It was a bright sunny morning in the city of Bumblyburg. Petunia Rhubarb had just opened up her eyes and yawned. She turned on her side and saw her husband Archibald Asparagus sleeping, snoring lightly. Petunia gazed lovingly at him for a moment and then she scooted closer and kissed Archibald. He opened up his eyes and saw Petunia staring at him, he smiled warmly at her and then had kissed her again.
"Good morning, darling." Archibald greeted, voice cracking from sleep.
"Good morning yourself." Petunia greeted back, chuckling, pecking Archibald on the nose.
"What time is it?" Archibald asked, stretching.
"About 8." Petunia replied, also stretching.
"I'm going to go and brush my teeth." Archibald said, kissing Petunia's forehead.
"Why?" Petunia asked, curiously.
"In case I want another kiss." Archibald said, smirking at her suggestively.
Petunia gave Archibald a look and then she proceeded to whack him on the face with her pillow but then she giggled and got on top of her husband of a whole year, the sheets covering up both their bodies due to their recent activities last night. A strand of Petunia's braided red hair dangled down and brushed against Archibald's forehead.
"I keep reminding myself how lucky I was to fall for someone like you." Petunia said, rubbing noses with Archibald.
"No.Iam the one who's lucky, my dear." Archibald corrected, kissing Petunia.
"Did you ever think we'd come to this point in our relationship? Finally married and happy?" Petunia asked, gazing down at Archibald.
"There are times I wonder that myself considering all we went through last year just to even get to this point." Archibald said, shrugging.
"I hate when you bring that up." Petunia said, her smile faltering.
Archibald could tell whenever Petunia was starting to become sad. He really didn't blame her since he remembered all too well what they endured to get past the obstacles of their relationship. The showdown at the studio when Lovey shot Petunia, her coma...
Petunia saw that Archibald was also trying to hold back tears, she sighed and collected herself and smiled a little and then she laid her head down on Archibald's chest to hopefully soothe him.
"...But it doesn't mean those memories can't be replaced with newer and better ones." Petunia added, kissing Archibald's chest.
Archibald relaxed and felt better again but then he smirked again and looked down at his wife still kissing his chest up and down.
"Oh? And what memories do you have in mind now?" Archibald asked cheekily, liking where this was going.
Petunia blinked and realized she was indeed going too far but then she giggled and moved back up to meet Archibald's eyes and then kissed him and pulled away.
"Maybe I'll let you know...after work." Petunia said, sliding off Archibald.
"Why not 'before'?" Archibald asked in a teasing tone, chuckling.
Petunia rolled her eyes but she was smiling as she sat up on the bed and Archibald couldn't help but admire her topless back, covered in his love-marks, Archibald moved up behind her and gently kissed her back.
"Darling, c'mon, one more minute, please?"
"No. And besides, I'm supposed to be meeting up with Ellen and Madame Blueberry at the boutique and you need to go down to the studio to work over ideas for the next show with Bob." Petunia said, slipping on her pajama top.
"But I'm lonely." Archibald said in a fake whining tone, falling back onto the bed dramatically.
Petunia giggled. She couldn't help but always find Archie's drama-king act funny. She moved back over to Archibald and leaned close to his face then got on top of him and continued to gaze at him lovingly and inched closer to his lips and...
"You'll live. Come on. You gotta go brush your teeth." Petunia said, kissing her husband's forehead and then lips.
"I knew it was too good to be true." Archibald said, pretending to sound glum.
"Hey. Don't be so negative or there won't be an added surprise if you get my meaning." Petunia whispered, close to Archibald's neck.
Archibald smiled and then he kissed Petunia romantically for awhile then they had switched positions so Petunia could let Archibald take control then he moved down to her neck and began to unbutton her pajama top until Petunia let out a slight small groan.
"Petunia, are you alright?" Archibald asked, looking back up at his wife.
Petunia let out another groan and her eyes looked somewhat dazed immediately concerning Archibald who got off her and then she sat up and looked down at the ground while Archibald sat beside her.
