by J A Fielding
“That’s okay. As long as you have something.” He pulled a stool at the counter and she frowned.
“Actually, I would rather have it in the living room.”
He nodded.
“It’s the eggs, huh?”
She nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He walked up to where she was and kissed her lips softly. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
“So,” he started as he walked her to the living room. “How are you feeling about today?”
She sat down and took a bite of her fruit.
“I don’t know,” she started. “Excited, I guess. And very, very anxious to get back to work.”
He took a long deep breath.
“Then I guess I am the only one who is feeling nervous here.”
She took another bite of her fruit and looked at her.
“Why are you nervous? Everything is fine. Besides, you are not the one who will be pushing out a six-pound baby out of your vagina in a few months.”
“It is not that. I promise you…but you have been spotting since conception…”
“But it is not happening anymore. And I have been on bed rest for two weeks which was one of the hardest things I have ever done by the way. So, yeah, everything is fine.”
“You are so relaxed,” he said and she smiled.
“I am. Just waiting to see this little guy.”
She took another bite of her fruit and smiled at him. He had a look in his eyes that spoke volumes and it was not just about his worry. It was something else.
“What?” she asked and he shook his head.
“Nothing.”
“I know that look in your eyes. I have seen it before so you have to tell me what it is that is going on in your head right now,” she said and his eyes ran down her body. It was the same look he gave her when he wanted to make love to her. The same lusting look that made him run his eyes down her body.
“You look…beautiful,” he said in a soft voice.
She looked down at her pants, trainers, and t-shirt.
“I am wearing a t-shirt,” she said and he nodded.
“Yeah, a V-neck t-shirt.”
He had a smile on lips. A perverted smile no less.
“You see it too, don’t you?” she asked and he shrugged.
“See what?” he asked and she grabbed her breast.
“These things are huge.”
He smiled.
“I didn’t want to say anything, but I just love them.”
She took another bite of her fruit.
“You are the one who is going to enjoy this more than I am.”
He laughed and leaned in to give her a kiss.
“I am going to need more pants. Pants that stretch because I don’t know how long I can do normal jeans anymore.”
“Consider it done,” he said just as her phone began ringing. “But it will all be worth it in a couple of days when you see that place in Suriname.”
She smiled and answered her phone.
“Hello?”
“Trina, hi. It’s Victoria.”
“Vickie, hey.”
“Hey…how are you doing?” Victoria asked and Trina shrugged.
“I’m good. Just counting the minutes until this house arrest is lifted.”
Axel looked at her and shook his head.
“It’s not house arrest,” he said loud enough for even Victoria to hear.
“I know Axel is probably over the moon having you at home and everything.”
She shook her head.
“Tell me about it,” she said. “So, what’s up?”
“I have good news and bad news. What do you want to hear first?” Victoria asked and Trina exhaled loudly.
“Hit me with the bad first.”
“All right. Lucas’ company is going public in fourteen days.”
“Fuck,” Trina said under her breath but she was still loud enough for Axel to hear her. He turned to look at her and shook his head.
“What happened?” he asked.
“It’s just work. One of my cases just hit a bump,” she said. “So, that’s why this Sonya woman is dragging everything out. She knows that she stands to get a whole lot more if the settlement is done after the firm gets listed.”
“Yeah, unfortunately. She knows just how to get Lucas to the cleaners.”
Trina rubbed her temple and shook her head.
“You are going to have to talk to Lucas. Soon.”
Trina took a bite of her fruit and sighed.
“I would kill for a big tub of chocolate fudge ice cream right now. Okay,” she said, taking a long deep breath. “What is the good news?”
“Bree Fonseca.”
Trina shrugged.
“What about her?” she asked.
“She was coming to see you. And I told her that you were on mandatory bed rest so she said she was going to stop by your place later if you are up for it.”
Trina smiled.
“Of course, I am up for it, but I still don’t see how that is any kind of good news.”
“She was coming to sign a contract with you. Three years.”
Trina almost dropped her bowl.
“What?” she asked excitedly.
“Yeah. I told her that you were going to the hospital in the morning. She asked if she could pass by at three.”
Trina looked at Axel and shrugged.
“I think we will be home at three. Except for the doctor’s appointment I don’t have any other engagements for today not that someone here would allow me to anyway.”
Axel smiled.
“We’re leaving in ten minutes,” he whispered before he stood up ready to make his way upstairs.
She smiled at him took one last bite of her fruit.
“I will be waiting for her,” she said.
“What about Lucas?” Victoria asked and Trina took a long deep breath.
“I am going to set up a meeting with him tomorrow. Even if I won’t be back at work, I think I can just make that meeting my one thing to do for the day.”
“So, should I ask your assistant to make the call?” Victoria asked.
“Yes, please.”
“Okay, I’ll check up on you later, mama.”
Trina smiled.
