***Two Weeks Later***
Jonathan and Jennifer had enjoyed a very blissful, relaxing, honeymoon. Neither of them wanted to leave.
Jennifer's belly had really popped out, and she had begun to show. Jonathan thought she looked adorable.
Her cravings had intensified as well. She couldn't get enough grilled shrimp or sliced tomatoes.
It was their last day, and they decided to spend it on the beach.
They were laying out enjoying the waves and sipping on drinks.
"What's the first thing you want to do when we get home?"
"Hug Max. What about you?"
"Same. I'm anxious to get our wedding presents opened and organized. And then I want to start working on some articles. If I can publish 4 articles a month, I will be able to duplicate my monthly income from when I worked at the Times".
"Darling, you don't have to work if you don't want to. We have more than enough money to live on, even if Hart Industries closed down tomorrow".
"I know that. And I love that you are able to more than provide for us, but darling, I enjoy my work. I enjoy the process of researching the story and putting it all together. I might not work forever, but I don't want to give that part of my life up just yet".
"Whatever you want to do is fine with me". He leaned over and kissed her.
She rolled over on her stomach and laid out that way for a bit.
A waiter came by and took their lunch order.
"Garden salad with a double order of grilled shrimp, please, and lemon basil dressing."
"I'll try the BBQ burger and fries. And 2 waters, thanks".
She sat up and started putting on sunscreen again.
"You've really gotten dark this trip."
"Yeah, I have, haven't I? I always tan really well. You tanned pretty well yourself".
He rubbed some sunscreen on her back for her, and then she did the same for him.
About 20 minutes later, their lunch was delivered.
Jonathan's BBQ burger was a thick burger patty with bbq sauce, bacon, cheese, and pickles. Underneath the patty was pulled pork and bbq sauce.
"Want a bite?"
"No thank you. I'm full just looking at that".
He managed to eat about ½ of it, while Jennifer ate all her salad.
They stayed out till 4, and then headed inside.
They had decided to go to dinner at the hibachi restaurant in the resort that night.
Jennifer took a shower as soon as she came in the room, and Jonathan got in right behind her.
She put on a light purple spaghetti strap dress and some black flip flops.
Jonathan put on some khaki cargo shorts and a polo and some gray flip flops.
They walked to the restaurant and had a nice dinner and then walked on the beach one more time after dinner.
When they came in their room, Jonathan could tell she was getting tired.
"We can sit on the patio if you want".
"Yeah, that sounds wonderful".
Their room had a king-sized bed and a bathroom with a huge soaking tub, plus a private patio with a hammock and a chaise swing.
They settled onto the chaise swing and she leaned back against him. He wrapped his arms around her.
"Darling, did they ever start working on the house? The painters and the contractors, I mean".
"They were supposed to start the week we came here. We can check when we get home. I gave explicit instructions for them to contact Deanne at the office with any questions. And she has your list of what you wanted in each room and the drawings that we made of where everything was to go".
"Wonderful. I hope they've made good progress".
"So, if someone wanted to change the deed to the house, or the property record, would they just go to the registrar's office?"
"Yes, they would".
"Can we do that sometime this week?"
"Sure, but why do we need to?"
"Honey, it's not my house. We're married now, it's ours. I want to add your name to it".
"Well, that's not necessary, but we can certainly go and do that if you'd like".
"When we move into the new house, what do you want to do with the old one?"
"I haven't really thought about it. I would kind of like to keep it, really. It could be a little hideaway of sorts, when we need it".
"I love that idea".
They were just about to get up when Jennifer suddenly grabbed her stomach.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah. Here, put your hand right here."
She placed his hand on her stomach.
"You feel that?"
"Yeah, I do".
"That's your kid".
He leaned forward and kissed her.
He got up and helped her up, and they went inside and headed to bed.
As they climbed into bed, he wrapped his arms around her.
"You know, this is our last night where we don't have to worry about anyone else hearing us".
"I know, I was just thinking that. Darling, do you think we bug Max sometimes?"
"Bug him how?"
"Like we make him uncomfortable."
"No, I don't think we do. If we did, he would find a way to let us know".
"I hope we don't bug him."
She started running her fingernail through his chest hair.
"I definitely don't want to leave this place. But I can't wait to be home and for us to be living a regular old married life".
"Me too".
He gave her a few kisses.
