3D: The Talk

Life in the Corleonesi mansion was sweet. Julio heeded Aubrey’s warning and slowed down the pace at work, granting them more quality time in the evenings. They had a day or two together during the week. One morning, Aubrey visited him in the office as she always did. The clacking of her heels echoing through the hallway was his signal to find a quick place to pause operations. Her flowery perfume was a five second warning. Their marriage was old enough to be used to being in each other’s space. But sometimes she still caught him off guard—in a pleasant way. He lived alone in that cold mansion for so long, sometimes he couldn’t believe she was there with him. Forever.

She stood next to him, donning a radiant smile and her favorite color cheery as her personality. How was she so beautiful all the time? It seemed effortless. “Hi.”

Though marriage had been brief, they’d been friends half their lives, and he knew her very well. A brief greeting like that led to a much lengthier conversation. “What can I do for you, my sweet?”

She scanned the room, presumably looking for Salma.

He had to remind himself often that she didn’t grow up like him. Living with a butler took some getting used to, but she didn’t need to fear Salma. They could speak openly around her.

“Can we talk?”

“Of course,” he said, pushing away from the computer.

“Upstairs?”

He chuckled. “Of course.”

Julio sat on the ottoman expecting her to join him. Instead, she stood, shifting her weight and clasping her hands together. Whatever she had to say was as serious as her countenance, and it concerned him.

“Is everything ok?”

She continued shifting and squeezing her fingers. Now she couldn’t meet his eyes. “Umm … Y-yeah?”

“Aubrey…you’re scaring me. What’s going on?”

“Sorry. I just … I’ve lost my nerve.”

Julio straightened his spine in anticipation of whatever spooked her so, but seeing her so unglued was oddly refreshing. She was always so confident and strong. Moments of vulnerability were rare.

She cleared her throat and wrapped her arms around herself. If she needed comfort, he was right there. Why stand alone feeling anxious? Aubrey had always been independent. Hopefully, her independence hadn’t spiraled to the point of not needing him emotionally.

“Remember at your mom’s house you said you wished we could discuss having children before everyone else?”

What a random question. He nodded slowly, growing anxious about where it would lead.

“Would you want to have that discussion now?”

“S-sure?”

Starting a family was a scary situation, so it made sense that she was nervous. But why so suddenly? Anytime was good as ever, but it just seemed so odd in the middle of the day and to pull him away from work.

“I can see a question on your face, and I’ll answer it. I know this seems random, but it’s not.” She paused and took a deep breath. “What I’m trying to say is we need to discuss this now because…” She paused again, but this time she smiled and unwrapped herself, “…because we’ll have a child soon.”

“Wha… Ch-child? We … You’re … A baby?!” He felt like a bumbling idiot, but the shock and happiness and panic zipping around his brain rendered him useless.

She giggled. “Yes. I’m pregnant, Julio!”

His entire body warmed over with genuine happiness and relief. “Aubrey!”

She joined him finally, and he gave her that hug she needed earlier.

It was probably too soon for a baby bump. After all, he hadn’t noticed anything. Not even when cradling her naked body. Still, his eyes couldn’t help but gaze upon the temporary home of their child. “We’re really having a baby?”

“Are you excited?”

“Of course I’m excited! How are you? Do you feel ok?”

She giggled again. “I’m fine, I’m fine. My clothes have been tighter, and I’ve been sleeping a lot. I figured it was possible, so I went to the doctor a few days ago. I’m three months along.”

“You didn’t want me to come?”

“I didn’t want to get your hopes up in case it was nothing.”

Aubrey would always be strong and independent; that was one of his favorite things about her. But, how could he make her see she didn’t need to do everything by herself? They were a unit but rarely functioned as such. “Sweeties, if you’re compelled enough to go to the doctor, I want to be with you. What if it were something else? Something serious?”

She smiled softly. “You’re right. I’ll be more mindful.”

Babies were completely foreign to him. Without siblings, family friends, and even close friends his own age, he’d never even held a baby before. The thought both terrified and delighted him. Would he be a good father? He honored and respected Tony, but was he really a good father? If not, Julio endeavored to break the family curse.

“So, was there something in particular you wanted to discuss?” she asked.

“I … I’m just so shocked. I don’t know anymore! I guess…since we’re here already…we don’t have to do it now. We can talk along the way.”

“That’s fine. One thing, though?”

“What’s that?”

“If it’s a boy, do we have to do the whole Junior thing?”

He laughed. “Oh, Watcher no! Wait, you don’t want that do you?”

“Heck no!”