Reason

Chapter 2:

"Mommy!" My daughter Claire called from her spot in her high chair. I looked around the corner at my three year old who had dropped part of her breakfast. She was looking down at it; her red curls sprawling over her face.

I walked into the dining room and picked up each little piece of cereal I could with my 9 month pregnant belly. I was due any day now and was afraid any action might trigger labor.

"You need help with that, babe?" I heard Tony say from behind me. He had just walked in with his lab coat draped around his shoulders.

"I think I got it." I replied, setting all the little cereal pieces on Claire's high chair table. Claire giggled with delight and shoved half of them into her mouth.

I liked to prove to Tony that I wasn't incapable to do anything while pregnant. I tried to do the impossible something my family never even thought of. It made me feel important and I was praised for it.

"Honey, I have to stay a little late at the lab. We have those fingerprints and the blood to analyze. I didn't get any closer to what I wanted." Tony replied, walking into our kitchen. I waddled in after him and hugged him from behind.

"I'll pick up Claire from Ariel's then. I'm on maternity leave anyways." I told him, walking over to the counter to grab the milk. I put it away and faced Tony.

Tony was the same age as me when we met. He was a good boy; always had the good grades, was a star athlete but never got into any trouble.

We met at the park. The famous Ranglewood park. I was jogging after work and he was hanging out with some of his friends playing chess. He called me over and our relationship took flight.

"You are the best. But if you feel that that baby is coming, you call me right away. Those fingerprints can wait." Tony said, smiling. He was excited for our second baby. He was hoping it was a boy since we had Claire. But he really didn't care. He knew he would love that child no matter what.

"Sure. Because leaving work for you is so easy." I teased. Tony walked over to me and kissed me, holding my swollen belly, firmly.

"It's not that hard." He replied, finally walking out of the kitchen. I listened as he talked to Claire in the loving matter he always did. She giggled and asked to get out of her high chair.

I took a deep breath and looked out the window. Our house was set on the edge of the woods, something I didn't like. The woods always gave me an eerie feeling. They were dark and mysterious and therefore, no one ventured there very often.

I sat and watched the woods sometimes. I imagined myself lost within it; never to be seen again. It gave me the chills.

"Bye, honey!" Tony called from the front door. I snapped out of my little fantasy and walked into the living room. Claire had on a coat and her little Doc McStuffins tennis shoes, she wore almost everyday.

I bent down as low as I could and held out my arms. Claire came bounding into them almost knocking me over.

"Wow, sweetie. The baby might pop out and get cha if you hug me that hard." I said, straitening her hair style. Claire's eyes went right to me belly as well as her hands.

"I won't hug you that hard anymore, mama." Claire said, putting her hands on my pregnant belly. She loved to feel the kick of the baby and was constantly asking if she could try to "feel for the baby".

"Claire bear, you hug me as hard as you want." I said, pulling her in for another hug. She ran out of my arms and outside.

"See ya, tonight." Tony replied, giving me a kiss. He walked out the door and into the driveway where his car was parked. I waved as they pulled out of the driveway and into the street.