“It is still way too early for that. Don’t you think so?”
“I don’t care. You are mama to me,” Victoria said before hanging up.
She stood up and made her way to the kitchen. She bit her lip as she rinsed her bowl in the sink wondering how she was going to handle Lucas’ case. If things did not get better soon, this case would be a benchmark for Crews and Associates and it was not going to be a good one either. It was going to be their first big loss.
“Everything all right?” she heard Axel’s voice behind her.
She nodded and turned around.
“Yeah, it’s just work.”
“Come on. I can get you a tub of chocolate fudge ice cream on the way.”
Her face suddenly turned brighter.
“From Gelato Boutique?” she asked and he nodded. “You are the best,” she said as she threw her arms around him.
“It’s what a good husband does.”
*****
By the time Axel and Trina got to the hospital, Trina was not so sure if she was nervous because Axel’s anxiety had rubbed off on her or that she was actually genuinely scared. She had been acting all strong and everything, but now that she was lying down on the hospital bed, she was not so sure what was going on as she relived all the times she might have lost the baby.
The alcohol she drunk. The horse riding. The snorkeling.
She took a long deep breath as she laid back. It was all coming back to her now. All the time she woke up feeling sick and never said anything to Axel or even made an appointment with her GP.
“This may feel a little cold,” the nurse said as he squeezed some gel onto her tummy.
She gasped silently and closed her eyes
. Axel had her hand in his as the nurse pressed the scanner onto her tummy.
“Okay. Everything looks good. Quite normal actually,” she said as she looked at the display.
“Is that it? The baby?” Trina asked, but the nurse did not answer her. She was focused on the image on the display and that was the moment Trina panicked. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”
The nurse shook her head.
“I would like to do another ultrasound. A transvaginal ultrasound just to clear up any inconsistencies.”
Trina shrugged.
“Is everything okay?”
The nurse nodded.
“Everything is fine. We are just making sure we don’t leave any stone unturned. That’s all.”
Trina looked at Axel and sighed loudly. She took a long minute before she nodded reluctantly.
“Okay. Whatever it takes.”
“I’m right here, baby,” Axel said in a low voice as she looked up at the ceiling. Her heart was racing and she was trying everything not to spiral into panic. The minutes felt like they were just dragging along as the nurse put her legs up on stirrups. She was talking to her, but Trina was not really listening to her. All she knew was that it was going to be a procedure she didn’t want but one that was necessary for God knows what reason.
She squeezed Axel’s hand again when she felt the probe inside her. She closed her eyes and waited for the nurse to finish before she pulled the probe out. Trina pulled herself up and looked at the nurse who was smiling at her. Trina could not tell if she was just being polite or if there was actually something wrong there.
“Everything is just fine,” the nurse said as she cleaned the probe.
“If everything is fine, why did you have to do another scan?” Trina asked and the nurse bit her lower lip.
“I am only supposed to do the ultrasound and let you hear the heartbeat. It’s just protocol.”
“So, what are you not telling us? What is wrong with the baby?” Axel asked just as Dr. Hahn walked into the exam room.
“And how are we doing today?” he asked.
“Something’s wrong. Isn’t it?” Trina asked. “Your nurse saw something and she won’t tell us what it is.”
“Whatever it is, we would rather just hear it straight up.”
Trina could practically hear her heart beating in her chest as she looked at the doctor whispering something to the nurse. She did not know what to expect but seeing them whisper something as they looked at her medical chart was killing her.
“Axel…” she managed to whisper. Her eyes were welling up and she could feel herself practically shaking.
“This is…this is killing me. Killing us, Dr. Hahn,” Axel said as he stood up.
The nurse walked out and the doctor took over.
“There was something in your tests last time and we did not want to tell you at least until we were sure what it was,” he started as he looked at the display.
“What was in her tests?” Axel asked. “And why weren’t we told anything?”
“Her hormone levels were a little high for first the trimester,” Dr. Hahn explained. “And I could not say anything because you were already under a lot of stress already. Telling you something that does not synonymize an all clear was only going to frustrate you, but I can now see why your hormones were so high.”
“Why? What’s going on?” Trina asked.
“Is the baby okay?” Axel pressed.
“The baby is fine. And so is the little friend there.”
“What?” Trina looked at the display. “I’m having twins?”
Dr. Hahn nodded.
“Yup. See those two sacs there?” he asked as he pointed at the display. “Those are two babies. So, I guess it’s double congratulations for you.”
Axel brought himself up and kissed her forehead.
“I have never loved you more than I do right this moment,” he said as he looked at her.
The doctor was still speaking, but the two were in their own little world with Axel holding her so close and her tears rolling freely.
“How far along am I?” she asked as the doctor continued pressing the scanner to her tummy.
“Looks like eleven weeks.”
“She is almost done with her first trimester?” Axel asked and he nodded.
“Oh, yeah.”
