After The Cookies [COMPLETE]

52 BC

Two years since Zac got injured on the football field.
Three months since their Thailand summer vacation.
September 2037.

| TAYLOR ESTATE, MIDNIGHT |

Fatima's eyes fluttered open in the middle of the night, her body heavy with exhaustion from all the running, ripping, and racing she had did all weekend long. Her stomach was turning with a sudden wave of nausea waking her up abruptly from her sleep. She groaned softly, trying to steady her breathing, but it was pointless, her body was already set in stone. She carefully slid out of bed, not wanting to disturb Zac, but the moment she moved from under him, his eyes started waking up, not smelling his favorite lotion on her.

"Baby?" He mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. He lifted his head off the pillow, searching through the darkness of their master bedroom, where she was slowly making her way to the bathroom. He watched her silhouette in the dim light from the bathroom, her hand resting on her belly as she tried to keep herself steady. Concern immediately flashed into his mind when he saw her slowly moving and her scrunched up face, she was clearly uncomfortable.

She could barely make it to the toilet before the nausea overtook her. She fell to her knees, clutching the toilet seat as her body heaved violently. Zac quickly hopped out of bed, almost falling face first from his foot getting stuck in their thick comforter. "Shit." He mumbled gaining his balance back before he went to check on her.

He hated seeing her like this especially since there was so little he could do to ease her suffering. All the morning sickness Zac suffered with Faith found it's way to Fatima this go around with their bundle of joy, and their baby was letting them both know wassup. The past few days it had gotten worse, only because she has been trying to get the kids back to school shopping together with Zac on her heels telling her to stop doing so much in this humid Atlanta heat.

He was ready to take on the task of doing back to school shopping but the kids absolutely refused it, stating he complained too much and he was cheap, leaving her to handle it. No problem for her, she actually enjoyed doing the stuff with her kids. But it was this baby that was making it hard for her.

He crouched beside her, his hand gently rubbing her back as she continued to retch, whispering soothing words.

"It's okay, baby. I'm here. I've got you." He murmured, his voice soft and reassuring. His free hand gently caressed her stomach, and he could feel the slight movements of their little one, as if even the baby was restless. "You're doing great, baby. Just breathe, alright? I'm right here." His voice remaining soft as he talked her through it. He really wanted to throw up himself and gag his nose together but that would only make Fatima cuss him out and he wasn't dealing with that. Gotta pick and choose them battles.

She could barely respond, the overwhelming nausea making it impossible to speak. But his presence, his comforting touch, helped her focus on something other than the discomfort. She leaned into him slightly, drawing strength from his warmth as she continued to empty her stomach.

After what felt like an eternity, the nausea finally began to settle. Her body sagged with exhaustion, and she let out a shaky breath, tears brimming in her eyes. This would officially be her last child, she ain't even care about condoms or birth control. She was absolutely not going through this again, it was cool when Zac was on the short end of the sick. But now that it's her? Oh she finna nip this ride in the bud.

He tapped her softly, "Let's get you cleaned up." He said gently, helping her to her feet. His hands were steady as he supported her, guiding her over to the sink. He grabbed her toothbrush, squeezing a dollop of toothpaste onto it before handing it to her. "Ion wanna be rude, but that shit is kicking right now." He made a sour face, she looked at him, before rolling her eyes.