by Wegner, Ola
Amy slipped under the covers and went straight into his arms. It was a nice change as well.
“We saw the most perfect furniture for the baby’s room today,” she informed him with enthusiasm, snuggling closer.
“Really?” he asked absently. It felt good to have her perched on his chest, her face buried trustingly into his throat.
“Yes, you’ll like it.” Her small hand started stroking his stomach through the t-shirt. “It’s a bit in a French style but not too feminine. The crib is just perfect, really beautiful. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. We’ve already ordered it but it’ll take a few days before it’s delivered.”
“Good.” He kissed the top of her head.
She lifted on his chest, looking into his eyes. “But I still cannot decide on the wall color until I know if it’s going to be a girl or a boy.”
He pushed her onto her back, and lifting her top up, bared her belly. “And when are we going to know?” He put his head to her tummy.
“Soon,” she answered, her hand combing through his hair. “Around twenty weeks.”
He counted quickly, realizing it was only three weeks away. “So, you’ll be in Florida then.” He couldn’t hide his disappointment.
“Yes, but I’ll phone you the moment I know,” she promised.
He looked up at her from her tummy. “I don’t like this idea of being separated from you.”
“It’s just a couple of weeks,” she reasoned gently. “You seemed so excited about that LA deal.”
“Yeah, I still am,” he admitted reluctantly. “But I am afraid that something will happen during that time.”
“But what could happen?” she asked. “I’m fine, my doctor says I am doing very well, and your mother will be with me. She’s been a maternity ward nurse, after all, for nearly twenty years. I couldn’t be in better hands.”
“I know,” Jake said, but her words didn’t calm him.
His fear was totally irrational. He knew that, still he could do little or rather nothing to prevent it. He was afraid that after returning from his trip she wouldn’t be here in their house waiting for him. He feared that all the wonderful things, which had happened in his life since last summer, would simply vanish. He sighed, knocking gently at her belly. “Hello there. You’ll be good to your mummy while I’m absent, do you hear me?”
“He won’t respond. I think it’s a bit too soon to feel him moving. Though sometimes I think that I feel something, but I’m not sure whether it’s my stomach or the baby.”
“You said he.” He looked up at her. “You think it’s a boy?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Do you want a boy?”
He thought for a moment before answering. “I’m not sure. A son would be great. But a cute little girl would be nice, too.”
They lay silently for a moment, Jake’s attention concentrated on her belly. “You don’t show much.”
“It’s only the beginning of the fifth month,” she reminded him. “I read that some women don’t show at all almost to the third trimester.
“I can feel something here.” Jake palmed her lower tummy carefully. “It’s firmer to the touch.”
“Jake?” She tugged at his hair, making him tear his eyes from her tummy. “I wanted to apologize to you.”
He gaped at her. “Apologize? For what?”
She sighed. “You know very well for what, for ignoring you for the last several weeks. I shouldn’t have. I know that you wanted to make love and I kept pushing you away...”
“Amy, I understand.” He shifted up, bringing her to him. “It’s been hard on you with all that nausea,” he murmured as he rubbed her back.
“Well, actually, I don’t feel that sick anymore,” she murmured.
“You don’t?”
“Nope.” She lifted on him, supporting her hands on his chest. “I want to make it up to you.” She smiled, biting on her lower lip. “And I’ve got a surprise for you,” her eyes twinkled.
“A surprise?” he asked.
Her expression turned from cheeky to shy. “Yes, but now I’m not so sure whether you’ll like it.”
He eyed her suspiciously. “What did you do?”
“Well, it was quite radical, I must admit.”
“Radical?” he repeated, staring at her.
“Yes,” she said hesitantly and then frowned. “Well, maybe not really, because lots of women do it on a regular basis. But I have never done it before.”
“Amy, you’re getting me worried.”
“Oh, you have nothing to be worried about,” she assured him quickly. “It’s nothing permanent. You see, I read about this thing in a magazine. There was an article about how to revive sex in a marriage, with some great tips about what a wife could do on her part.”
“Hey, it’s not that bad with us,” he grunted with a frown, wondering whether he should be offended or not. “We’re not exactly like one of those couples celebrating their twentieth anniversary or something like that.”
“Oh, I know, baby, I know,” she murmured soothingly, hugging him to her and kissing his head. “But some of the tips in this article were really very interesting. I thought to put into practice one of them. The article assured that a man will appreciate...the effort.””
Jake decided that it started to sound interesting. “It? What exactly?”
“ This...” Amy moved onto her back, and pushed her tiny knickers down.
“Oh, God...” he gasped, gaping at her bare mound. His eyes widened. “You waxed yourself?” he croaked.
She shook her head. “No, just shaved. I thought about waxing because it’s more permanent, but I found out that it is extra painful during pregnancy.”
Frantically he pushed her underwear completely down. She helped him, kicking it off her feet. Swiftly, he spread her legs and shifted between her thighs, his eyes glued to her pussy.
“So what do you think?” she asked after a moment, obviously still unsure of his reaction.
“Wow!” he cried.
