A Bump in the Road -- Watty Awards 2011 --

Chapter 6: Coitus Interruptis

Nicole woke late the next morning, keeping her eyes closed in the hopes she could make the wonderful dream she was having continue. Joseph was there, he had been looking at her so territorially, so reverently it could only be described as – his hands had covered her stomach and he was murmuring to the baby, oh god if it had only been real.

Opening her eyes reluctantly Nicole was shocked to find herself in bed, dressed in flannel pyjamas instead of in the sweats she had been wearing when she fell asleep on the couch in last night

 Oh – it was real. Tears welled from her eyes and fell thick and fast. Instead of landing on the comforter – her belly now stuck out enough that it caught all the teardrops. Realizing this , Nicole smiled ruefully.

Trying what the book on her bedside table had told her to do – Nicole closed her eyes and placed her palms on her stomach and started the deep breathing exercises.

God-me again- I need your help- again-you’re the only one who can know what I need to do – because not even I know that. Do I let joseph back in my life? because God – I still love him so much . And now I know I think I need to try. thanks god. oh and lord help me keep this baby safe, he or she is not a mistake in your eyes and you carried him in your hands long before  I ever carried him or her in my body…oh wait, she stopped...

Flannel pajamas? he must have changed her clothing as she slept. Oh…is that why he’s not here now? Did my body repulse him enough to leave again? How could he..he…she stuttered.

Then she caught sight of the sticky note that joseph hadwritten on stuck to her alarm clock on the bedside table. My darling, it read – I hope you slept well, I attempted to put your hair in braids like I know you like it, I apologize for the mess I probably made of that.

Now laughing and crying Nicole got out of bed and into the shower. Stepping out of the steamy shower Nicole glanced quickly at the clouded mirror that was beginning to clear.

Another sticky note. Don’t doubt yourself, don’t look away from the mirror. You are sexy as hell et vous etes la femme qui est enceinte avec mon enfant. If I were here right now – Nicole could imagine his deep timbre getting rougher and deeper – my lips would be over every inch of your body from your hair and your lips to. Well you can imagine the rest can’t you? If you cant just know that the rest of the notes content were enough for the bathroom mirror to steam up again.

Nicole tied a bathrobe around her and made her way to the kitchen. A plate of her favourite pastries from the patisserie on the corner and fresh fruit was laid out beside a pitcher of icy orange juice.

The condensation from the icy depths of the jug had caused the next sticky note attached to become soggy. However Nicole snatched it up eagerly. Keep well my love, it read in joseph’s hurried elegant scrawl. Promise me to keep safe until I return to you tonight where I can watch over you as I see fit.

p.s. The glass of green muck on the endtable by the couch has been disposed of by toxic waste workers – she giggled at his confused disdain laced with sarcasm. Was your friend trying to poison you? Lastly, Jerry from the it department of your work will be in today between 11 and 3 to install the home network system. Prenez sauf mon plus cher. Keep safe my most dear. – Joseph

Hardly daring to hope, Nicole felt her heart swell to what felt like the same size as her growing stomach. As much as her emotional state had been renewed by the notes joseph left, she was surprised to discover how weak she felt after the stress of the hospital and fight.

Pheeww – Nicole muttered, lowering herself down to the couch and reaching for the insulin drink. stop, slow down. The doctor said if I had more than 3 of these damned dizzy spells a day I’d need to go into hospital.