Pretty and Pregnant Again

by Johns,Madison

  “Yes. We had planned on speaking to Kimberly about her career aspirations.”

  “I don’t believe she has any, at least none that she’s mentioned. I think taking care of the baby is more than work enough.”

  “And that attitude will land you in divorce court for sure,” Hal exclaimed. “Of course when I was a newly married man, Bethany was happy to be a housewife and mother when Kimberly came along.”

  “But things have changed since then,” Clive pointed out. “And what woman wouldn’t want to be a spokesmodel for a perfume line?”

  Jeremy took a sip of his soda, which the bartender had set down. “I suppose you’re right, Clive, but taking care of a baby is more work than you realize.”

  “Corrine understands that, but it might be better if we speak to Kimberly about our plans. Then you’ll have the opportunity to speak with your wife about it.”

  “You’re right. If I don’t handle this right, it might blow up in my face. I’m not the type of man to dictate to my wife, but I have concerns that will have to be voiced.”

  “And on that note, can I buy you a drink, Clive?” Hal asked.

  “Now you’re talking. Too much talk of business gives me a headache.” Clive winked.

  The bartender brought Clive his beer, leaving Jeremy to wonder why he was so worried about Kimberly being a spokesmodel. Or could it be that he was simply worried about Kimberly working closely with Clive?

  Chapter 2

  Kimberly jumped when there was a knock at the door. It didn’t startle her all that much, but the baby had finally gone back to sleep and she didn’t want it to wake her!

  “Who could that be?” her mom asked.

  Kimberly shrugged and answered the door. Corrine stood there, her spiked hair not moving a bit, even with the wind blowing. She held a clipboard and there was a large truck parked outside with the wording, Two Men and a Truck.

  “What’s going on here, Corrine?” Kimberly asked.

  “Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to help with your move.”

  Corrine marched inside and two thirty-something men followed with clipboards.

  “We can’t move anything yet, we’re not even packed,” Kimberly explained.

  “They’ll be bringing in boxes and supplies to pack your things. Eric and Ted here will be doing the packing for you, though. I’ve explained your situation and I’m paying for their services, so you don’t need to worry about that.”

  Kimberly frowned. “I’m not sure that Jeremy will—”

  “Jeremy told me you were in the process of moving when I called him. I’m the one who decided to help you out. Why, you just gave birth not all that long ago.”

  Kimberly bit her lip. She wasn’t sure that Jeremy would go along with this, but what other choice did she have since he was working. “I see. Well, you could start the packing upstairs. That way the men won’t disturb the baby from her nap.” She cocked a brow. “Unless they plan to rock her back to sleep.”

  “We’ll be sure to keep it quiet,” Eric whispered.

  Corrine greeted Bethany, “Hello there. I’m Corrine, remember?”

  Bethany massaged her neck in thought. “The woman who runs the ads for that perfume line? The one Kimberly used to be a spokesmodel for, before she had a baby to take care of, I mean.”

  “I’ll be speaking to Kimberly about that at a later date, but for now I’m all about organizing the move.”

  “Kimberly has more important priorities now.”

  “Mother, please,” Kimberly said. “Let’s go into the kitchen. I’ve started packing in there.”

  Kimberly led the way into the kitchen, turning when her mother came into the room. “How about you watch over the baby while Corrine helps me in here?”

  “Fine,” Bethany said with a suspicious glance, leaving in a huff.

  Corrine grabbed a box and waltzed over to the china cabinet. “What a lovely pattern,” she said, as she admired the Victorian design.

  “It was a gift from Jeremy’s parents.”

  “I’ve always thought they were lovely people, but I had no idea what great taste they had.”

  Kimberly picked up a plate, wrapping it in bubble wrap, resisting the temptation to pop a few bubbles. “They’ve been very kind to me. Not many parents would be happy if their son brought home a pregnant woman who wasn’t even carrying their son’s child. But then again, Jeremy’s adopted, so that might make a difference.”

  Corrine placed a wrapped plate in the box. “I can’t understand why you’d feel that way. Why, this gift of china alone shows how much they consider him as their son.”

