Chapter 22 - No More Surprises
A single lantern in his hand lit the way in his tunnel of darkness. A bundle clutched in his arm. A way out of this hell was desperately needed. A figure of darkness disturbed the bundle in his arm. He had no weapons to defend himself. "Who are you?" he called out to it. The figure advanced slowly without a word. "What do you want?" he said attempting to stop the friend or foe. Lantern light reflected a silver object. The dark figure advanced with it. Tommy backed into a dead end. A baby's cry echoed against the tunnel walls, but the bundle contained nothing but blankets. Tommy dropped the lantern. The figure became darkness. Fiercely, pain found its way into Tommy's stomach.
A piercing inhale followed by a sharp kick opened sleeping eyes. Instinctively, a hand flew to the spot where Tommy thought he had been stabbed, only to find his occupant moving in his fairly large dome. Closing his eyes, he swallowed hard and steadied his breathing, hoping the baby would calm down from his false anxiety. Lying on his back, he grazed his hand over the large curve of his stomach. Then, Tommy slowly shifted himself off the bed. He nearly stumbled forward from the newly added weight. Grace didn't wake, so he walked into the living room and lit a light. It revealed more than he wanted to see. "Holy hell," he whispered as he wiped sweat from his brow. His hand found its way to his back for support. "Well, so much for knowing which shoes to wear everyday," he said looking down at the large dome perching on his thin hips. No feet were in sight. Tommy sat in a nearby chair so that he could better examine himself. "Ah!" he voiced suddenly as the baby shifted. His hands hovered hesitantly. Despite another passing month, Tommy still was uneasy about his condition. Timidly, he pulled up his shirt exposing his large belly. The navel was now completely pushed outward like a small knot. His skin was so taunt that he could see the baby move underneath his skin. Tommy gingerly placed his hands on each side of his stomach. "How much bigger could you possibly get," he said, holding the watermelon in his lap. Grace walked in sleepily. "Tommy, is everything alright?" she asked half awake. He motioned for her to sit beside him. "She saying hello? She's suppose to do that, especially this far into it," Grace simply said, resting a palm on the moving child. He sighed. "Is something wrong Tommy?" she asked. He hesitated before saying anything. "I've seen plenty of things in France, some I wish I didn't … but I've ever seen … ah" Tommy started to say before getting kicked again. She massaged the spot where the baby prodded the most. Tommy rested his hands at his sides. "All I can say is, there better not be two in there," he jested dryly. "I don't want anymore surprises," he continued without a smile.