Did You Just Say Pregnant?!

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - Olivia

The rattle of keys and the swoosh of cold air filled the quiet apartment as Phil, my husband, came home from work. He was dreadfully singing an old pop song but his voice was slurred. This meant only one thing, he was drunk. Yet again. I rounded the corner from the living room into the hallway to see him with an empty beer bottle in his hand.

"Phil, you know there's no drinking before dinner," I said, trying to keep my tone light. He staggered his way towards me.

"I'm so sorry babe," I cringed at the odour of beer emanating from him. I walked towards the kitchen, ready to heat the dinner up. Phil followed, set his bottle down on the table, popped over to the fridge and eased another bottle out from the pack. I looked at him with an eyebrow raised. Unfortunately, the alcohol had taken effect on him because he stood there oblivious as to what I was even doing. I stifled a sigh and put some pasta on both of our plates before sitting down.

"We need to talk," I said sternly. He just blinked before jabbing at a pasta piece with his fork and popping it in his mouth. He took a long swig of beer before nodding at me to continue.

"What's with all of this drink all of a sudden? This is the 3rd time this week you've come home from work drunk." I stated.

"Well I felt like it! Who do you think you are to question me?" He fired up, the alcohol in him making him act like this. I sighed before getting up to put my untouched plate of food in the fridge, ready to eat for later when my appetite returned. Sighing loudly, I left the kitchen and headed up the stairs to go to bed. I had a shower first, brushed my teeth and put moisturised my face. Just because I was annoyed didn’t mean that I could just abandon my skin cleaning regime! I put my pyjamas on and shuffled into bed. I got in bed, turned the bedside lamp off and fell into a deep sleep. Not for the first time, I dreamt about babies.

I woke up at 7 in the morning the following day and gave a loud yawn. I turned over to Phil's side and I saw it undisturbed. I sat upright wondering if he had even slept. Abruptly I got out of bed and made my way down the stairs. I poked my head around the living room quickly and turned for the kitchen next when I realised someone was in the living room. I walked in and saw Phil zonked out on the couch. I walked over to his side and stroked his hair. He must have thought to give me some space to calm down. I went to the bathroom and after freshening up I went to see if the mail had arrived yet. It was Tuesday today, and Tuesday meant baby magazine day. I was subscribed to a weekly pregnancy magazine that gave not only information but also funny anecdotes and advice.

I flicked through the mail until I saw the magazine. My heart leapt with joy as I contemplated opening it and reading the new baby facts and health topics. Going into the living room I lounged on one of the sofas and read through the magazine. I absorbed the information, knowing I would need it soon, because I was bound to get pregnant one of these days wasn't I? I've been trying for 3 years, don't you think god should cut me some slack? I had this imaginary conversation with myself until Phil’s stirring pulled me out of my trance.

He sat up and croaked "What's the time?" He looked a wreck and he was kneading his head, trying to soothe his headache.

"7.45," I answered. He got out of his makeshift bed for the night and stretched. I observed him closely, his eyes were tight and he was getting creases in his eyes. His mouth was lowered into a frown as he looked around, obviously hung over.

"Why do you read that damned magazine every week, you know it's only driving you crazy because we can't have any of our own," He shouted spitefully. I inhaled sharply. Why was he being so mean?

"Well I'm sorry I fail to deliver each time, but in 2 days we can start trying again because that's when I'm at the most probable point," I answered looking over at the calendar.