiles, rubbing her gigantic belly.
I try to smile, but they both can tell it’s a sore subject.
“Charlie texted me a little while ago. She said she couldn’t reach you, and asked me to tell you she’s got dinner mostly ready and to go home when you’re done.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks. I guess I left my phone in the car.”

I stand and give her a hug as best as I can, kissing her cheek.
“You know I’m going to be really upset if you don’t tell me immediately when she decides to make her appearance. Right?” I joke.
“Yeah, yeah.” Brayden smiles. “After our mothers, you’ll be the first call.”
“Fair enough.” I laugh. “Alright, I’ll see you guys later.”

I allow myself the short twenty minute drive back to my house to feel the pain coursing through me. My stomach is in knots and it kills me that all my friends are having kids and starting their families. Of course, I don’t blame Charlie. If anything, it’s probably my fault. I mean, her doctor said she should be able to have a baby. Maybe I’m infertile. Maybe we’re just not meant to have our own, biological children.

I pull into our garage and wipe away the moisture that had been gathering in the corner of my eye. I can’t let Charlie know how much this is killing me. She’ll blame herself, and I just can’t have that. Taking a deep breath, I get out of my car and head into the house.

As soon as I step through the door, I notice something is different. Throughout the entire house, there are no lights on. But candles have been lit in most rooms, giving off enough light for me to see where I’m going. And the house smells like chicken parm, which wasn’t what we decided we were having for dinner tonight. Not that I’m complaining, since it’s my favorite.

I find Charlie in the formal dining room, lighting the two candles on the table.
“Hey baby.” I say, kissing her shoulder. “What’s all this about?”
She turns and gives me a dazzling smile.
“Just doing something nice for my husband. Sit, let’s eat.” She says, pouring me a glass of wine.

We take our seats across the table from each other and dig in. As soon as I put the first bite of chicken in my mouth, I moan my approval.

“God, this is amazing. Why don’t you make this every night?” I ask.
“Because then you’d be spoiled.” She chuckles.
“What’s wrong with being spoiled?” I joke.
She laughs.
“It won’t be as special as now.”
“That’s true.”

We finish eating the food on our plates and I look at her, sipping on my wine.
“So why did you make me a special dinner tonight?” I ask.
Charlie simply smiles and reaches to the chair next to her. She hands me a blue envelope and motions for me to open it.
“Read it out loud.” She says, as I take a card out.
I eye her suspiciously, but do as she asks.

“To the most amazing man I’ve ever met.” I smile, and open the card. “There’s no one I’d rather live this crazy life with. Happy Father’s-”

I feel a tingle go through my entire body.

“Happy Father’s Day. Love, Charlie and baby Couturier.”

The last two words have tears forming in my eyes.

“Really?” I ask, staring at the beautiful woman across from me. She smiles and nods her head. “Oh my God... Holy shit.”

Charlie laughs and gets up, coming around the table to stand next to me. I place my hand over her stomach and look up at her.

“We’re having a baby?” I ask.

Notes

This update is literally my favorite thing I've ever written.
Thank you all for reading and subscribing and commenting and voting and generally loving this.

Look for A New Life coming soon.