3:09

CHAPTER 19 - THE PROMISE

"I want to say thank you. Thank you for your guidance and... your patience most of all. I don't know who you are and frankly, I think it's for the best. You've given me a chance to open my eyes and become a better person. For my wife, for my daughter and... anyway. Look, I know you can't hear me and I know you won't answer either. This is also really, really silly but... I will never forget what you've done for me. Tomorrow is the big day. Wish me luck... I might need it."

Aaron calmly turned off the car ignition and faced the teddy bear in the backseat, which he had moved there a few moments ago. The arrogant silence of the car relaxed his wandering nerves. He stepped out with a shrewd smile on his face and began walking towards the end of the street.

The sizzling December breeze could never be mistaken for anything else. The hot, scorching sun on a sweating and unfamiliar body was a feeling everyone hated, yet desperately needed once Winter came around. He was always fascinated how the weather was never what you wanted it to be. How people desperately miss the sun when it starts to rain and pray for the rain in times of drought.

Aaron casually meandered through the side streets of the same neighbourhood he had lived in since moving in with his wife many years ago. It will never get old, and it will never be the same after today. He thought to himself. At least that's how it seemed to him. He checked his watch and headed towards home as a mosquito whizzed next to his ear, signalling the evening humidity.

Aaron knew that Cara would be in the middle of her afternoon nap at this time. He carefully removed his shoes before entering the front door in order to not wake her, as she vividly encouraged him to do so from the last incident. Cara's huge stomach was ready to burst and Rose had been eagerly waiting and kicking to make her way out into the world. It was time for a fresh start.

His stomach rumbled impatiently. Aaron brushed off the ice flakes from the frozen pizza box and hastily rested it in the oven. After setting the temperature to his liking, Aaron stared dreamily into the oven for a short while.

*THUNK*

A noise sounded from behind him as he noticed a moving figure in the reflection of the oven door.

"I'm sorry honey. Did I wake you?"

"No, of course not..." Cara yawned. "What are you making?"

"Frozen pizza. Are you gonna have some?" he playfully asked.

"That's okay. I'm not that hungry."

"How are you feeling?" he inquired, as he perched himself onto the couch.

"Honestly..." her crackled voice grew wearier, "I've seen better days. My legs are killing me and my head is a whole other story. I mean look how swollen my legs have gotten."

Aaron gave a discerned look at her discomfort and perched his lips.

"I think it's time to get this baby out of me" she joked. "...if only that was my decision."

"Hey. It's nearly time. She'll be here soon enough. Just hold on a little bit longer" Aaron said as he cheekily kissed her on the forehead.

"You keep saying 'she'. You don't know that, honey. I can't wait for the look on your face when a tiny little boy comes out instead" Cara whispered.

"You know what..." Aaron revered, "yeah... you're probably right."

Cara's tiring expression eventually became a normality as December neared its end. After seeing her tiny features try to hide it once again, he routinely helped her to the bedroom and left Cara to her essential rest.

"Hey, wait... I want to ask you something before you go."

Aaron reopened the bedroom door and slowly laid himself beside her. "Okay. Go ahead."

Cara drew her silence. She breathed deeply and closed her eased eyes.

"Whatever happens... I want you to promise me... that you'll look after our baby."

He fixed his arched back and listened in closer. "What do you mean... whatever happens?"

He tilted his neck towards Cara's engrossed facade. The ambience shifted in a matter of seconds, compelling Aaron to pick at his fingernails again and rustle his dark, oily hair.

Upon noticing his restlessness, she forced her hand into his. "Just promise me. Okay."

Aaron rubbed his left hand over his swindling eyes, unable to sense why Cara would say such a thing. "Is... is there something I should know about. I mean, now would be the time to spill it, don't ya think? Hold on, I'm going to get the thermometer."

"Honey," Cara reassured, "there's nothing you should know. I'm not hiding anything from you. What I'm saying is... our lives are going to change completely... and very soon too."

She interlocked her fingers with his, tighter than ever before. "Promise me..."

His heartbeat realigned itself and removed all of the thoughts drifting from the back of his mind. Her eyes trembled delicately.

"Oh..." he paused. "Sure. I promise."

Aaron repositioned himself and hugged her instantly. He carefully rested his head on her shoulder and gave a soft kiss on the cheek, sensing her warmness and feeling her love.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*THUMP*

The following morning Aaron awoke to the sound of intensifying and resounding screams echoing throughout the entire house, as well as a loud thump from downstairs. He looked over to his left and felt the coldness of his missing wife. The shrieks reoccurred in seven second intervals, which compelled the neighbouring dogs to have a barking contest amongst themselves. Without a second to waste, he gathered himself and raced to her aid.

"What the heck happened? Are you okay?" he shouted.

Cara's rigorously shaking hands were placed on the sides of her large stomach. Her hunched back was forced up against the bottom of the stairwell and her face was as red as a tomato, the same colour as her gravely swollen legs.

"Arghhhh... honey... oh God, start the car. NOW!" she panicked.

Aaron made his way down the stairs and stroked her neck. "Hey, you're gonna be okay. Listen to me, I'm gonna call an ambulance and they should be here very soon. Alright, just hang in there."

Cara gave a gesture of understanding and took a deep breath.

"Here... take my hand. Let's get you up..."