A single light cackled on in the cozy living room with a television playing loud enough to drown out the heavy rain that started to pour. With storms passing through the New England region temperatures dropped forcing Jamie, Eddie and two year old Teddy to stay in for movie night.
The had on an old family favorite, The little mermaid.
Jamie had an arm around Eddie, watching her smiling more than the movie. In between them Teddy had his eyes glued to the screen.
Eddie felt their newest addition move inside her tummy. She sighed "She likes the music."
"I wonder where she gets that from," Jamie whispered warm breath into her ear softly. He chuckled, giving her a light kiss on her cheek.
"I am so huge..." she sighed. "Look at my ankles."
His soft eyes searched hers, "You're glowing just like with Teddy. Really Eddie. You' look amazing babe." Jamie hooked an arm through hers, rubbing up and down her baby bump.
"She can't come fast enough," Eddie replied as Teddy turned around.
He put a hand over his lips and breathed out, "Shh, mommy, daddy mermaid on. Teddy no hear what they say." With that he snapped his head back around to the movie. Jamie couldn't hold a snicker under his breath.
He was blessed. He loved their apartment, their family, his job and his law school classes.
Their family. He hadn't heard from his since they visited when Teddy was born. Jamie did everything to show them that they could provide for themselves and their kids. He only spoke on the phone to his father, announcing that they were having another baby but that it didn't go over well.
Lena was much more supportive, she visited once a month. Henry also reached out and had a relationship with Teddy.
At least they had some support and boy those first few months it was welcome. Now they at least had an idea of what to expect.Eddie was due in only 8 weeks, the baby was big and active. It hurt to move somedays.
When the movie finished Jamie carried Teddy for his bedtime routine, tickling his stomach. "Okay Teddy bear, let's brush those teeth bud," Jamie put his son down on the bathroom floor to help him. Every moment was precious with the two year old as it would be with their new baby.
Teddy was so good, and he was smart. He loved to draw, read books and go on outings with his Mommy
He brushed his teeth independently then let his daddy carry him into the bedroom. "All right Teddy bear sleepy time. You have Mr Cocoa," Jamie set the light brown bear under the covers next to his son.
He nodded, "Yes, love Mr Cocoa too."
"I know you do bud. Love you so much Teddy bear," Jamie bent over to kiss his head. "Close your eyes and sleep good."
Eddie was waddling to bed when he came back. "You need help.'
"Little late for that question," Eddie took a seat on the edge, about all she could muster right now. "Actually, can you put my feet up."
'Anything for you," Jamie replies. "When is the next appointment?'
He put her legs up on a pillow as the doctor suggested then sat down too. Eddie sat up against the backboard quietly rubbing her stomach. "Next week. I can't move, my ankles are huge and my back hurts so bad."
"You need more help," Jamie sighed. ",When does your mom come?"
"She's supposed to come Friday around dinner time. I wish you were home more," Eddie slowly ran her hand over his.
"Me too, the semester is over in six weeks then I have that break. I'll be home more after the baby comes."
The bed creaked when Jamie moved to lay down too, taking Eddie into his arms. She readjusted herself, head on his shoulder and took his hand again quietly.
As they fell quiet the rain seemed to be getting louder outside. "Eddie, talk to me babe. What's going through your head? Getting nervous?
"No," she signed. "Just homesick."
"I can't imagine how hard it is to be away from your mom. Do you regret moving out here," Jamie didn't want to ask the question but it came out.
"Not at all," she replied. "I like being separate and apart a bit. I never wanted to disappear into your family even after growing up with them."
Jamie pressed his lips to her head, relieved to hear her say that. "Your mom is welcome anytime she wants to come up. I love you Eddie."
"I miss your mom too at times like this."
"Yeah me too," Jamie admitted quietly. He tucked his head against hers. Even with Lena and Pop visiting, Jamie longed to have his father spending time with them, Teddy and their baby.
Eddie slept well that night and felt better in the morning. The rest of the week went quickly until Lena and Henry came for their monthly visit.
"Oh Edit, look at you," Lena fussed at her when they came into the living room. She sat down on the couch for hugs and kisses. "You look amazing sweetheart. And where is my handsome grandson?"
"I feel huge," Eddie sighed. "He's coloring in the kitchen."
Kissing her daughter on the cheek Lena excused herself to go see Teddy with Henry in tow a few steps behind her.
Teddy gave big hugs and kisses to them both. Henry looked at his paper, "What are you coloring there?"
"Color Joe," Teddy climbed back up, looking over his crayon choices.
"Joe?" Henry lifted his eye brows. "You mean Uncle Joe?"
Teddy started to color the hair, "Ucle Joe Pop Pop. He no smile like daddy. Daddy always smile."
"Yes Daddy has a big smile," Lena replied. "It's so good that he know his uncle, that's special."
Henry was stunned, only able to nod. Jamie probably has pictures of Joe, and told Teddy stories about his brother and best friend. That had to be it. They let Teddy go back to coloring, joining Jamie and Eddie on the couch.
When Henry and Lena were there, Eddie felt better. She dint' have to run after Teddy or keep house. She was carrying all in front, making it hard to move and sit down or stand up.
"So tell me how you're feeling sweetheart. Should be having that baby pretty soon," Henry told her.
"Seven weeks," she replied. "She's moving a lot so that's good but with Teddy it was more evenly distributed."
She received sympathetic looks, "Well you are to sit with your feet up. Jamison will work and we are here to help. Now, it was a long trip so I'd like to check in then we will come back with food."
"Okay, Pop," Eddie smiled and rubbed her belly.
Goodbyes were said and they were gone. Jamie was sitting on the couch edge. "Did I mention how proud I am of you," he whispered. "I love you so much." He kissed each inch of her neck while tracing his fingers under her shirt.
"Hmm, I love you too but our son is in the kitchen and your grandpa is coming back with my mom soon so nice try. Wait until later," Eddie gave him a kiss on the cheek smiling at his effort. Not that she minded making love to Jamie. It was just hard with her huge stomach.
Jamie sat back against two pillows smiling and rubbed up and down her back slowly thinking. "I smell smoke coming from that smart head of yours. What's up Jamie," Eddie asked sleepily from his arms. Her favorite spot, especially lately as the pregnancy progressed.
"Just thinking about how things. It's nothing Eddie," Jamie gave her head a soft kiss smiling.