Chim - Double Walker

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Kimberley's POV

I wake up still feeling a little groggy, almost hung-over. My body's aching, like I've pulled every muscle in my body.

As I become more aware of my surroundings I realise that Cheryl isn't by my side anymore, I'm not in her arms, she isn't stroking my hair. To be honest, I'm not so sure how long I have been asleep.

But I can hear a hushed voice, somewhere in the room.

Opening my eyes, I can't help but squint as the light comes streaming through. Blinking around the room, I spot Cheryl stood on the other side, in the far corner of the room.

I notice the cot she is stood in front of, instantly waking me up a little, especially when I see her posture and position of her arms from behind, letting me know that she is cradling something. I can vaguely make out a few of her whispers, soothing our son as she gently rocks and bounces him.

Summoning as much strength as I can, I push myself upright, maybe an involuntary grunt escapes my lips because she must hear something which makes her quickly turn around.

A smile spreads across her face once she sees I am awake and sitting up.

'Stay there, I'll bring him over.' She smiles, hurrying over before I can move any further.

She walks around to the other side of the bed, before shuffling up and sitting beside me, Jacob still in her arms. We share a kiss as I move my arm around her, then we return our attention to Jacob, both watching him with nothing but love and adoration.

'How are you feeling?' She asks, turning to look at me, kissing me again.

'Okay...' I nod, 'a little rough but, I'll cope... How long has he been here?'

'They brought him in about half an hour ago'

'Why didn't you wake me?' I frown.

'Because you need your sleep, you've been put through the wringer from the minute you went into labour.'

'And so have you!' I argue, not happy with how she is putting me first and not looking after herself. 'Have you even slept since the night before I went into labour?' I challenge.

'Yes, just now when you were asleep'

'For how long? And don't try to lie because I know that it had already been organising for him to be brought here before I fell asleep, and if you were awake when he was brought in, you mustn't have been asleep for very long.' I snap, and she lowers her head, no reply comes as she returns her attention to the baby boy in her arms. 'How long Cheryl?' I speak more calmly now, pressing for an answer.

'Probably about... half an hour' she whispers and I sigh, resting my forehead on her shoulder.

'See what I mean?' I ask softly and she nods, 'I'm sorry for getting angry, but you need to look after yourself too, especially now that we have a child to be looking after'

'But your weaker than me right now. You need a lot more rest than I do and you need more care and attention.' She tries to defend herself, but I'm having none of it.

'No I don't! I need more rest, yes, your right. But I can still look after myself, I just need to get a little more strength back. I only need a little support when I'm moving around.' I reach up to cup her cheek and turn her head to look at me again, 'I'm happy for you to help me around, but you have to promise me that you will still look after yourself... that you'll eat and sleep when you need to.'

She hesitates, but no response follows, so I nudge her.

'Did you hear what I said?' I question and she looks at me, trying to hide a smile.