The Sniper's Heart

Chapter 13

Nine months later...

Just as I set the last glass into the cabinet above the sink, a crash echoes through the house. I jump, almost smacking my head off the black painted cabinets as people track through my house, carrying furniture throughout Marrek and I's two story home. It's everything that I've ever imagined and more. A spacious open floor plan with a large kitchen and open living room with a bathroom off to the left of the living room, a large sunroom is off to the right of the door of the bathroom. All of our bedrooms are down in the basement. It's safer in the basement. You can hear footsteps and have more time to get armed.

We left the military a couple months ago. But there will always be those instincts we gained in there.

I scurry out of the kitchen, forgetting my task of putting all the dishes and pans away. Heading down the hallway towards the basement stairs. As fast as a pregnant woman can "run", that's what I do. Hurrying towards the room where the crash came from, only to find Wes and Tommy arguing over where they think the baby crib should be. They're both too deep into the conversation to notice me walk into the spacious bedroom. It's going to be our first child's room. Tears well up in my eyes as I gaze at the gray painted walls and light maple wood flooring, smaller rectangular windows that allow the light to shine through and light up the room even though it's almost completely underground.

My child shifts and jabs me in the side and I groan, rubbing a hand over my swollen stomach and placing a hand to my back to try and support the heavy weight. "Guys, what are you arguing about now?" I interrupt, stroking my stomach to try and settle the kid in my uterus who just can't seem to stop doing summersaults.

They both freeze and turn to look a me, a sheepish look on both their faces. "I think we should put the crib over in the right corner where the light can't shine in and wake the baby-" Wes starts but Tommy smacks his face in a friendly way, palm to the mouth, shutting him up. "No. It should be where the sun can shine on him, let him wake with the warm sun." He looks over at Wes with a 'Duh' look on his face and I smile, a laugh leaving me.

"Here, the other guys are about to bring the king bed frame in, go help them and I'll move the crib." They both nod at me and leave the room and I hear their footsteps over my head. I can't wait to see this room completely done and decorated. Once the crib is set in place, we can bring in the changing table and dresser, rocking chair, and pictures. Just as I bend down to maneuver the crib around, I hear an "Absolutely not." from my husband.

My skin still prickles every time he's near and it always makes excitement scatter down my body. I turn around, hands on my hips, ready to rip him a new one when he presses a finger to my lips. "Ah ah, shortcake. My wife is not going to be lifting anything." I roll my eyes at him and he smirks, an evil glint in his eye.

"I'm tired of feeling useless." I stomp my foot and Marrek smiles at my small tantrum. I can't help it. Everything I try to do, he tells me I can't. I'm perfectly healthy. The baby is perfectly healthy. Marrek claims it's because I've been resting and taking it easy, but I'm about ready to strangle the man in front of me. He doesn't let me run, he doesn't let me go up and down stairs, he won't let me drive. When I told the doctor about it, she smiled at me and told me that he's just being overprotective because he doesn't know what else to do to keep me and the baby safe.

But I'm so tired to being a burden to everyone around me. Everyone catering to me, having to do basic tasks for me.

"The doctor said no lifting when we are a week from your due date. Doll, I just don't want you to get hurt-"

"I know!" I shout and throw my hands up. My chest squeezes at the thought of all this. The stress from finishing the build, the anxiety of moving, the nerves of being so close to pushing a kid from my vagina. Everything is overwhelming me all at once.