Chapter 5: A Woman's Place

"Hey, it's Bella again. Last time, I had lunch with Ellie, and she apologized for stealing Ed from me. I forgave her, especially since I'm with Jim now, and Ed's showed me what kind of person he really is. Jim and I decided to be a little nicer towards them."

Jim and I were in Dr. Landon's examination room, and had just heard our baby's heartbeat. It was like an underwater pump, but it made my eyes tear up. That sound was proof that a little baby was growing inside me.

After we were finished, Jim and I left in a cheerful mood.

"Well I guess I'm gonna have to start buying maternity clothes now." I told him.

"You'll look great, whatever you wear." Jim replied.

I smiled, he always knew what to say.

While I was at a clothes store, picking out some maternity clothes I began thinking about my future. I would be a mother, a mom, a mommy. I would have a little baby to take care of. It would change my life forever.

After picking out some clothes, I was heading to the cash register to pay for them when I caught my reflection in a mirror. I noticed that my belly was looking a little larger, and I did have a glow. As I smiled to myself, a pregnant woman came up to me.

"Is this your first pregnancy?" she asked me.

I nodded.

"Trust me, the first one is always the most special and memorable." she told me, as she rubbed her bump.

After paying for my new clothes, I called Jim, and he picked me up.

At work the next day, we were having a meeting about the layout of the project, and a team member, Josh was bringing in paper model of the condominiums. As I waited I noticed Ellie rubbing her bump, knowing that would be me soon.

Then Josh brought in his paper model. Everyone was impressed, we could see the details on the buildings, and it looked like it took a long time to build. When the meeting was over, we all got up to leave.

While I was walking back to my area, I realized I forgot a paper. I went back to get it, when I heard something fall. I looked into the room, and saw that the paper model was on the floor, and three people were in the room.

I quietly peeked inside, and saw Josh looking very angry, and he was yelling at Ed and Ellie.

"I'm really sorry." Ellie told him.

"It took me three days to make that model." Josh snapped.

"Josh, she said she was sorry. And it was an accident." Ed scolded.

It turned out that while Ellie was admiring the model, she turned and her belly accidentally knocked it to the floor. Josh grumbled as he picked up his broken model.

"It'll be nice when you go on maternity leave."

Josh then quickly stomped out the room. As I heard Ed and Ellie coming out, I quickly backed up down the hall, so it wouldn't look like I was spying.

"Ed, you don't think I'm really in the way do you?" asked Ellie.

"Of course not." Ed quickly defended.

Ellie placed her hands on her belly, and I saw she had a sad look on her face.

"I can't help but feel like a big bloated mess."

Ed hugged her, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for Ellie.

Later that day, I went to go find Ellie. I went into the ladies' room, and was washing my hands when I heard a stall door open. Ellie stepped out looking both relieved and annoyed.

"Oh, Ellie, there you are." I told her.

"Oh, Bella, hi. Sorry, I just used the bathroom for like the 5th time today."

"It's fine, I just wanted to make you were okay. I heard Josh was really upset about his model." Ellie looked embarrassed.

"I really didn't mean to knock it over."

She then began explaining that ever since she began showing, it'd been a little harder to do her work. She constantly had to go to the bathroom, her feet hurt, and with her belly so big she had a new center of gravity.

That really made me think, would the same thing happen to me when I started to really show?

That night, I expressed my concerns to Jim.

"Don't worry, Bella. If anyone gives you any trouble, I'll be around to protect you." he told me.

I smiled at him, he was such a prince. A couple weeks went by, and my belly began to grow. I liked it, but then when my co-workers started noticing. While some of the women workers congratulated me, some of the men gave me annoyed looks and glances.

I tried not to let it bother me, but then I overheard a conversation between some workers.

"I can't believe we have another pregnant co-worker." complained one.

"As if dealing with one hormonal woman isn't enough."

"Oh, come on guys. It's not too bad."

"At least Ellie will be leaving for maternity leave soon, we'll have to be stuck with this new girl."

I couldn't believe it. How could people say such things?

Then in the cafeteria, Jim and I were getting our food. I got a cup for my drink, but when I turned around I saw a dish of ice cream on my tray, but there were pickles in it. I was confused, but then I saw some guys snickering.

I scowled at them, while Jim gave them death stares. They were so frightened, they quickly hurried off. When work was over, Jim and I went back to the house. I kept thinking about what my co-workers were saying.

"Don't listen to them, Bella." Jim comforted.

"I'm trying not to. But it does make me think."

When the others mentioned Ellie leaving for maternity leave, what would happen when I left for maternity leave? My career was just starting to take off, and a baby would definitely put a pause on certain things.

That's chapter 5, plz review