Thrive

It’s early September and I’m twelve weeks along, so at this point in my pregnancy, I’m now wearing maternity clothes which I actually don't mind wearing. In fact, I'd rather wear them at work which I know is gonna suck sometime in this job, likely in my third trimester. I was looking in the full length mirror in my bra and underwear before work, checking out the size of my bump. I heard movement come from the bed, but I just continued to focus on my belly.

“Good morning.” the reflection said.

“Good morning.” I said smiling.

He got out of bed and walked toward me.

“What’s going on?” he asked wrapping his arms around me.

“Just taking a look.”

“You look amazing.”

“Thank you.” I said, turning slightly to kiss him.

“My pleasure.”

His hands laid on top of mine and he kissed the top of my head. I sighed and made a face.

“What’s wrong, babe?”

“It’s just one of those days. My hormones are out of whack and I’m getting terrible headaches.

"Wish there was something I could do to make you feel better."

"Me too, but that's not possible thanks to the human that's growing inside me."

I began smiling toward the end of that sentence.

"Our little human."

I turned around and kissed him.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

“Could you do something for me once I get dressed and do my hair?”

“Anything.”

“At 12 weeks, they say to take a picture of your bump to have as a memento. So, could you take one for me?”

“Of course.” he said with a growing smile.

“You’re the best.”

He waited patiently while I finished getting ready. I went over to the mirror for one last look before I walked over to Alex.

“Ready for your close-up?”

I laughed. His humor is truly going to help me get through this pregnancy.

“Yes.”

I walked away from the mirror and held one hand on my hip while I placed the other below my belly with me having a small smile.

“How do I look?”

“Perfect.”

He took a couple quick photos and knew immediately when he got the right picture and smiled.

“Let me see.” I asked, holding my hand out.

I smiled looking at the photos.

“These look wonderful. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m gonna finish getting ready.”

“And I will finish breakfast.”

Five minutes later, I was done and walked out of our bedroom and toward our kitchen.

“Whatcha cooking?” I asked sitting at the counter.

“Food.”

“Be more specific, smartass.”

“I know it’s not healthy, but uh... chocolate pancakes with bacon on the side.”

“Oh my God. That sounds so fucking good right now. Great choice.” I said enthusiastically.

Alex laughed at my enthusiasm.

“Are you amused?”

“Very.”

He made a plate for me along with a glass of orange juice and sat it in front of me.

“Thank you, good sir.”

He made a plate for himself and sat down beside me.

“You’re welcome.”

“This is delicious.”

When I was done, I took my plate and sat it in the sink to be washed. I stood there for a minute as I got one of those headaches that come out of the blue. I heard Alex rush toward me when I began to grip the edge of the sink and I tilted my head forward.

“You are not okay.” he said with a hand on my back.

“Yes. I am.”

“You’re the worst liar I’ve ever met.”

I turned my head and gave him a look.

“Take off work, Abby.”

“I’ve already called off work two times in the past year, used three days for vacation and I'm gonna be missing at least six weeks after the baby comes. No.”

I fully turned around this time.

“It’s not a big deal.”

“I’m not doing that. I worked my entire adult life for this opportunity and I don’t wanna call off. Why don’t you get that?”

He pulled me into his chest and started to rub my temples which caused me to moan.

“I get that, but they will understand. You are pregnant, after all. They know that, right?”

“As of yesterday.”

All of sudden, he stopped and I groaned. I grabbed his hands and placed them back on my temples where he resumed rubbing.

“You don’t stop unless I say so.” I said with my eyes shut.

“What’s the answer gonna be?” he asked laughing.

“Give me my phone. It’s in my right hand pocket.”

Seconds later, I was off the phone and it went well.

“Happy?” I asked.

“Yes. Now, I’d like for you to lie down and relax.”

“You sound like my mom.”

“I sound like your loving husband and father to our unborn child.”

He wasn’t wrong. I walked into the living room and laid down on the couch. Instead of staying irritated, I just let it go and turned on the television. My head continued to pound so much that I had to turn off the television and I groaned; Alex responded by picking me up and carrying me to our bedroom.

"Don't know why you didn't just lie in here to begin with."

I could tell he was frustrated. I shrugged and proceeded to change out of my work clothes before I crawled into bed.

“This is better.” I said getting comfortable.

“I’m getting you water and a Tylenol.”

I mumbled and just laid there. I sat up when he came back and took my acetaminophen before lying back down.

“Anything else I can get you?”

“No. I’m good.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll be back. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Don’t go. I’m not much into cuddling anymore whether I’m taking a nap or when I go to bed for the night, but I love knowing he’s there beside me. I smiled when he crawled into bed. I reached out and touched his hand, hoping he’d take it; he did.

“Sorry for being a bitch.”

“It’s okay. You did tell me you were gonna be a hormonal bitch after all.”

“Still.” I said making a face.

He turned on his side and kissed me, pressing his forehead against mine. I closed my eyes and kissed him back as I felt him run a hand through my hair.

Fuck. This really is going to get tougher. Isn’t it?

Notes