Pretty and Pregnant Again

by Johns,Madison

  “I’m getting up in a few minutes.”

  “Okay, because I’d hate for you to blame me if you missed your appointment.”

  Jeremy left the room and Kimberly shakily got out of bed. She must be more nervous about today than she had thought. She felt quite queasy.

  Kimberly showered and dressed in one of her pink dresses that she hadn’t worn since before she was pregnant. It came to right above her knees and she slipped on sandals without heels.

  She was putting on lip gloss when Mrs. Peacock arrived.

  “You’re early,” Kimberly said.

  “I try to be. Today is an important day for me.”

  “For us, she means,” Mrs. Canary added, carrying Birdie inside.

  “Do you ever put Birdie in a cage?”

  “Bite your tongue,” Mrs. Peacock said. “Cage is a bad word to Birdie.”

  “Cage, cage,” Birdie shrieked. “No cage!”

  “Shh,” Mrs. Peacock said. “That baby is sleeping.”

  Weenie ran into the room, yapped at Birdie, then left the room again.

  “It appears that Weenie told you, Birdie.”

  Birdie hung his head, “Birdie is sorry,” he said in a low voice.

  Kimberly laughed nervously. “Are you sure you’re up to babysitting, Mrs. Peacock?”

  “Not to worry, I have it handled and I promise not to take a bath in that wonderful jet tub of yours.” She winked.

  Kimberly looked in on Abigail, who was fast asleep. She was almost disappointed. She grabbed her purse and said, “The bottles are in the refrigerator and the diapers and wipes in her room.” She hastily jotted down her cell phone number. “Contact me if you need anything. And I mean anything. Abigail cried the whole time when Jeremy took her to work.”

  “He took a baby to his office?” Mrs. Peacock choked out disapprovingly. “That’s no place for a baby. Besides, you know how men are with babies. I imagine Jeremy is still learning how to take care of a baby.”

  “We both are, I’m afraid.”

  “You’re doing great from what I’ve seen,” Mrs. Canary said. “Although you look a little peaked today.”

  Kimberly touched her face. “I haven’t felt quite right the last few days. I think it’s all the stress with the move and the meeting today.”

  Mrs. Peacock and Mrs. Canary exchanged a knowing glance. “Are you sure you’re not—”

  Kimberly knew exactly where they were going with this and interjected, “Absolutely not. I had better get going or I’m going to be late.”

  Kimberly gave Weenie a pat and out the door she went. On the drive to Clive’s house, Kimberly just wouldn’t allow herself to think she was actually pregnant. This was not the right time for her or Jeremy.

  Chapter 7

  Kimberly arrived at Clive’s house. Corrine’s BMW was in the drive and so was Clive’s foreign sports car.

  She put a hand on her stomach to ward off the dizziness she felt. I don’t have time for this.

  Kimberly knocked on the door and Corrine answered it with a bright smile. “You’re right on time.”

  Kimberly swallowed the lump in her throat and walked in. This wasn’t just a house, but a mansion with an open floor plan. Leather couches faced a huge stone fireplace and there was a panoramic view of Lake Huron.

  Clive sat outside with a man Kimberly didn’t recognize who wore a blue suit and looked to be in his fifties.

  Corrine gave Kimberly a once over. “Shall we join them?”

  “I suppose. I mean, yes.”

  “I assure you that you have nothing to worry about. You look like you’re ready to start a prison sentence.”

  Kimberly laughed nervously. “Nothing that drastic, I hope.”

  Corrine led the way outside and Kimberly followed. “This is our golden girl.”

  “Kimberly,” Clive began, “this is Walter Johnson. He’s one of the investors in our perfume line.”

  Kimberly nodded. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Let’s take a seat,” Corrine said. After they made themselves comfortable, she added, “You’ve done such a fabulous job as spokesmodel for the Pretty and Pregnant line, but it’d be hard for you to continue in that role.”

  Kimberly was crestfallen. “I assumed as much.”

  Walter glanced at Kimberly’s footwear. “What happened to the sky high heels you used to wear all the time?”

