She never understood how it was possible to be even more exhausted after waking from sleep, but Lisa certainly was. As she padded back to the bedroom, or more accurately, waddled back to the bedroom, she decided to make a detour through the kitchen for a glass of water. Thirsty, yes, but as she debated whether stopping for a glass of water was a good idea, she decided that her thirst outweighed the certain return visit to the bathroom in a couple of hours. She ran her hand on the side of her stomach, realizing that she was now maybe hungry too, but she was not willing to deal with more heartburn from a late-night snack. For now, the water would have to do. She'd be up in another hour or so for the bathroom again and decided that if she was still hungry then, she'd maybe consider food.
She switched on the kitchen light and sighed at the level of exhaustion she was feeling. Even the effort to cross the room from the light switch to the cabinet for a glass seemed daunting. She wasn't about to admit aloud she'd overdone it with the party, but she knew she had. She was promising herself some rest and relaxation going forward. Sleeping for several more hours sounded heavenly, but she knew her bladder would prevent any blocks of uninterrupted sleep. Tonight, this was her third time up, and it was getting old. Knowing she had six more weeks of this, well, she was going to have to start resting and maybe even napping to deal with the constant trips to the bathroom.
Lisa stood at the sink and started to fill her water glass, but then almost jumped out of her skin. She saw movement right outside the window, and before she could get any sound out about just how scared she was, her eyes met those of Marion's. She was out on the porch, and Lisa put her hand to her chest clearly scared at the surprise of seeing her outside.
"Sorry to scare you, Lisa," Marion said moments later stepping inside with a sheepish look on her face. Behind her was Tim, the two bundled up, cheeks pink, and both carrying empty coffee cups. Lisa glanced down at her current nightwear, some flannel pants that she'd never usually wear but were big enough and comfortable right now, and just a solid gray shirt, also one that was big enough. It had alarmed her the other week as she was folding clothes just how huge her shirts looked, but such was life. She was growing one, a life that is, and she wasn't going to complain, not when things were actually going okay, even if she refused to think about that either right now.
"I just didn't expect to see anyone out there at what, gosh, 3AM?" Lisa looked over to the microwave to see the time and then back to the couple. "Just enjoying the night?"
"Yeah, big night," Tim grinned, as he helped Marion with her coat. "Hey, listen sorry I missed your party. Had to pull some of my guys out of a ditch, but glad it didn't take longer than it did. Marion and I were just enjoying the cold, quiet night now that I'm done dealing with that mess."
"Yes, and I'm not sure coffee was such a great idea," she grinned with a small laugh, walking over to put the cups in the dishwasher. She frowned at Lisa, "Why are you up? Couldn't sleep?"
"No, and this," she waved at her stomach, looking at Marion with a grimace. "She's practically jumping on my bladder. I've been up three times now."
"Oh, I remember that with Marion," Tim said, standing at the table, both women looking at him as he stuffed food into his mouth.
"What are you eating?" Marion tilted her head and gestured, "And where did you find it?"
"Platter there," he pointed to the desk where yes, they'd put a few platters and had just been too tired to deal with them. He was eating what looked to be a Christmas cookie. "Hey, I didn't get to the party, so it's just my share anyway."
"Tim, you can eat whatever you want," Lisa dropped her head with a chuckle.
"No, I want some too," Marion smacked at Tim and practically pushed by him to get to the food. "I'm starving."
"Oh well," Tim reached for the platter before Marion could, a boyish grin on his face. "Let's just put it out on the table. Nothing like a middle of the night snack. Lisa, care to join us?"
"No," she shook her head as she grimaced. "I'm just not feeling great," and when Marion was about to comment, Lisa continued, glaring at Marion. "And, if you repeat that to Jack, I will deny it." Marion rolled her eyes, but Lisa continued, "Just a weird feeling of being hungry, but nothing sounds good. I don't want to flare up the heartburn, so I decided a glass of water was my best option. Just really tired, back killing me from the gift baskets and my heels-"
"Oh, Dad said you'd complain about your back," Marion grinned between bites. "Seriously, please wear flats. Your feet are going to swell, and you don't want them in heels."
"They already are," Lisa gestured by lifting a foot, "or at least they are as far as I know. Can't see my feet, and after my shower tonight, I realized my rings were getting tight." Lisa frowned, fanning her hand, "Had to take them off, and I really don't like that."
"I'm sorry. I remember that too, but the alternative is to have them cut off when your hands get too swollen. Six more weeks," Marion nodded at her sympathetically. "I say this because I love you dearly-you are looking really rough, Lisa, and I'm worried about you. Please go get some rest. Even if you can't sleep, put your feet up."
