You and Me, Always.

Growing

"Okay, you've got my phone number, my mum's phone number and Lara's too in case one of us is unavailable." Aljaz reassured Janette. They were at the airport, Aljaz with his belongings preparing to go through security. He had to make a quick trip to Slovenia, but due to her current condition, Janette was not allowed to fly. "If you need me, give me a ring. I love you! Mwah" He kissed her on the forehead and then on the lips, before turning around and rushing into the queue for security. "I love you!" Janette called back, waving at him until he was out of sight. She too had her own bags in her hands, but she was going to stay with Karen and Kevin, just in case anything happened.

Janette headed out of the terminal, stepping into the chilly London morning. She muffled her face into her scarf - the tartan one that Aljaz had given to her. She looked down at Baby Skorjanec, who was just about peeking out from beneath her leather jacket. She was now around 5 months along, and the bump was certainly growing.

She stepped into the taxi that was waiting, told the driver the directions to Karen and Kevin's, and sat back, looking out the window as the world passed by. She sighed - it had been the first time that she had been alone since her and Aljaz had discovered that they were expecting, and she didn't like it. It felt... Odd. She didn't have anyone to lean her head on and fall asleep during the journey, or anyone to talk to. She missed him.

The taxi pulled up outside her destination, and she climbed out, handing the money to the driver. She walked up to their house and knocked, waiting for an answer. She could hear Karen squealing and bounding down the stairs, and within seconds, the door sprung open. "Janette, babe! Come on it out of the cold!" She shouted, hugging Janette on the doorstep before moving out of the way to allow her to enter.

"Baby Skorjanec certainly looks like it's growing!" She remarked, gazing down at Janette's fuller belly. She was right, it had grown significantly since she had last seen her. "Yes, haha! It'll be bigger than me soon!" Janette laughed, patting her stomach lightly.

***

Later that night, after an enjoyable evening of Karen's cooking followed by charades, Janette was in the guest room - her abode for the next few days. She wandered around in her shorts and minion top, organising the room a little before she slept. She lay out her blanket and arranged her pillows on of the bed. She then pulled Little Ali out of her bag and placed him on top of the pillows. Climbing into bed, she cuddled him close to her before flicking off the light switch and going to sleep, wrapped up in the scent of Aljaz that Little Ali had.

***

4:03 a.m.

Janette stirred, checking the clock. '4:03' it read. She mumbled a little, before repositioning herself to get comfortable. She didn't have Aljaz to snuggle into so was finding it increasingly difficult. After twenty minutes of failing to find a comfortable sleeping position, she decided to get up and head to the bathroom.

Walking down the darkened corridor, she could hear Kevin snoring in the next room. Smiling to herself, she continued until the end of the corridor where the bathroom was located. Flicking the light on, she shut the door behind her. Her hair was all tangled and she looked slightly bedraggled. She yanked her fingers through it in an attempt to make it easier for her to tame in the morning. She then turned to her side and looked at Baby Skorjanec in the mirror. It really had grown. She splashed her face with some water and was about to head back into her room, before she felt some light twinges in her belly. Stroking it gently, and reassuring the bump, she walked back down the corridor and climbed into bed again.

6:02 a.m.

Janette woke up again, this time her duvet and Little Ali were strewn all over the floor. She felt the same twinges in her tummy once more, but they were stronger this time, and slightly painful too. Attempting to get more sleep, she picked up her duvet and Little Ali and pulled her knees into her chest, before shutting her eyes once more.

7:19 a.m.

"KAREN! KAREN COME QUICKLY PLEASE!" Janette screamed. The pain was so much worse now, and she could barely move. Crippled by the twinges that took over her belly, she yelled for Karen to come over. Both Karen and Kevin rushed in, "What is it honey!? What's wrong?" Karen enquired as she saw Janette curled up in a ball, her face crumpled in pain. "We need to get her to hospital!" Kevin shouted after coming off the phone with the midwife. "Grab her things, I'll pick her up. LET'S GO!" He yelled, scooping Janette up, draping a towel around her and running down the stairs. Karen whizzed around the room collecting up things she knew Janette would want at the hospital with her.

"It's... It's too soon!" Janette whimpered weakly, her head drooping in Kevin's arms. "Stay with us J, come on!" Kevin shouted, scrambling out of the door and into their car. He bundled Janette in the back seats and buckled up, Karen joining in. "Call Aljaz. Tell him we may have a little one on the way." He said to Karen and he started to drive as the first hints of sunlight crept through the clouds. So began the busiest day of their lives.