Chapter 3 - Moving and Unmoving Parts

Lori got ready for her and Sam's night out. After talking, they decided it was best that they try to drop some weight together as a team, and Lori thought a last hoorah was needed, as well as sharing some important news with him. She also secretly hoped he'd change his mind, but didn't want to discourage him on his goals. He had been the one to initiate the weight-loss conversation. But when he said it, she really could only hear doctors talking points, which she always detested. She did want to lose weight, but truthfully for her own image of vanity in her mind and to fit her favorite clothes again. She loved being a low 200s girl. She never got lumped in with skinny bitches, but got to feel small at a plus-sized store. “A zero? I'll try that on.” She found herself now hoping the dreaded 1,2, skip, 4 situation would be left in the past. How many 3x girls could there be? The 4x didn't hug her chest like she liked.

But for Sam she could tell he was gonna miss the food a lot. Specifically the amount and the sensual feelings it elicited. Sure, lower blood pressure is great, but was his even high? He wasn't going to get hard from eating a low sodium soup can and a pecan salad. No gorgeous belly rubs needed from that. She almost felt like he was searching for her approval. He had mentioned off handed that he was sure she missed having her trophy husband. She wouldn't deny that having a slim husband was a small confidence boost and a symbolic “shut the hell up” to anyone that saw them together. However, she was not finding herself missing it that much.

They'd gone shopping and got Sam some peices that fit him better. Sam had to come to terms with his medium shirts being on full pause, as well as the fact that he felt constricted in the large. She assured him an XL was a very reasonable large size, no bias toward her former size.

He wore dark jeans that accommodated his thicker waist, and a button down that had a little extra room, but not so long that it looked goofy untucked. She watched him smile as he turned in the mirror, posing, popping his hand cooly in his pocket. “Very cute Sam,” she praised. “We gotta get going, though.”

They took the subway to the swanky area where the 5 course restaurant reservations awaited. Lori strutted down the street in her heels with a form-fitting polyester dress. Sam described her as a delicious red disco ball, as the dress was very shimmery and glittery, and she was quite rounded out.

They were seated quickly, and Sam beamed at his favorite wine being on the menu. Lori acted surprised, but was very specific in choosing the location. The waiter asked what they'd like for an hor d'oeuvre and she scanned the menu playfully. “We'll take the stuffed mushrooms,” she said, pronouncing the first word of the dish dramatically. Sam shot her a funny look, but didn't comment. His wine arrived and, once poured, he was swirling the glass expertly. Lori followed his lead and they clinked glasses.

The mushrooms arrived and were overly stuffed and incredibly juicy. Lori unintentionally took more than her share, but Sam wasn't counting. She loved to bite the filling that overflowed over the cap and tried to ignore how it reminded her of something else, just feet away from her. They had miniature beef wellington bites as an appetizer that Sam gushed over. She let him take most of it, feeling she owed him as well as loving the look on his face when he ate it. Despite neither of them ever caring about a salad, the asian inspired one they received was delicious as well. Lori loved the little orange slices to spark extra flavor in the earthy taste.

“This place is really nice,” Sam assessed. “How can we afford this?” he said quieter, a little worry present.

“I wanted to talk to you about that, actually.” she was interrupted by the return of the waiter, who brought over entrees. Lori chose a rigatoni with braised spare ribs that came in a deep and inviting bowl. Sam got a giant steak that sizzled on the plate upon arrival. His loaded mashed potatoes even looked fancy, the bacon clearly higher quality than bits and the cheese gorgeously melted on top. The longest green beans she'd ever seen tucked on the side.

“So talk to me,” he said, after taking a bite of the super tender steak. He looked at utter peace.

“Well, as you know I've been working a ton both at home and elsewhere. And my boss told me that I was getting a small promotion,” she said coyly.

“Wow that's great Lore!” he said enthused. “New title? Tell me the perks.”

“Head Consultant,” she divulged excitedly. His eyes went wide and eyebrows high, while cheeks churned away at his course. “I know. I guess Andrea got demoted. Won't even be traveling anymore,” she said, scandalously. You typically had to do something pretty bad on a trip for that, the specifics she unfortunately was unaware of.

“The pay?”

“You won't believe it. 20k more a year, with 2 extra weeks vacation. And I'm pretty sure there's a step system where I get raises every year, or every other.”

“Woah. That's incredible. Insane it's so much.”

“More time away I suppose, depending on how business goes. The downside.”

“We are pretty strong with the distance thing though,” Sam complimented them. She nodded, agreeing.

“But Sammy, the best part, is they are giving me 12k as a starting bonus.” He looked shocked.

“That's like a down-payment on a house, especially with what we've saved.”

