by E. L. Todd
“Is everything okay?” Slade was on him immediately. “Is the baby healthy? Is Skye okay? Can I help? What do the results say?”
The doctor had the grace to smile. “Why don’t you take a seat?”
Slade was humiliating me right now. “Just chill out.” I pointed at a chair. “Sit.”
The doctor chuckled. “First time fathers are always a bit antsy.”
I cringed. “Ew. No, he’s not the father.”
“I’m the uncle,” Slade said. “Her husband is out of the country right now so I’m in charge.”
“A military man?” the doctor asked.
“No, he works for the CDC,” I explained. “He’s doing some humanitarian work.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful.” The doctor flipped through the results. “Well, I only have good news. The baby looks great, and the development is going according to plan. You’re almost to your third trimester. Only a week or so. That’s very good.”
Slade released a loud sigh. “Thank god.”
“Ignore him,” I whispered. “He can be a little dramatic.”
The doctor smiled at me. “Keep taking your pre-natal vitamins.”
“Should she go on maternity leave?” Slade asked. “Because she can.”
“Shut up,” I hissed at him. “You only go on maternity leave in the last trimester.”
“So?” Slade asked. “You own the company so you can go on maternity leave whenever you want.”
“Stop talking,” I snapped.
The doctor chuckled. “Maternity leave is unnecessary. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and make sure you drink plenty of water.”
“Got it.” Slade grabbed a notepad and pen and wrote it down.
Seriously, I wanted to slap him upside the head.
“Would you like to know the sex of the baby?” the doctor asked with a straight face.
Slade flinched. “You know?”
The doctor nodded. “Yes, I saw it on the sonogram. But I won’t tell you if you don’t want to know.”
“It’s a boy, isn’t it?” Slade pressed.
The doctor kept his mouth shut. “Mrs. Thompson, would you like to know?”
It was tempting. Really tempting. I didn’t care what we had as long as it was healthy. But it wouldn’t be right if I knew and Cayson didn’t. “My husband comes home next week…I should wait.”
He nodded. “That’s fine. I’m here whenever you want to know.” He shook my hand before he headed to the door. “Have a good afternoon.”
“Thank you.”
Slade waved. “See ya, doc.”
Cayson was finally coming home next week and I couldn’t wait until his plane landed on American soil. I was so excited to be in his arms again. I couldn’t wait until I shared a bed with him. It just wasn’t the same without him. We were about to begin our lives together and it would be so beautiful.
I was three months pregnant and now I couldn’t hide my bulge. It showed in all my clothes and had a distinct roundness to it. I was more emotional than I used to be, and my eyes watered at the thought of Cayson coming home.
“What’s wrong?” Slade came to me like a flash of lightning. “What is it? Are you in pain? Do you need the doctor?”
“No…” I grabbed a tissue from the table and wiped my eyes. “I’m just so happy my husband is coming home. I’ve been so lost without him.”
Slade relaxed then turned gentle. “I’m excited he’s coming home too. And he’ll be so happy at the news.” He rested his hand on my stomach. “Even if he doesn’t know what the sex is yet.”
“I just hope he isn’t angry that I didn’t tell him beforehand…”
“He won’t.” Slade had a look of certainty in his eyes.
“He won’t?”
Slade shook his head. “Believe me, when he sees you the moment he gets off that plane he’s going to be overjoyed. And having a bun in the oven is going to send him to the moon. I promise he won’t be mad at you.”
Slade knew him better than anyone, so I knew I could trust his opinion. “Why can’t this week just pass already?”
“It’ll be here before you know it.” He patted my stomach. “And so will he.”
***
I still wasn’t used to my little bump. I had to make sure I didn’t bump into anything, and since I lacked so much grace it was a real problem. Counters and tables were a real enemy.
When I walked into my parents' house, they didn’t even look at me. Their eyes immediately went to my slightly distended stomach. Apparently, I was old news. All they cared about now was their future grandchild.
“How are they today?” Mom put her hand on my stomach like she might feel something.
“The same as always…pretty uneventful.” I was stuck with this swollen belly all the time so the novelty had worn off.
“Keeping him comfortable?” Dad came next and put his arm around my shoulders.
“All I’ve been doing is sitting around and eating ice cream,” I said. “So, that’s a definite yes.”
Dad chuckled then pulled out the chair to the kitchen table so I could sit down. He held my arm as he guided me into the chair. “Easy…”
“I’m not handicapped.” I adjusted myself in my chair. “I can move around just fine.”
Mom set the table then served dinner. “Hope you’re hungry.”
“You know me, Mom.” I could eat a buffet within a minute’s notice.
Dad sat at his usual spot, and new life seemed to be in his eyes. He looked strong just like he used to. He didn’t cringe in pain when he moved, and he didn’t seem tired anymore.
“You look like you’re doing a lot better,” I noted.
Dad nodded. “I am. Much better.”
“Does that mean you’ll be coming back to work?” I wouldn’t admit it, but I was hopeful he would come back. It just wasn’t the same without him.
