Thrive

Christmas has passed and from there, the new year quickly rolled in. In just a couple weeks, Alex will be back and all will be good in the world...well, almost. I'll likely be achy, having frequent trips to the bathroom and having Braxton-Hicks contractions, but, hey, he'll be there; that should ease it up. The baby shower is set for two days after he gets back and I could not be more excited for that.

"How you feeling?" Alex asked that afternoon.

"Okay, I guess. I'm having headaches and I'm not myself aka I'm a bit of a klutz and forgetful. Not to mention, I'm almost constantly in a cami and shorts. Could be worse."

"Still sucks though."

"Yeah. How are things going on your end?”

“Great, but I’m anxious. You’re at a point where you really could go into preterm labor and I’m not there for it.”

“It’ll be okay. I’ve been spending a lot of time with Miranda and the baby, so if I do, I’ll be able to get to the hospital quickly.”

“If this happens before I get home, Scarlett better wait for her daddy to get there.”

I laughed.

“I’ll tell her to do that if I absolutely need to.”

“Thank you.” he said laughing.

I smiled.

“How about our little one?”

“Very active as usual and she still listens to music everyday. We might have a musician on our hands one day.”

“I have no complaints about that. She listening to anything new?”

“Nope.”

“What’s she listening to today?”

“Paramore. One of Mommy’s favorite bands.”

He smiled.

“That’s a fantastic choice.”

“I thought so.” I said rubbing my belly.

She kicked.

“Baby girl kicked again.”

“I love you, Scarlett.”

These last two weeks are gonna kill me. Aren’t they? We spoke for roughly ten more minutes before I let him go. I wondered what the hell I was going to do all day. When I was about to lie down for a nap, my phone rang; it was my mom.

“Hi Mom.”

“Hi honey. How are you?”

“Okay. I have a headache, but that’s all. How are you?”

“Good. Really good. I’ve got big news.”

I furrowed my eyebrows.

“What is it?”

“Tyler and I are moving to California.”

“What? When?”

“Sometime in the next few weeks, before Scarlett is born.”

I was crying tears of joy.

“Oh my God, Mom! That’s amazing!”

“After all that time where we didn’t talk and now we are, I can’t imagine having a granddaughter and living on the other side of the country.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too, Abby.”

“What about the wedding? I know you and Tyler got married at the courthouse...”

“We set it for May and in California.”

“Are you sure? I know you guys wanted a winter wedding.”

I had already known they were changing the date and got hitched at the courthouse, but it didn’t mean that I didn’t like the fact they scrapped their winter wedding because of me.

“We can’t wait to have that dream wedding, so May was my second choice and I’ll be there in one of the most beautiful places on Earth and with my family.”

“I can’t argue with that. This is so exciting.”

“And I won’t have to be flown in for Scarlett’s birth.”

“Oh, I can’t wait to tell Alex. He’s gonna be over the moon.”

“Speaking of my son-in-law, how is he?”

“Anxious, but good.”

“Why?”

“He’s worries that I’ll go into preterm labor and he won’t be here in time for her to be born. I jokingly told him I would tell her to wait.”

She laughed.

“From the time I was having contractions to when I was in labor with you, it was less than six hours when you were born.”

“Well, I really hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“I feel confident that she’s gonna take her time.”

“Me too.”

We talked for only a few more minutes because I was on the verge of falling asleep. I slept for a couple hours when I heard a knock at the door; I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I couldn’t help but be worried. I waddled down the steps to answer but was winded once I got to the door; this better be someone I know. I opened the door and saw that it was just Kendra.

“Surprise!” she said coming in for a hug.

Hug received.

“Hey hun. What brings you here?”

“I decided to call off work and come see you.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“Abby, you’re stuck at home almost every day. I wanted to hang out with one of my favorite people.”

“I appreciate it. I really do. You came at a good time too. I just woke up from a two hour nap.”

She nodded.

“I can come in, then?”

“Of course. Can I get you a drink?”

“I’ll get something...”

“Kendra. Let me get you a drink.”

“Do you have iced tea?”

I nodded and began walking toward the kitchen. She sat down at the island clearly admiring her surroundings.

“This house is beautiful, Abby. I don’t know if I’ve ever told you that.”

She’s been here a couple other times and she has said that.

“Thank you, hun. I fell in love with this house as soon as we walked in. The kitchen and the backyard are what sold it for me.”

“And that dream you had about Scarlett and you being pregnant with your second child.”

I smiled and poured her a glass before I got myself a glass of water.

“Are you hungry?”

She shook her head.

“I gotta eat something. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.”

I grabbed something really quick and headed to the living room.

“Would you like to watch something?”

“Let’s put on Netflix. Binge watch Charmed, maybe?”

“I like the way you think.”

She laughed.

“I’ll put it on.”

Kendra found the remote and turned on the television, quickly finding Netflix. She was there until nine which is close to my bedtime and I proceeded to head back upstairs. After I changed into my pajamas and brushed my teeth, Alex called me.

“Hey.”

“Hey baby.”

“How was your day?”

“It was amazing. Absolutely amazing.”

“What happened?”

I was so excited to tell him.

“My mom and Tyler are moving to California.”

“When?”

“Before Scarlett’s born.”

I could feel the waterworks starting.

“That is so wonderful.”

“She can’t be away from me and our daughter any longer.”

“Anything else?”

“They’re moving their wedding to May, so I’m gonna have to shed this weight quickly.”

“You can do it.”

“I know. Oh, and your Kendra surprised me with a visit today, so I’m exhausted.”

“I’m glad you had such a great day, babe.”

“Did you?”

“Not nearly as great as yours, but it was pretty decent.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Notes