by Emily Camp
“Miley.” Declan said as she sped down the hall. “I didn’t mean.”
“Looks like it’s time for me to go now. Nice chatting with you, bro.” Garrett tossed Bailey’s snack back into her bag.
Delcan looked at Garrett, his cheeks puffed out.
“What?” Garrett chuckled.
“She’s insane.”
“Get used to it. Hormones.” He nodded. “Bails, let’s go see if mommy’s done studying yet.” He stood, hiking Bailey on his hip and the diaper bag on the other shoulder.
Declan hurried down the hall. He didn’t to say goodbye to his brother and niece, he had to make things right with his wife.
He could no longer hear the whines after his front door clicked shut, but he was sure Bailey was still at it, though he couldn’t blame her, he didn’t like food being taken from him either.
“Miley,” he rapped his fist against the hollow wood. “C’mon, Mi,” he said when she didn’t respond or answer. “I’m sorry, I haven’t said anything to you … but right now you’re proving my point.” He pressed his cheek against the door. It was cool on his skin. He listened, but heard nothing.
“Pleaseee.” He begged with a little tease to his voice. If he couldn’t win her by begging, he could always get her with humor.
Still nothing, that was when he burst into song. He couldn’t sing, he was always loud and off key, but it made Miley laugh and if he couldn’t reason with her, laughing was the next best thing. “You are so beautiful …” and that was when the giggles began.
The knob clicked in his palm and the door swung open. Miley grabbed a fist of his tee shirt and tugged him in the room so fast she almost gave him whip lash.
Her mouth crashed onto his.
He took that as she’d forgiven him.
Returning the kiss, he kicked the door shut and led her to the bed.
And it was over as fast as it began. She sat up in tears, pushing him off her. Her hands covered her face and she flew to the bathroom.
Declan pulled his shirt back on, the only thing they’d had time to remove.
She didn’t bother closing the door. As the retching began, he had to hold his down as well.
He cupped his hand over his mouth, standing just outside the door frame. He didn’t dare look in.
“Are you okay?” his voice came out forced.
“No,” she whined.
He wanted to fix it, to make her feel better, but his gag reflexes didn’t agree.
“You … need anything.”
“Yeah.” Came out in a heavy breath before she heaved again.
Declan convulsed, “I’ll be … back.”
As soon as he stepped into the hall, he let out the breath he was holding. He grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and made his way back to the bedroom, bracing himself before shuffling in.
He was relieved to find she was no longer in the bathroom, but curled up in the bed when he opened the door.
“I got you water,” he whispered, not sure how this morning sickness thing worked. If he talked too loud would she puke again?
“Thanks.” Her voice was raspy he slid in beside her, she turned. He handed her the drink, a smile stretched over her mouth. Declan didn’t know how anybody could smile after puking.
She leaned up, stretching her neck toward him and her pink lips puckered out.
Declan tilted his head back away from her.
Her mouth and eyebrows shot down.
“You just barfed.”
Her eyes narrowed, “I brushed my teeth. You think I’m that disgusting that I’d kiss you after I puked?”
She sat up away from, creating as much space between them as possible on the bed. She twisted the cap off the water.
“Mi,” Declan slid across the bed. He placed his hand on her side. “Baby,” he ran his hand up further and pressed his lips to the back of her neck. “It’s okay. I know you have crazy hormones …”
Just like that Miley rose off the bed. The water bottle fell to the floor. Her hands flew to her hips and she snarled down at him, looking like one of those villains in cartoons when they rise to power during the climax of the movie. All she needed was a strong breeze for her hair to fly up in the air.
“You did not just blame my hormones for what? What did I do?” Her hands flapped through the air.
He didn’t know whether he should look her in the eyes or not.
“You’re the one who says you can’t talk to me. How’s that supposed to make me feel.” She smacked her hand flat on her chest. “I’m trying here and you … you just … ugh …” with that she stormed away. This time slamming the bathroom door so hard the framed picture of them from his eighteenth birthday soared to the floor. It bounced off the carpet, but didn’t shatter.
Declan just stared. He wasn’t even sure he could blink. Opening his mouth again, wouldn’t work.
After waiting for the door to open back up, but also praying that it wouldn’t at the same time, he stood as quietly as possible and tiptoed out of the room. The best thing for him to do was to let her cool off and come to him.