Chapter Twenty-one- Ups and Downs
The next morning someone was shaking me awake.
"Iggy, just give me two minutes. I'll get you want you want soon." I muttered closing my eyes again and burying myself in the blankets. I was still tired and felt slightly sick but not as bad as it had been for the past few weeks.
"It's not Iggy." Came Ally's voice. "Come on we're going for a girls day out."
"Can't, gotta clean. Look after kids."
"Nope, we got that covered. Your lazy husband has finally got himself out of bed. Come on it took heaps to convince Max to come."
"Okay, okay. I'm getting up just give me two minutes to get changed."
"Good, I'll meet you in the car." I rolled out of bed and shuffled down the hall to my bedroom. When I went in I was shocked. The bed was made with what appeared to be clean sheets; there were no clothes on the floor. Iggy had actually cleaned up in here, without me nagging at him. I got dressed, trying not freak about the fact that my baby bump had apparently grown markedly over a few days. It had been sticking out slightly for the past three weeks or so but now it was very prominent. When I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth, I found that it had been cleaned as well. I marvelled at the amazing sight for a while.
"Violet are you coming?" Ally called down the hall.
"Yeah, coming." I hurried out to Ally's car. I jumped into the front seat. Ally was in the driver's seat, of course, and Nudge, Angel and Max in the back.
"Where are we going?" I asked doing up my seatbelt. They all just exchanged looks. "Uh, should I be scared?" there was fear in my voice which made them laugh.
"Relax, we're just going shopping. You've had a rough couple of day so we figured that you need some down time." Ally explained.
"Aw thanks guys."I gushed. I could feel my eyes filling with tears. Jeez my hormones were all over the place these days. I wiped them away quickly.
"Yeah whatever, just know I'm not here by my own free will." Max said. "Don't get all hormonal and crap. Like last night." I gave Max a shut up look and turned around to face the front. Ally was driving rather fast; obviously she could slow down if she heard the thoughts of any cops. It would have been freaky but I was used to it, having Iggy as a husband. We arrived at the mall. We wandered around the shops for awhile, I could really only advise the others about clothes because anything I bought wouldn't fit for long. At one point I spotted a baby store.
"Babies!" I exclaimed, hurrying into the store. I cooed over all the little baby things and exclaimed several times how cute this would look like with on my baby.
"Hey where did Max go?" Nudge asked. I looked up from the adorable little baby socks at saw that Max had indeed disappeared.
"I'll go talk to her, you two better stay to make sure she doesn't buy everything in the store." Ally told the other two making me roll my eyes. I wouldn't buy everything. Ally left the store and I went back to looking at all the merchandise, pulling things of the shelves as I went.
"You don't even know what the baby is." Angel stated and as I looked through racks of clothes.
"It doesn't matter. A baby needs clothes no matter if it's a boy or a girl." I sighed and looked up. "You guys go find the other two, I'll meet you in the food court for lunch."
"But Ally said-" Nudge began and I cut her off before she could begin blabbering.
"I'm a big girl I can look after myself. Just go." I laughed, moving onto another rack of clothes. They both left to go join up with the other two, leaving me to shop to my heart's content. I got a few blankets, some clothes and an adorable grey stripped soft toy cat. I paid using Iggy's credit card that Ally had swiped for me. He might freak when he saw the bill but hopefully I wouldn't have to deal with that until later. I went off to the food court to meet up with the others. On the way there Ally's voice came into my mind.
Violet, don't obsess over your purchases at the moment, it's not a good time
Uh, okay, I replied feeling a little confused. I got some food and then sat at their table. We ate lunch while talking and joking around. We shopped for a little bit more and then decided to go home. I was really nervous about seeing Iggy again and wasn't quite sure what to say to him. We pulled up in the garage and said goodbye to Nudge and Angel who were going back home because they had things on tonight. I went into the house and was met by my children. I crouched down to their level and hugged them.
"Hey you two." I whispered, kissing them both.
"Are you okay after last night?" Lily asked.
"I'm really good baby, how's your cold?"
