Breakthrough

A Check Up

I remember moving into this house a few months after turning 18. My grandma moved back home to Florida and I was about to start school at USC. She knew I didn't want to live in the dorms at school, and she said I could do whatever I wanted with the place. It was in my mother's name but, we both knew this place was very much mine.

I had painted every room by myself even though my mother insisted on having a professional do it. I knew I was capable of painting a few walls and it gave me something to do. I always kept busy since it kept me away from home. I made this my home. And to think that I've made a new home with someone else is kind of crazy.

I went into the bathroom and looked into the mirror. I was still the same Sophie. Sophia. I just had some new things in my life. New job. New guy. New baby. New friends. A new family. A lot of new things. But I was also bringing back some not so new things into my life. My cousin Rae, Scott, their two kids. My best friend. I think distancing myself from certain people has only done me good.

I decided to turn on the water and fill the tub as an intro to my night alone. I even lit the two candles I had sitting on the corner of the tub. As I let myself sink in and let my head lay back I began to doze off. I had probably been laying there for about twenty minutes when heard my phone buzz. It was Blake. I unlocked my phone to reveal a text from him.

Just checking in...

I'm fine. Stop worrying. I replied. I knew he would be like this. It's not like I'm dying. I'm just pregnant.

I know. I'm trying but it's kind of hard. What are you doing?

About to get out of the tub. Probably gonna order some takeout. I typed quickly as I grabbed my white robe off the chair and began to drain the tub.

After brushing out my hair and putting it on top of my head I heard my phone buzz on the bathroom counter.

Why have we not ever had tub time together???

I began giggling to myself as I read Blake's text.

You've never asked. I said to him as I put on some moisturizer.

I set by phone on my bed and went into my closet to pick out some comfy clothes. I went with some nike capris and one of my many USC tshirts. It had quite a few holes around the bottom but I wasn't trying to impress anybody.

I hung up my robe on the back of the bathroom door and sat on the edge of my bed to see that I had two texts from Blake.

Well, know that tub time is a must when I get back. We have a lot of time to make up for.

How about a pic?

I quickly took a pic of myself on my raggedy clothes and sent it to him with the caption, post tub selfie xoxo.

He quickly responded with, Is the white robe MIA?

I took my phone and charger downstairs with me and plugged it in. He could wait a while for a response. I wasn't really sure what I was feeling tonight. I sat at one of the bars tools at my island and opened a drawer to grab a handful of menus. As I began to spread them all out I heard the doorbell ring. I wasn't expecting anyone. At least, I didn't think I was. I looked out the peephole to see a bubbly blonde waiting on the other side. I quickly unlocked the door to see her standing there in a bright coral skirt and white tank tucked in, brown braided sandals, her hair in a top knot, mirrored Ray Bans, and a duffel bag slung over her shoulder.

