Each Other's Arms - The Family Saga Series Book Four

By Natalie Freedman

Valerie and those around her are experiencing the all-encompassing emotions of love. Valerie tells her friends, The Romance Club, all about her dynamic third year of marriage to Alex; the passionate love, the scorching arguments, the troubled pregnancy and the triumph of dreams coming true.

We meet Valerie's neighbors, Otis and

• Language: English
• Publisher: Warrioress Publishing
• Release date: Mar 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869220516

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Natalie Freedman

Each Other’s Arms

The Family Saga Series Book Four

First published by Warrioress Publishing 2024

Copyright © 2024 by Natalie Freedman

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Natalie Freedman asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Natalie Freedman has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

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Contents

Acknowledgement

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

STUDY GUIDE FOR BOOK CLUBS AND YOU

About the Author

Also by Natalie Freedman

Acknowledgement

THANK YOU

To all the Warrioress administrators especially CEO Tanya Smith for all your help.

And to those most dear:

The Lopez family; Victor, Tami, Robert, Vanna, Sara and Haylee

The Rheinstein family; Paz, Aliah and Zack

The Freedman/Grossman family; Cara, Evan. Jordan and Alexa and James Doyle

The Freedman/de los Rios family; Carlos, Marni and Ben

The Leake family; Kevin, Annie, Dovid, Elisheva. Hadassah and Akiva

The Wexler family; Edythe, Royce, Patricia, Wyatt, Jameson and Winter

The Harnik family; Teri and Patti

Sunny Chaim; 22 pounds of Whippet/Bishon love

The unforgettable Philip Luis Clar, James Freedman and Ted Gibson

Part One

THOUGHTS ABOUT ALEX

After Jeanette’s funeral, I thought about Alex’s kiss while I was teaching

and while I was doing the dishes. What did it mean? Why had I allowed it, participated in it? Why, in the moment of his unexpected grief, had Alex reached for me, as naturally as a sunflower reaches towards the sun? Remembering past comfort? She’s not you, he’d replied to my question about Anita.

I was so happy to be pregnant after trying for so long. My older children were happy, too. And Anita was also pregnant. Or so I’d thought, But when Alex had come to pick up the girls, I’d asked him when she was due. She’s not expecting, he’d answered. She just needs to lose some baby fat from when she had Saul. Saul is only six months old.

I couldn’t help but think about my first pregnancy, about what a mensch Alex had been. At lunchtime, at school, I took a walk down the leafy streets for exercise. And I relived our senior year at college. Every minute. Even that horrendous argument.

THE GLORY OF LOVE

This was a story that I was not going to share with my friends, The Romance Club, the three modern nuns and their cook who loved to hear stories about Alex and me. It was too spicy. So I typed it up and stored it in my locked desk.

Alex answered our phone. It’s your Aunt Viv. She wants to know if you want to go to Ciro’s with them tonight, to the 7 pm show.

Louis Armstrong?

No, it’s Jimmy Durante. She says he’s very funny.

Okay, let’s go. I don’t particularly like him but we’ll have fun.

The show turned out to be just wonderful and all four of us laughed a lot.

It’s still early, said Uncle Ted. Do you want to drive along the Pacific Coast Highway and we can stop at a viewing point and Alex can show us some stars?

You can have a view of Mars tonight, said Alex.

So we drove along with the ocean to our left. My uncle glanced back to the backseat. Nice cuddling, you two. Viv, get over here. We can cuddle, too.

Viv smiled and inched close to Ted. Okay, you two. Sing with us. Viv and Ted didn’t exactly sing on key but there was enthusiasm in the car. We all sang:

You’ve got to give a little, take a little

And let your poor heart break a little.

That’s the glory of, that’s the glory of love.

You’ve got to laugh a little, cry a little

Before the clouds roll by a little

That’s the glory of, that’s the glory of love.

Then we sat on a bench and Alex guided us in scanning the night sky.

What a fun evening, we agreed when we got home.

Alex, why are you in the refrigerator? I was hoping we could, um……

What were you hoping, um? You can say it. We’re married three years, soon we’ll be parents. You can tell me what you want.