"So, let's see. I need to go change my name on my license, and I guess we can change my name on the house when we add yours. And I need to change my name on my social security card and my bank account too. I hope I can do all of that in one day".
"I don't see why you wouldn't be able to, unless the lines were all backed up".
"I hope it doesn't take too long. I would rather be home with you than stuck in a long line somewhere".
She kissed his chest.
"You sure do look good tan".
"So do you".
He made love to her a couple times, and then held her all night as they fell asleep together.
***The next morning***
Their travel pattern was pretty much the same as when they came to Antigua. They were flying commercial to Miami, and then Jack was flying them from Miami back to LA.
"Darling, why didn't we have Jack just fly us the whole way?"
"Well, that's a little far, and when I booked the honeymoon package, airfare was included, from Miami. So, we compromised".
They packed up after breakfast and took a shuttle to the airport.
They got there right on time, and only had about an hour before they had to board.
Jennifer was reading the book she had about pregnancy and what to expect. She was so engrossed in it, she didn't even hear Jonathan tell her it was time to board.
"Darling, it's time to board".
"Oh. Alright".
They boarded and got settled in their seats, and she pulled the book back out again.
"Darling, this book says I'm supposed to feel the baby once or twice an hour. I am not. I'm supposed to be feeling tenderness in my breasts and I'm supposed to be sleeping a lot less than I am. I'm more sleepy and I'm not tender. When we get home, I think we need to call Susan".
"Darling, when we get home, it will be almost midnight. We will be exhausted".
"Jonathan, something could be wrong with the baby".
He grabbed her hand and kissed it.
"I'm sure the baby is fine. If it will make you feel better, then call her tomorrow after you wake up and see if she can see you or even come by the house after work. But there's no point in waking her up at midnight unless it's an emergency".
"I just want to be able to look at our kid one day and know that I did everything I was supposed to, everything I could have done, and everything I should have done".
"And you will. I promise you, it's alright. Look, if it makes you feel better, what if we call her from our plane?"
She nodded.
"Ok, we will do that".
"I know you think I'm being silly, but I just don't want to do the wrong thing".
"I don't think you're silly, not at all. I just think that the book is a guideline, and it's not the same for everyone. But if it will make you feel better to hear her say everything's fine, then we will call her".
She leaned back and ended up dozing for a little bit. She woke up just before they landed.
He looked over and saw her rubbing her stomach.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah, it's just a slight cramp. I should probably drink some water".
He signaled for the stewardess.
"Yes sir?"
"Can we have two waters please, the bigger the better?"
"Right away, sir".
She returned a few minutes later with their waters, and even gave them a couple extra bottles.
"Thank you".
Jennifer started drinking hers as soon as it was handed to her.
They landed in Miami and took a shuttle to his plane.
After they boarded, he got her some fresh ice and they sat down and buckled up.
She was still cramping a little.
He picked up the phone and called Susan.
"Hello?"
"Hi, it's Jonathan. Do you have a minute to talk to Jennifer? She has some concerns about the pregnancy".
"Certainly".
"Ok, here she is".
He passed the phone to Jennifer.
"Hi, Susan? I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm just a little worried. I was reading a book about what I should expect from pregnancy and I realized that I'm not actually experiencing it like it said. It said I should feel the baby one to two times an hour, but actually I felt the baby for the first time last night and I haven't felt anything since. And it said my breasts should be tender, but they aren't. And I'm apparently sleeping too much. Plus, I'm cramping a little today, but I'm drinking water, and hoping it will go away. Would it be ok for me to take something?"
"Ok, slow down. First of all, not all pregnancies are the same. Pregnancy books are guidelines, but not every pregnancy happens the exact way they say it will. The bigger the baby gets, the more you will feel the baby. By my count, you are only 16 weeks along, and most women don't really feel their baby move a lot till they are 20 weeks. Now, tell me about the cramping. When did it start?"
"I felt it on our first flight today. It's kind of gone away with me drinking water, but kind of not".
"Ok. You can take something like Tylenol or Aleve, but if you have to take another dose, I want you to call me, ok? And if it's still happening tomorrow, call my office and ask for an emergency appointment."
"Ok, thank you so much".
"Anytime".
They hung up and then Jonathan went and told Jack they were ready to go.
He came back and sat next to her.
"Everything ok?"
"She said every pregnancy was different, and to not put too much stock in the book. Also said that if I'm cramping tomorrow, to come see her".