"You remember how you got at the end?" Tim nudged Marion, sitting next to him with a grin. "Man, that was quite the time." The way Marion's face reddened as she snapped her head to glare at Tim while he sat there chewing and then looked back to Lisa, well, Lisa didn't have to guess to what Tim was referring. His silly grin as he sat there, even winking at Marion, and Lisa felt the blush creeping up her neck too.
"Ahh, I'm going to go back to bed," Lisa, who dearly loved her friend and stepdaughter, did not want to talk about this here and now. Sure topics such as intimacy had come up in general terms during their ladies' nights, but she'd not ever want to get into that considering it was Jack, and as Marion's dad, that was just too strange. Now, though, she didn't want to address it either, not there with Marion and Tim, about Marion and Tim, and also not because she'd had those same hormonal changes lately too. Even tonight with as tired as she was and as tired as Jack was, she'd made sure they had enjoyed some romantic time together, but now, she did want to try and sleep-and not talk about any of this.
"Night, Lisa. Good luck sleeping." Marion gave her a sympathetic smile as she watched Lisa start toward the bedroom.
"Thanks," Lisa said, turning her head back at them. "I'm not sure if I need the luck because I'm uncomfortable or because Jack is snoring."
"Oh, he snores like a freight train," Tim commented, spitting cookie out as he spoke. He clearly had too much in his mouth, and when both women gave him a look, he shrugged. "What? I've been on plenty of cattle drives with him. No sleeping then and not because of the drive. It's his snoring."
Lisa laughed and crossed her arms over her stomach, "Yes, well, it certainly makes sleeping interesting, but my sleep schedule has already changed for the foreseeable future for other good reasons at least," she smiled softly, running her hand over her stomach, "and really, not that I'm trying to complain. Just really tired."
"Well, I hope we don't see you before mid-morning. Get some rest," Marion gave Lisa a small wave, and she returned it before she waddled to the bedroom. Hopefully, sleep would come.
Jack had closed the curtains tightly that when Lisa did wake, she had no idea the time until she rolled over and looked, almost 10AM. She tried to scoot up in bed quickly, grunting as she did, the extra weight and all getting in her way. 10AM? She was almost horrified it was that late. Sure, she hadn't been sleeping well, and yes, they'd had a very long day and night, even with her up half the night using the bathroom, but 10AM? She'd last used the bathroom around 5AM, which as she thought about it, she really had to go again. Of course, why wouldn't she? It was now almost 10AM. She patted around, looking for her glasses, remembering that she'd last been reading on her phone, trying to fall asleep, right before she remembered hearing Jack's alarm go off. Thinking back to that, she must have been half asleep because other than remembering she heard his alarm, she didn't remember talking to him or his leaving for the morning. Lisa found her glasses, wrapped up in the bedding and reached for her phone. She was honestly surprised Jack had not been in to check on her but based on how out of it she still felt, he certainly could have. She did find a text from him.
"Lise-hope you got some sleep. I know Nora's been keeping you up each night. Tim and I had to ride out to the far corner of the property where Heartland meets Big River, and we share a property line. Some of the cattle from Big River breeched the fence line there. I've told Tim those fence posts were rotten before today, but he didn't agree. Guess who was right?" Lisa chuckled as she read. "It will take a few hours, but don't worry. We packed a lunch and hope to be back by 3:00 before it gets dark. Love you. Rest and I'll fondly think of last evening on that long ride today."
Lisa smiled at Jack's sweet message, nodding at it as she considered the day. She threw back the covers and stood, as best she could, but that was a feat right now in itself. After finding her slippers, she realized very quickly she needed a bathroom stop and made her way out to join the family in their mid-morning activities, whatever they were doing. It was a Saturday. Amy would likely be either sleeping or in the barn. Marion could be anywhere, and she knew where Jack and now Tim were.
She found the living room empty and moved faster than she wanted to get to the bathroom. Boy, sleeping as long as she did, she expected to feel better, but she didn't. Lisa decided a hot shower was in order and took her time with it. Frustrated with herself and knowing that she'd really done a number on herself with all the running around these last few weeks, Lisa purposely tried to even slow down her morning motions. She took her time getting a shower, getting dressed, and with her makeup. She didn't feel like doing much of anything to her appearance which told her how rough she really felt. Lisa always liked to be presentable, put together, and today, it was the furthest thing from her mind, but she put on some basic foundation and brushed out her hair before she just ended up clipping it up. Finally, dressed for the day, she made her way to the kitchen. While currently empty, a glance out the window had her spot Marion working with a horse. Lisa turned to the coffee pot, but her stomach rolled thinking about that. She decided on a hot cup of tea, and after prepping that and another trip to the bathroom, she had settled in at the kitchen table to try and enjoy it. Her eyes landed on the tray of cookies leftover from the party-hit hard, no doubt by Tim, Jack, Marion, and Amy, and that almost turned her stomach too. She could see the loaf of bread on the cutting board, sealed up, and she considered a piece of toast. That didn't sound too awful, but she'd get a cup of tea in her first.