  Kimberly sighed. “I suppose you’re right. I just feel—” She sighed again.

  Corrine stopped what she was doing. “What’s really the matter?”

  “I don’t know. I mean, Jeremy is great about being a father to Abigail, but I can’t help but wonder if he really feels that way.”

  “Has he told you anything that would make you think that?”

  “To the contrary, he’s told me not to keep reminding him that Abigail isn’t his.”

  “I can’t say I blame him. I’m sure it bothers him that you haven’t accepted the fact that the real father isn’t in the picture.”

  “He’s dead—or did you forget?”

  “Still, I can’t help but wonder if you might see a little of him in Abigail.”

  Kimberly eased down in a chair. “I do. She looks exactly like him. In some small way, I wonder what would have happened had David not died. How would he reacted to the news and would he have stuck with me like Jeremy has?”

  “Personally, I’d think you’d have lost out on your soul mate. It’s not hard to miss the way you and that husband of yours look at one another. Or did you love this David more that you do Jeremy?”

  Kimberly’s hands slipped to her hips. “Now, I never said that exactly.”

  “Good, because you’re the cutest couple I know. I imagine it’s natural to wonder, but don’t let it interfere in your marriage. It will take the wits of the both of you to raise Abigail.”

  “You sure hit that nail on the head.”

  “Does Jeremy help you out with those midnight feedings?”

  “We take turns actually.” She laughed.

  “Were you able to slip off for a weekend yet?”

  Kimberly blushed. “Yes, and it was wonderful, but in truth I worried about the baby all weekend.”

  “That’s how all new parents feel, but at least you’re sharing a bed with your husband now.”

  “Not exactly. I mean, the baby’s crib is in the downstairs bedroom so I sleep there most nights.”

  Corrine clucked her tongue. “Now that won’t do. You need to snuggle up to that husband of yours. You can’t afford to lose that spark so soon.”

  Kimberly knew Corrine had made a valid point, but she wasn’t sure how to change things. “It will be better when we’re at the new house, it’s a ranch with no second floor.”

  Corrine smiled and she continued to help Kimberly with the packing.

  * * *

  Jeremy stood up and stretched. “I think it’s time I head home.”

  “Sit back down, Jeremy. If my daughter needs you for anything, she’ll call. Of that I’m certain.”

  Jeremy sat back down with reservations. “Fine, but I’m putting the blame all on you, Hal, if she yells at me.”

  Clive nudged Jeremy. “Let me know how that works out for you, my friend.” Clive’s phone rang and he took the call, nodding as he headed for the exit. “See you later, Jeremy,” Clive called before he walked out the door.

  “Here, have a peanut,” Hal said to Jeremy.

  Jeremy glanced down at the bowl, not wishing to eat out of it since he guessed that many of the people who came into this bar were not the sort to wash their hands all the much. At least that was his assumption from the looks of the place.

  All Jeremy could think was that he should be home and not whiling away in this bar. It didn’t have anything
to do with wanting to lick Kimberly’s shoes. He was proud to call himself a real manly man, not one to obey the wishes of his wife. Although she had yet to ever be the least bit demanding. It’s just that they had a baby now and perhaps it might be too much to expect her to do all the packing.

  * * *

  Clive was the next person to cross the threshold as Corrine led him inside. Now the baby was fully awake and sucking on her fingers with a loud, smacking sound.

  Clive wrinkled his nose with a wave of his hand. “I believe Abigail might be due for a diaper change.”

  “Oh?” Corrine asked. “Would you kindly do the honors?” When Clive’s skin paled slightly, she added, “Just kidding.”

  Kimberly took the baby and disappeared into the downstairs bedroom. She glanced at the clock on the wall and frowned. Where was Jeremy? She had expected him to have come home by now, especially with the move looming over them.

  Abigail kicked her legs as her diaper was changed and Kimberly tossed the soiled items into the diaper pail. She then moved into the other room, where she handed the baby to her mother.