"I'm almost all better." she told me with a grin. I set them both off to play because I knew I couldn't put off talking to Iggy for much longer. I walked into the lounge to see Iggy, Max, Fang, Ally and Jacob sitting on the couches.
"Hi," I said quietly. Iggy stood up and walked over to me. He stood in front of me.
"Hi," He greeted me just as quietly. We held awkward eye contact for a moment. "I'm sorry." Iggy blurted out. "I was an asshole; I shouldn't have made you do all those things. I should have seen how tired you were and made you sleep and looked after the kids and not put you under all that stress, because last time you got over stressed, it didn't end up well."
"Iggy, you're rambling." I interrupted him with a smile.
"What I'm trying to say, is that I'm really sorry. You're my wife and we're having a baby. You deserve someone better." Iggy hung his head guiltily.
"Don't be stupid, how can I do better when I've got the best?" Iggy looked up grinning. I pulled him into a hug. "I love you." I whispered.
"I love you too." he mumbled into my hair. We broke apart and went to sit on the couch. I leaned against Iggy, who had a tight arm around me. He let out a sigh. "Why do you put up with me?" He asked.
"You honestly want to know?" I asked. Iggy nodded. "Ok, but it's a long list. Don't let this go to your head; you make me laugh on my worst days, your smile lights up a room, you can cook, you're a brilliant dad and you love our kids more than anything, you make mistakes but you always try to fix them, you have the best sense of humour, you're a naturally happy person. I know some girls," I nodded at Ally and Max when I said this, "Like those dark, brooding, mysterious guys but I couldn't deal with that, I need a guy who can make me laugh, who's bright and happy and who I can talk to for hours." Iggy's smile got wider as I listed things off.
"It's the way that, you have a side of you that only I get to see, how you always know exactly what to do say and how you can deal with my hormonal crying no matter how late at night it is. You've been there for the good times and bed. And it's your eyes..."
"My eyes?"
"Yeah, they're this beautiful blue and I was so happy when I saw that Luke had them and I really hope this baby has them too because I just love them so much. I could stare into them all day." And I did exactly that, hoping for him to say all the reasons he loved me, when he stayed silent I looked down, trying to hide my disappointment. Then Iggy's hands gently cradled my chin and he pulled my head up so I was looking into his eyes once again.
"I'm a better man because of you. Before you I was selfish, ignorant, stupid and so many other things. And then the whole thing with Courtney just took me down a peg and made me feel like shit. And then you come along and all that pain goes away, just by you existing. Because of the whole dream girl turned out to be real thing. At first we were just friends, I thought that I was lucky to have gotten this far, I didn't dream I could get more. Not with my luck. But then we did get together and it was so fast, I couldn't believe my luck. I thought it was too good to be true and that it would all disappear. But nearly eleven years later, you're still here.
"I know you're scared about the baby, and I hate that you doubt you ability to look after that kid because I know that you're a great mother. I'm going to do everything to help you and be the best dad I can. This may surprise you but to me the baby is worth the v-vas-vasec- the thing and I think that it's going to complete our family. I really hope it's just like you." My lower lip was wobbling now, it wouldn't be long until the water works started. I could hear Fang and Jacob snickering in the back ground but Ally and Max were silent. Iggy took a deep breath and continued.
"The first time I looked at you, I saw everything I ever wanted and everything I never thought to ask for, and I still do." The tears were freely flowing. Iggy looked at me shocked. "Did I say something wrong? Don't cry, its okay." I shook my head.
"I'm crying because it was so sweet." I didn't think he was capable of that. Iggy smiled softly and pulled me onto his lap and I snuggled into his chest as his arms wrapped tightly around me. I saw Ally and Max both slap Jacob and Fang respectively.
"What was that for?" The guys said in unison.
"It's so nice to see someone who's not me getting bitch slapped for once." Iggy whispered to me. I giggled quietly.
"You never say that stuff about us!" Max claimed.
"And, Iggy, Iggy the sexist pig just said one of the sweetest things I've ever heard!" Ally ranted.
"Ah, we're the strong and silent type?" Fang tried with Jacob nodding in agreement but Ally and Max just gave them annoyed look and stormed out. The guys turned to glare fiercely at Iggy who simply laughed.