“I think we are ready for it Babe. The brownstone has been our home forever, and I love it, as much as this pasta, my god,” she said, momentarily distracted. “But we could rent it out and have some extra income. Get something we love. Maybe out of the city.”

“And drive cars?” he asked, incredulously. She smiled and shrugged. “Well shit. I love that idea. Anything you want, Lori.”

“A second stomach to finish this food,” she joked. Sam lifted out his seat to peer into the bowl.

“You can't finish that?” he scoffed. She exemplified how far the bowl kept going and he rescinded his judgment. He did reach his fork over to sample hers and nearly melted. “You better, or I will.”

“You got plenty over there to take care of.” Sam was quickly back at his own large portion. He managed to finish first and was nearly laughing at her for looking at her delicious food with contempt. “Fine, have it. I’m way too full,” she said, passing the bowl to him. She leaned back a little and rubbed her stuffed uncomfortable belly. She thought about how Sam clearly loved the feeling, but all she wanted was to curl up in bed and give her gut gentle rubs. She suspected Sam's stomach was made of steel and concrete, as he near instantly demolished the bowl.

“Amazing,” he said, suppressing a belch soon after. “Where is the check. I'm stuffed,” he said, running his hands shamelessly over his belly. Lori found Sam's newly fat behaviors so funny. He didn't have any reservations about drawing attention to his gut, that typically came with years of scrutiny from others and the media. He really did get fat in their own little bubble, where he only left the bubble to get more food.

“There's still dessert,” Lori said, grimacing. Unsurprisingly, Sam perked up.

“Well,” he said, drawing it out and peeking at the menu. He squinted at a description and scoffed. “Just say “carrot cake”. Then I'd know I absolutely want it. The extra floof is for who?” she laughed at his complaint.

“I don't think I could entertain any dessert,” she confessed. Sam frowned with concern.

“Want to leave?”

“And make you skip your favorite part. No way.” When the waiter came back he ordered a carrot cake for each of them.

“If you were serious about sitting out, I'll take yours.” She was serious, and so was he. Sam demolished both slices, praising it for its cream cheese frosting, big raisin chunks and the presence of nuts. “You never get it all! Love this place.”

Sam huffed the whole way to the subway and sat in the corner seat with a thud. He rested his arm over his wife's shoulder and kissed her cheek. Lori rested her hand on the top of her stomach, still feeling achy. An old woman across from her smiled at her, and Lori smiled back, but looked away.

“Congratulations to you both,” the lady said, as the train stopped and she rose to leave. Lori sent a confused look Sam's way, who looked back awkwardly.

“What was that for?” she muttered to him. Sam hesitated.

“I think she might have thought you were having a baby, Babe.” Lori scoffed, but glanced down at her particularly round belly and her hand upon it. Shit. Sam looked her over and smirked, but didn't say anything.

“Can't wait to be free of the subway,” she grumbled.

They made it home and both found instant refuge in the bedroom. Lori stripped down to her underwear and Sam copied her. She could sense that he was looking to have sex, but she was way too full to consider it. She knew he was ready to go, but couldn't alter the parameters. “I'm not in the mood tonight, Sammy.” The look on his face screamed disappointment, but his words were that of a gentleman.

“That's fine. I could hardly do much myself, if I'm honest.” He drummed on the bed for a moment.

“I'm sure it was an exciting night, though,” she posed. He acted oblivious. “5 courses. Technically, you had 6.” He shifted around.

“So? I know I've been eating too much, Lori. I'm gonna start dieting next week. We talked about that.” She raised her brows at him.

“I guess I just noticed you get extra excited after you go a little overboard at dinner.” He laughed nervously. “Especially when you get a belly rub on your stuffed gut.” She rolled onto her side and offered a hand to his belly. He really did feel packed full under her fingertips.

“Who doesn't love a caring touch from their partner?” He seeped into her.

“Sammy I'm not saying it's bad or anything. It is a little weird to deny what's so obvious. You get so hot after you stuff yourself. Like clockwork.” She said it so blatantly he couldn't hide in any of the vague cracks.

“So you've been doing it on purpose? Offering me extra food and dessert? Attempting to see how horny I get?”

“I mean it was more a discovery in the reverse that brought us to tonight, where I absolutely set you up to eat way too much. But I really just had to make food available, and you'd eat it Sammy.”

“I almost feel like even if I'd known it was intentional, I wouldn't have been able to stop myself.” She smiled at that. He really was helpless to his cravings and desires.

“It would explain all of this,” she said, lightly pinching his gut. “Once so flat, now so fat.” He chuckled at that. Little moans streaming out as she continued to work on his belly. “It really doesn't hurt? You ate a lot.”

“It feels amazing. Certainly a lot of pressure, but it feels really good. You don't?” He looked at her curiously. She shook her head with downcast brows. He seemed surprised. “Huh. I thought everybody felt this great from it.”

