As she closed the cabinet door under the sink and straightened, gentle hands found her waist. She straightened, allowing Alex to pull her back against his warm muscular body. His voice was low at her ear.
"Are you looking for something to eat?" He asked, and then chuckled.
She relaxed against him and sighed. "It looks like Jonathan has been here ahead of me."
He laughed softly and slid his arms around her, kissing her on the neck.
"When he and Destiny go to school this fall, why don't we take a vacation - just you and I?"
She turned her head, avoiding his lips as she spoke.
"We couldn't do that. Jonathan and Destiny might understand, but the twins wouldn't."
He sighed. "I guess not."
She turned and captured his neck in the loop of her arms. Meeting his gaze, she smiled.
"Though I must admit it is tempting."
He kissed her lips briefly. "We should have gone when it was only the two of us."
She giggled. "What was there to get away from then?"
He lifted a brow. "Get away? Am I to understand you would like to get away from our children?"
She wrinkled her nose. "Maybe for a few days. I'd like to spend a few days in your arms - with no interruptions."
He chuckled as he drew her close. "That shouldn't be too difficult to arrange."
For a moment they kissed - only a moment. Little feet pounded across the living room into the kitchen and Destiny interrupted them in an excited voice.
"Mama! A bird built a nest in the flower box and it has little baby birds!"
Carmen broke away from Alex.
"The flower box outside the upstairs window?"
Destiny nodded vigorously. "And the baby birds have their mouths open like this."
She tipped her head back and opened her little mouth as wide as she could get it. Then she shut her mouth and studied Alex intently.
"Should we help them?" She asked.
Alex was successful in keeping the smile from his lips, but his eyes held a twinkle of amusement.
"Mama bird will be back to feed them."
At that point Jonathan came into the kitchen with Matthew holding on to one hand and Natalie clinging desperately to the hand on his short arm.
"A bird came and brought a great big worm. She tore it up and shoved part of it down the throat of each of the babies. It was cool!"