"I'm going to get out of here before you two kick my ass." Iggy stood up grabbing my hand. We hurried out of the room.
"You're amazing." I told him when we were out of the room
"I thought you were trying to deflate my ego?"
A little while later I pranced into the dining room happily. Iggy was bringing the food out. He put it on the table and gave me a warm smile that made me melt.
"Hey beautiful," He greeted me coming around the table and wrapped his arms around my waist and leaned down to kiss me. We were interrupted by Fang and Jacob coming into the kitchen.
"Get a room." Jacob smirked. Iggy just grinned at both of them.
"This is a room, note the four walls and the ceiling." Iggy said in a 'duh' tone of voice. I laughed and leaned my head against his chest. Max and Ally walked into the room, glaring at Fang and Jacob. Iggy kissed me on the forehead and I noticed his hand lingering on my stomach for a moment.
"You love it, don't you?" I asked him, tears of happiness at the edge of my eyes. The hormones were going rampant these days.
"Of course I do. It's my baby." I gave him a huge grin and stood on tip toes to kiss him again.
"Seriously you two. We're trying to eat dinner." Fang snapped and Iggy and I broke apart. Jacob and Fang were down one end of the table with Ally and Max down the other end. Iggy and I sat side by side and started eating, oblivious to the tension. I felt Iggy's hand brush my thigh. I smiled at him, brightly.
"You so cute." Iggy stated.
"No, you're so cute." I giggled.
"No, you're cute."
"No, you're cute."
"No, you're cute."
"No, you're cute."
"Neither of you are cute!" Max interrupted us. All four of them looked agitated and disgusted. There was only the sound eating and the scratching of knives and forks on plate, until Ally spoke up.
"I broke the punching bag today." She said in an ice cold voice. Both Fang and Jacob looked absolutely petrified. But Iggy looked annoyed.
"Hey! That's my punching bag!" He complained angrily. I rubbed my hand up and down his up arm and leaned over to whisper in his ear.
"You don't need it." Iggy looked delighted and there was a loud groan from everyone else.
"We're trying to eat!" they all screamed in unison. I stood up abruptly
"Fine then!" I huffed angrily and stormed out.
"C'mon guys, be a bit nicer." Iggy scolded following after me. We both headed for the stairs and into our room, I sat on the bed folding arms folding my arms and scowling. Iggy came in cautiously, shutting the door behind him. He knew to be careful when I got upset, my hormones were volatile. But I wasn't upset with him at the moment.
"Are you okay?" Iggy asked, sitting down next to me and putting an arm around me. I sniffed and nodded.
"It's not our fault that they're fighting." I pressed my face into his chest and he ran his fingers through my hair.
"Of course it's not. Jacob and Fang just suck at romance compared to me." Iggy chuckled. "I never thought I'd say that."
"Well, it's true. You said all those lovely things and they don't even kiss their wives in public."
"Probably because they'll think it will discourage guys." That got a small laugh out of me.
After putting the kids into bed, I sat down beside Iggy snuggling into his side while Ally sat beside Max both of them glaring at their husbands. Iggy put a tight arm around my waist and kissed the top of my head.
"Tired?" He asked.
"You can tell?"
"Because when you're tired you get all cuddly and cute, and then after awhile you start getting tearful but if you get up in the morning and you're still tired you get grumpy."
"How do you know that stuff?"
"Ten years of loving you." I looked up at Iggy adoringly, smiling like an idiot.
"Are you a man?" Fang asked.
"Hey, at least my wife's talking to me." Iggy countered smugly, seemingly unphased by Fang's remark.
"You can't talk; you guys are in counselling to save your marriage." Jacob retorted snidely. Iggy just laughed.
"Counselling is actually alright. Especially what we do in the car afterwards."
"Yeah it is." I agreed, Iggy and I high-fived, chuckling. The others just rolled their eyes and turned away. I put a pillow on Iggy's lap and lay down resting my head on the pillow. I yawned and Iggy started stroking my hair. My eyelids felt heavy and I drifted into unconsciousness.