  “I’m embarrassed to say they no longer fit. Nobody ever told me my feet would get bigger after my pregnancy. But I’ve since changed my ways and wear flats.”

  “They suit you. Perhaps we’ll have you photographed like that next time.”

  “I don’t understand. I thought Corrine just said that I couldn’t be the spokesmodel for the perfume line anymore.”

  “She did say that, but what I meant was you can represent the Pretty and Hip line. It’s unfortunate that the former spokesmodel isn’t able to retain her status.”

  Of course she couldn't, since she was dead now. Why do these people insist on sugar coating everything?

  “I’m not sure I want to do that. I feel like that line is jinxed, at least for me.”

  “I understand you didn’t get along with the last spokesmodel, but we know it wasn’t on your end.”

  Kimberly put a hand on her stomach. She could taste bile in the back of her throat that meant she had to find a bathroom and quick. “Where’s the bathroom?” Kimberly asked, as she put hand over her mouth.”

  Corrine jumped up and quickly led her to the bathroom, waiting outside the door for her.

  Clive walked up the Corrine. “What’s the matter?”

  “I’m not certain, but she certainly looked green to me. Let’s go back outside. I don’t want her to feel like we’re ready to jump on her when she comes back out here.”

  Kimberly wiped her mouth and washed her hands, staring at her reflection. Would stress make her feel this way? She just wouldn’t allow herself to think it was anything else.

  She walked toward the patio door but then raced back to the bathroom and was sick again. Kimberly felt so weak after this next bout of sickness that she barely made it into the other room. She didn’t try to make it outside, but eased on the couch, the coolness of the leather easing her somewhat.

  Corrine came inside and disappeared, returning with a cool wet washcloth that she applied to Kimberly’s head. “Thank you,” Kimberly said.

  Clive joined them with a concerned look on his face. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing, just letting myself get overstressed.”

  “That’s to be expected. It must be stressful having a baby to take care of and you just moved,” Corrine said. “I hope you weren’t worried about our meeting today.”

  “Actually that added to it. I’ve been quite nauseous the last few days.”

  A grin came over Corrine’s face. “Have you and Jeremy ever gotten around to consummating your marriage?”

  “What kind of question is that, Corrine?” Clive huffed. “It’s none of your business.”

  “Why don’t you go outside and take a break so I can speak to Kimberly. I feel the need for some girl talk.”

  When Clive left, Corrine asked, “I hope you’re pregnant again, it would be so great if you were.”

  Kimberly narrowed her eyes. “You have to be kidding, right? Let me guess you want me to be pregnant again so I can remain as the spokesmodel of the Pretty and Pregnant line?”

  “I never said that exactly, but apparently you have the jest of it.”

  “Well, I’m not, so there’s no sense in talking about it. I’m barely able to keep up with my baby as it is. Do you have any idea who is babysitting today?”

  Corrine shook her head with a slight smile.

  “Mrs. Peacock and Mrs. Canary.”

  “They seemed capable to me, besides Mrs. Peacock taking a bath at your house yesterday.”

  “She promised not to do that today.”

  “I’m willing to get you heels that will fit,” Corrine said
.

  “No thanks, I’m fine with wearing flats or sneakers.”

  “Perhaps the ads need an updated look. There were some women who thought you represented the wrong thing wearing heels when you were pregnant.”

  “Why do I feel like you have plans for me to continue being a spokesmodel for the Pretty and Pregnant line?”

  “It’s not in our plans as we told you outside, but if you happen to be pregnant again, we could launch a campaign documenting the journey the start to finish.”

  “I hope not with the camera tracking my every move. I doubt Jeremy would agree with that.”

  “Just think about it is all I ask,” Corrine said.

  “You see the thing is, though, Jeremy doesn’t think I should even be modeling now that I’ve had Abigail.”

  Corrine frowned. “So, what does he think you should be doing?”

  “Taking care of the baby.”

  “That sounds just like a man, but how do you feel?”

