Thomas O'Sullivan & Edith Montgomery

Pleasure

I told Bill. He took it well and said he had guessed it before. He promised not to tell, and apologized to my sweet little Edie.

Then, another thing happened, something surprising. Edith's father was pronounced dead. He drank himself to death. Edith was not surprised, nor upset.

But, I knew she was unhappy. Although she was all smiles, something dark was behind that smile.

It was November, nearing the end. Edith was due literally any day now, and I was internally freaking out.

"Thomas, I think we should start getting ready. We'll be leaving soon." Dad told me.

"K, I'll get her up." I replied, and abandoned my coffee.

I went upstairs, to Edith's room. She was still fast asleep.

"Baby, Edie, time to get up." I whispered, kissing her on the forehead. "Come on, babe, got a fun day ahead."

She stirred.

"What time is it?"

"Ten thirty." I answered.

"Oh my goodness, We need to go in like an hour! Oh, I need to get ready." and just like that she was up and raring to go.

I watched her rush about, picking clothes and things.

"Need help?" I asked.

"Yes, could you run the bath?" She replied and I did so.

Then, she got in, and I helped. She gave a deep sigh.

"Aahhh, thanks."

I held her hand and kissed it. "You look beautiful."

"Hmm. Soap please." She instructed.

I wish Edie could see how pretty she really was.

She finished washing, I helped her out, she got into a nice red dress and did her hair in a bun, tucking her side fringe behind her ear.

Looking more refreshed, she kissed me passionately.

I returned it, the French way, holding onto her big belly that was now between us.

She giggled and wrapped her arms around my neck. Then, my father called.

"Son? Edith? We're waiting in the car now!"

Edith gasped, picked up a clutch bag and hurried away.

"Coming, Mr. O'Sullivan." She replied, and I was right behind her.

We scurried out of the house, and I helped Edith get in.

Mum was in the back seat looking after Daniel, so I sat in the front seat with dad.

We set off quickly.

I kept glancing back at Edith.

She was looking out the window, one hand resting on her bump.

Damn, I was so worried. What if she went into labor? What if something went wrong?

The journey was not a short one, so we stopped at a petrol station.

Edith refused to get out.

"Come on, sweetheart, even if it's just to stretch your legs." Mum urged. "Look, there's no one really here." She continued. With a moment's hesitation, Edith hopped out.

"Alright, I might as well go to the loo." She sighed, so we all went to the small building. 

Dad and I waited outside.

"Thomas, be calm." He breathed. "If you're stressed, she'll stress too." He murmured.

I scuffed my shoe on the floor, putting my hands in my coat pockets.