Dad turned to Mom. “That depends on the boss of the house…”
Mom sat down then put her napkin in her lap. “Yes, your father will be coming back very soon.”
That was relief. “Good. I’m glad to hear it. It’s not the same without you teasing me all day.”
Dad smiled. “I always knew you liked that.” He served Mom’s plate then mine. He made his last.
“You can’t tease me anymore.” I patted my stomach. “Not when I’m pregnant. It’s like an unspoken rule.”
Dad took a bite and shook his head at the same time. “No, it’s my job and I take it very seriously.”
I rolled my eyes and kept eating.
Mom adopted a tense look on her face. “So…how was the doctor?”
Dad watched me with careful eyes.
Why were they being so weird right now? “Good.”
“So, everything is fine?” Dad asked. “Baby Thompson is strong and healthy?”
“Of course,” I said. “I’m almost at my second trimester.”
Mom released a deep sigh of relief.
Dad automatically put his hand on hers and gave her an encouraging smile.
What was that about? “Did you think there would be problems?”
“No, of course not,” Dad said. “But you know us…paranoid about everything.”
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “Am I missing something?”
Mom exchanged a look with Dad.
Yep, they were hiding something.
“You want me to tell her?” Dad whispered.
Mom nodded. Judging the way her lips were pressed together, she didn’t want to say the truth out loud. Whatever she was hiding was probably painful.
Dad cleared his throat. “Before we had you…your mother had a miscarriage.”
“Oh…” My heart fell into my stomach. I suddenly felt sick, like there was too much acid in my tummy. It happened before I was even born but it still hit me right where it hurt. “I’m sorry…”
Mom had a distant look in her eyes. “We debated telling you. We thought if we told you, it might help you be more conscious a
bout everything, like your health, sleep and nutrition. But we also thought if we told you it would just stress you out and make you dig your own grave. I think we made the right decision.”
My hand automatically went to my belly. “The doctor said everything was fine. I’ll be in the clear in a week.”
“And I’m sure everything will be fine at this point,” Dad said. “Miscarriages tend to happen early in pregnancy.”
Now I felt better. “I’m sorry you guys had to go through that…”
“It was hard,” Mom said honestly. “I really didn’t want you to go through what we did. We’re so excited for Baby Thompson. He’s all we ever think about.”
“He’s all I ever think about too…and Cayson.”
Dad picked up his fork and returned to eating. “He’ll be home soon. You must be excited.”
I released a loud groan. “That’s an understatement. I’m looking forward to it so much that it scares me. If his plane gets delayed and I have to wait another day, I’m getting on a plane and coming to him. I can’t wait any longer.”
Mom chuckled. “I’d feel the same way.”
“At least he’ll be back and he’ll never leave again.” Dad sipped. “If he tries, send him over to me and I’ll set him straight.”
“Ha,” I said sarcastically. “I’d like to see him try. And with our baby on the way, there’s no way he would be more than fifty miles away from me at any given point in time.”
“Sounds like your father…” Mom shot him a look.
He smiled like he was amused. “It’s a guy thing, honey.”
“Have you decided how you’re going to tell him?” Mom asked.
I shrugged. “I haven’t given it any thought at all. As soon as he sees me…I’m sure he’ll figure it out.”
“Probably,” Dad said. “Your baby bump is really coming in.”
“And it’s so cute,” Mom said with a touched look on her face.
“I guess I’ll just…tell him?” All I really wanted at this point was to see him and touch him. I missed him like crazy, and I needed to know he was real. The baby would be an added bonus.
“I think you should do something,” Mom said. “Think about it before he gets here.”
“I guess I can try.” I shrugged.
“Ask Slade what he thinks,” Dad said. “He’s good at this sort of thing.”
“He is?” I asked.
“Do you remember his proposal to Trinity?” Mom asked. “It was pretty amazing.”
I smiled at the memory. “It really was.”
“Whatever you decide, Cayson is going to be happy,” Dad said. “He’ll be happy to be home. He’ll be happy that his family is starting. And he’ll be happy to see all his friends and family. You don’t have to worry about sabotaging it.”
I sighed and looked down. “It feels like time has slowed down as his arrival gets closer…it’s torture.”
“Just be patient,” Mom said. “Think about how long you’ve been waiting. This is a blink of an eye in comparison.”
“It is,” I agreed.
Mom clapped excitedly. “And then we can start preparing for the baby. We can get all the clothes and toys…” She rambled on about all the things she wanted to do for the baby.
Dad smiled at me from across the table. It was obvious what he was saying with just a look. “Let her have her moment.”
I smiled back and didn’t say anything.
***
Ward whistled from behind me. “Who’s that MILF over there?”
I rolled my eyes then turned around. “We both know I’m fat. Let’s not sugarcoat that.”
He put his hands in his pockets as he stopped in front of my office. “Bloody hell, Clementine went through the same thing. She kept calling herself a cow. Of course, she looked nothing like that.”
“I’m already starting to waddle.”
“Waddling is cute.”
“Shut up, Ward.”
