Chapter 2
Thunder boomed outside and driving rain pounded against the apartment window as Monica, Gloria and Andrew sat in the living room the next morning. Monica sat, a little slumped on the couch with Andrew next to her, constantly repositioning herself as if trying to get comfortable. Personally, she had never been more uncomfortable in her entire existence. At first she liked being pregnant, but now it was just starting to become horribly unnerving and unpleasant.
Clearly catching sight of her discomfort, Andrew took the chance to help. "Here, Monica. Do you want to lie down?" He suggested as he sat back a little more on the couch to express his meaning. Monica didn't have to think about this long. In fact, she took the invitation gratefully…and quickly. "Yes, Andrew, thank you so much." She replied thankfully as she repositioned herself, pulling her legs up onto the couch and laying down on her back so her head rested in her friend's lap. He smiled sympathetically as she cringed a little before settling down.
"I don't know guys, I definitely feel like it's going to happen today." Monica stated uneasily as she allowed Andrew to brush a stray strand of her auburn hair out of her face. She stared up at the ceiling for a moment as she pondered what would soon take place involving her. It was a little frightening, but she realized that she no longer had any choice at all. Andrew and Gloria exchanged concerned glances, but said nothing while she continued. "Maybe we should go over to Abby and Mike's in case something happens." She suggested logically, suddenly realizing that would be easier than calling them out of the blue. But this request took both Gloria and Andrew by surprise.
"Oh, you really feel that strongly that it's going to be today?" Andrew repeated, desperately hoping she felt more confident about this than he did. But Monica stared up at him with such certainty in her hazel gaze that it almost guaranteed him it would be today. "Oh yes, I'm sure." She confirmed positively as she ran one hand over her pregnant belly and felt the baby moving around once again, as if confirming the conversation itself.
Andrew shrugged and glanced up at Gloria once again, who also seemed to think it was a good idea. He then returned his gaze to Monica and nodded in understanding. "Well, alright, we can go if you're sure." He told her gently with a hint of uneasiness in his tone as he too thought about the time ahead. She nodded in a convinced manner and Andrew shrugged as if he was depending everything they did on her before helping her up off of the couch and standing himself. Gloria then stood and followed as she watched her supervisor and Andrew head for the door. She knew they would be driving because of the weather outside, but just then a thought suddenly entered her mind.
"Oh, no wait." She stopped them just as Andrew had opened the door and they were ready to go. They turned back to her with an expectant expression. She went on. "Tess was supposed to come over later. I'd better stay here and wait for her. When she gets here, we'll go over to the Tuckers' too." She told them after minimal consideration of the situation. Tess was Monica's supervisor and old friend. She was like a mother to her. It didn't surprise her that she would want to be there when the baby was born. It would be okay. Gloria would wait for her and Monica would be able to go. No big deal. She quickly agreed to her trainee's suggestion before following Andrew out the door and down the hall. It wouldn't be long now. She could feel it. It wasn't as though she had gone into labor yet, but you never know.