She smiled. “I gather it’s a nice surprise.”
“Mmhmm...” he murmured only, his eyes steadily fixed on the exact spot between her legs.
“Are you going to stare at it the entire night or do something more about it?” she asked when after a few moments of his not making a move to do anything.
“Oh, I’m going to eventually eat you alive, but for now I cannot tear my eyes away.” His finger grazed along her mound gently, making her shiver involuntarily. “You’re so pretty.”
“I’m happy you approve,” she whispered unsteadily, reaching down to stroke his cheek.
He grinned at her and soon she could feel his warm breath and then his lips on her tender tissues.
* * * *
When Amy woke the next morning, she still felt totally unglued between her legs. Her husband was orally fixated, it was decided—an undeniable fact. She lost count of how many times he’d gone down on her last night. She wondered how she would manage to wear her panties today, as she still felt hypersensitive down there after being feasted upon all evening.
Slipping carefully out of his arms, she padded to the bathroom. She was in dire need of a refreshing shower. She adjusted the temperature and stepped into the spacious cubicle. She actually winced when she reached between her legs to wash herself.
“Life is cruel,” she heard the deep familiar voice above her ear. She didn’t even notice that he’d joined her in the shower and it startled her.
She turned to him. “Is it?”
“Sure. It’s so cruel that I have to leave you and my new sweet plaything and fly to California to do boring business there.”
She raised her eyebrow, fainting innocence. “Your plaything?”
“Yes.” His hand reached down her belly between her legs. But she stopped it, wrapping her hand around his thick wrist.
“I’m really sensitive there today,” she admitted reluctantly. “I’m afraid I cannot bear more playing this morning.”
> “So sorry, sweetheart.” He hugged her to him, palming her backside. “I am a beast.”
“No harm done.” She said and smiled up at him. “I really didn’t mind if you didn’t notice. I’m happy you enjoyed the surprise.”
They washed each other, after which they stepped out of the shower. Then they snuggled on the bed for a few minutes, before starting the new day, shrugging into two identical thick bathrobes Amy had recently purchased.
“I’m going to miss you,” Jake whispered into her still damp hair.
“Me too,” she murmured lazily but then adding more sharply. “Just keep your eyes away from those LA beauties.”
“What?”
“You heard me.” She lifted onto her elbows, frowning at him. “You should have branded on your forehead, ‘Married and expectant father-to-be.’”
“You know I don’t see other women,” he assured her. “I rather should be worried about you.” He stroked her face, “That someone will try to steal you away from me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Right,” she snorted.
His expression turned serious. “Someone already tried.”
Amy almost flinched, feeling suddenly cold and sick again as she recalled the last encounter with Michael.
“Please, do not remind me of that,” she said weakly.
Jake hugged her to him. “Sorry.” He kissed her forehead. “Just promise you will take good care of yourself in Florida.”
She snuggled closer. “I promise.”
* * * *
“Amy, you’re going to the beach today?” Stacy asked. Amy stood in the hallway, packing her things into a large beach bag.
Amy smiled at the older woman. “Yes, I want to take advantage of my last days here.”
Stacy walked to her. “It will be sad and lonely without you.”
“But you have so many friends here.” During her few weeks stay, Stacy had introduced Amy to her many friends. They were all pleasant, engaging people, all retired, who had, like her mother-in-law, decided to move to the warmer climate.
“I know and I do enjoy their company. But you are my family. You, Jake, and the baby.”
Amy looked at the other woman thoughtfully. “Would you consider moving back to Minnesota?”
After a moment of hesitation, Stacy shook her head. “I don’t think so. I like my life here. I will come, of course, when the baby’s born and later to visit my grandson regularly, and any time you need me. But I must admit that I’m used to living here, especially to the warmer climate. I hate the thought of spending any more freezing winters in the north.”
“I see your point. It’s like heaven here.” Amy smiled. “I watched the news yesterday, there was a blizzard in our town, and it’s the end of March. Can you believe that?”
“Sure, I remember when Jake was nine or ten, we had a very heavy snowfall in the middle of May. They had to close the school for a few days. You must be happy Jake’s coming in two days,” she guessed.
Amy grinned. “You bet. I can’t wait for him to see this.” She gestured proudly to her baby bump.
She hadn’t shown much up to almost the end of her fifth month, but now she could walk proudly with her well rounded tummy.
Stacy smiled. “It popped out so suddenly.”
Amy laughed. “You’re telling me. I wake one day and wow, there it is.”
Amy wished her mother-in-law a nice day, promised to take care of herself and walked out of the house, directing herself to the beach, which was situated less than half a mile from Stacy’s house. She planned to sit in her favorite spot and read a book until lunch.
It was a pleasantly warm day, but still not too hot, around 80 degrees, plus there was a cool breeze coming from the ocean. She wore comfortable loose shorts, white sneakers, and a fitted tank top, proudly exhibiting her six-month pregnancy.
To her disappointment, the area of the beach where she usually preferred to lounge was occupied. There was a small crowd of people gathered there and the spot was enclosed, the security units not allowing people to enter. She wondered what was happening, but she couldn’t see over the crowd of onlookers. Thankfully, she spotted Barbra and George Emerson, friends of Stacy’s.