  “I was hoping I could do both, providing that I can do all the modeling here in Redwater.”

  “I think that can be arranged, but how about I go and buy a pregnancy test. That way you’ll know for certain if you’re indeed pregnant.”

  “No, absolutely not. I just don’t believe I’m pregnant, I tell you. It’s stress. I think I should know my own body better than anyone.”

  “Did you have morning sickness with your other pregnancy?”

  Kimberly shook her head. Corrine just wouldn’t stop with the assumptions. “Not at all.”

  “You can’t assume that it will be the same with each pregnancy.”

  “Oh, and how would you know that? Have you ever been pregnant, Corrine?”

  Corrine sighed. “That’s not in my ten-year plan.”

  “So, when are you planning to settle down? Is there a special someone in your life?”

  “I don’t have time for that, but I’ll admit that occasionally I enjoy the company of a man. Hey, this isn’t about me, Kimberly.”

  “It’s better than insisting I’m pregnant when I’m not.” Kimberly stood up. “I’m sorry, but I’m not up to this today. I’m heading home.”

  “I don’t think you should drive in your condition.”

  “It told you I’m not pregnant!”

  “I meant you’ve been sick. Perhaps I should call Jeremy to come get you. He could take you to the doctor and have you checked out.”

  “I’m not hearing this. I’ll be fine driving home.”

  “Fine, but I’m following you to make sure you get there safely.”

  “Please give Walter my apologies.”

  “He’ll understand. I don’t want you worrying about anything. We’ll even find another model for the Pretty and Hip perfume line if you’re dead set against being the spokesmodel for it.”

  “I’ll give it some thought.”

  Kimberly walked to her car and Corrine asked, “Have you told Jeremy how you’ve been feeling?”

  “He knows I was sick yesterday, but he’s the last person I want to know about today’s episode. Promise me you won’t tell him, Corrine,” Kimberly said, with tears in her eyes.

  “Don’t worry. I promise and I’ll make sure that Clive doesn’t either, but it won’t take long for Jeremy to figure it out. Why are you keeping it from him?”

  “Well, he doesn’t want another baby right now. It’s not the right time.” She paused. “I might just have a bug.”

  “I suppose you won’t know unless you go to the doctor. I’d be happy to accompany you to find out, as in tomorrow.”

  That was the last thing she wanted to do, especially with Corrine along. “I will if I feel this way tomorrow, I promise.”

  “Good, give me a call. You need all the moral support you can get right now.”

  Kimberly headed home with Corrine trailing after her. She didn’t want to bring Corrine with her to the doctor. But she considered Corrine a friend now, after she had helped with their move.

  Kimberly waved as Corrine drove off, then she walked inside to find Mrs. Peacock rocking the baby. Here she had dreaded how it would go with the bird sisters, but it appeared that they were doing just fine.

  She had barely moved away from the door when Birdie said, “Shhh, the baby is sleeping.”

  Kimberly gave Birdie a look as he walked back and forth on the counter. “Sometimes I think you’re almost human.”

  “Birdie loves babies,” Mrs. Peacock assured her. “He’s promised to watch his language.”

  Mrs. Peacock carried Abigail into her room and Kimberly relaxed on the sofa, Weenie joining her. She petted him and tried to quell the next wave of nausea that began. She jumped up and barely made it into the bathroom before she was sick. She sat there for a long time afterward to make sure it passed.

  There was a hesitant knock on the door and Mrs. Peacock asked, “Are you okay, Kimberly?”

  Kimberly opened the door and staggered out. “I haven’t been feeling well today.”

  “I thought as much when you left. Why don’t you go lie down? We’ll watch the baby for you. We haven’t done a half bad job while you were gone.”

  “That’s not what mothers are supposed to do. They’re supposed to watch over their children even if they’re sick,” Kimberly insisted.

  “Oh, fiddlesticks. Take a nap. I’m certain you’ll feel much better when you wake up.”

  “Do you think you ate something bad?” Mrs. Canary asked.

  “I think it’s stress.”

