Max put his red Sunbeam convertible in park and killed the ignition. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and yawned. It was almost two in the morning and his wife woke him up with pregnancy cravings that

absolutely needed to be satisfied. Though Max was exhausted he, without question, got out of bed, made a list and headed to the store. There isn't much he wouldn't do for that woman who was waiting for him at home. Smiling to himself he reached over to the passenger seat and grabbed the scrap paper he wrote 99's list on.

Dill pickles

Strawberry ice cream

Peanut butter

Banana

Max wasn't sure which combinations of the foods 99 would eat but he also figure out that by now, it was best to not ask. Max got out of his car and headed into the 24 hour convenience store. He looked at his watch and it read 2:04. He made these late night runs for 99 into a game. His personal best was 5 items in 3 minutes. He was aiming for these 4 in two. Max quickly went down the aisles and grabbed 99's request before stopping at the wall freezers and grabbing a half gallon of strawberry ice cream. Max made it to the cashier with 30 seconds to spare.

The cashier was an elderly man. He looked up at Max and smiled. "Hows your night?" He asked as he started ringing Max's items in.

"Fine." Max replied, not really wanting to spark up a conversation.

"What brings you out so late?"

"My wife." Max said as he felt a smile spread across his face. His heart still skipped a beat when he called 99 his wife. He figured it always would. "She's pregnant and had some cravings." Max continued. He wasn't sure why, this man was a stranger, but for some reason he now felt compelled to have a conversation with him.

"Ah, I remember those days. I thought they would never end. And then the baby came and the nights were even longer." The old man said, slowly bagging Max's groceries.

"There have been a few long nights." Max admitted as he thought back on 99's pregnancy. The beginning of it was cake. But in the middle she got hit with terrible morning sickness that hit all hours of the day. And her cravings were multiple times a week and never for items he had already ran out and got. And they always seemed to hit her strongest in the middle of the night. But Max didn't mind. She was pregnant with his baby after all. Running and getting some few things for her was the least he could do. "But I don't mind. She's doing the hard work." He said smiling.

"I know it's hard to believe but someday you'll look back on these midnight runs fondly. I lost my wife 5 years ago and I still think back and long for nights like you're having."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Max said and he placed a $10 on the counter. "How long were you married?"

"Forty-five years with my best friend. I'm a lucky man regardless." The old man handed Max his change. "Drive carefully. And remember. The nights are long but the years are oh so short."

Max grabbed his bag and nodded at the old man before leaving the store. Once in his car he started it up and looked at his watch. 2:16. He definitely didn't beat his best this time. Max pulled away from the store and headed home.

Once home he took the steps up to the second floor two at a time. He entered the apartment and 99 was on the couch reading a magazine. She looked up and smiled.

"That was fast!"

"I try. I'd ask what you want but I think I'd rather not know." He said, heading towards the kitchen. 99 followed him. "I'm going to put the ice cream in the freezer for you, ok?"

"Thank you, Love." 99 said as she took the pickles and peanut butter out of the bag. She placed them on the counter and then removed the banana. 99 turned and faced Max. "Thank you for making another run for me. Too bad we didn't buy stock in 24 hour convenience stores." She joked.

Max kissed her gently "you don't have to thank me. You're my wife and you needed something. It's my job to go get it."

"Yes, but three times a week?" 99 asked laughing.

"Well, maybe you are pushing it a little." Max kissed her once more. "Do you care if I go back to bed? I'd stay up with you but I have to be in early tomorrow."

"Go on to bed, Love. It's been a long night."

Max shrugged. "The nights are long but the years are short."