It's Nothing To Do With Biscuits
Shelagh Turner groaned, rolling over in bed once again as the sun was beginning to make its appearance through the bedroom window.
"Are you all right?" came the sleepy voice of her husband.
"I'm fine."
"No you're not. What's the matter?" He asked, starting to sit up.
"It's nothing."
"It's not nothing if it's bothering you, sweetheart."
"I just...can't get comfortable."
"Why not?" He took a good look at his wife, dark circles prevalent under her eyes. "Love, did you get any sleep at all?"
"It's embarrassing."
"Shelagh. I'm your husband, and a doctor. Whatever it is, you can tell me."
She sighed. "I'm just...very uncomfortable. And my stomach is upset and every time I move I can't find a good position to lie in. I must be due for my cycle is all."
"When was your last?" Patrick asked her. He couldn't for the life of him remember.
And it seemed neither could Shelagh.
"I've no idea."
"Shelagh!"
"Patrick, we have two very active children, I can barely remember their appointments plus ours, my cycles aren't that important. Besides, they come and go as they please...whether they show up or not is irrelevant."
"Come here."
He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to his side and began running light circles on the silky fabric covering her abdomen.
"Does that help?"
Shelagh closed her eyes and leaned her head into her husband's arm.
"Actually...yes." She sighed, feeling herself lulled into a comforting half-sleep as her husband continued.
Patrick continued for several minutes, desperate to give his wife some relief until he suddenly felt a movement beneath his palm.
"See dearest? My stomach has been doing that for days." She groaned to herself. "Must be all those biscuits. I really need to cut down."
Patrick chuckled, but continued to feel his way around her navel carefully so as not to give away his examination.
"Shelagh?"
"Hmm?"
"I don't think it's your cycle...or the biscuits for that matter."
"Then what is it?"
Patrick swallowed thickly, not fully convinced of his own medical opinion.
"Well, considering...your symptoms...I'd say it's a baby."
Shelagh's eyes shot open and stared at her husband.
"Patrick, don't be ridiculous. That's not funny."
"I'm not laughing."
She fixed him with a watery glare. "You know as well as I do that it's not possible."
"Love, give me your hand."
He took her hand in his, pressing them to her belly and waited. Nothing.
"Patrick..."
"Watch." He pressed again, a bit more to the right and within a moment felt a movement in response. "See?"
"You mean...all this time..."
"Our child has been trying to get your attention." He smiled at her dreamily, both of them in a state of shock as they turned heir gaze to her belly.
"Well they certainly have it now..." she breathed as they both felt another movement beneath their hands.