"Violet, come on darling, wake up." Iggy whispered. I let out a tiny groan and rolled over. "No, come on, don't go back to sleep." Iggy helped me to my feet and I put my most of my weight on him as we walked up the stairs to bed. I fell onto the bed and Iggy handed me my pyjamas. I put them on sluggishly and slipped under the covers. Iggy joined me and I put my arms around him and one leg over him, falling straight asleep.
The first thing I did when I woke up the next day was sprint for the bathroom. Yesterday I had managed escape all but slight nausea. But today it was back with a vengeance. After I finished brushing my teeth, I went down stairs. I felt horrible, I was tired, nauseous and headachy and as far as I was concerned it was all Iggy's fault. I went into the dining room, where Ally, Max, Fang and Jacob were all sitting at the table and Iggy was smirking away in a corner, leaning against the wall, drinking coffee. He smiled at me when I came in and I just responded with a death glare.
"Good morning!" Ally greeted me happily.
"What's so good about it?" I grumbled.
"I have the best fiancée in the world." She replied.
"Yeah, well I feel like crap and it's all Iggy's fault!" I snapped. Iggy looked confused and stunned.
"Trouble in paradise?" Fang taunted, he and Jacob both turning to Iggy.
"Weren't you just saying how sweet-tempered Violet was?" Jacob teased. I was annoyed at the whole lot of them. Iggy ignored them and looked straight at me.
"Do you want breakfast?" he asked worriedly
"Do I look like I feel well enough to eat breakfast?" I snarled.
"Okay, do you need anything?"
"Uh, I need a time machine and a husband who knows how to use a condom."
"I don't think I can get those things for you."
"Oh come on Iggy, she wants them. You'd better get them. Especially that second one." Fang interjected. Iggy looked irritated all of a sudden. He sighed and kissed me on the forehead.
"I have to get to work." He told me.
"You're leaving me?" I demanded tearfully. I wanted him around all day so I could yell at him. "But it's not even nearly half-past eight!"
"I've been out for three days because of the vas-thing. I need to get back into it and catch up on everything I haven't done. See you tonight." He walked out of the room leaving me standing there.
"I hate you!" I yelled after him.
"Love you too." He called back, shutting the door to the garage behind him. I looked around at all the others. They all seemed to be holding in laughter and had big smirks on.
"Don't say anything." I said sounding strained. Fang and Jacob opened their mouths but I just left the room before they could make their stupid gloating comments. I didn't care. I stalked up the stairs into my room. I showered and dressed in a short, light pink, knit bodice dress that hid my tiny baby bump and dark skinny jeans with black boots. I went into Luke's room where he was sitting up in bed, waiting anxiously for me.
"Hi sweetheart." I said as I picked him up.
"Hi mama." I went over to his dresser and started getting clothes out of his dressers.
"How are you feeling?" I asked feeling his forehead. He had a completely normal temperature.
"Good." Thankfully he was all better. I lay him down on the changing table and took his pyjamas off. I changed his nappy and put his clothes on.
"Me get bweakfast off dada?" Luke asked when I had him all dressed.
"No darling. Daddy had to go to work early. I'll get some breakfast for you after we get Lily up. Okay?" I picked him up and balanced him on my hip. We went into Lily's room where I was surprised to find her already awake and lying on her side in bed wide eyed. She gave me a terrified look and sat up when I came in. I put Luke down on the bed and sat down next to Lily.
"What's wrong baby?" I asked cuddling her. Lily sniffed.
"Mummy, are you and daddy going to break up?" her dark eyes were filled with tears and she clung to me. Luke looked scared when she asked this and came to cuddle up to my other side.
"Why would you think that?" I frowned with confusion.
"Cause, you fight a lot. Like when you found out about the baby and the last few days. And daddy wasn't very nice to you. And you're always annoyed at him. And just before I heard you screaming that you hated daddy."
"Sweetheart, I love your daddy so, so much. Nothing could ever break us up. I've loved him for ten and a half years. We have two beautiful children and another on the way and I have never been happier than I am now. I didn't mean it when I said I hated him." I was starting to feel really bad about yelling at him now.
