Fuelled by Forever

Ch. 4

Imogen

Jude finds me studying myself in the mirror early the next morning. My belly makes my polo top look ridiculous. This is the next size up, and it's already too small. When he clears his throat, I spin, tugging at my top and frowning at the bags under his eyes.

He gently smiles. "You're so damn cute, darling," he says, grabbing his phone to snap a quick picture of me where I pose the best I can for him, watching him tap away on his phone before throwing it on the bed to spray on his deodorant before getting dressed.

I pull the top off and go for my blouse instead, struggling to finish the buttons. "Oh, my god!"

Jude turns at my urgency. "What?"

When he looks concerned, I feel bad. "Sorry, it might have been a bit of an overreaction, but even this top doesn't fit me now."

Jude looks at my belly peeping out of the middle of the open blouse with another smile. "You don't have to go in uniform. So long as it's smart. What else do you have to wear?"

"Erm, not a lot," I say because we slept at his flat last night.

Honestly, it felt easier because it was closer, and we both needed to decompress after Christopher's drama.

Jude frowns at the wardrobe. "We need to get you more clothes. Do you prefer to do it online or at a shop?"

"I can just bring some more bits from my place," I offer, but he shakes his head.

He grabs for his phone again. "I want you to be comfortable, and please don't take this the wrong way, but your belly is only going to get bigger."

He winces at that part, and I nod. "It's a fact. I am going to get bigger, don't worry."

Jude sits on the bed, a pair of socks in hand. "I love your bump."

My hand automatically goes to it. "I can't rationalise that a human being is growing in here."

"You're doing such a good job. Come here," he replies, dumping his socks to invite me into his arms. I sit on his lap, arm around the back of his neck. "I won't be out of work until nine tonight, otherwise, I would have taken you shopping, but we could look online together for some clothes when I get back."

That's another late one for him... and he plans on going in earlier today, too. It's six o'clock now, and he's leaving in ten minutes. After another night of tossing and turning, he's not fully rested after already being tired.

How does he do it?

I know Nathan is handling it, but I should test the waters. "So, I've been thinking about something."

"Hmm?" Jude replies, grabbing my knee.

Here goes. "How do you feel about working a little less?"

"Not going to happen," he shuts me down immediately.

It's obvious he's going to be sensitive about it. "You're burning out, Jude."

"This is just running your own business, Imogen. It's hard, and you get tired some days, but it's how it is for me. I've already had enough time away from things. I need to get my head down and do some bloody work," he says, letting me get up off his knee so he can put on his socks.

"You're tired even after a break because you never fully switch off," I say, still in my open blouse and flashing him my bra.

His movements become restless, and he avoids my eyes. "Imogen, darling, you're just not listening. My company takes a lot of dedication."