  Kimberly picked up the phone and called Jeremy, waiting and waiting until it went to his voicemail. With a frown, she ended the call. “That’s odd, Jeremy isn’t picking up.”

  “Perhaps he didn’t bring his phone into the bar with him,” Clive suggested, immediately regretting opening his mouth at the look Kimberly shot him.

  “Bar?”

  “Yes, I’m sorry. I was only trying to help.”

  “I was hoping he’d be home to help with the packing by now.”

  “But now he won’t have to, since I brought help,” Corrine said.

  Kimberly crossed her arms and her mom put a hand on her shoulder. “No need to get so worked up. I imagine your father might have something to do with it.”

  All eyes were on Clive, who must have thought better than to open his mouth again, since he remained quiet this time.

  “I’ll call that husband of mine and give him a piece of my mind,” Bethany said.

  “Don’t. I don’t want to look like some sort of shrew who expects her husband to be at her beck and call.”

  “I can’t imagine Jeremy doing that,” Corrine said with a smile.

  Kimberly gave Corrine a sidelong glance. “Make sure you tell the men to pack everything in the dressers upstairs. I’d like to be sleeping in the new house tomorrow.”

  Corrine went to do as Kimberly asked and Kimberly took the baby from her mom and sat in a rocker, gently rocking Abigail. She couldn’t understand why she was so upset, but she’d have to force herself to calm down before Jeremy came home. Otherwise, she’d jump him at the door when he finally did make an appearance.

  * * *

  When Jeremy finally crept through the door, it was very late.

  “Where are you, Bethany?” Hal bellowed.

  Abigail let out an earth-shattering scream and Kimberly gave them both a dirty look as she stepped out of the downstairs bedroom. She drowned them with the overhead light, too.

  “You let my dad drink?” she accused Jeremy.

  “No, he let himself drink.”

  Kimberly frowned, her ears aching from the screaming baby. “Help my dad upstairs, they’re sleeping in your room tonight.”

  Jeremy swallowed hard and he helped Hal up the stairs.

  “So-Sorry. I think you’re in trouble now,” Hal said.

  Kimberly just shook her head as she walked back into the bedroom, picking up the baby. She took Abigail into the kitchen and managed to fix a bottle while holding her. It was one of the things she had learned to do since becoming a mother.

  Jeremy entered the room just as Kimberly sat down and began feeding the baby.

  He ruffled the back of his hair. “I never meant to be hanging out at the bar half the day, but I couldn’t get your father to budge.”

  “I’m sure you did what you could.”

  “I suppose I could have left, but not the way your father was tossing them back.”

  “And you couldn’t speak to him about him drinking too much?”

  “No way was I going there. It’s not my place to tell your dad what to do.”

  “Did you get any work done today?”

  “No as much as you did, from the boxes you have piled up.”

  “That wasn’t my doing, it was all Corrine. She hired men to pack our things and they’ll be here in the morning to move us to the new house.”

  “That quick?”

  “You should know how Corrine has attention to detail.” Weenie trotted into the room and pawed at Kimberly’s nightgown. “That will be enough, Weenie,” Kimberly said. “I’m trying to get the baby back to sleep.”

  “I could feed the baby,” Jeremy offered.

  “I have it handled. She goes back to sleep easier for me than you.”

  Jeremy flashed a smile that about melted Kimberly’s heart. “I know, but you’ve been sleeping close to her. I’ll be glad when we’re finally sleeping in the same bed every night.”

  Kimberly smiled up at Jeremy as she burped Abigail. “Me, too. It will be easier for you to take your turn with the midnight feedings,” she teased with a yawn.

  As if on cue, Abigail let out a large burp and Kimberly put her to bed, then crawled into her own bed. Jeremy stood there, not sure what to do. Was Kimberly mad at him or what? He expected at any moment to be told to sleep on the sofa, but that’s not what she did. Kimberly patted the bed next to her and he quickly discarded his clothing, climbing in and taking his wife into his arms. He kissed her gently and said, “I love you.”