Barbra saw her first. “Amy!” she cried, waving enthusiastically. “Come here. How are you?” The older woman smiled at her.
“I’m fine, thank you.” Any smiled back politely at Barbra. Her more taciturn husband just nodded his head in greeting, but his eyes smiled warmly at her.
“I see that junior is growing fast,” Barbra cheered, pointing to Amy’s tummy.
Amy touched the bump. “Yes. At last, I feel pregnant. Earlier, I’ve barely shown.”
“Does your husband know it’s a boy?” Barbra wanted to know.
“Yes, I phoned him just after the doctor had recognized the baby’s sex on the ultrasound. He’s already planning to teach him hockey, but I think that he would be even more pleased with a girl.”
“All men are suckers for little girls,” Barbra announced with authority. “A daughter can easily wrap a grown man around her little finger. My husband here is a prime example.” She gestured to George, earning a frown on his part. “Have I told you that we have three sons and only one girl?
Amy shook her head with a smile.
“Yes and George still cannot refuse our daughter anything,” Barbra chatted happily, ignoring her husband scowls. “Though he had no such problems with the boys. Alice is impossibly spoiled not only by her father but by her brothers as well. You see, she was unplanned,” the woman giggled, glancing at her husband knowingly. “She was born when our youngest boy was eight and the oldest one was in high school. She started college this year.”
“I see.” Amy wanted to laugh at George’s disgruntled expression. “Have you got grandchildren?” she enquired.
Instantly Barbra’s previous enthusiasm turned flat. “Unfortunately, no, we haven’t. And I must tell you, my dear, that I am quite worried about that. Our sons somehow cannot settle down and Alice is too young, of course, to think about such things. And can you imagine that Jordan, our eldest, will be thirty-four this year and he doesn’t even have a steady girlfriend.”
“No wonder,” George voiced himself at last, both his voice and expression grumpy. “You scare all the girls away. Even if he has one he probably hides her from you, afraid that you’ll scare her too, the same as the previous ones.”
“That’s not true!” Barbra snorted, narrowing her eyes menacingly at her husband. “Don’t listen to him, honey.” She turned to Amy. “Since he retired he’s not his own self. I admit that I do not approve of most of the girls my sons date but I do not scare them away.”
George leaned toward Amy, whispering. “If one of our sons had ever dated you and brought you to our house, she would have mopped up the floor with you. She’s worse than the holy inquisition in Medieval Europe.”
“I would have done nothing of the sort,” Barbra exclaimed, outraged. “And do not talk such nonsense. Amy may think I’m some kind of a monster. Had they brought home such a nice young woman like Amy, I would have welcomed her with open arms. It’s such a pity you are taken, my dear,” she sighed. “Stacy is lucky indeed to get you for her son. Do you have sisters, perhaps?”
Amy shook her head with a smile. “No, just one brother.”
The thought of Peter saddened her instantly. They still didn’t know where he was. He hadn’t contacted any of them for months.
“Oh, it’s a shame,” Barbra said.
“What’s going on there?” Amy asked pointing to the large gathering on the beach. “I planned to sit there and read but I see they aren’t allowing anyone.”
Barbra’s eyes shone with excitement. “Don’t you know? They are making a movie here. Susan Spencer plays the main part.”
Amy’s heart squeezed involuntarily, hearing the name of the actress. “Really?” she asked, her throat suddenly dry, heart beating faster. “I’m curious as to how she looks in person.”
“Oh, me too,” Barbra seconded with eagerness. “But she hasn’t come yet to the set.”
Amy stood for a while on the beach together with George and Barbra, hoping to see the famous film star. The actress came at last and they started to shoot but Amy couldn’t see much from the spot where she stood. Soon she found it hard to stand for so long. Her ankles were starting to swell so she excused herself from the Emersons’ company and walked slowly down the beach in the opposite direction from the film crew. She spotted a nice vacant spot and spread her blanket on the warm sand. The book she brought with her promised to be a good one. It was the next episode in a series of vampire stories written by one of her favorite authors, who didn’t disappoint this time, as well. The story was sweet, romantic, and captivating.
Around midnight she couldn’t focus on reading anymore because she felt hungry, and junior, who had been quiet, so far, started moving.
“You’re hungry, too?” She touched her tummy. “Let’s find some nice place to have lunch.”
There was a restaurant nearby and though she’d never eaten there before she decided to give it a try. When she walked closer, she saw that it looked very inviting, elegant, and expensive. She had only a little cash with her, about twenty dollars, but there was always one of the credit cards Jake had given her, insisting that she use them. She stood for a moment undecided in front of the place. She didn’t like this fancy type of restaurant in general. Often, they intimidated her as she was never sure that she was dressed well enough.
“Yes, can I help you?” the hostess asked her, after Amy climbed a few stairs from the beach onto the large shaded patio.
“Yes, a table for one, please,” Amy said shyly, looking around the crowded place, trying to spot some empty table.
