Temporary Secretary

Part 69

30 October 1981

8:30pm Friday

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With the due date imminent, you would be lying if you weren't very afraid.

Things were alright, but frankly you were terrified of it coming out of you, and how much it'd hurt.

You had a while to prepare, but now it was beginning to feel real for you.

Though just as much, you were ready to not be pregnant.

But things wouldn't quite go back to the way they were before.

There wasn't a lot to say.

The television was running a lot of horror flicks in preparation for the upcoming holiday. Your head was rested in Paul's lap, laying on your side, a blanket covering you. Rain pattered on the window outside.

It was as comfortable as you could get. You were zoned out, watching the black and white move on screen, the practical effect monsters, allowing yourself to get sucked into the screen. It was easy to digest, older tinny horrors, unbelievable costumes and frights.

It was the only light in the room, casting shadows over the furniture. The sun had since set.

You ignored the rolling and squirming, how breath was difficult.

Paul's head turned, a shrill scream coming from the television set, though the volume was turned low.

"Are you sure we should be watching this?" Paul said. "Y'know, since she can hear."

You blinked slowly. The baby couldn't even see the screen, but maybe the faked anguish of those nice looking women would scare the poor thing.

"We could change it if you'd like." You said. "There's not much else on, though."

You suddenly winced. It was another braxton-hicks. You clutched yourself and groaned, your eyes shut.

It felt too tight around your stomach, like you were being constricted.

You didn't need to open your eyes to tell Paul's attention quickly shifted, his breath held in anticipation.

"No, not yet, Paul." You said, teeth gritted.

You could sense the disappointment.

They came on now and again, more frequent then they used to. But no labor in sight. Your water hadn't broken, and they weren't proper contractions.

The contraction passed, and you let out a breath, opening your eyes. You rubbed your stomach beneath the blanket, feeling the creature squirm. It was as you were used to.

"Want to do anything for halloween?" He said, pleasant tone.

You gazed up at him, dumbfounded.

"Two days before my due date?" You said. "Oh, I can barely move, Paul."

Paul was laughing. Oh, it had been a joke.

"Saturday night halloween..." You grumbled, miserable. "And we're kennelled up inside. I couldn't enjoy myself even if I wanted to."

He stroked down your back, as if you were a cat laid across him.

"There's fun ways to incorporate it into a costume, you know." He said. "You could fashion it like a pumpkin, and make believe you're carrying it around."

"You're cruel, Paul..." You said, miserably.

Paul only kept giggling. You glared forward.

He didn't take much intimidation from you. Fair enough. You just felt you had to direct your frustrations at somebody. Paul was good a man as any. He would just smile smugly at you anyway, seeing you as no threat.