I want you to make love to me. I know I have raging hormones and we made love before we left but I’m very hot again. I’m sorry.

Listen, ‘I’m hot for you’ are the words every guy longs to hear. I just want a little something to eat. Oh, good. Yesterday’s lasagna. I’ll heat up a piece. How long will it take?

Ten minutes.

"Okay. Sit here. Don’t you want to eat something? Just water? All right, I’ll entertain you. You remember that asshole Doug from JPL? Well, I told you that Wanda is pregnant again, right? So Friday he wanted to give me two slutty girly magazines. I said, ’What do I want with these?’

So he says with his usual low class assholeness,’So you can jerk off while she’s pregnant. I already used these.’ Well, it seems that when Wanda is pregnant, she doesn’t want to be touched. ‘It makes her puke,’ says Doug in his classy way.

So then I smile and say, ‘Well, Valerie’s not like that. She was always into sex but now that she’s pregnant, she’s insatiable. Two, three times a day.’

’You’re making that up,’ says Doug. ‘Both my mother and her mother told me that women do not want to be bothered when they’re pregnant. How come Valerie is like that?’

’She’s Romanian,’ I told him. You really are something else, Vibila. Remember, the girl who wouldn’t open her mouth!"

Ha ha. Swagger, swagger. Feel pride. You know it’s all you, Alex. You make me so crazy in bed.

But when I met you, you were so prissy. ‘Kiss my cheek. Kiss my lips. No tongue in my mouth!’ Remember I told you, one day you’ll tear your pants off, you’ll be so eager!

And your point is that now I’ve become that eager?

Look at me, darling. Whenever you’re hot, just ask. I can and I will take care of you. Do you think this lasagna is done now? Another two minutes? All right, I’m still entertaining you. He sang:

As long as there’s the two of us

We’ve got the world and all its charms.

And when the world is through with us,

We’ve got each other’s arms.

We have to win a little, lose a little

And sometimes have the blues a little.

That’s the story of, that’s the glory of love.

Alex ate the slice of lasagna in six bites, drank some water and guided me into bed.

What a dilemma. My wife can’t get enough!

I DON’T CARE

This was also a story that I would NOT share with the nuns. It really was too personal and maybe showed Alex in a poor light. But it was true.

Now I was in the fourth month of my pregnancy. It was a Saturday and Alex’s birthday. We went to the Sea Lion restaurant in Malibu with both sides of the family and had a fabulous sea bass dinner. Then we walked on the beach and my turquoise dress fluttered in the breeze.

Valerie, said my Uncle Ted. You won’t believe it! A customer brought in a genuine Van Gogh painting for me to frame. Also a real Velasquez! He’s coming to pick them up tomorrow so if you want to see them, I can take you now. It’s not everyday you can get up close to a real Van Gogh.

Do you want to go to the art store? I asked Alex.

No.

Do you mind if I go? I’ll just take a look. It won’t take long.

Do whatever you want, said Alex. That should have been my warning right there. Alex took his mother home and my uncle took my mother and me to see the famous paintings. Magnificent! Real! Then he drove my mother home and then me.

When I entered the apartment, Alex was sitting in a chair, clearly angry. You left me alone to go with your uncle on my birthday, he said.

Then I realized that Alex had been with his mother all the way home from Malibu and she’d undoubtedly said terrible things about me, stirring him up.

Your mother said I was wrong to go see the paintings, didn’t she?

Yes, and she was right!

Look, Alex. I made you strawberry pancakes for breakfast. Then I hiked with you in Griffith Park. Then we made love in the shower. Then we took a nap and then we made love in the bed. I bought you a nice present. Then we had a wonderful sea bass dinner at The Sea Lion. Then we walked on the beach, holding hands. I thought we had celebrated your birthday quite thoroughly.

You chose your uncle and some old paintings over me!

That sounds exactly like your mother.

Leave my mother out of this. This was your decision.

Why don’t you just spank me then?

I can’t spank you when you’re pregnant. And you enjoy it too much anyway.