Marion came in for the morning shortly after, Lisa noting it was now almost 11:30. She'd not had the energy to get up from the table. Her feet hurt. Her legs hurt. Her back hurt. Her stomach was upset. Her head even was starting to hurt. She sighed, hoping that on top of being pregnant, she wasn't getting sick too.
"Morning," she turned her head to Marion who had taken a seat on the bench to take off her boots.
"Oh, hey, you're up. I really hope you slept well and feel better." Marion stood and washed her hands at the utility sink before she walked over toward Lisa. Lisa watched Marion's facial expression change as she put eyes on Lisa. "Wow, did you get any sleep? Sorry to say, are you feeling well?"
"No, I'm really not, and I was just sitting here trying to decide if I now had a cold or a bug or something on top of being pregnant."
Marion sat down adjacent to Lisa, concern evident on her face as she listened. "Okay, well, umm, can I get you something to eat? Did you sleep at all?"
"My stomach is churning, so no," she shook her head. "I don't want anything to eat. I finally did get to sleep around 5AM, but that's just it too-I slept until 10. That's not like me either, and I wonder if I'm coming down with something. I felt like I was dragging just to walk to the bathroom, where I've spent most of my morning," she sighed, patting her stomach. "She's apparently taken up residence on my bladder, and all I've done this morning is frequent that room. I took a hot shower trying to wake up, and even I didn't feel like putting on my makeup or doing my hair," she gestured to her head.
Marion frowned as she listened, "Do you have a fever?" Lisa shrugged, and Marion put her hand up to Lisa's head but then shook her head at Lisa. "No fever. Your head feels cool. I mean, that's good at least."
"Hold that thought," Lisa sighed, grunting as she stood and rolled her eyes. "Nature calls again."
"I'm going to make you some toast. Even when you were first pregnant, you could usually stomach toast." Lisa just gave a wave to Marion as she left the room. Marion prepped some toast and also put out some raspberries, Lisa's favorite. She pulled out Lisa's favorite jam, the local blueberry jam and had it ready when Lisa returned.
"Gosh this is rough. I think I've really overdone it. I certainly hope it is a cold or bug because I can't imagine this the rest of my pregnancy."
"Well, eat up. I made some coffee, but it looks like you have tea-"
Lisa shook her head, "Coffee sounds terrible. Sorry."
"Don't apologize. Umm, Dad and Tim-"
"Jack sent me a text, so it sounds like the guys won't be back until close to dark."
"Yeah, if Dad doesn't bury Tim after he proposed," Marion smiled. "How mad was Dad?"
"Ahh," Lisa shook her head after she sipped at her tea, "not mad, really. I think he's seen the progress you two have made. He might be a little surprised, but I talked to him. Oh my goodness!"
"What?"
"I swear," Lisa finally broke down there and started to cry, Marion jumping up to put her arm around her. "I hate this right now. I am living in the bathroom, and I feel awful."
"Living in the bathroom?" Marion questioned her. "I mean, just to understand, not like sick to your stomach-"
"No, just going all the time. I mean, I know it gets worse the end of pregnancy, but I'm seriously going every 10 minutes. Is it really this bad?"
"10 minutes? How long have you been doing that? I see you had a cup of tea? How much have you had to drink say in the last couple hours?"
"I've been going that often since I got up right before 10, so almost constantly the last couple hours. I'm so miserable. I've only had this small cup of tea, haven't even finished it. Everything aches. I feel exhausted. My back is killing me-"
"Wait, hold on," Marion stepped back, and Lisa wiped at her face and sat back in the chair, closing her eyes and leaning her back against it as she rested her arms on her stomach. She took a deep breath and then stood.
"See, that's the problem I can't hold on. I'll be right back."
Marion was standing up, leaning against a kitchen chair when Lisa made her way back to the kitchen. Marion looked over and waved her hand at Lisa.
"Stop there for a second," Marion asked of her and walked toward her. Lisa rested her hand on the top of her stomach, and Marion waved at it.
"She's dropped."
"Huh?"
"Your last appointment was last week, right?"
"Yes, I go at 35 weeks, next week again."
"She's dropped," Marion waved at Lisa. "Moved down, what a baby does the closer you get to birth. I can see it in where you are resting your hand. Don't you notice that?"
"Well, sure, I can breathe a little better, but that's what I said, she's on my bladder, dancing on it. I can barely make it to the bathroom." She winced slightly, which caught Marion's eye.
"What's that?" Marion gestured at her.
"What?"