"Darling, what's wrong?" Archibald asked, worriedly, brushing aside Petunia's hair that had fallen over her face.
"I feel like I'm going to..."
Without another word, Petunia got off the bed and hurriedly hopped into the bathroom and slammed the door. Concerned, Archibald went over to the door and leaned against it.
"Petunia? What's going on? Dear, please open up." Archibald said, voice rising in panic.
When Petunia didn't open the door, Archibald rattled the doorknob a few times then the door unlocked and he was met with the sight of Petunia leaning over the toilet and vomiting.
"Oh, my goodness!"
Archibald went over to Petunia's side and he quickly moved her hair aside so it wouldn't be in the way and Petunia continued throwing up till she thought her throat would dry up completely while she coughed harshly.
"Are you alright, darling?" Archibald asked in a soft tone, standing behind Petunia, holding her in place.
"Y-Yeah. I'm fine now." Petunia assured, letting out another cough.
Petunia finally flushed the toilet, and she turned to Archibald who stared at her and then he shook his head.
"I'm not going into work if you're sick."
"Archie, I'm fine."
"Sweetheart, you had just vomited, and you can't stand up." Archibald argued.
"I'll feel better after I take a shower. Trust me, I'm okay." Petunia said, smiling.
"Love..."
Petunia kissed Archibald softly and then pulled away, Archibald had relaxed but didn't look fully convinced.
"Why don't you go and make breakfast while I take my shower, alright?"
Archibald sighed and nodded, and Petunia kissed him again and then Archibald left her alone to take her shower. The moment he was gone, Petunia turned on the tab and then let the shower run. She stripped off her clothes and then hopped into the shower, feeling immediate relief, the steam helping with her nausea.
A minute later, Petunia came down the stairs in her normal outfit and saw Archibald placing the plates down on the table. Petunia went over to him and kissed his cheek, and he turned to face her.
"How are you feeling?" Archibald asked.
"Much better. Thank you." Petunia replied.
"Feel like you can eat something?"
Petunia nodded and then Archibald pulled up her chair and then the couple had breakfast. After they were done, they went over to the door and Archibald slipped on Petunia's coat.
"I will pick you up later in the afternoon." Archibald told his wife, slipping on his own coat.
"Alright. And don't worry, if I have another episode, I'll call you." Petunia said, kissing Archibald.
"I love you, darling."
"And I love you, too."
They gave each another kiss and then Petunia had got into the car and drove over to her new workplace. The Bumblyburg Boutique at the mall. She hoped that Ellen and Madame Blueberry wouldn't ask why she looked so drained.
Petunia went into the store and saw that it was already packed with customers. Petunia hurried over to the counter where Ellen was and she turned to her and frowned.
"Petunia, there you are, it's about time, where have you been?" Ellen asked her friend.
Madame Blueberry opened up the curtain to the supply room and poked her head out and looked over at Petunia, also frowning.
"Oui. We had to open early today and have already been swamped due to ze upcoming sale next week." Madame Blueberry added.
"I'm sorry. I was a little late because...me and Archibald had slept in for awhile." Petunia lied, plastering a fake smile.
"Oh. Is that all? You and Archie have been getting busy again? I want details." Ellen said, smiling.
"Mon dieu, Ellen, grow up, honestly. Petunia, be a dear and help me in ze supply room." Madame Blueberry said, closing back the curtain.
Petunia had gone into the supply room and then she went over to Madame Blueberry who motioned her head over to some crates.
"I am going to need some help carrying out some of ze crates to ze truck out back. They're taking some of our supplies to ze other boutique downtown."
Petunia nodded and then she had picked up a large crate but the moment she did, her head began pounding and she dropped the crate to the ground and the bottles inside of it smashed, Madame Blueberry jumped, and she saw Petunia looking disoriented.
"Madame, I'm-I'm sorry, I'll pick it up." Petunia said, somewhat dazingly.
Petunia felt another headache and began to fall over, Madame Blueberry hurried to her side and led her over to a chair.
"Don't worry about zat, dear. You just rest and I'll have Ellen call Archibald for you."