  Kimberly smiled as she closed her eyes, listening to the soft coos from the baby and Jeremy’s even breathing. Weenie was also on the bed now and curled up into a ball, drifting off to slumber, leaving Kimberly wide awake as she thought about the day ahead of her.

  Chapter 3

  Kimberly awoke to find a dripping Jeremy, who had a towel wrapped around his waist. “Where are all of my clothes?”

  She smiled. “Packed, most likely.”

  “Why ever would you pack all of my clothes?”

  “Perhaps if you were here when the men Corrine hired packed, you’d have more of a say.”

  “So, this is revenge, then?”

  “At the time, yes. You’ll have to put on what you wore yesterday,” Kimberly suggested.

  Jeremy sighed as Bethany walked into the room, waving her arms frantically in an attempt to cover her eyes when she spied Jeremy wearing only a towel. “I’m so sorry, I should have knocked first.”

  Jeremy pulled the comforter and covered himself. “Did you need something?”

  “Yes, well … I mean, the movers are here. I wasn’t sure what you’d want to move first.”

  “Isn’t Corrine here?” Kimberly asked.

  “No, I’m afraid not. What should we do?”

  “I’ll give her a call,” Kimberly said with a shrug. “Does dad have any clothes that might fit Jeremy? All his were packed last night.”

  “I’ll check.”

  Mom disappeared in record speed, leaving Jeremy and Kimberly laughing. “I think I might have shocked your mom.”

  “Yes, I’m sure she never planned to see so much of her son-in-law.”

  Kimberly called Corrine and she shrieked into the phone, “I’ll be there in five.”

  There was another knock on the door and this time Kimberly opened the door to her mother, taking the offered clothes. She handed over gray sweatpants and matching sweatshirt, hiding a giggle behind her hand.

  “Don’t start,” Jeremy said with raised brow. He slid on the clothes and they hung off his frame, since her dad was larger than him.

  “Think about it this way, it could be your new look.”

  Jeremy frowned, his eyes shooting fire. “You did this to me and you’re going to undo it. I demand you go down and find me something more suitable to wear. I can’t go around wearing this.”

  “Because you’ll be the laughing stock of Redwater?�
� Jeremy’s faced now reddened. “I suppose you’re right. We can’t have the only lawyer in Redwater looking like a fitness reject.”

  Kimberly pulled on denim shorts and a tee shirt, slipping into flats. “You’ll have to look after the baby when she wakes up. She’s due a feeding about then.”

  “Well, hopefully you didn’t have all the baby bottles and formula packed, too.”

  Kimberly grabbed her purse and made way for the car with Weenie yapping at her heels. She turned and shook her head. “You can’t come with me today, sorry.” As if he was really listening, Weenie turned his head sideways. “It’s too warm and I don’t need the animal cops showing up at my door.” She also couldn’t carry him in her purse, since she only carried a wallet purse today.

  She picked up Weenie just as Corrine’s convertible pulled in. Corrine hopped out with coffee cup in hand. Kimberly handed off Weenie and explained her predicament.

  “Go along and find that man suitable clothing,” Corrine said.

  Kimberly left in her SUV and headed into town, enjoying the view of Lake Huron that bordered the road she was driving on. It was the beginning of a beautiful day and for a moment Kimberly forgot how much work lay ahead of her. Moving wasn’t only a huge undertaking, it was stressful. It had been much easier when she had moved into Jeremy’s Chalet since all of the furnishings were already in place.

  It had been an adjustment for her to leave the small cabin she had lived in before she married Jeremy. She had worried how they’d get along after they said their ‘I dos,’ but honestly, she was so consumed with preparing for the baby that she didn’t have time to think about anything more. They had also waited until after the baby was born to really consummate their marriage. Kimberly and Jeremy had known each other only as a boss and subordinate since she had worked as his legal assistant. They had both needed time to get acquainted with one another before either of them was ready for more. Kimberly was glad they had waited.

  Now, Kimberly pulled into Graham’s Clothing Store. Redwater was too small for Walmart to take an interest in it. Graham’s was all there was for the locals to shop for clothing and the owners not only kept the latest and greatest in fashion in stock, but they also offered modest prices.