Bret wasn't able to make an appointment, again. Again, Lori thought. "I'll be surprised when he comes back he'll remember what I look like," she mumbled.
18 weeks into her pregnancy, Lori was going through some normal and some bizarre symptoms. In her first trimester alone she gained ten pounds, average two pounds a week. Her hands, face, and feet were beginning to swell and she started to have some trouble breathing. At her last appointment, Dr. Powell suggested she cut back on her eating. He also advised her to keep the stress level to a minimum. "Impossible!" Lori thought realizing all that was one her plate. Building at new home for her family, obviously pregnancy troubles and too top it all off, having to do all of it alone was starting to seem excruciating.
"Hello," Lori answered.
"How's the mother to be?" a cheerful Bret said.
Lori whimpered, "The mother to be in fat, tired and wanting the father to be to come home!"
"I know you miss me. But in two weeks, I'll be there so we can figure out what you're having!"
She paused at that statement, "I'm having. I'm having! Last time, I checked you were apart of this too. Maybe you forgot about that part seeing that you're never at home!"
"Lori, calm down. You know what to the doctor said."
"How in the hell do you know what the doctor said. You weren't there. You're never there….ever!"
"My mom tells me everything about your appointments, Lori. Listen, I got to go to a signing. Stop stressing! I'll cal you back later." Bret said hanging up on the phone.
Two weeks later, the stress didn't stop and in Lori's mind Bret wasn't making it any better.
"So if your husband going to be joining us for this appointment." Dr. Powell asked the same thing at every prior appointment.
"This time he's actually supposed," The door flung open and Lori beamed.
"Sorry doc to be late."
"What are you doing here?"
He tried to catch his breath, "Bret missed his flight and couldn't make it so he told me to come." Owen said.
She glared at the door thinking Bret was just playing a practical joke on her but once the appointment was over, she realized it wasn't.
"That was exciting!" Owen said. "What else do you need to do today?" Owen noticed that she said few words in the past hour, very unlike her.
"I can do the rest of my errands myself," Lori stared at the pavement. 'Thanks for coming through."
"Your welcome," Owen said hugging her. "Bret flight was moved to this evening so he should be home. He'll be happy to know the good news."
When Lori got into the car, she leaned against the wheel and cried. Ten minutes later, she got herself together and went shopping for her baby's room.
He'd been standing at the door for about 15 minutes, anxious and petrified about the hell he was about to embark on. "It's almost 12 o'clock. She going to wonder why I'm not a home," Bret deliberated holding roses in one hand and his luggage in the other. Finally, he fuddled with the keys and walked in.
This was the first time he's seen their condo since they got it. He saw art and pictures all around the room. Yet, still no Lori in sight. Bret walked into the kitchen to see a handwritten note next to a saran wrapped plate of food and a glass of wine.
"I assumed you'd be home for dinner. But you weren't. Enjoy."
Dropping the roses on the kitchen counter, he ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm in deep shit." He thought to himself.
Walking throughout the home, he still couldn't find her. Bret opened what seemed to be their bedroom door to see candles burning, music playing and two glasses next to a bottle of Champagne on the nightstand. But, in spite of everything, still no Lori. He staggered to the last room in the hallway. Even though the lights were off, he saw a figure in the corner of the room. Bret turned on the lights and it hit him. His heart dropped to his knees as he strolled through the very pink baby room.
Bret pulled the pink blanket from over Lori's head to see her fast asleep. Yes, she was right. Lori looked bigger than before but still beautiful in Bret's eyes. He ran his fingers down her outsized belly.
"Our daughter," he whispered. Bret then put the blanket back over Lori and turned off the lights. He got the leftover food and wine from the counter, turned on the television and slept on the couch.