Thrive - Side 2

It’s early September and Abby is twelve weeks along, so at this point in her pregnancy is wearing maternity clothes. This morning, I noticed her in the full length mirror in her bra and underwear, checking out the size of her bump.

“Good morning.” I said.

“Good morning.” she said, smiling.

I got out of bed and walked toward her.

“What’s going on?” I asked, wrapping my arms around her.

“Just taking a look.”

“You look amazing.”

“Thank you.” she said, turning slightly to kiss me.

“My pleasure.”

I laid my hands on top of her and kissed the top of her head. She 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 a terrible headache.”

"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."

She started smiling toward the end of that sentence.

"Our little human."

She turned around and kissed me.

"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.” I said with a growing smile.

“You’re the best.”

I waited patiently while she finished getting ready. She went over to the mirror for one last look before she walked over to me.

“Ready for your close-up?”

She laughed. I will do anything to make her smile or laugh for that matter.

“Yes.”

She walked away from the mirror and held one hand on her hip while she placed the other below her belly with her having a small smile.

“How do I look?”

“Perfect.”

Beautiful, too.

I took a couple of photos and knew immediately when I got the right picture and smiled.

“Let me see.” she asked, holding her hand out.

She 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, she was done and walked out of our bedroom and toward our kitchen.

“Whatcha cooking?” she asked, sitting on 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.” she said enthusiastically.

I laughed at her enthusiasm.

“Are you amused?”

“Very.”

I made a plate for her along with a glass of orange juice and set it in front of her.

“Thank you, good sir.”

I made a plate for myself and sat down beside her.

“You’re welcome.”

“This is delicious.”

When she was done, she took her plate and set it in the sink to be washed. She stood for a minute then I noticed her grip the edge of the sink and throw her head forward; I ran over immediately.

“You are not okay.” I said with a hand on her 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.”

She smiled when I crawled into bed. She reached out and touched my hand, hoping I’d take it; I did, of course, why wouldn’t I?

“Sorry for being a bitch.”

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

“Still.” she said, making a face.

I turned on my side and kissed her, pressing my forehead against hers. She closed her eyes and kissed me back as I ran a hand through her hair. This morning just showed me how tough this is and how much tougher it’s going to get and I am more than ready for what’s to come.

Notes