He pulled his hands out of his pockets and started talking with them. “Trust me on this, Skye. Cayson is never going to want to leave the bedroom once he sees that baby bump.”
“I know he’ll be happy but I doubt it’ll be arousing.”
He laughed like he knew something and I didn’t. “Just wait and see.”
I entered my office with my folder tucked under my arm.
Ward followed me and sat in the chair facing my desk. “You doing okay? You need anything?”
“I’d love a coffee…but I can’t have that.”
“How about…” He rubbed his chin. “Jamba Juice?”
I shook my head. “No, thank you.”
“Chocolate?”
That was a little tempting but I managed to shake my head. “Thank you, Ward. But I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” he asked. “Anything you need, I’m here.”
“I know.” I gave him a smile. “And I appreciate that.” Every member of my family at work was waiting on me hand-and-foot. They were way nicer to me than they would normally be. They were practically following me around and it was getting annoying.
“Clementine had a weird craving for pickles when she was pregnant. Now she can’t stand them.”
“I haven’t had any weird cravings yet.”
“Probably because you already eat everything.” There was a teasing look in his eyes.
I threw a paper clip at him.
“Ouch,” he said sarcastically.
“I should get back to work.” That was my polite way of excusing him.
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can get you?” he asked. “How about a pizza?”
“I’m fine,” I blurted. “Really. You guys are all trying to make me fat.”
“You’re supposed to be fat,” Ward said. “You’re pregnant.”
I grabbed a handful of paperclips and prepared to throw them at him.
“Okay, okay.” He was out of his seat in a heartbeat. “I’ll leave you alone.”
“Thank you.”
I dropped the pile.
He walked out but returned a moment later. “Are you sure you don’t want any water?” He had a mischievous look on his face like he was asking just to piss me off.
I grabbed the paper clips again and chucked them at the door.
Ward managed to shut it before they collided with the wood. And his laughter echoed through the door.
***
Conrad knocked then entered my office. “Hey, tubby.”
I shot him a glare.
“You hungry or anything?”
How was I supposed to get any work done around here when people were asking if I needed anything? Most people would love the attention, but it just annoyed me. “I’m fine. But thanks.”
“Are you sure?” he asked. “I can go get you a sandwich from that deli you like.”
I gritted my teeth. “When I’m hungry, I’ll run out and get it myself.”
“I can just go for you,” he said immediately. “I don’t mind. Just tell me what you want and I’ll run over there.”
“I can get it myself, Conrad. Now excuse me, I have work to do.”
“Well, text me if you change your mind.”
“Sure.” Just go.
He finally shut the door and left.
I sighed then turned back to my computer. People acted like I was helpless around here. Did Clementine go through the same thing? Just when I got settled and back to work, Mike walked inside.
“Have you been drinking enough water?” He set an enormous bottle of Evian on my desk. “And here’s some cheese and crackers. Or would you rather have something else? I can get it for you. Whatever you need, I can get it.”
I couldn’t be as catty with my uncle as I could with the others. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
Yes, I’m sure. “This is plenty. Thank you.”
“You want Chinese?”
What? “Chinese?”
“Yeah, you like that, right? I’ll have my s
ecretary run out and get it for you.”
“I don’t need anything,” I said immediately. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Kung Pao chicken, right?”
Was I not talking loud enough? “Uncle Mike, I don’t need anything. Just let me get back to work.”
“Okay.” He finally got the hint. “But call me if you need anything.”
“Okay.” My head was about to explode.
Mike finally walked out and shut the door.
This time I got out of my chair and locked it. If someone came to my office, I would just pretend I wasn’t there. How else would I get anything done around here?
***
Around lunchtime there was a knock on my door.
I stilled and didn’t make a sound. I even held my breath just so I would be left in peace. Conrad probably returned with a sandwich or another book on parenting. Or it was Mike with another bottle of Evian. I was only three months pregnant. People were acting like I was about to blow at any moment.
When I didn’t hear another sound, I assumed the visitor had walked away.
But then the doorknob jiggled. They tried to turn it but it wouldn’t move because it was locked.
Who the hell wanted to get in my office so bad?
Then I heard odd sounds from the outside, like a small blowtorch was burning something. The lock suddenly came loose and the door swung open. Slade walked inside with a plastic bag full of food. “I didn’t know you were in here.”
I was too shocked to respond to what he said. “How the hell did you get in here?”
He held up his lighter. “Why the hell is the door locked?”
“So people will leave me the hell alone.”
He set the food down. “Someone’s bothering you?” He went into protective mode. “Who is it? Give me names and I’ll kill them.” He had a serious look on his face like he wasn’t messing around. “I’ll gut them like a fish. Who’s bothering you?”
I covered my face with my palms and sighed. “No one.”
“Tell me.”
I rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see my face. “I’m fine. No one is bothering me. I was exaggerating.”
Slade accepted the story. “I got you some tacos and fruit.” He opened the bag and set the food down. Then he spotted my Evian bottle. “I got you some water but I guess you already have some.”
I clenched my jaw but didn’t say anything.
“Do you need anything else?”