Chapter 240: Negotiation
"But Tony..." Marcella with a pout scooted closer to him. The glass of wine she drank started to act and she was feeling a little drowsy.
"What?" Tony with a smile let her lean on his shoulder. He knew what she will do next. He took in a deep breath to harden his heart. Whenever she leaned on him like that he would feel like he would bring the world to his feet. But he couldn’t give in to her wish this time.
Marcella didn’t open up immediately. She needed to tune him properly before she expressed her one great wish. She placed her hand on his abdomen and rubbed it with her hand. His abdomen was not as firm as it was when she met him again.
She touched her belly. Even though she reduced her weight after each childbirth, her belly had a mind on its own. It was not as flat as it was before. It was all wrinkly with stretch marks and felt like a pouch.
That was the only thing she regretted about after having all the kids. The ladies in the political circle talked about getting surgery and joining a gym for their "health" but Marcella didn’t feel the need to go that far.
Tony always kissed her little pouch-belly. He would have an admiring smile when he caressed her belly. "This is proof that you’ve lived your life. This is proof you’ve given me the utmost happiness in life," he would say.
Marcella knew he said that from his heart. It was amazing they grew old together. They’re only half-way through life. She wished to go through the rest with him by her side.
"Tony..." she said after a while.
"Yes, honey..." Tony kissed her head.
He loved it when she rubbed his belly. After being a successful politician, he had been relegated to a desk job. He was not handling the "side business" directly either. Combined with his travels often and eating outside, he had gained some weight, enough for his wife to have noticed. But she never complained about it.