“So, this whole nausea thing is going to go away?” Trina asked, her eyes full of hope.
“Yes, it should or at least get more manageable. But I am not worried. Some people have it harder than you could possibly imagine.”
“So, the puking is all normal?” Axel asked.
“Well, you did say it happens only every other day. Kind of a twice or three times a week thing, right?” Dr. Hahn asked and Axel nodded. “Then everything’s fine, but if it starts getting more frequent, let me know.”
“Of course,” Axel said nodding.
“Is it too soon to know the sex?” Trina asked and the doctor shrugged.
“Well, I think it is best for us to wait a few more weeks. We will know the sex at the next appointment. Hope that is not too long to wait.”
Trina looked at Axel before she turned her attention back to Dr. Hahn.
“Right now, every minute is a second too long really.”
Dr. Hahn smiled as he wiped the gel off her belly.
“If only I had a nickel for every time I heard that,” he said, smiling. “So, I will see you in eight weeks. In the meantime, try as much as possible to maintain a healthy active life.”
“So, I can go back to working out?” she asked and the doctor nodded.
“There is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t. But nothing too risky. And horseback riding is absolutely off the list.”
She raised an eyebrow over the other.
“How do you know I went horseback riding?” she asked and he smiled.
“We are Facebook friends,” he said simply.
“I think it would be best if you advised us on what the best workout regimen should be,” Axel said in a soft voice and Trina nodded.
“Some maternity yoga and light cardio should do the trick, but you can get some more advice from your trainer. Just stay away from the high-risk stuff, that’s all,” Dr. Hahn said as he walked to the door. “Until then, enjoy the journey. The bumpy road is almost done.”
He opened the door and Axel stood up.
“Dr. Hahn,” he said before the doctor walked out. “And the other thing? You know…intimacy.”
The doctor smiled.
“Everything is back to normal. Just don’t do anything too rigorous and when you start spotting again, come and see me ASAP.”
Axel nodded.
“Copy that,” he said, smiling, as the doctor walked out. He turned and looked at Trina who was now sitting up. “Twins. Can you believe that?” he said excitedly and she laughed.
“I am going to get so fat,” she said as he took a step forward and held her close.
“And I am going to love every glorious curve,” he said softly, making her smile.
Chapter 5
As she got dressed for work the following day, Trina could not help but wonder what her body would look like in a few months. The last few days had been a bit of a challenge for her especially when she had to finally accept that the extra inches around her waist were not her just getting fat. It was her growing two humans inside her. And that she now had to take care of not only herself but also the two barely alive little humans inside her. She put on a black dress and a red blazer before she made her way downstairs. She had just put on a pair of matching heels when she saw Axel seated at the kitchen counter.
“What the hell?” she said under her breath when she saw the massive display of food.
“I didn’t know what you were hungry for. So, I made oatmeal, crispy bacon, a breakfast burrito…or at least I tried to make one and for drinks there is orange juice, cranberry juice, coffee, and English tea.”
Trina smiled.
“Hon
ey, this is perfect,” she said as she looked at the counter. “But you do know even though I am eating for three now, I cannot eat all this in one go, right?”
“I just don’t know what you are in the mood for and I do want to make sure you take care of yourself because you always take care of everyone except yourself.”
He took a few steps towards her and kissed her cheek gently.
“I will take the oatmeal and some juice.” She looked at the counter and frowned. “Turkey bacon?” she asked and he nodded.
“You never let me have the real bacon.”
“Then I will have that too.”
He smiled and nodded.
“Okay.”
He reached for a bowl of oatmeal and topped it off with some chopped banana, apples, and raisins before he sat down next to her.
“This looks so good,” she said as he poured her a glass of juice.
“You always liked your oatmeal with some fruit.”
She took a bite and smiled.
“Yeah, I always did.”
“So, I was thinking it is about time we got a housekeeper,” he said and she looked at him, surprised.
“Really?”
He shrugged as he poured another glass of juice for himself.
“I have loved being here with you, but I have to go back to the office at some point and you do too. But I want someone to always be here to do all the strenuous tasks so that you can relax.”
She took a long deep breath and shook her head.
“I like doing my own housework. You know that.”
“I know that, but you are going to need the help sooner rather than later. You know it and I know it,” Axel pointed out. “And I would prefer it if you had someone helping you out with the house and laundry.”
“But, Axel, I really like doing my own housework. It is how I stay Zen.”
He smiled and reached for her hand.
“And having you healthy, having those babies healthy makes me Zen.”
She took a long deep breath and sighed.
“I don’t like the idea.”
“Let’s look at it like this, one of these days you will be bigger than you would like to be and even getting downstairs is going to be a problem. And when that day comes, you are going to hate how the house looks and you will want about sixty different things and that day, for the sake of our marriage, I will need someone else here to handle the slack. After all, we already have so much going on at work already.”