The Artist and His Muse

Chapter 16

Taehyung slowly walked into the bathroom and looked at his poor wife. He squatted down next to her and held the phone in front of them both.

Mrs. Shepherd looked at them both. Mr. Shepherd was turned to the side with his hand on his eyes and one arm propping up the other.

"Why is no one saying anything," Jenna said weakly. "I feel like death and now it seems like I'm at my own funeral with everyone acting all somber and stuff." She leaned her head against her husband's shoulder.

"I think you should listen to what your mom has to say," said Taehyung quietly.

"Maybe it's a stomach virus and I just keep getting it," said Jenna with a yawn. She hadn't slept much last night and she was fighting to stay awake. Thankfully, her stomach was helping in that department.

"Honey, this is going to be a bit of an awkward conversation," said her mom. Jenna scowled at the screen and her eyebrows shot up when her father declared, "I'm out," and disappeared off the screen. Moments later a door shut and Jenna's mom started to giggle.

"Taehyung, dear, do you want to stick around for this or..."

"I...I don't really know?" He looked at the door to the bathroom and contemplated finding some reason to leave the apartment. But if he left Jenna for just this, what would he leave her for later when she really needed him? He sighed and closed his eyes, his face turned toward the door. "I'll stay," he whispered.

"Ok, well consider yourself warned," said Mrs. Shepherd with a giggle.

"Mom! Stop laughing. Just say what you think is wrong with me," Jenna grumbled. She was in no mood for giggle and jokes.

"Ok, well, honey, have you and Taehyung here, been um...hmm...how should I put this..." She gave up and just gestured with her two pointer fingers.

Taehyung threw his free hand over his face and hung his head. "I should have left," he groaned.

Jenna blinked, her mouth hanging open. "Mom...I...I...I don't know how to respond to that exactly," Jenna stammered.

The room was silent for a moment as the gravity of what Mrs. Shepherd was implying sunk in.

"Wait! No. No. NO?!" Jenna sat up. She was fully awake now. "There's no way, right? Right?" She looked at Taehyung who just looked up at the ceiling, finding a speck of anything to focus on.

"Look, honey, you said you have been kinda of tired lately. Your stomach is easily upset by the slightest thing. You're vomiting on a daily basis for no reason. Honey, I think you need to see a doctor but not just any doctor, an OBGYN." Her mom smiled so wide her eyes almost disappeared.

"A wha...wait, a WHAT? Why would I see one of those for a stomach issue..." Her voice trailed off into a whisper and then her eyes shot open and she stared at her mother, who was stupidly grinning and dancing in her seat. She looked over at her husband who was staring at her with the most relaxed, sweetest smile.

"Is this a joke," Jenna said quietly.

"Honey, I bet you're going to be calling me in a few days and telling me I'm going to be a grandma."

"Mom, I think I need to go lay down for a bit. Talk to you later." She quickly hung up the call and looked at Taehyung, who had now started to giggle.

"You really think you're something, don't you," she grumbled, staggering to her feet.

He quickly stood and steadied her. He didn't release her, but instead he pulled her close to him and held her tightly. "Babe, I talked to her before coming in here. Everything she said makes sense." He kissed her temple and ran his hands up and down her back slowly.