History (Nathan Gardner) - Complete

Sleeping With The Light On

"Hey babe.. good day?"

"If you say so.." he grumbles as I greet him in the hallway when he returns home from work that night.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing.. I just need a shower.. and an early night.." Nathan sighs as he hangs his coat up before putting his briefcase away..

"Oh.. ok.." I frown at his weird behaviour.. I know it's late.. and he's been working overtime but still.. this is usual for him..

"Sorry babe.. it's just been a long day.." he loosens his tie.. "I'll go and have a shower and then we can cuddle in bed yeah?"

"It's fine.." I smile at him but for him it's not

"No.." he comes over to me and opens his arms for a hug.. "I'm sorry.. I'm just grumpy.."

"I know.. but it's understandable.." I comment as I shift a little to cuddle him.. it's awkward now with the baby bump but we somehow manage.. "Why you home so late anyway?"

"Oh you know.. detentions.. meetings.. you name it.." he groans.. "I've missed you so much.."

"I've missed you too.."

"Have you eaten?" He asks randomly as he places his hand on my bump..

"Yeah.." I nod.. "I was hungry and I didn't know how long you'd be so I made myself some dinner.."

"Ah okay..."

"I'm sorry.. I didn't know when you'd be home otherwise I would have made you some.."

"It's fine.. I'm not hungry anyway.." he comments and I can tell he's annoyed, but it's more because he's tired.. and grumpy so I let it pass.. "I'm gonna go shower.."

He lets out a big sigh, letting go of my bump before making his way upstairs.. I don't like when he's like this.. it's not Nathan.. I'm not sure if I should follow him or just leave him..

Eventually I decide to sit on the couch, my hand resting on my bump.. it's hard to believe he'll be here in my arms in a few weeks time.. scary too I guess.. because that's when it becomes real.. I'll be a mom.. and I'll have another human that depends on me.. another Nathan that goes in these grumpy moods.. now that's a thought..

"You won't be as grumpy as daddy right baby?" I whisper down to my stomach.. "I can't cope with two of you being in these moods.." I smile to myself just as the baby starts to move.. "Oh you're awake tonight aren't you?" 

The feeling of the baby moving will never not be weird for me.. especially when he starts to kick my insides like a soccer ball.. "Hey..it's not playtime.. it's supposed to be bed time little one.." I laugh a little before forcing myself up off the couch.. "Shall we go and see what daddy's up to?"

I make my way upstairs, and it's all in darkness, Susan is at her mom's so her bedroom door is closed as usual.. but I can't hear the shower running or the bathroom light shining under the door so I guess he's in bed already.. and that is confirmed when I open our bedroom door and he's asleep on his side.. hand resting under the pillow..

"How's he gonna cope when you arrive huh?" I whisper a little, resting my hand on my bump again.. "We'll leave him be for now.. let him sleep.."

And that becomes our life.. he's home late nearly every night.. and in the end.. I don't even ask why.. he's tired most nights because of work and he takes himself off to bed.. have we reached that point of our relationship where we just see each other on weekends and life is just.. boring?