“Everyone? Surely not. But who knows. Maybe other people like it like that too,” she offered, shrugging her shoulder.

“But you're okay with me liking it?” Lori felt it was a wild question. How did she have the right to veto his own sexual feelings?

“Sammy, you get to like what you like. It's not hurting anyone. And I can't say I mind getting to be at your side for it. Your belly is a lot of fun to play with.”

“You don't think I'm gross or embarrassing,” he asked, clearly embarrassed to do so. Why was that so endearing?

“Absolutely not. I love you.”

“I love you too, Lori.” She kissed his belly and yawned sleepily. “Hey, I'm gonna jump in the shower, okay?” Lori gave a knowing look but nodded. He walked away, his erection ever evident. She was asleep before his water warmed up, but she had no doubts that he was ferociously masterbating his 6 course high out. She knew she'd feel better by the morning and he'd feel amazing within minutes. She was surprised that he was still set on losing weight and eating healthy. He was clearly so pleased to do the exact opposite.

***

Sam had not been kidding about losing weight, or at least trying to. This made it easier for Lori to actually commit too, resulting in the resurrection of her jeans a size down that she put up 2 trips ago. Sam was doing less well, but finding small successes. They had found a house outside the city and had been a bit more stressed by the process than expected. Sam advocated for take out on the account of being too burned out, to which Lori would agree. She still opted for healthy options, but Sam would slip and binge a bit. It always ended in fantastic sex, so they didn't mind too much.

Lori felt more empowered by packing up their stuff than Sam. He was very sentimental and dragged his feet a little, saying heartfelt, yet temporary, goodbyes to their items before taping the boxes. She half understood, as they had lived there together for 7 years. Many memories were built between the walls. But she couldn't help but be happy to escape the very place that almost broke them. They'd have an office in the new house. A basement. And most importantly his and hers walk in closets.

She knew he was less enthused to leave and refrained from commenting on his increased snacking and return to baking. He was finding happiness where he could. She knew he'd adjust once they moved out. Transitions sucked.

They started going on walks more, but sometimes Sam would not be feeling it. He'd have pulled a muscle on a Monday and sit out for the week. Lori found the solo walks peaceful and got to catch up on her podcasts and audio books. She was really starting to feel healthier, even if she hadn't dropped a tremendous amount of weight. She felt like she was right on the edge of where it all melted away, especially once she got her home gym set up in the house. She couldn't wait.

Sam would talk about his progress here and there, but his highlights truthfully sounded fabricated. He was convinced that the scale had a glitch, and he had seen that he lost 10 lbs, but it didn't repeat the number. She said she believed him. Once he said he got full from a combo from the Chinese food place for the rest of his day, but he was definitely eating cookies throughout the day, clearly forgetting that counted as eating too. She tried not to make it obvious how aware of his fake dieting she was, but he was so blatant.

She had absolutely lost more weight by the time they loaded the truck with their boxes and furniture, opting to hire professionals to do all the work, on Sam's suggestion. She was 30 pounds from her goal of 230, an ideally scrumptious shape for her. Sam had finally actually lost 10 pounds, by the skin of his teeth, but still claimed it was more like 18 because of the pounds the scale stole from him. All she knew was he'd periodically try on a medium shirt and look laughable each time. “Not yet,” he'd say.

Once moved in and unpacked he seemed to relax a bit. He was in love with the kitchen's large open concept and could be found tinkering with a new recipe daily. He'd make healthy meals, but did struggle with his own portion control. Keto pancakes were good for you, but not the whole box. She didn't say so to him, to preserve his pride. Not to mention, he was too adorable when he managed to get stuffed on health food. A paradox she couldn't help but enjoy.

When it Was time for her to leave again for another 2 week stint, she gave Sam a pep talk to inspire him to stay health conscious in her absence. “Listen Sammy, we've been doing really well health wise.”

“We?” he scoffed, good naturedly. “You deserve the praise, not me.”

“Babe, 18 pounds is a lot!”

“And a total farce.” She couldn't help the way her lips twisted at the quip.

“Either way. I'm going to try to not slide while I'm in Vancouver. I know you're going to take off without me. I bring fat vibes, and I know it. The distance will prove it.” He could tell she was being nice and encouraging, and he smiled.

“I'll do my best, Lore. Who knows? How about you get me a medium t-shirt as a souvenir. I'll wear it when you're back.”

“That's a very good idea,” she said, kissing him. “I'm gonna miss you so much.”

“I'll miss you too, but we got all the tech in the world to stay connected. And you will be busting through that door looking at my glistening abs in 2 weeks.” She squinted at him.

“You never had abs before.”

“People change, Lori. It could happen.”

“I suppose you're right. Anything is possible, Sammy.”