Good night, Alex. I love you and I wish you a happy birthday but this is ridiculous. I went to bed and he stayed up, reading.

In the morning he was doing his karate exercises. I tried for cheer. Good morning, sweetheart.

I’m still very angry with you. You left me on my birthday.

Alex, this is childish. I didn’t leave you until 9 pm and I was home by 10:30.

Now you’re calling me names. I am not being childish. Alex was advancing on me in his karate gi and he looked ominous. I was in our small entry hall next to a little table holding a silver bowl with three lemons in it. Impulsively, I threw a lemon at him, hitting him in the chest. He was two feet away and I threw another lemon, hitting him on the face and then I threw the silver bowl which also hit his face.

I told you not to throw things at me! He grabbed me and pushed me to the wall where I hit my shoulder against our tall oak chest.

You push your wife who is carrying your child! I screamed, more from the shock of it than pain. But my shoulder did hurt and tears blinded my eyes. I blinked my eyes and saw Alex wiping blood from his cheek with the belt of his gi.

LISTEN TO ME! he shouted.

I saw my purse on the entry hall table, grabbed it and opened the front door, dashing down the steps.

VALERIE! yelled Alex but I knew he’d have to put some pants on.

I ran down my street and as luck would have it, a bus was waiting on the corner. I got in and rode the twenty blocks to my mother’s stop. I walked to her apartment and saw Alex waiting outside his car. He could drive faster than the bus.

Still the angry face. He had a bandaid where I’d cut him with the silver bowl. But this man, whom I loved, had pushed me, pregnant, into the wall. My shoulder ached. My dog, Lucky, heard or sensed me outside the apartment and barked a welcome and my mother appeared at the door.

Both of you, come inside. I’ll make breakfast. We’ll talk.

I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY TO HIM, I yelled.

WELL, I HAVE A LOT TO SAY TO YOU! he snarled.

Please, said my mother. It’s a shonda (disgrace) for the neighbors.

I ran up the stairs and my mother put a soothing hand on Alex’s shoulder. You know, Alex, why don’t you let her calm down this morning? Maybe go for a hike with your friends? Come back this afternoon. I’m sure you both can work it out by then.

Without another word, Alex got back into his car and drove away.

I walked into the apartment. Do you know what happened? I said to my mother. Do you know what he did?

No, and I don’t want to know. You don’t tell me when you make rapturous love and I don’t want to hear about when you quarrel. I’m not going to interfere. Let’s eat breakfast.

He pushed me into a chest!

You know, I had a feeling that we shouldn’t have gone to see those paintings.

My mother fussed around, bringing me iced tea, bagels and cream cheese, then a bowl of fruit. She had me put my feet up and put on the television. I was so exhausted in every way that I fell asleep. My mother put a quilt over me.

I woke up hearing the insistent ringing of the doorbell. My mother went downstairs and let Alex in. I ran into the bathroom and locked the door.

Valerie, come out! More forcefully, Valerie, I want to talk to you! Then, Answer me!

I don’t care! I said.

If you don’t want to talk, let’s go home and forget this whole business. You have to come home. You have work tomorrow.

I don’t care.

Valerie, you’re being extremely unreasonable.

I don’t care.

Alex, I don’t know what happened and I don’t want to know, said my mother. But you did hurt her shoulder. It’s bruised. I had to give her an ice pack.

I had no intention to hurt her. I was just trying to keep her from throwing things at me. Like she did here. I was sure he was pointing to his poor little cheek.

Let her stay overnight. It’ll all blow over. She loves you and you love her. Every couple has these little spats.

I’m going now, Valerie, yelled Alex. Last chance to come home.

I DON’T CARE!

I heard the front door slam.

You’re going to work from here? said my mother. Wear this robe and I’ll wash your clothes for tomorrow. I called the counselor who drove me to work and gave him my Mom’s address. The next day I went to work and tried to concentrate on the inevitable camp problems. I came home to my mother’s and we ate dinner. Alex arrived and I went to the bathroom again.

When are you coming home, Valerie?

I don’t know.