Over at the studio, Archibald and Bob were sitting in chairs and discussing over the latest script for the show when Archibald's cell phone went off.
"Who is it?" Bob asked, looking up from his script.
Archibald shrugged and then he took out his cellphone and saw it was Ellen who was calling. Why wasn't it Petunia?
"Hello?"
"Hello, Archie? It's Ellen, calling from the boutique. You better come down here. Petunia is feeling a little bit out of it, I think she may need to see a doctor." Ellen said on the other line.
"I'm on my way."
Archibald hung up and then he got out of his chair much to Bob's confusion but then he saw the distraught look on Archibald's face and knew something bad happened.
"What's going on?" Is something up with Petunia?" Bob asked.
"Ellen called and told me she's feeling lethargic. I need a ride over to the boutique since Petunia drove the car."
"I'll get my keys and take you." Bob said, hopping off his chair.
Bob picked up his keys from the table and then he and Archibald got in his car and rode over to the boutique. Throughout the drive, Archibald was getting more and more anxious, wishing Bob would go faster so he could be at Petunia's side.
After parking the car at the mall, the two hopped out and went inside and over to the boutique. They saw Ellen trying to look inside the supply room then she turned to Archibald and Bob and sighed in relief.
"She's inside here, Archie." Ellen said, pulling the curtain back.
Archibald hurried inside the supply room while Bob joined Madame Blueberry's side and looked to her for answers. Archibald turned and saw Petunia sitting in a chair, looking nauseous but alert.
"Petunia? Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Archibald asked, going over to his wife.
"I had a small headache and began to feel dizzy again. I've been sitting here trying to see if that helps." Petunia explained.
"You need to have a check-up, dear. This has to mean something. First you are throwing up this morning and now this, we need to know what's going on." Archibald said, helping Petunia stand up.
"Alright. But I'm sure it isn't anything bad."
"Let's let the doctor be the judge of that, shall we?" Archibald said, kissing Petunia's forehead.
Petunia nodded then she and Archibald had left the boutique and had gotten into their car and drove off to the hospital. While Archibald was driving, he would sometimes turn to Petunia in concern, he was praying that nothing was seriously wrong with his wife. He didn't know what he'd do without her.
Once they had arrived at the hospital, Archibald had checked Petunia in and then they sat down in the waiting room. Petunia began to look a little bit better as she began reading a magazine then she turned to Archibald who looked somewhat nervous then she kissed his cheek then he turned to her.
"Everything's going to be fine." Petunia whispered, smiling.
Archibald sighed heavily and then he smiled back then had kissed Petunia's forehead. After a few more minutes of waiting, a nurse came out and called Petunia's name. The two followed the nurse down the hallway and to an exam room.
"The doctor will be with you shortly, Mrs. Rhubarb-Asparagus." The nurse said over to Petunia.
"Thank you." Petunia said, nodding.
While they were waiting for the doctor, Archibald went over to the exam table and then he kissed Petunia's cheek.
"How are you feeling right now?" Archibald asked.
"Well, I don't feel dizzy anymore and my headache's almost gone." Petunia replied.
Archibald nodded then he looked over at an open book on the counter. Curious, he made sure Petunia wasn't looking then he'd gone over and looked at the book. It looked to be about medical diagnostics. The page on it were a list of diseases and conditions regarding Petunia's symptoms and Archibald set his eyes on one in particular. Cancer. He was beginning to become panic-stricken all over again. What if Petunia did have cancer? Was his wife going to die? He couldn't lose her, he nearly suffered from that once.
"Archie?" Petunia called out.
Archibald nearly jumped then he turned to Petunia gazing at him curiously then he returned to her side and smiled.
"What is it, darling?"
"What were you looking at over there?"
"Oh. Nothing. Just some medical magazine. It's nothing." Archibald said, shrugging.
"Okay."
"Petunia?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you. And whatever's wrong with you, I'm going to be here to help you every step of the way." Archibald assured.
"You always do." Petunia said, chuckling.
