Rolling over in his sleep he unconsciously reached for her, draping his arms around her and resting his hands against her ever-growing bump. His eyes flickered open as soon as he registered the movement against his hand was the baby kicking, clearly upset at the rude awakening. Speedily removing his hand in hope of not waking Duffy he watched her as she scrunched up her face before letting out a moan, thankfully her eyes remained shut. Phew. That would not have ended well for him.
It was a slight understatement saying things hadn't been easy lately, especially for Duffy, with the complaint against Baz. These things never go smoothly do they? Not that anyone thought Duffy was lying, she had enough back up but these things were complicated with ridiculous processes that needed following. Add that with Baz making it as difficult as possible with her lies made for a stressful time for everyone, Duffy instantly blaming herself for it all. It quickly resulted in him practically having to force Duffy to take time off work with stress, it was that or she'd end up a patient. Even then it took her until she passed out whilst getting ready for work one morning to listen to him. By that stage it wasn't just her who's stress levels had got ridiculously high to the point he eventually broke down on the phone to Megan about it, unable to figure out what the hell to do anymore and terrified for his wife health. Should they both just quit and move whilst they could and the kids were small? It was thankfully a route they didn't need to go down as coincidentally a few days after his chat with Megan Baz suddenly quit with immediate effect.
As for today it was their youngest, for now, 2nd birthday. Boy time really did fly. Duffy had successfully got herself into quite the tizzy last night worrying about the party, hence his concern over waking her up. Not that any man would willingly wake their pregnant wife up in the middle of the night. Not unless they were very naive or incredibly stupid. Rolling back over he glances across at the clock, 3.27 shone back at him. Hmm too early, back to sleep it was.
Some hours later the party was in full swing, tons of little legs rushing around the garden whilst most of the adults chatted watching them. Charlie glanced around only to realise Duffy had disappeared again, where was she this time? Leaving his mother in law to keep an eye on Charlotte he heads back inside towards the kitchen where he quickly found her on the phone. She was dressed in a pleated navy skirt and white tank top, her red hair in loose curls she looked simply stunning to the point he found himself staring at her. Quickly spotting the stare she raises one eyebrow as she finishes her call.
"What?" Glancing down at her figure, well she couldn't see much bar the bump now, she worries. "Do I look okay?" She'd firstly tried on a short black maternity dress but it swamped her with Charlie insisting it drowned her petite frame, not that she believed that, so this was really all she had left that was suitable.
Grinning back at her he nods enthusiastically. "Oh you look more than okay!" Due to the various issues she'd had and that she had a tiny frame to begin with she remained very small just with a bump, something Megan worried about as soon as she set eyes on her. "Who was on the phone?"
Still glancing downwards, now unsure she sighs before finally glancing up. "Oh I had the urge to check on Peter. He's fine, Andrews taking him to the Zoo today." Despite her words she finished her sentence with a pout. "I miss him."
Stepping forward her pulls her close as he wraps his arms around her. "I do too, it's not the same without him but he always has a good time with his dad. He'll be back tomorrow and we will do something with the both of them next weekend."
Resting her head against his shoulder she could help but smile as she begins to feel the baby kick against Charlie. His smile broadened before stepping back and placing both hands against her bump. "Hello trouble." Feeling a stronger kick back only widened his smile.
"Hmm trouble is the word." Fixing him with a knowing look she was about to open her mouth again when the back door opened to reveal Megan's figure.
"Ah so this is where you two are hiding." Stepping further in the room she shuts the door behind her but seeing her look Charlie sensibly breaks apart adding that he's off back to check on the kids before heading back outside.
Placing both hands on her back Duffy sighed. "Why do I feel like I just got abandoned?" Clearly Megan had something she wanted to say and often that meant Duffy didn't wish to hear it.
Tutting Megan flicks the kettle on as she motions for Duffy to sit down, something she hadn't done once since she'd arrived some hours ago. "Nonsense. I just wanted a chat, see how you are actually doing after everything that happened."
Giving in and taking the seat she sighs. "I'm fine Megan, well I am now. I'm just glad it's over."
"It would have been over a darn sight quicker if you'd just told me Duffy." Shaking her head at the younger woman as she continued to make tea she couldn't help but tell her off.
"I didn't want to worry you, I guess I didn't realise how bad it had got." Sighing she began to pick at her top, still slightly self conscious about it.
"No Charlie said that too and he got an earful in all." Passing her the tea she sighs slightly on noticing Duffy picking at her top before sitting next to her.
"What do you mean?" Raising her eyebrows, her curiosity peaked she begins to worry.
"Charlie hasn't said?" She hadn't expected him to keep that quiet, there was no need.
"What's he done now?" Well that wasn't reassuring her at all was it?
"Nothing pet. He was so worried about you, both of you, didn't know what to do." Seeing the other woman's face fall only concerned her more.
"Ah so he told you before it was all sorted? He promised me he wouldn't worry you with it." Frustration seeped into her tone, angry that her husband once more lied to her.
"Of course he told me, as I said you both should have told me earlier! If the pair of you hadn't been so darn stubborn it would have never got this bad."
Straightening her back her face now concerned she regarded Megan with a pointed look. "What do you mean? What did you do Megan?"
"Had words is all. Simple chat did the trick." Shrugging she didn't see the need for that look.
"What?! Megan! What did you say?" Getting to her feet now, again both hands on her back she sighed heavily.
"What I said doesn't matter but she won't be causing you any more problems." Joining Duffy on her feet she stepped closer, worried about overwhelming her.
"Megan." Her frustrated tone quickly gave way to tears as she finally let down that wall. "Thank you." Quickly taking Duffy into a hug Megan attempted to shh her, managing to keep her concerns about her size to herself. Just.
"No need for all that. It's over. Come on Pet, let's go see that gorgeous daughter of yours open her presents eh?" Titling Duffy's head up she wipes her tears away, offering a smile.