Jukai

Chapter 36 And Then We Wept

Later that night

Terry Richmond

I found Nicole lying on the sofa, her eyes glued to the TV.

Benjamin and Megan still weren't back yet, leaving the house quiet and calm.

Standing in the doorway, her eyes found mine, and for a moment, neither of us said anything.

She let out a soft breath, her eyes shifting away for a second before returning to me.

I hesitated, unsure of what to do, but I moved closer. Without saying a word, she shifted her legs, and I carefully set them on my lap. 

I was surprised when she didn't pull away, but she didn't protest either.

My hands brushed softly against her skin, the contact was almost too soft, like I was afraid I'd break the fragile moment between us.

And in that moment, I just let myself be there, letting the quiet settle, hoping she could feel it too.

My hands gently brushing against Nicole's skin, a soft, pained sigh escaped her lips. I looked down, noticing how her body tensed for a moment. She winced, her fingers tightening on the edge of the sofa.

"Nicole?" I asked, concern immediately creeping into my voice.

She let out another breath, more controlled this time, but it was clear something wasn't right.

"It's just the Braxton Hicks," she said, her voice strained. She shifted slightly, trying to make herself more comfortable.

I frowned. "Are you sure? They're not too painful?"

She shook her head, but there was a hint of distress in her eyes. "They're not too bad, just uncomfortable."

"If it gets worse, you tell me, alright?" I said, my hand gently resting on her leg, trying to offer a small amount of reassurance.

Giving me a nod. "I will," she whispered.

Her body stiffened again. This time, the wince on her face was sharper, more pronounced. Her breath hitched, and she exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself.

"Is it happening again?" I asked, voice laced with unease.

She nodded, but this time, her expression shifted, and I could see the strain in her features. "Yeah... but it's... different," she whispered, her hand moving instinctively to her stomach as another wave of discomfort hit.

I leaned closer, my heart starting to race. "Different how?"

Nicole took a shaky breath, biting her lip as she fought through another contraction. "It's... stronger. More regular."

I could feel the blood drain from my face. "Nicole, you're only seven months along," I said, my voice low, almost a whisper.

My pulse quickened, and I reached for her hand without thinking. "This isn't right. We need to go to the hospital."

But she shook her head, her hand gripping mine tightly. "No, Terry. I've had these before.

Just... don't panic."

But even as she spoke, I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. I wasn't sure if she was trying to reassure herself or me.

The contractions were coming closer together now, and her breathing was becoming more uneven.