Katherine moved around the kitchen with Gabby in her arms as she made breakfast. It had been a month since Gabby's first birthday and she was definitely feeling the strain of her third trimester. Her belly had dropped earlier than expected, so the doctor was keeping an eye on her. The midwife had rented the house next door and Janet was going to the doctor's once a week. Everyone was nervous because she was measuring bigger than normal and as much as she didn't want it, she may have to have a c-section to get the baby out. It was definitely stressing her out. Luckily, Katherine and Evelyn were here to help her out.
"Alright, pancakes are done." Katherine placed them on the counter with the other food. Gabby bent down and tried to grab them.
"Mmmm.."
"No. We have to wait for Mommy." Gabby looked at Katherine. "I said what I said." Gabby put her hand on Katherine's mouth. She shook it off. "Well, excuse me."
"What's going on in here?" Evelyn walked in and went to make her some coffee.
"This granddaughter of ours is something else. She gonna cover my mouth when I told her we have to wait for Janet before eating breakfast." Evelyn laughed and stirred the cream into her coffee.
"Welp, she is Janet's daughter."
"Excuse me?" Katherine scoffed. "More like Toni's daughter." Evelyn shook her head.
"No, Joseph and Michael's granddaughter."
"That's better." They laughed.
Upstairs, Toni helped Janet in the shower. "Baby, I'm worried about you. Your belly is really low."
"I know, but....oohhh..." Janet was sitting down on the shower bench. The baby kicked her hard and she held her side. After a minute, the pain subsided. "..I'm only seven months. I still have time to go." Toni sighed and washed her back. She made sure to massage her good to help relieve the tension in her body.
"I just don't want you hurt."
"I'm having a baby, it's gonna hurt." They chuckled.
"I know, but that doesn't mean I have to like it."
"You liked making it."
"True." Toni moved from behind her and stood in front of her. "Come on. Time to rinse." Janet held Toni's hands as she stood up and went under the water. She held the bottom of her belly and let the hot water hit her.
"Uhhh..." Toni got behind her and put her hands under her belly.
"Deep breath, baby." Janet took a breath and Toni gently lifted her belly.
"Ooohhh." Janet laid her head back against Toni. She swayed them back and forth while Janet got her moment of relief. "Thank you so much."
"Anything to help you, baby." Toni kissed her forehead. They stayed in that position a little longer before a knock came to their bathroom door. "Come in." Katherine walked in.
"Janet, Toni. Yall okay?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Just checking. Breakfast is ready when yall come do....Gabby, no." Gabby ran into the bathroom to the shower and hit the door.
"Mama!"
"Gabby." Katherine grabbed her and she started crying. "They'll be down in a minute. Shhh."
"Toni, let me go. I'm gonna go get her."
"Janet, you're..."
"Let me go." Toni gently lowered Janet's stomach back down and helped her out of the shower. Janet dried off and put on her robe. Leaving the bathroom, she still heard Gabby's cries in the hall. She followed them to her bedroom, where Katherine was in the recliner, trying to calm her down. "I got her, mother." Gabby saw Janet and immediately stopped crying. She reached for her and Janet picked her up. "Shhh.." Gabby laid on her shoulder and wiped her eyes. Janet gently rocked her and kissed her head. "It's okay, baby."