What’s your plan? Are you going to raise the child by yourself?

A lot you care about the child. You throw your wife into a chest and you can injure the baby.

It was an accident. I didn’t mean to hurt you. And you started throwing first, as I recall.

Leave me alone, Alex. Just leave me alone. Why don’t you go over to your mother so she can say more bad things about me?

I don’t understand her, said Alex to my mother, She’s never like this.

I think part of it is being pregnant. She was afraid that you might have hurt the baby.

She hit me first.

I know, I know, said my mother soothingly. Let’s give it one more day. Maybe the two of you should go see a marriage counselor,

I’m leaving, Valerie. ‘I don’t care!’ he said in a squeaky mock Valerie voice.

He left and I came out of the bathroom.

Valerie, if you don’t want to be married you don’t have to be. You can always come home and I’ll help you with the baby as much as I can. But I don’t think that’s what you really want. What do you really want?

I don’t care, I said.

For a writer and a debater, you’re very nonverbal.

Well, you won’t let me tell you what happened.

If you tell me, and then I call him up and scream at him, and then you kiss and make up, then I’ll be the interfering one. Just like his mother.

His mother is a big part of the problem. You were right. You do marry his family.

We watched TV, went to bed and I went to work again.

As the counselor dropped me off at my Mom’s, I saw Alex leaning against his car. He did look very handsome in his light gray summer suit and his turquoise tie, the tie I liked so much.

Hello, Valerie, he said quietly.

My Mother came down the stairs, holding Lucky on his leash. She handed the leash to Alex. Help me out. Walk him. Both of you. Walk him at least ten blocks.

We walked silently. Then Alex tentatively put his arm around me. I shook it off.

Don’t touch me. We’re just walking together for the dog.

I’m sorry. I would never do anything to hurt you or the baby.

But you did.

Valerie, I said I was sorry. I was trying to get you to stop throwing things at my face. I’m sorry. How many times do I have to say it?

I considered. I looked at his face, looking handsome and sincere. And it came to me that I did care. I’m sorry, too. Is your cheek okay?

Yes, is your shoulder okay?

Yes. We stopped in the middle of the street and kissed until Lucky yanked on his leash.

This has been a bunch of foolishness on both our parts, he said.

I know.

Have you eaten? Let me take you out to dinner.

All right.

And then you’ll come home?

Yes.

Are you only coming home because you can’t wear that outfit any more days?

No.

Why are you coming home?

Because our love is stronger than hurting each other.

My Mother was thrilled that her dog ploy had worked. She kissed us both. Kiss and make up so I can see it, she said. So we did.

I’m going to take Valerie out to The Tam O’ Shanter Inn. Won’t you join us?

No, no. You two have a lot to talk about. And my dinner’s all ready.

How about we take you there next week?

Sounds good, said Mother.

At The Tam O’ Shanter Inn, we always ordered their chopped steak, baked potato and minted peas. So what have we learned from this? Alex asked me.

I’ve learned that your birthday doesn’t end until midnight. And I have to attend to you for twenty four hours.

Very funny. Did you also learn not to throw things at me? This isn’t the first time.

It’s defense. You are much stronger than I am. I can’t give you karate punches. And what, sweetheart, have you learned from this?

Alex took my hand in his across the table. I’ve learned that I still can’t function without you. For Monday and today, I was miserable at work and I kept making math mistakes. And when I came home, nothing was cooking and no sweet hello. And the bed was big and lonely.

I smiled my biggest smile. I was thrilled with his answer. I guess we still love each other very much and we love our marriage, too, I said.

I guess you’re right.

As we walked to our car, a balloon seller stood on the corner, surrounded by children. Alex bought a purple balloon. Let’s put both sides of our argument figuratively into this balloon, he said.

And then what?

And then we let it go. Hold on to the string with me. Release it! The purple balloon sailed into the sky, higher and higher, smaller and smaller. This argument is officially over and we don’t mention it again, said Alex. Now I want to take you home and make love to you until you say stop because you’re so sore.

I won’t care, I said, kissing him.

THINGS DON’T STAY THE SAME

Again, a personal story just for me.

