At the 32 week mark, Elisa felt like a blimp. She hadn't seen her feet in months, her back ached and she was still waiting for the infamous 'getting your energy back' portion of the pregnancy that she'd been promised by some of the pregnancy books.
Honestly, she felt more tired than before.
Sleep was a thing of the past. Or at least, getting uninterrupted sleep. Now, it took her so long to get comfortable in bed, that by the time that happened, she'd have to get up to pee again.
She waddled when she walked, and kissed being graceful goodbye as soon as she felt her center of gravity shift.
Driving was now an exercise of contortionist proportions getting her expanding waist behind the damn steering wheel. If she got much bigger, she was going to have to seriously think about taking cabs to work.
She was still having weekly checkups with the doctor and his pair-o-nurses, and with the exception of the concern over the baby's size, everything was still going okay.
"Detective Maza," Maria's voice called out, grabbing her attention as soon as she got through the door.
Elisa grit her teeth. She had put it off as long as possible, but this close to her due date?
There was no chance that her time wasn't up.
"Sit," Maria commanded as Elisa got inside the door.
Elisa gingerly sat down in the padded wooden chair and propped her elbows on the arms.
"How are you feeling?" Maria began.
"Fine," Elisa said.
"Want to try that again?" Maria asked with a knowing smile.
"Fine," Elisa sighed. "I'm tired, I'm freaking huge and I have to pee all the time." She shrugged. "Other than that, I'm fine."
Maria chuckled a little at that. "I've never been pregnant myself, but I have a rather large family, so I've been around many a pregnant female. I have to say," Maria said, looking Elisa over, "That you are one tough cookie. Are you sure you don't want to leave a little early for your maternity leave? No one here would blame you."
Elisa shook her head. "No. I want to keep coming in as long as I can. Even," She sighed, "if it means working dispatch."
"Alright," Maria said with a sigh. "I'm afraid that the overnight shifts for dispatch are full now, but they do need a part time dispatcher in the afternoons. That would give you your nights free to be home and near help if you need it."
She'd be near the clan, Elisa thought. That's what Maria meant, even if she couldn't say so.
As much as Elisa wanted to fight it, she knew that if she wanted to continue to work, this was her best option. Full shifts, even desk duty, was wearing her out and it would be nice to be home at night with her family.
Elisa nodded. "Is this effective immediately?"
"Go ahead and work your shift tonight," Maria said, understanding showing in her eyes. "Finish up what you can, and get the boys up-to-date. Your first day shift will be on Tuesday, which is two days from now. Get some rest, and take the time to get your internal clock adjusted. We're wanting you back happy and healthy on overnights as soon as you're up to returning to work."
She pushed herself out of the chair, a simple task that was becoming more and more difficult. "Thanks, Maria."
She returned to her desk and picked up her phone to call the boys back in.