"Hello, hello!" Marieka said putting her sunglasses on top of her head.
"Hey, what are you doing here? Is everything ok?"
"Yeah, everything is fine. Blake told me to come and check on you. And Taylor is gone for the next three days so I'd figure I'd just come see how you're doing."
"Well, come in," I said opening the door wider.
"This is such a cute place you have!"
"Thanks! You can put your bag down anywhere. Are you hungry?" I asked as I led her into the kitchen.
"Starved, actually," Marieka replied.
"Well, good. I was gonna order some takeout. Not sure where from but, I have quite the variety of menus," I said pointing to the array of papers on the island.
"Oh my goodness! You don't have any cravings yet?"
"Not really. I mean I can eat anything, and everything so far," I said laughing.
"Haha, well I'm sure you'll have some crazy hankering for a food sooner or later. How's your morning sickness? Blake mentioned you've been nauseous throughout the entire day sometimes," Marieka said taking a seat on one of the wooden stools.
"Eh, it really depends on the day. Today I was ok. Yesterday I was feeling pretty ick," I said taking a seat next to her.
"I guess you gotta just take it one day at a time."
"Yep, that's what I've learned. And what about you missy? I would expect you two to have at least one and another on the way."
"You would think but, no. We've been married long enough. But, we both want to travel and he wants to get his career kinda shaped before we decided to have kids. But trust me they are coming sooner or later," she said.
"Hey, I totally get that. That's kind of the plan I was going for in terms of kids and relationships but, you see how that turned out."
"Listen, I know this may not be the way you planned things out in your head but I think everything happens for a reason. Do you know you are a true blessing for Blake?"
"A blessing?"
"A blessing, a God sent, a good woman which is what he needed."
"He seemed to be doing alright when I first met him."
"I mean he was. He was just always partying and just doing things that an almost 30 year old shouldn't be doing. He needed some structure in his life."
"You think a baby is going to bring him structure?"
"It already has. Taylor and I have never seen him this happy before or care for someone like he cares for you. Do you know how hard it was for him to pick up a phone and call his momma every now and then? You would have thought it was like pulling teeth. Now he calls her all the time. Checks on her. He sends me to check on you. He sends you flowers and he is so excited for this baby. You have absolutely no idea," she said nearly out of breath. I couldn't believe it.
"Really?"
"Really. Sophie, you have changed this man's heart. And you are gonna change his life with this baby. And I cannot wait to see what a beautiful family you guys will have and what great parents you will be. You are such a kind and caring person that will be a great mother. I can already see it. And you will help Blake become a great father."
"Marieka--I just. I just--I'm not really even sure what to say," I said as I felt tears swell up
In my eyes. "I usually don't cry like this but I think that's what happens. You just cry sometimes when you're pregnant? I'm just--I'm just really happy that you said that to me because I'm so scared."
"I know. It is scary. You're bringing a little person into this big scary world."
"I think about it everyday," I said shyly as I wiped under my eyes.
"I'm sure. It's scary but it's so exciting. Like this baby boy or girl is going to be beautiful. You are absolutely gorgeous and Blake, I know he's my brother in law but, he's good lookin. Your baby is going to be this brown beauty!"
"Yeah, that's what I'm hoping for," I said laughing.
"See, it's gonna be ok," Marieka said rubbing my back.
"Yeah, it's gonna be fine," I said sniffling.
"And did I mention how excited I am to be an auntie?! Like I've already looked baby clothes. So many options."
"I know, it's a little overwhelming. Like who knew such a little person could have so many choices?"
"I know. But we have a little ways to go before all that. Now, how about that takeout? Think you could go for some Japanese?"
"I'm always down for fried rice and sushi," I said smiling.
"I knew I liked you for some reason," Marieka said as she picked up a menu from off the table.

After ordering our food we moved into the living room and sat on the couch flipping through some photo albums I had on the table.
"Where is this at?" Marieka said pointing to a photo.
"In North Carolina, Asheville. We were there a couple weeks before Christmas and it was perfect."
"That's what it looks like," Marieka said as she looked closer at the pictures.
"It was what I always imagined Christmas to be you know? Cold weather, cute little town decked in lights, the smell of cookies and Christmas trees in your house, I know sounds kind of cheesy but I absolutely love it. Christmas in LA just can't compete. I would just love to go back."
"When's the last time you went?"
"Umm, I want to say my junior or senior year of high school. My parents still go, it's just that I'd been so busy with school and now with work and now I don't know when I'll make it back there. Someday I hope."
"You will," Marieka said as she flipped to the last page of the photo album.
"Oh my gosh, this is amazing Sophie! Did you take these pictures?" She asked as the doorbell rang. I was kind of surprised put food got here that fast. Must've been slow that night.
"Yes! I took a couple of photography classes in high school and always had a camera around," I said picking up my wallet off the counter and heading to the front door.

I quickly unlocked the door, not even bothering to look out the peephole to find someone who I thought forgotten all about me.