A few days after Alex’s birthday, he had a Staff Meeting/Dinner at work and so I met my mother for dinner near her house——my treat.

Thank you for being so wonderful and understanding during our argument, I told her.

So I take it you made up in the most significant way, said my mother with a smile.

Yes, we’re still in love. The entire thing was really stupid.

But you know what, Valerie? Your relationship has changed. When you were in high school and that first year of college, you were so in awe of Alex. You seemed to be willing to go to almost any lengths to keep this young man in love with you. He ignited something in you that no one else had and he was like your addiction. You would do anything for him. At least that’s the way I saw it.

What are you saying? He’s so wonderful.

He is wonderful. A very worthy young man. But you don’t even realize what’s happened. In the almost three years that you’ve been married, you’ve turned things around. You are now the powerful person in your relationship.

That’s ridiculous, Mom.

No, it isn’t. He dominates you in the little things. But you control his emotions. He loves you and he needs you.

He did tell me on Tuesday night that he needed me to function.

See! Things don’t stay the same.

So what does it mean?

It means that you hold his heart in your hands, so be careful with it. At the same time, I’m glad to see that you’re not such a pushover anymore. ‘Yes, Alex, No, Alex, How high, Alex?’ You’re going to be a mother and I’m glad you found the strength to assert yourself. When you came to my house you were saying to him, ‘You can only push me this far, Alex. And no more.

I still love him like crazy, Mom.

Of course you do, said my Mother. But you have more confidence now. And that’s a good thing. My little girl is growing up. Don’t ever forget that he doesn’t want to be in his house without you.

Thank you, Mom.

We walked to my Mom’s apartment where Alex would pick me up. I realized that she was telling me, ‘Love him, but don’t take any shit.’

Part Two

THE FALL SEMESTER OF THE SENIOR YEAR

SEPTEMBER, showing photos to the nuns.

"Here we are, on vacation in Santa Barbara. My obstetrician said that since I was entering my sixth month of pregnancy, it would be a good idea to limit riding in our bumpy Jeep as much as possible. Alex mentioned at the Chinese restaurant that he’d like to take me on a short vacation before our senior years began but there was a problem with the car. Immediately, Aunt Viv spoke up.

’Alex, take my car for this weekend. It’s my pleasure.’

Aunt Viv really liked Alex and was nicer to him than she was to almost anyone. He was very polite to her and held her chair out for her at the restaurant. Recently, in the bathroom, she’d said to me, ‘Not only is he very cute but he’s so knowledgeable about sex. He’s the one who told Uncle Ted about the Ben Wa balls.’ And she’d smiled happily. I’d felt too embarrassed to say anything. This was my aunt, for goodness sake!

So Alex and I borrowed her car and had the best time, going up the coast to Solvang, Hearst’s Castle and Santa Barbara. I was wearing a shift dress and only had a little bump. I wanted to look nice for Alex and had a makeup lady at the beauty parlor apply makeup for me before we left at 11 am.

’Take it off,’ said Alex. ‘You have such a darling face. You don’t need to wear makeup. But I’ll admit it, when you’ve had your hair done and it’s all curly down your back, I do love that style.’

You’re not upset that I’ve gained weight?

’Of course not. You’re beautiful and radiant. And so into sex! Don’t forget. He sang:

You’re the same on top

Just different on the bottom.’"

When school started, Alex seemed a little more relaxed. They wouldn’t ask anyone to leave Caltech in his senior year, would they? I asked.

’It’s been known to happen,’ said Alex. ‘Last year, one guy. But not like the 32 guys who had to leave from our freshman year.’

So do you feel more secure? You’re sleeping through the night.

’Yes, a little. Thanks to you.’

And all the studying you do every night.

"I was embarking on three new programs. I had signed up at the Paul Popenoe Clinic on Sunset Blvd. for a pre natal exercise class. I went three afternoons a week and it covered breastfeeding tips and basic baby care.

"From 9 to 10:30 am every morning I had a job teaching social studies and reading at a private school. I said nothing about my pregnancy and neither did