"That," she gestured at Lisa. "You made a face."
"I feel terrible."
"Describe."
"I told you," Lisa sighed. "Feet are killing me, but I wore those heels. Feet and hands are swollen. Back is killing me."
"Like here," Marion stepped to her and put her hand on Lisa's lower back. Lisa grunted at the touch.
"Oh gosh, yes, there and lower. I need to get that heating pad out again. It was wonderful last night for an hour or so. Maybe I'll do that, get that heating pad and sit down."
"Ahh," Marion stepped back around to look Lisa in the eye and tilted her head as she pursed her lips. "I think you're in labor."
"No, I'm not," Lisa's facial expression turned to a horrified one. "I just told you I really overdid it."
Marion shook her head, "I think you're bathroom issues-you're water hasn't broken, but I think it's leaking. That's a thing. Pressure all the time, yes?"
"Yes, just feel full."
"You went a lot overnight too. When did you last eat or have something other than tea?"
"Ahh," Lisa frowned making a face as she had to admit it, "yesterday morning for food."
"Lisa! Yesterday morning? You haven't eaten since?"
"I had one of the dessert bars at the party, but it didn't sit well. Nothing is."
Marion shook her head and pointed at Lisa, "She's dropped, definitely. I really think your water is about to break. Your back pain-Lisa, that's labor-"
"They said I'd have Braxton Hicks contractions. I haven't had that."
"Lower back sore where it is," Marion nodded. "Are you feeling tightness here?" She put her hand on the top of Lisa's stomach and then down to the side. Her eyes widened as she was touching Lisa's stomach, "Lisa! That's a contraction right there."
"What is? Wait, what?"
"That tightness," Marion said, grabbing Lisa's hand as she tried to get her to understand and feel it before it lessened. "That's a contraction. Lower back pain is not Braxton Hicks. That's the real deal, starts in the back and wraps to the front, just as we're talking about here. Lisa, I really think we need to get you checked out."
"No, no," Lisa waved her hand. "I'm sick and tired and just need to rest."
"Humor me-what's the worst that could come of you getting checked out? If I'm wrong, maybe they can check you for other things like a UTI, which is also common when pregnant. Lisa," she met her gaze, "I wouldn't say it if I didn't believe it, but I've had two kids. You're having that baby."
"No, she's not due for six weeks-"
"Yeah, and all along, you've worried something could happen so you know full well that she could be born early."
"No, I've got what, five weeks and two days," Lisa shook her head in disbelief.
"Right because babies are so prompt on their arrival. Get your things," she told Lisa ,and Lisa's eyes widened.
"I'm not in labor. I have nothing. That's what I'm going to work on after Christmas."
"You have all the initial signs-the back pain, the sudden swelling, the constant trips to the bathroom. I mean," she rolled her eyes and chuckled, "you and I joked about ways to bring on labor if she's late, but that's not an issue."
Lisa's eyes widened, and her face reddened. Marion caught sight of that and raised her eyebrows too.
"Seriously? I thought you said you weren't feeling well."
"Well," Lisa made a face, "on top of everything else these last few days, my hormones have been out of control again," she groaned, closing her eyes in embarrassment having to talk to Marion about this. "Oh gosh, if that brought this on-"
"It seriously wouldn't be the only thing, you and Dad having your good time, but I'm not kidding. We need to go to the hospital. She's coming."
Lisa burst into tears, and shook her head. "No, she can't be. I'll," she hooked her hand over her head, "I'll just go and lie down, rest today, and I'll be fine."
Marion eyed Lisa as she winced and stepped to her again, putting her hand on her stomach with a nod, "Yup, another contraction. No arguments. We're going," she waved toward the car. "You go get in your car. I'll grab your purse, and I'm driving."
"No," Lisa still crying, shook her head. "It can't be-"
"She's going to be fine," Marion said with a nod. "She's not that early. Let me call Dad." Marion pulled her phone from her pocket and tried calling both Jack and Tim, cursing under her breath when she couldn't reach either.
"Service is terrible out there, ugh! Oh, I'll get Amy. She can ride out there, but Dad will have to meet us at the hospital."
"I'm not going to be in labor, but," she paused and frowned, "I need to use the bathroom again before we go."
"You go, and I'm calling Amy," Marion sighed. Lisa wiped at her face and shook her head.
"This isn't happening."
Marion turned and put her hand on Lisa's shoulder before she stepped away, "Hey, it's going to be okay. Hospitals are ready for this. You're ready for this. Amy can get Dad, and like it or not," she paused and waited for Lisa to take a breath and nod, "little sis is coming, set on announcing her birthday whether you got her anything or not. So, get yourself together there MOM," she almost yelled at her, "and get in the car. I'll put money on you being in full-blown labor."