Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The hallway lights buzzed above them as they walked out of the hospital, Jasmine's steps slow and Aubrey's hand wrapped tightly around hers. They had Sandi on speakerphone. She was extremely worried for them.
"They said it was just sodium retention," Jasmine murmured, eyes low. "From the dinner. The salt, the oils, everything. It was too much."
Aubrey clenched his jaw. "That's on me. I should've known better."
"You tried." Her voice was soft. "You peeled the skin off, you thought it'd be okay."
He didn't respond. His grip on her hand only tightened.
"So everything's okay? Nothing major?" Sandi chimed in
"Nothing major." Jas confirmed
Aaliyah whimpered against Aubrey chest, small fists curling into his hoodie. She'd barely slept. Every time they put her down in the hospital, she cried for her father.
Sandi heard her granddaughter whine and rushed off the phone."You two get home safe, okay? Let me know if you need anything, please."
"Thanks, ma." Aubrey said
The call ended and they continued the walk to the car.
"I just wanna be home," Jasmine sighed. "I wanna shower and lay down. I feel like my body's not mine anymore."
"It is yours." Aubrey unlocked the car door and helped her inside gently. " And it's mine to protect."
The drive home was quiet. Aaliyah cried on and off in her car seat, and Jasmine rested her head against the window, eyelids heavy. By the time they pulled into the garage, dawn was beginning to stain the sky with grey-blue streaks.
Aubrey took Aaliyah out first, rocking her gently as he reached for Jasmine's hand.
"I got her. You just go in and sit down."
"I can help."
He turned and looked at her, eyes tired but firm. "You helped enough just growing a whole human. Go inside."
She didn't argue.
Inside, the house was dim and still. Aubrey moved like a ghost through it, setting Aaliyah on the changing table. She wailed the moment he laid her down.
"I know, I know, we're home, baby. You had a long night, huh?" He kissed her forehead and quickly changed her diaper, careful with each wipe.
Jasmine appeared in the doorway a few minutes later, fresh from a rinse in the shower. Her belly was round under his old T-shirt, her hair still damp, face pale but less puffy now. She leaned on the doorframe like she might fold at any moment.
"You should be in bed," he said softly, bouncing Aaliyah gently.