The two had shared a kiss then they heard the door knock and saw the doctor come in with a chart then he looked over at the couple.
"Alright, Mrs. Rhubarb-Asparagus. According to this, it says you're suffering from severe headaches and are vomiting nowadays, in the morning, is that correct?" The doctor asked.
"Yes. That's right, doctor." Petunia replied.
"Are there any other symptoms?" The doctor asked, writing down on the clipboard.
"I've been exhausted even though I get the normal hours of sleep but that's all I can think of."
"Alright. I'm going to need you to lie down for a minute so I can examine your stomach to check for anything unusual."
"What do you mean by 'unusual'?" Archibald asked.
"To see if she has an upset stomach or if there any strange bumps that shouldn't be there." The doctor replied.
Archibald became more nervous then. Even the doctor suspected cancer. This wasn't helping matters. The doctor then approached Petunia then both he and Archibald helped her to lie down on the exam table then Archibald returned back to Petunia's side, protectively, glowering at the doctor.
"If you so much as hurt her..." Archibald warned.
"Archie..."
Archibald sighed heavily then he let the doctor observe and nudge against Petunia's stomach then examine it some more then the doctor frowned and then wrote down in the clipboard then looked up at the two.
"Mrs. Rhubarb-Asparagus, I'm going to need you to go down to the lab for blood work for some different tests then when I get the results, I'll report back to you."
Petunia nodded and then the doctor left then Petunia turned to Archibald and he kissed her forehead then glanced at her worriedly.
"Do you need me to be there with you?" Archibald asked.
"No. This won't take long. Wait here." Petunia said, kissing Archibald's cheek.
Petunia had left the room then Archibald sat back down in his chair. While he was waiting for Petunia to come back, that dreaded one word 'cancer' kept repeating in his mind. If Petunia had cancer, this would break him. He couldn't lose Petunia. She meant the world to him.
An hour later, the door had opened and then both the doctor and Petunia came back inside. Archibald had quickly stood up and went to Petunia's side and kissed her.
"How did it go, darling?" Archibald asked.
"It went fine." Petunia replied.
"I actually have your wife's test results right here and I think we did find out what's going on." The doctor said, smiling.
Archibald nodded and then the two of them turned to the doctor then the doctor had given Petunia what looked like a photo then she turned to Archibald.
"The doctor told me first since he needed to confirm this. Once he did the ultrasound, there was no doubt about it." Petunia said, also smiling.
"No doubt about what?" Archibald asked, confusingly.
Petunia moved closer to Archibald then she turned the photo around and Archibald looked at it and his eyes widened in shock at what he saw. Not a tumor. Not even close to a tumor...but something he never expected either. On the photo was a small but noticeable seed shape then he looked at Petunia.
"Petunia, are you...are we..." Archibald stuttered.
"Yes. I'm pregnant, Archie. We're gonna have a baby."
Archibald's eyes filled with tears. Tears of joy, happiness. Petunia had shed some of her own that were already down her cheeks. Archibald couldn't believe it. One minute, he was so afraid of losing his wife, only to find out that their family was growing.
"Is... It really true?" Archibald asked, voice cracking from emotion.
"Yes." Petunia replied, nodding.
Archibald kissed Petunia romantically, they didn't even hear the sound of the doctor closing the door behind them as their lips stayed connected. Once they pulled apart, they had pressed their foreheads together.
"I'm so happy about this, darling."
"I know you are. I am too." Petunia said, giggling.
Archibald had kissed Petunia then he looked down at her flat stomach, staring at in awe. He couldn't believe there was a part of him and Petunia growing in there. Their baby. Archibald looked back up at Petunia then chuckled.
"We are going to have to find a room for the nursery." Archibald pointed out.
Petunia also chuckled then she kissed Archibald's cheek then moved closer to him, her lips brushing over his while she smiled lovingly.
"We'll get there. Right now, let's focus on just being happy about this."
"I already am."
More tears welled in Petunia's eyes then she kissed Archibald. They were going to be parents, and they couldn't wait. Only 8 months to go.