"Well hopefully you won't be".
They had a very low-key flight home, and Jennifer slept for a good bit of it.
Max picked them up at the airport and they headed straight home.
"How was the honeymoon you two?"
"Wonderful, Max".
"Absolutely beautiful".
Jennifer went to bed as soon as they got home. Jonathan brought their bags in, and quietly slipped into bed beside her.
***Middle of the night***
Jennifer woke up around 4, and got up to go to the bathroom.
She came back to bed and started putting more pillows behind her.
Jonathan woke up and sat up.
"What is it?"
"My back hurts. It won't stop".
He tried to rub it for her, and it helped some, but it didn't completely stop hurting.
He got up and got her a heating pad, and she managed to fall back asleep a short time later.
***Morning***
Jonathan woke up when his alarm went off and quickly turned it off so she wouldn't wake up.
He got up and took a shower, and then came back to the bedroom to get dressed.
She was just waking up.
"Morning".
"Morning. How are you feeling?"
"A little better, I guess. My back is a little sore. I wonder if I pulled something in Antigua".
"Maybe. Can I get you anything?"
"Just some water".
He went and got her a glass of water and brought it back to her and sat next to her.
"I hate to leave you like this".
"Oh, darling. I'll be ok, really. Hopefully a shower will help. I plan to get everything unpacked and washed and then when you get home we can open the presents. I might ride out to the house and check their progress".
"Do me a favor, and take it easy, please? I don't want you to over do it".
"I promise."
They shared several kisses and then he headed to the office.
"I love you".
"I love you too. See you tonight".
"Don't overdo it, ok? Have Max help you if you need something".
"I will".
He headed to the office and she headed for the shower.
***A couple hours later***
Jennifer was sitting at her desk, working on an article.
She got up to go to the bathroom and afterwards, she called Susan.
"Kendall Medical Group, this is Dr. Kendall".
"Susan, hi. It's Jennifer".
"Hi. Everything ok?"
"Well, the cramping has subsided, but now I'm spotting. I was just wondering, how much spotting is too much?"
"Well, I would say that if you are going through more than one pad in an hour, that's too much. But I don't like the fact that you were crampy yesterday and then spotting today. So, can you come in? I just want to check some things".
"Yes, I can. What time do you have available?"
"You can come right now. I'll work you in".
"Ok, I'll see you in a bit".
She hung up the phone and changed clothes and then called Jonathan.
"Hart Industries, how can I help you?"
"Deanne, hi. It's Jennifer. Is Jonathan available?"
"He's on a conference call. Would you like me to cut in?"
"No, that's alright. Can you just tell him I'm about to head to Dr. Kendall's office? I'll call him when it's over".
"Certainly".
"Thank you so much".
She hung up the phone and started gathering her things and filling her water bottle.
Just as she was about to walk out the door, the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Darling, have Max drive you. I'll meet you there".
"Oh that's ok. I can drive myself".
"Just humor me, please?"
"Alright. Are you leaving now?"
"Yes, I am."
"Ok, I'll see you there. Love you".
"Love you too".
Max drove her and dropped her off. She was in the waiting room when Jonathan came in.
"Hi. Anything yet?"
"No. I'm signed in though. I didn't mean to interrupt your conference call, I'm sorry".
"Oh, that's ok. It was ending anyways, when Deanne came in with the message".
He kissed the back of her hand.
"So what happened?"
"Well, I don't want to embarrass you, but I started spotting, and when I called to ask her how much was too much, she told me to come on in".
"It's a good thing you called her".
"I don't want to be one of "those" patients, but I don't want to put the baby at risk either".
"Darling, you're pregnant. It's ok to be one of "those" patients".
The nurse called her back then, and took them to an exam room.
"Gown open to the front and here's some disposable underwear you can put on. You can step behind that screen to change".
Jennifer handed Jonathan her purse and stepped behind the screen to change.
The nurse checked her vitals and then left them to wait for Susan.
Jennifer sat up on the exam table and Jonathan came and sat by her. She leaned against his shoulder and he held her hand.
Susan came in a few minutes later.
"Well hello, newlyweds. How was the honeymoon?"
"Wonderful".
"Ok, let's take a little look, shall we? Jonathan, I need her to lay down so if you don't mind".
"Certainly".
"Where is your back hurting?"
"From my shoulder blades all the way down".
