I hope you all had a good Easter! I will definitely be posting for the next five weeks; I have five chapters written right now.
Enjoy!
-CL
It's twelve weeks later, and I'm leaning over the toilet, heaving. I'm in my fourth month and the morning sickness is really hitting me. I used to get motion sick as a child, so I've always been prone to getting an upset stomach. I hear Maxon get out of bed and come to rest beside me. He grabs my hair out of my face and places a wet rag on my forehead. "Oh, Bella," he sighs.
I finish throwing up and rest my head on the floor. "I'm sorry, Maxon."
"It's alright, my dear," Maxon says. "It's not your fault."
"I can do it myself if you want," I say. I feel more bile coming up and lean over the toilet. I hear Maxon draw in a sharp breath. I cringe, knowing that Maxon hates watching people throw up. I finish and rest my hand on the floor again. "I'm sorry, Maxon. I know you hate vomit. I can do this by myself for now," I say, feeling the nausea fade away. I moan, exhausted and it's only eight o'clock in the morning. "Fuck, I hate this."
"Well, at least we will have a child after this," Maxon says. "We'll get through this together, Bella. Even though I don't like to see you puking, or in pain for that matter, I'm going to be with you. Now, do you think you're ready to start the day?"
"Yes, the nausea is fading. What are we doing today?" I sit up slowly and Maxon guides me up, making sure I don't fall over. I lean against the wall, waiting for the nausea to completely subside.
"I have some work to do in the office and you don't have anything scheduled. Besides if you have anything on your schedule?"
"No, not that I know of. I think I'll finish that novel I've been reading and relax. What time do you think you'll be done? We could have some fun tonight," I finish with a smirk. I start trying to stand up and Maxon offers me his hand. He pulls me up gently and puts his arm around my back for support.
"I should be done around two or so. We could maybe go out and get some dinner if you're up for it?" Maxon leads me out of the bathroom and has me sit on a chair in the bedroom in front of the fireplace.
I nod. "That sounds good. Can you get done right at two and come here? That way we can get ready and go to dinner early and then get to…bed early," I say.
"Sounds good. Are you planning to work in the office tomorrow?"
Two weeks after my pregnancy was confirmed I was coronated Queen, with Maxon being coronated King. We've been working in the office fairly regularly, but Maxon goes in more because he has to deal with everything King Clarkson left behind. Clarkson wasn't a particularly organized man, so Maxon has to sort everything out. Queen Amberly, on the other hand, was very organized and had everything done a few months ahead of schedule. I just have to deal with the current tasks coming in, but I, along with Maxon agreed that I should take today off to rest. I had an appointment with Dr. Ashlar a few days before and he said I was working a little too much; he wants me to have more than Sundays off in a week, making my work week only four to five days but will be shortened when I'm farther along. Right now I'm still ahead of schedule.
"I could," I respond, "but I'm still ahead so I may just do it in here. In bed, particularly." My back is starting to get sore. My bump is bigger than America's was when she was at four months, which is problematic pain-wise.
Maxon walks into the closet to change into something a little more formal for the meetings he has today. "That sounds good. Maybe I'll try to do the same," he says through the doorway.
"Great," I say. He walks back out of the closet dressed for work. He heads to the bathroom to do his hair. I stare at the fireplace, admiring the dancing flames. Even though it's nearing springtime, the morning air still has a cold nip in it.
Maxon walks out of the bathroom ready to work in his office. "Alright, my dear. Is there anything I need to do before I leave?"
"No, just a goodbye kiss," I say, standing up slowly. Maxon meets me halfway and pulls me close and pulls up gently on my bump. I sigh, relieved if only for a moment of the extra weight. He gently drops the bump and moves his hands to cup my face and kiss me. We follow this routine every morning, and it's the best part of my day-until nighttime. We finish kissing, but then I feel a cramp in my stomach. I groan and hold my stomach. Maxon always ends with holding my stomach with me, so he just assumes the groan was from the kiss. He holds my stomach and kisses it, saying goodbye to our baby. I groan again. "Maxon, I think…the baby may be kicking?" I feel another pain and suck in a breath.
"Really? I don't feel anything," Maxon answers excitedly.
I realize that the pain has disappeared and sigh. "I think I may have just been gassy or something. Sorry for getting your hopes up."
He lifts up my shirt and kisses my stomach. "Goodbye," he whispers. He stands up and looks at me. "Bella, we're going through this together, ok? Just remember that. Now, I have to get to work. See you later," he says, grabbing his laptop and walking out of the room.
I sigh and grab my book. I sit back down in my place and start reading. "I guess it's just you and me," I say, holding my stomach. "Let's relax today. I think we both deserve it."