Sharon put down the latest stack of paperwork, glad to be done with all of it. She leaned her head back on the pillow and started to run her arm over her ever expanding stomach. Three and a half weeks-she'd been at this now for three and a half weeks and was so tired of staying off her feet. Sadly, she was looking forward to her doctor's appointment later this afternoon because it would at least get her out of the house. She looked over at the paperwork again and groaned. She'd become the paperwork queen at work with her sudden "work from home" situation. She was just grateful that they had found a way to keep her working even if she couldn't go to work.
As she glanced over at the pile of paperwork, she pulled out one file that had caught her eye. He was spiraling. Andy Flynn again. Sharon had been tasked with going through files of current department problems and providing some sort of outline or framework for the department's plan forward. With his file, she wasn't sure there would be a plan forward. He'd not been drinking, at least that was not what had gotten him in trouble, but he'd missed his last session of anger management. That was a problem. His claim was that he'd slept through his alarm after working a long case and not sleeping for 42 hours. She wanted to believe the write up, but it was hard to do so. Sharon didn't want to believe he'd been drinking and was sleeping it off. Sadly, she didn't know the real reason, but she now just had to dish out further punishment. On any account, oversleeping was not justification for missing any required training. She could write him up for further punishment , would do it, but she sighed, again rubbing her stomach. She'd been fooled by his charm, and this is what had resulted. She hated that she'd been in such a bad place that she'd failed to see any warning sings. He was going to be lucky to keep his job. Andy Flynn had a lot of problems in his life, and she'd been stupid enough to run to him, not once, but twice.
Sharon looked over to her nightstand and gazed at her wedding picture. Jack still was so handsome, but she still found herself wondering if she was wearing blinders regarding him too. Yes, she knew about his affairs, and he was promising to change and raise this child together. As much as he deserved a clean slate, she was still having trouble giving it to him, those lingering thoughts still lurking in her head. It wasn't fair to Jack. She knew that. She had promised to put the past in the past, but still...she had her small doubts. The past three and a half weeks had been challenging in their home for a multitude of reasons.
Jack's case was consuming all of his time and energy. Sharon had almost no energy, which was insane since she stayed in bed most of the day. Emily seemed to have sucked up all of the family's energy. Thank goodness for daycare because Emily was spending a lot of time there. Sharon hated it, hated that she as a mother couldn't care for her daughter. Jack had told her that it would pass, that soon, she'd be exhausted with two children at home. She knew he was right but it didn't change things now. Jack was able to take Emily most days, and they few times he had been too busy with work, Millie had stepped in. Sharon was very grateful for her, and she was the one taking Sharon to her appointment this afternoon. She'd become a dear friend, almost a mother-like figure to Sharon, and the help was much appreciated. Millie had even organized some meals for their family, courtesy of her Bible study group, and those meals had been very helpful with Sharon off her feet. She hoped that this afternoon she would be given the green light to get up and moving again. The initial two weeks of bedrest had turned to this, almost a month of it. She'd still been having contractions two weeks ago, but thankfully, those had subsided. She didn't see why not; she was now just a couple days shy of 37 weeks-full term. Sharon rubbed her side again and looked at her massive stomach-soon, maybe in just a few days, she'd meet her second child, their second child.
Hours later, Sharon smiled at the sound of the door opening, and she stirred the sauce once again before putting the spoon down.
"Sharon," Jack called out.
"Kitchen," she said, and he stepped into the room as she finished saying that. Their house wasn't big, and the kitchen was right there. "Cooking!" Jack exclaimed. "Good sigh, hmm?"
"Yes," Sharon smiled as she turned and saw Emily there in his arms. Emily smiled brightly at Sharon and reached out for her. "Oh, my baby girl. It is so good to hold you." Sharon kissed her head and held Emily tightly to her.
"So?"" Jack asked as he took off his tie and coat. "Good to go?"
Sharon nodded as she put Emily down who was now squirming. Emily toddled off to her toys, and Sharon walked over to peck Jack on the lips. "Yes, I am off bed rest and cleared to have this baby whenever the time comes."
"Excellent," Jack said, rubbing his hands together. "That's great, Shar. See, I knew you'd be fine, baby too. Now, when about the baby? Few more days?"
Sharon bit her lip and shook her head, "No, at least I don't know. The contractions have stopped completely. My doctor is very pleased with my progress. She said I followed the rules well-"
Jack chuckled as he opened a beer for himself, "Well, we both knew that is your speciality. You never even bend the rules, Sharon. Our kids are doomed if they ever do."
Sharon glared at him, a hidden grin on her face as she turned to the stove, "Very funny, but the only plan is no plan. I'll go each week now that I'm almost to full term. The baby is finally behaving," she said, rubbing her side. "I like hearing that, our kids. It sounds nice."
"Oh, so size is okay now?" Jack asked.
Sharon sighed and turned from the stove, "No, still small. I think it's just going to be a small baby, Jack. All measurements have been small. How, I don't know. I'm massive," she said, gripping her sides at the stove. Jack walked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her, and he nudged her hair to the side where he kissed her neck and whispered.
"You are glowing, Shar, totally gorgeous," he added as he kept his hands on her stomach. "It's good to see you up and moving around again. I know it's been rough."
"Yes," she turned sideways to speak to him. "I'm going to return to work. I need to work now so I can take the time after the baby comes. I'll be doing desk work still, no worries."
"Okay, that's good, Shar. That will help with Emily, and with you back to work tomorrow I can schedule my work dinner. I've needed to get together with my team for a few things. I'll plan that now."
"Oh," she said with a nod. "I'm sure Emily and I can manage. We can get her bedroom moved now since I'm off bed rest. The baby will be here before we know it. Here we were thinking a Christmas baby, and with my troubles, let's just hope we get through Thanksgiving in a few days."
"Oh, about that," Jack said taking a big swig of his beer. He frowned at her, "I'm going to have to work most of Thanksgiving weekend. This trial is killing me," he frowned. "Sorry, Babe. I did do something to make it up to you," he said, sliding his hand around her as he smiled. She sighed and looked up at him.
He grinned, "I ordered a full Thanksgiving meal from a restaurant so you don't have to cook. We can eat here, and then, I can get to work. It's just one of those things, Shar, just one of those years. You okay?"
She frowned, but as she did, the thoughtfulness of him hit her; he was trying in spite of everything. He had to work, but he'd taken care of Thanksgiving dinner with her in the state she'd been in on bed rest. Normally, her mom would visit and help with Thanksgiving. This year was different for so many reasons, and she did appreciate his thoughtfulness. It did mean a lot. She leaned up, kissed him, and she gave him a small smile, "Thank you for looking out for us. I'm sorry you have this case right now. I know it's been a lot. Yes, that will work, and maybe I will offer to cover work as well. My department has been convering for me, and I can repay the favor."
"That's the spirt, Shar," he grinned at her. "We'll kick off the holidays working, but by Christmas, we'll have a brand new baby."