Chapter 9.
Juliette just got out the shower, when there was a knock at the door.
She called through the door "Who is it?"
"It's me," said a familiar voice.
She opened the door, with a small towel wrapped around her body, water still dripping down her legs and arms.
"Well, I guess that explains why I have been knocking for 5 minutes," Avery smiled and Juliette couldn't help smile back as she let him in and closed the door behind them.
"I wasn't exactly expecting you," she said coyly.
"Umm, well there is a slight problem. The hotel is fully booked and the nearest one with space is a 20 minute drive away."
"So what are you going to do?"
"I was going to book that one, I guess I'll take a taxi after the show."
"Avery, just stay with me, its fine. I mean, that bed is plenty big enough. You could sleep in there and I wouldn't even notice you."
"Well, thanks very much," he said, pretending to be hurt.
"You know what I mean," she said, as she playfully swiped for him.
"OK, thanks…if you're sure. How are you feeling anyway?"
"I have been following the doctor's advice, and it seems to be working," she smiled, "I'm trying to forget about everything else for now," she turned away from him and walked towards the bathroom.
"I better get ready. Feel free to make yourself at home and watch TV, help yourself to some food."
Juliette returned to the bathroom, but she left the door open. Avery wasn't sure if she had left it open on purpose. He could see her movement, but just saw glimpses of her, still wrapped in her towel.
"You might want to shut the door Juliette," he called.
There was no answer. "Juliette?"
She appeared at the door suddenly , dressed in her bra and panties.
"Yes?" she asked, she was straight faced, but Avery could see the mischief in her eyes.
"You heard me," he looked away, blushing.
"It's nothing you haven't seen before."
She walked over to the bed and sat down on the bottom by his feet. He was leaning upright on the pillows, trying to avert his eyes, but she got the better of him and he glanced back to her.
"You see my tummy? It's definitely bigger," she bit her lip, with a slight smile and moved closer to him.
He looked at her tummy and concentrated on breathing. As he took all of her in his eyes, he decided that she had never looked more beautiful.
"Oh yeah, you look like you ate too much. Which isn't unusual…you do have a big appetite. You sure the doctor didn't get it wrong and it isn't just gumbo?" he prodded her tummy, gently.
She let out a big hearty laugh and threw her head back. When they locked eyes again, there was a glimmer of old times, happy and in love. It didn't take long for reality to seep back in, but the brief moment was treasured by both of them.
"I better finish getting ready."
"Ok, fatty," he said, playfully.
She pretended to be deeply offended, but she couldn't hold it and cracked up laughing again as she made her way back to the bathroom. He couldn't take her eyes of her. He tried to control himself and his arousal, but it was no use, and it quickly became evident. He hoped she stayed in there for a while, so he could calm himself down.
As Juliette stared into the mirror again, a wave of grief that she had managed to bury, surged again and she felt the tears began to roll once more. She pulled herself together quickly, but she just couldn't believe the pain she had caused herself and Avery with one stupid, meaningless mistake.