"Ok. And what did the cramps feel like?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like upset stomach, or pressure/fullness?"
"Pressure, mostly. Fullness when I would lay down".
"Ok. I'm going to check your cervix. Put your feet up in the stirrups".
Susan slid the disposable underwear down and then checked Jennifer's cervix.
After a couple minutes, she leaned over and hit a button on the intercom.
"Can I get an ultrasound machine in room 4 please? Thank you".
"I'm going to do a little ultrasound, just to make sure that I'm feeling what I think I am feeling".
She had Jennifer lay back and she put the jelly on her stomach and began to move the wand around. A few seconds later, the image of her uterus and a baby popped up on the screen.
"Ok, so there's the baby. Everything looks fine with the baby."
She printed them a copy.
"Now, I'm going to go a little lower."
She looked around for a few minutes and then turned it off.
"Ok, you can sit up. It's what I thought it was. You have a condition known as cervical insufficiency. You are more effaced than you should be right now. And we definitely don't want this to continue. So, as much as I hate to do it, I am putting you on bedrest for the next week. You are only allowed to get up for liquids and meals, the rest of the time, I want you either in a recliner with your feet up, or in the bed. I want you drinking as much water as possible. Now, here's the don'ts. No sex, no walking unless it's for water and meals, and no showers longer than 10 minutes."
"Can I take baths?"
"I'm sorry, but let's hold off till we get this under control, ok?"
She nodded.
"Also-no caffeine and try to avoid salt."
Jennifer nodded.
"I want you to call me if you experience any pain, or anything concerning. Otherwise, I'll see you back here in a week".
"Dr. Kendall, if this doesn't work, what is the next step?"
"Well, we can do something called a cerclage, where we add a couple stitches to your cervix to keep it closed."
Jennifer grimaced.
"You will be put to sleep, and you won't feel it. We will only do that if necessary".
"Am I allowed to sit outside in the fresh air?"
"I will allow it for an hour or so a day".
"Thank you".
Susan left her so she could get dressed, and they headed to check out.
Jennifer made her appointment for next week.
Just as she turned to go, Jonathan picked her up.
"Jonathan! Put me down, are you crazy?!"
"Great idea, Jonathan. Call me if you need me".
Jonathan carried Jennifer to his car and set her in the front seat.
He slid into the front seat.
"Darling, can we run get me a salad somewhere on our way home?"
"Yes. But you are writing down what you want and staying in the car. I'll run in and get it".
"That's fine".
"Want the top down?"
"Yes, please".
He put the top down, and they drove to her salad place.
She wrote out her order and then he went inside and got it.
About 20 minutes later, they were back home.
He came around to her side of the car and picked her up and carried her inside.
"Jonathan, you can't carry me all over the place".
"Sure I can".
He laid her down on the bed, and went and got her pajamas for her.
He helped her get dressed, and then went and filled her water bottle for her.
Max was in the kitchen.
"Miss Edwards and the baby ok?"
"Yeah, for now. She has to stay on total bedrest though, only allowed to get up for liquids and meals, and to go to the bathroom. She has to be reclined or lying down the rest of the time. If you don't mind, could you check on her at least once an hour, and make sure that she has enough water or whatever she needs?"
"Certainly".
"Thanks, Max".
He walked back to their room and set her water on the nightstand.
"Can I get you anything?"
"Yeah, can you please bring my laptop and the legal pad I was using and some pens in here? I might as well work if I have to lay here".
"Certainly".
He went and got her everything she asked for, and then came back to the bedroom.
She was still upset, so he climbed on the bed next to her and hugged her some.
"I'm sorry darling, I know I messed up our newlywed life".
"You didn't mess up anything. Nothing is more important than keeping Baby Blade or Baby Gertrude right where they are. And that's what you are doing".
He held her for a few minutes and kissed her forehead.
"I love you. I have to go back to the office, but I'll be home as soon as I can".
"We had plans, Jonathan. We were going to go to the house tonight. We were going to open the wedding presents. We had plans".
"I promise you, when I get home, I will bring every gift in here and let you open it. And as soon as you are able, we will ride out to the house".
She nodded.
"I love you, I promise I'll be home as soon as I can. Let Max help you, ok?"
"I love you too".
He kissed her goodbye and then headed to the office.
As she laid there and tried to focus on a movie, she couldn't help but feel like the worst wife ever.