"Then why do you always yell at him?"
"It's very hard growing a baby and it makes me very tired. And when I get tired I get really grumpy. I also don't feel very well so I'm in a very bad mood sometimes. I don't want to take it out on you and Luke but daddy is the reason I'm pregnant so I feel like it's only reasonable to take it out on him. And I know that daddy doesn't mind and he knows how to make me happy again." The guilt about what I had said was starting to eat me up inside. I needed to call him. But I had to get the kids sorted first. I dressed Lily and brushed her strawberry-blonde curls. I made both kids brush their teeth.
"What's uncle Fangy and Aunt Max doing here?" Lily asked as I lifted her onto a breakfast bar stool. I had decided to feed them in the kitchen so the others could have their breakfast in peace. I had dragged Luke's highchair in too.
"They are having a special breakfast with Aunt Ally and Uncle Jacob."
"Why?"
"Cause Fang and Jacob got in trouble and they're sucking up." Lily seemed to accept that and I put some pop-tarts in front of her. I fed Luke his cereal while eating my own toast. I felt better now and I could see things clearly now. I was so upset about what I had said to Iggy. As soon as the kids had finished, I sent them off to play then grabbed the phone and dialled his mobile number. Then I heard a phone ringing on the bench. He'd left it behind. I sighed and put both phones down, staring out the window blankly. Ally, Jacob, Max and Fang all came out looking very happy. They were heading for the garage.
"And where do you think you're going?" I asked and they stopped.
"Out." Fang said simply.
"You can go out after you've cleaned up the kitchen." they had left it in a complete mess. Fang and Jacob laughed and started walking out. "Clean it or else." I threatened.
"Or else what?" I looked at Ally and Max who both nodded at me in return.
"I won't be the one dishing out the punishment." I smirked. The boys scowled at me before getting to work.
"Can you look after Shadow and Typa please?" Ally asked.
"Yeah, of course. You guys have fun, see ya later." I said leaving the kitchen, to go sit somewhere and wallow.
Later in the day, the kids were all off playing and I was sitting on the kitchen bench procrastinating calling Iggy's office. I needed to talk to him but I knew I'd have to go through his assistant who hated me. I decided to suck it up and called the number. I got directed through to her.
"Hello, Iggy Ride's office, Tabitha speaking." She answered.
"Uh hi, it's Violet, Iggy's wife. Can you please put me through to him?"
"He's not here." She said sharply.
"Well can you tell me where he is, I really need to talk to him."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"I don't like you." She hung up. I brought the phone down from my ear, the tears forming in the edges of my eyes.
"Mummy?" I heard Lily ask. I looked up and saw her standing in the middle of the kitchen. I didn't want her to see me crying and upset. "What's wrong?"
"N-nothing." I stammered wiping my eyes. Lily ran over to me, and started pulling at my jeans, wanting to be picked up. I complied and got up off the bench, scooping her up and hugging her tightly.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Lily asked sounding worried.
"I'm fine baby, just something silly that's all. Hey, why don't you round up the other three and we'll watch a movie together. Okay?" I asked. It was half assed child minding but I was too tired to run around after them all day. Lily nodded and ran off to find all the other kids while I went into the lounge. I got down on the floor by the cabinet where we kept all the DVDs and looked through for something that all of them would like. After a lot of uming and ahing I decided on Spy Kids. I set it up, shut the curtains and waited for them to come back to the lounge. Lily and Shadow cuddled up together on one of the couches, whereas Luke and Typa sat as far away from each other as possible.
"Luke, why don't you sit by Typa?" I suggested, sitting down on the couch.
"Me no sit by her!" Luke exclaimed outraged.
"I know let you!" Typa yelled back poking her tongue out.
"They're so immature." Lily said to Shadow, looking at the younger two disappointedly. Shadow nodded.
"Guys, let's just enjoy the movie and not start world war three. Please?" I asked. They went silent as I pushed play. I relaxed on the couch, resting my head on some pillows. About ten minutes into the movie, I lost my fight of trying to keep my eyes open and was out like a light.
