Chapter 4

On New Year's Eve, David woke hungry. He was aware that this was his last day of food freedom, and he planned to put it to good use. He nudged his sleeping wife.

"Hey, honey, let's go out to Wally's for breakfast," he said.

"Mrph," she replied.

He took that as a yes and got up. Soon they were strolling hand in hand into his favourite greasy spoon, a neighbourhood diner that had stood on the same spot for nearly 50 years now. There was, as usual, a small line-up for a table, but soon David and Mallory were sliding into a booth. David noted with alarm that he took up much more room than he used to. He had to sit up straight in order to keep his belly from brushing the table.

He was determined not to worry about that today. He threw caution to the winds and ordered the caveman platter, an enormous breakfast consisting of four slices of toast, a generous serving of home fries, three eggs, bacon, sausages and ham. It was a weekend staple of hung-over college boys, but it had been a while since David had ordered it himself. To his surprise, he was able to polish off the whole thing easily.

He and Mallory walked home, as it was a bright, sunny winter day. As they passed a trendy gelato shop, David suggested they stop in for a tasty frozen treat.

"In winter?" said Mallory, laughing. "Okay, I'm game."

David couldn't decide between the double chocolate, which he knew was delicious, or the peach, which was really his favourite flavour. In the end he had a scoop of each.

They strolled and window shopped some more, and soon it was time for lunch.

"How about lunch at Burger Bonanza?" asked David.

"Yeah, sure," said Mallory. "I don't feel much like cooking today anyway."

He ordered the peanut butter burger, a side of sweet potato fries and a strawberry milkshake. He felt pleasantly, but not uncomfortably, stuffed by the end of the meal. he suspected that might change by the end of the day.

He went into to the restaurant bathroom to use the toilet. He was shocked to find that the zipper on his pants had inched itself all the way open, and refused to be pulled up. His belly was too swollen for it. Only his belt held his pants up, and there was a red mark where it was digging into his soft flesh. He eased it out to the last hole and felt instantly better.

That afternoon, Mallory went into party preparation mode. She sent David out to pick up some last minute supplies. He stopped at his favourite bakery and picked up a couple of delicious pastries and ate them in the car, brushing the crumbs away to hide the evidence. Then he drove to his favourite Chinese place and bought half a dozen egg rolls, hot and slathered in plum sauce. Now he was starting to feel a bit uncomfortably. He went home and napped the rest of the afternoon away.

Mallory woke him for supper.

"I didn't make much, since we'll be snacking later on," she said, "just a little ham and Swiss sandwich.

David managed to eat his, then sat in the kitchen and talked to Mallory as she whipped up a wide variety of tasty bite size creations for their guests, from bacon-wrapped scallops to stuffed mushrooms to mini quiches. Every so often she popped a bite between David's lips, urging him to tell her how it was. He didn't resist. He was starting to feel quite full again by the time she said it was time to get dressed for the party.

Now he faced a dilemma. While Mallory slipped into a party dress, David hunted through his closet for something other than a t-shirt that would fit. He was huffing and puffing and trying to do up all the buttons on his blue shirt when Mallory came out in a red dress that clung to her curves.

"Humina humina humina whoo WHOO!" said David. As he did so, one of the stretched button on his shirt popped off and flew across the room. He blushed.

"Um," said Mallory, grabbing him by the love handles and kissing him. "I like the sexy tight shirt look, but it think you might feel more comfortable in the new outfit I bought you. It's in the box on the bed."

David pulled out a new pair of black pants and pulled them on. They buttoned easily, with even a little room to spare. The blue and grey shirt fit, as well. He left it untucked to better camouflage his spare tire.

Their friends arrived and soon the whole place was full of music, food, drink and conversation. There were a few pointed remarks from his buddies about his belly, but he just told them he planned on turning over a new leaf on diet and exercise in the new year. In the meantime he didn't stray far from the hors d'ouvres. With his new roomier clothes on, he felt a lot more comfortable.

When all the guests had finally gone, he caught his wife for a properly lingering New Year's kiss. She was tipsy. Her hands caressed his plumpness, squeezing the roll at his waist. He tried to suck it in.

"No, love your belly," she said drunkenly. "Your jelly belly. 'S so big and nice."

She pushed him onto the couch and fumbled to unbutton his shirt. She knelt and kissed his firm stomach, licking and nuzzling him urgently. He grew hard. She unbuttoned his new pants and moved toward the interesting bulge at his crotch, but he stood and kicked off his pants and underwear, Then he pulled her onto his lap, sliding into her. He lay still as she bucked and rode him to orgasm, first his, then her own. She collapsed, trembling, her arms around his bulk.

"Happy New Year," he said softly.