Moonlit Awakening

Chapter 25

Alice

When they arrive home, Liam carries Alice into the house. "L...Liam!" she exclaims, "I can walk!"

"No," he says softly, "you need to take it easy." He gently sets her down on the couch. "I'll be right back. I'm going to get our luggage."

"O...okay."

Ember and Margaret enter the room. "Alice?" Ember asks, "What's going on? Why is Liam so on edge?"

"Erm..." Alice mumbles, "I...I might have gone into early labor."

"What?"

"The doctors managed to stop it, but I have to take it easy the rest of my pregnancy."

"Are you feeling alright, my dear?" Margaret asks, "that couldn't have been a fun experience."

"I'm...okay, I think."

Alexander comes running into the room. "Mommy, you're back!" he exclaims. His eyes widen when he sees her baby bump. "Mommy, your tummy is bigger."

She blushes. "Y...yes, I told you it would get bigger." He reaches out, touching her baby bump again. "A...Alexander!"

Ember gently takes his hand away from her sister. "Alexander, it isn't nice to touch people without asking," she explains.

He looks at her, wide eyed and confused. "Why not?"

"You wouldn't like it if someone came up to you and touched you, would you?"

He thinks about the question for a few seconds. "No." He looks up at Alice. "I'm sorry, mommy."

"I...it's okay, Alexander."

She winces as she slowly stands up. "Alice," Ember states, "sit back down. You need to rest."

"Ember please, I just want to go to my bedroom."

Ember sighs. "Alright, text me if you need anything or if you start contracting again."

Alexander grabs onto his aunt's sleeve. "Auntie, what's that?" he asks.

"What's what?" Ember responds.

"Contracting?"

"Oh." She sighs. "That means your new baby brother will come soon."

He lights up. "Is mommy contracting now?"

"No, she was, but the doctors stopped it."

"Why?"

"It's not time for your baby brother to come."

He looks disappointed. "When is he coming?"

"In a few weeks, Alexander." She turns to Alice. "Do you need help getting up to your bedroom?"

"N...no," Alice says softly, "I don't think so." She waddles out of the room, upstairs to her bedroom. Inside her bedroom, she lays down on the bed.

Liam

When Liam comes back into the living room, he notices that Alice isn't there anymore. "Where did Alice go?" he asks.

"She went to her bedroom," Ember replies, "probably to rest."

"Alright, I'm going to go check on her." He heads upstairs, knocking at her bedroom door. "Alice, may I come in?"

"Y...yes," she answers.

He comes into the room "Alice, are you okay?"

She nods. "I'm just tired." She fumbles around in her bed, trying to find a comfortable position.