Smoke and Mirrors (DE)

48. Week 8

Joseph eyes opened slowly, looking around his dark room— the sound of dry heaving interrupting his peaceful slumber. He sat up slowly, noticing Graces side of the bed empty.
" Grace," He called as he got out of the king sized bed, following the only source of light which bled through the small crack of the partially closed bathroom door.

Joseph pushed the door open, immediately squinting as his eyes adjusted to the harsh bright light.

" Don't come in here— it stinks," Grace managed to get out before throwing up again. She sat on the cold marble floor in front of the porcelain toilet with her face partially in the bowl.

It had been a week since they discovered they're pregnant, and it only seemed as if Grace had been getting worse. It pained Joseph to see her so sick and know that he nor her doctor could do much for her at the moment so he'd been trying his best to be more attentive and show her more love.

Joseph ignored her comment, coming in anyways and squatting down next to her, gathering her long brown hair out of her face.

" I think I'm done," She breathed out heavily, letting the toilet lid slam close and flushing it.

" You good?" Joseph asked, his voice sleepy and raspy as he looked at her through squinted eyes, still half asleep himself.

Grace nodded mustering up a meek smile. " I'm sorry for waking you up," She said softly.

" I wish you would have," Joseph said, standing up and helping her off the floor. She instantly found her way into his arms for comfort, burring her face in his bare toned tattooed chest. Joseph wrapped his muscular arms around her body hugging her tightly, kissing the top of her head affectionately.

" This is so hard," She mumbled.

Joseph twisted his lips to the side as he looked at her through the large vanity mirror in the bathroom. As much pain as she'd been in, she hadn't been complaining at all. Joseph opted out of responding as he was tired of telling her it was going to get better when so far it hadn't— in fact, it was only getting worse.

" Can you reschedule my doctors appointment— please," She asked weakly, rubbing her face into his chest.

They were scheduled for a follow up appointment in the morning but Grace had been sitting on the ground in front of the toilet all night. She felt as if she'd just done ab day in the gym as her core muscles were sore from throwing up so violently all night long.

" I'm tired," She continued, lifting her head to look at him.

" Yea," Joseph replied. He lifted her small frame onto the edge of the counter, plucking her toothbrush from the holder and applied toothpaste to it.

" I can brush my own teeth," Grace laughed lightly, reaching for the toothbrush but Joseph pulled it away.

" I want to do it," He insisted.

Grace rolled her eyes playfully as she allowed him to brush her teeth for her, staring up at him as he did so with a face of concentration.

Joseph couldn't help but to notice the dark circles around Graces eyes, and how worn and tired she looked. He couldn't recall the last time he'd saw her smile. It was like the baby was literally sucking the life out of her— she was no longer her glowing, vibrant, happy self.

" You so beautiful— you know that?" Joseph asked, after he finished brushing her teeth.

" I don't feel like it right now," She jested hastily.

" I hope our baby comes out with your eyes," Joseph said, pausing to kiss her lips gently. " Your nose— lips—," He continued, kissing her between each word.