  “You can’t be that stressed,” Mrs. Canary said. When her sister gave her a dirty look, she quickly added, “I mean, you might be right.”

  Kimberly looked in on Abigail and smiled to see she was fast asleep. Only then did she crawl into her bed, putting a small trashcan near her bed. She had never felt so sick in her life.

  * * *

  Kimberly woke up and was startled to find Jeremy was laying in bed next to her. She felt disoriented and strolled to the baby’s room, where Mrs. Peacock was changing the baby.

  “What’s going on?” Kimberly asked.

  “You were so knocked out you slept through all of yesterday and it appears the night. Jeremy told us that you didn’t even wake up when he went to check on you.”

  “That’s not normal for me. I’ve never done that before.”

  “Perhaps your body needed the sleep.”

  “I’ll call the doctor in the morning.”

  “It’s already morning, Kimberly, but he’ll be open in a few hours.”

  She couldn’t believe that. “You stayed all night?”

  “Yes, Jeremy pulled out the sofa bed for us. It was quite comfortable.”

  Kimberly took Abigail from Mrs. Peacock and kissed her on the brow. “I missed you.”

  Abigail cooed and buried her head against Kimberly. “It’s apparent that Abigail missed you, too. If you can get into the doctor today, we can stay and watch the baby for you.”

  “I think I’ll take her with me, actually. The nurses have been bugging me about seeing her. I’m certain you must be exhausted by now.”

  “Actually, I am, but I’m always willing to lend a hand if need be. It’s not like I was ever blessed with children.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Mrs. Peacock.”

  “Maybe if I had met a wonderful man like Jeremy, things would have been different, but I never met the right one. Now, my sister had many marriages.”

  “What are you saying about me, sister?” Mrs. Canary asked, as they walked into the room.

  “Nothing but the truth.” Mrs. Peacock laughed. “You and your many marriages.”

  “True, but I’ve always kept the last name of my first husband.” She sighed. “I sure miss my Samuel.”

  Kimberly sat in the chair. “I’d love to hear all about it.”

  “Well, I met Samuel at the Italia Gardens. It was a dancehall and that’s what us girls did back then. We went dancing every Friday and Saturday night. And it was the place to meet up with handsome m
en back then.” Mrs. Canary swayed slightly. “Samuel asked me to dance and we met up every weekend to dance.”

  “It sure took him some time to ask my sister on a real date and not long after, they had to get married,” Mrs. Peacock added.

  “We did not, sister. I lied that I was in the family way, but only to our parents. They never cared for Samuel and refused to allow me to date him.”

  “Did Samuel go along with that?”

  “Yes, we were deeply in love.”

  “Until she caught him with their neighbor.”

  “Don’t remind me about that, but that was years after we were married. By that time I was actually pregnant with my son, Stafford. So there I was pregnant and Samuel left me for that hussy. That’s why I admire you so much, Kimberly. There you were pregnant with your late boyfriend’s child, but you didn’t let that stop you. You didn’t seem to be bothered with the gossip in town.”

  “So, people were talking about me, were they?”

  “That’s what people do, but don’t let it bother you now. You have a loving husband who married you despite whose baby you carried.”

  Kimberly actually enjoyed listening to Mrs. Canary’s story. “So, how many times have you been married, Mrs. Canary?”

  “Four, if you count the two times I was married to Samuel.”

  “You married him twice?”

  “Yes, I haven’t understood you can’t change a man, but he’s always been the one for me. I heard from him just last week. He wants to meet for coffee today.”

  “And you had better not go, sister. You’ve cried on my shoulder too many times when he hurt you.”

  “Perhaps you should come along, then,” Mrs. Canary suggested.

  “Can I come, too?” Kimberly asked. “It sure would take my mind off how I feel.”

  “No,” Mrs. Canary scolded her. “You need to see the doctor today.”

  “Who’s seeing the doctor?” Jeremy asked, as he joined them.

  “I am,” Kimberly said. “I think I have a bug of some sort.”

  “Bug?” Jeremy asked uncertainly. “I’ll take the morning off and go with you.”