Ever since the youth of school children, Rachael and David had been romantically involved. David, the years sports superstar, tall, lean, handsome and with a contagious appetite for all things fun. Rachael, the prettiest girl from all of the others. Sensual even from an early age with her dark curly locks, framing an angelic face beautifully, her innocence only betrayed by a full, luscious pair of lips, able to tease mercilessly with a mere pout or slight parting. It was part fate and part natural order that these two prime specimens of their respective species should meet and entwine. Both were love-struck from the first moment, enthralled to have a partner as beautiful to gaze at as themselves. They became each others trophy. Cherished, admired and loved.

            Marriage beckoned a year after compulsory stints at university, forced on by fairly traditional Conservative parents. Young by others standards but considering a relationship that had already spanned over six years, it seemed a natural thing to do. They soon became Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, husband and wife. David had settled in comfortably in his job as a solicitor with a reputable local firm, making good use of his law degree. Rachael on the other hand felt quite content to accept a post with a travel agents, arranging magical excursions for her clients. A simple task that kept her in contact with people, whom she enjoyed to meet, whilst having a growingly wealthy husband to contend to her more extravagant financial needs. Life was going fluently, no bumps or dangers that needed to be avoided. The couple got on famously, always the center of attention at parties. Whilst constantly taking regular breaks around the world every few months of so courtesy of Rachael’s eagle eye at hunting bargain deals from her work. They spoke often of their future together, planning a huge family, ‘a football team is what I want’, David would tell his wife. ‘I’ll give you a couple of substitutes as well if you’re lucky’ Rachael would cheekily reply. Things really took a turn for the better once they put a deposit down on a lovely, if small, three bedroom house in Richmond, Surrey. Once they moved out of the tiny flat they were renting together, and had settled into their first home together, their marriage took on greater purpose and the escalation in status was exciting for them both. Rachael thoroughly enjoyed turning their shell of a house into a comfortable, beautifully designed nest-egg. David could only marvel at his wife’s skills, as his own career leapt to further heights as a senior solicitor with an international city establishment, partnership looming like a dangled winning lottery ticket if he played his cards right.

            Often the couple would lay together and speak in honest wonder at their good fortune in life. ‘All we need now is a little Rachael or a David Junior to enjoy this all with’ David dreamily spoke one such night’. ‘Just give me, say, hmmm, eight and a half months and I’ll give you one’. Rachael was confirmed pregnant that very morning. David was ecstatic. One of the bedroom ceiling boards even felt the force of David’s happiness as it cracked from the force of David’s leaping head. Rachael smiled. The perfect reaction from the perfect husband, Rachael thought, as they hugged and kissed and talked for hours, frantically making plans.