Third Person POV
"Lily?" Luke asked his older sister.
"Shh, Luke, the movie's on." Lily shushed him too engrossed in the movie to listen to her little brother. Luke scowled; he wanted Lily to help him.
"But-" he began before he cut her off again.
"Shut up Luke!" She snapped.
"Shh, you wake mama up." Luke scolded patting his sleeping mother's hair. Lily looked up and went over to her brother. Her mother was well and truly asleep. Typa and Shadow joined them and the four of them stood beside Violet all unsure what to do.
"Do we wake her up?" Lily asked, worried that something might happen without her mother to keep them all safe.
"No, she tired." Luke disagreed, looking around the room for a blanket to cover Violet with.
"Yeah, let her sleep. Memba what happen the other day." Typa said. The four of them though back to when Violet had dropped the pizza. None of them had seen any of the adults that upset. They were disturbed from their debating by the garage door opening. They stayed quiet while the door opened and someone's footsteps came open.
"Daddy!" Lily exclaimed, greeting her father. "Mummy fell asleep." Iggy nodded, spotting his wife curled up on the couch, fast asleep.
"Okay, ah you guys keeping watching the movie, I'll take her upstairs and then we'll have some lunch." He went over to Violet and lifted her gently into his arms. She mumbled something incoherent and snuggled into him.
Violet POV
I woke up in bed, with someone stroking my hair. I opened my eyes to see Iggy sitting beside me.
"Hi." He murmured leaning down to kiss me on the forehead. I remembered what I was supposed to be doing.
"The kids! I can't believe I fell asleep! I'm such a bad mother!" Ig wrapped his arms around me and started rocking me.
"Shhh," He whispered in my ear. "You're not a bad mother. You got tired, it happens to everyone especially to people who are two and a half months pregnant. Remember, it's one of the times when the exhaustion is the worst."
"But that shouldn't get in the way of my parenting abilities to my other kids." I sniffed. "What if something happened?"
"Then they would have woken you up. But nothing happened. I came home to get my phone and found them all crowded around you trying to decide what to do and I took the afternoon off to watch them so you could sleep."
"How much time have you taken off work for me since we found out about the baby?" I asked.
"Two days and an afternoon. They're not going to care at work, as long as my department is making a big profit, no one's going to mind how much time I take off."
"I'm not getting you in to trouble then?"
"Of course not, and to be honest, I'd quit in a heartbeat if I couldn't take time off to be with you. You're my wife and you and the kids and the baby are my top priority."
"You always know just what to say." I smiled. "Now, come on, I need to get up before Ally and Jacob get home and discover that I fell asleep while watching their children and never trust me again."
"Are you ok? Do you need more sleep?"
"I'm fine. I promise I'll get an early night tonight, does that make you happy."
"Ecstatic."
Half an hour later, I was sitting on the kitchen bench watching Iggy bake. The kids were in lounge playing and we could see them though the doorway.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you this morning." I said quietly. Iggy came over to me and kissed my forehead.
"You don't need to be sorry. You were tired and feeling sick and that wasn't your fault." A tear slipped down my cheek.
"I just felt so bad. I don't need a time machine or a husband who can use a condom and I don't hate you. I love you, every bit of you." I put one hand on each of cheeks and pulled his face towards me and kissed him. "When they say that pregnant women have crazy mood swings they're not exaggerating." I joked.
"And the crying heaps thing too." Iggy chuckled. I hit him on the shoulder.
"Just shut up and bake." Iggy went back to make his cookies. I heard the garage door open and close after a car snuck in. They were back. Max and Ally were first through the door giggling, making me wonder how much they had been drinking. Jacob and Fang sulked through doorway.
"How was lunch?" I asked.
"Ally and Max decided to drink the restaurant dry." Fang said bitterly. Iggy laughed loudly.
"That old trick. Good one." He snorted. "Don't know how many times I've had that one pulled on me."
"Not a lot in the past few years, since I'm, you know, constantly pregnant."
"Yeah now it's just ice cream and that kind stuff. But seriously you guys got conned."