I can't seem to eat. I suppose my excitement has my appetite off balance. Aladdin still refuses to tell me where we're going. I believe he's enjoying his little torture game. I steal a glance at him and see that same smile from earlier on his face. He knows the excitement is getting the better of me. I look at everyone at the table and they refuse to look our way. I have a feeling they know his plans and they, too, are keeping it from me. I place my hands on the table and try my hardest to rise from my seat. This obviously awakens them from their stupor. Aladdin immediately stands to help me. I'll be so happy once I have this baby because I'll once again be independent. I hate relying on others to help me. It's very frustrating! Once I regain my balance, I whisper to Aladdin that I'm retiring to our room and urge him to finish his dinner. He hesitates but doesn't argue. He kisses me on the cheek and sits down as I walk away.
I slowly walk to my room and reflect on Aladdin's plans for this evening. I want to know so badly but I also know that he wants it to be a surprise. I need to quit thinking about it so much and let it be a surprise. I near the bedroom door and suddenly an unwelcome feeling takes over my body. A feeling I know all too well and one I don't like whatsoever. I rush into my chambers to empty my stomach of what little food I've eaten. Not this again! I hate having morning sickness! I don't want to go through this again! I rinse my mouth out and walk to the bed to lay down. I drift off to sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
I'm awaken by someone whispering in my ear. I feel like I've been asleep for only a few minutes. I slowly open my eyes and find my husband looking down at me. He looks concerned. I sit up to allow him to sit across me.
"Jasmine, I know you don't like me worrying about you so much but are you alright? You've had me worried since you left at dinner. You hardly ate anything." He rests his hand on mine and our fingers entwine with one another. Yes, I hate him worrying so much. I'm afraid he's gonna die from all the stress.
"I'm fine, Aladdin. Or I was at the time. I was so excited about tonight that I couldn't eat and I decided I needed a break from the silence since no one was talking."
"You said you were fine. What aren't you telling me?" He gives me a look that screams 'tell me'. A look that a father gives a child. That's scary. He's already acquiring his role as father and the baby isn't here yet.
"My morning sickness is back and I'm not at all thrilled." I look down at our joined hands and I want to cry. So I do. Tears fall from my eyes and I can't wipe them away fast enough.
"Jas, don't cry. Everything will be fine. You got through it the first time and you can get through it again. Don't be upset. Remember, there's only a few more weeks before we meet our baby and all of this will be over." He leans over and wipes my tears away and kisses me on the cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too. You're too good to me. I'm a mess and you still choose to be here with me. I must look horrid." I finish wiping away my tears and sit up straighter.
"You're beautiful. I couldn't ask for a better woman to share my life with. I didn't do all that work for nothing, you know." He winks at me and flashes that boyish smile at me.
"I believe you had some help, husband."
"I'll never tell, wife." We sit in silence for a few minutes until I ask the one question that continues to bother me.
"What about your plans for tonight? "
"They can wait. I want you safe and sick free. I'm not too sure flying on Carpet will help with your morning sickness. Besides, us staying in and locked away in our chambers sounds more appealing. We haven't done that since our honeymoon."
"I have to agree. I wouldn't want to ruin Carpet, anyone, or anything if I were to get sick. They might not be so forgiving."
"Then it's settled. We're staying in this room till we deem it necessary to leave. Let me go lock the door. I don't want anyone to interrupt our solitude." He stands up amd walks over to the door to lock it. I rise from the bed to change and quickly get back into bed as Aladdin undresses. I try to find a comfortable position to lie in but as usual, it's become a problem. I toss and turn until I find the perfect postion. I'm nestled into Aladdin's arms facing away from him. He lightly taps his fingers over my stomach which earns him a swift kick in return. He lightly chuckles and taps again. Another kick from our little one hits above my navel. They continue their tapping and kicking and surprisingly it lulls me to sleep.