her remedy

23

Quietly, I slip out of bed and attempt to go down the stairs without struggling. I place my right hand around my very large stomach, and use my left hand for support on the railing.

It takes me a solid two minutes just to get down one flight of stairs, and I don't even want to begin to think how long it's going to take to get back up them.

This has become a nightly routine for me. Although I've always been obsessive about making sure my house is clean, I've somehow become even more obsessive in these last few months.

Simon could easily be considered one of the messiest people I've met. I now have to go downstairs after he's fallen asleep to wipe off the counter and the evidence of his midnight snack.

Just as I finish cleaning off the crumbs, I have to grip the edge of the counter. A sharp pain goes through me, and the baby gives me a good kick. I would say it's labor pains, but this has been happening for a week now, so it probably isn't.

My due date was also a week ago, and I've tried everything I know to induce labor, but it always fails. The only sure way to have this baby is to wait on him.

After the pain passes, I put my arm around my stomach again and say, "Stop playing around, little one. Make up your mind."

All he does is kick again. He's definitely going to have Simon's personality.

Carefully and slowly, I start the intimidating journey up the stairs again. Just as I hit the top step, a bright flash of lightning illuminates the dark house. It is almost immediately followed by a loud bang of thunder. Taken by surprise, I jump and scream.

Simon bolts out of our room, only wearing boxers. Realizing what I've done, I laugh.

"Sorry, babe. I just got scared by the thunder."

His eyes, heavy with sleep, stare directly at me for a long moment before he holds out his hand and leads me back into bed.

As soon as I sit down, another sharp pain goes through me. It's worse than it normally is, so I close my eyes and grip onto Simon's arm.

He inhales and says, "Ow, ow, ow, Adele, not so hard!"

The pain subsides again and I let go, apologizing again and trying not to laugh. "Sorry, sorry. Get used to that, though. I'll be doing that a lot when I have this child."

"Maybe I should bring an air cast or something." He says in a deep voice.

I silently laugh, feeling another kick from the baby. I take Simon's hand and place it right where he is kicking. He smiles when he feels the kick, then kisses my cheek.

Getting back out of bed, I walk over to the window and open the blinds. There are rain droplets against the window pane, and I take a deep breath and appreciate the simplicity of it.

"Baby, wait right there. That's a beautiful photo waiting to be taken."

I smile and wait as Simon grabs his phone off the nightstand. He's always had a good eye for photo opportunities.

"Ok, now put your arms around your stomach and look over it."

I do as he said, then lose myself in the moment as he snaps the picture. All I see is a round baby bump, but I can feel so much more than that. I can feel the life inside of me, and that's a feeling I won't soon forget.

Simon holds out his phone and shows me the picture, which I instantly fall so in love with. It's a perfect silhouette against the stark white blinds, my round stomach and motherly expression perfectly captured.

I kiss his lips and say, "Simon, oh my gosh, that's beautiful! It's my favorite picture ever!"

He nods. "I'm framing that first thing tomorrow."

Both of us climb back into bed, and he falls back asleep the moment he lays down. If only I could be that comfortable.

Wide awake, I stare up at the ceiling and listen to the rain as it pounds against the roof. I vaguely remember reading that if you get a jump scare when you're heavily pregnant, it can possibly induce labor. Did that count as a jump scare?

That's my last thought before I finally fall asleep.

But it doesn't last long.

*

"Don't you know how to clasp a bra?" I impatiently say, regretting asking Simon for help.

"Does it look like I do? I only know how to unclasp them."

"Of course." I sigh. There is a tense silence that is soon interrupted by the sound of the bra successfully clasping.

"I did it!" Simon gleefully yells, proud of his accomplishment.

"Yeah, yeah, congratulations. Now go pack the car!" I say, pushing him out of the room.

"Alright love. Just yell if you need me."

"I will." I say, walking back into the bathroom to finish getting dressed.

Oddly, I don't feel rushed. I should, because my water broke and the baby will be coming any moment. But I feel at peace, as if the world has stopped so I can say a final goodbye to my pregnant self.

I look into the mirror at my bare stomach, the one that has sheltered my baby. In a soft voice I say, "Well baby, this is it. I've created you and you've lived in me for nine months and now it's time for you to reveal yourself." I feel him kick, so I place my hand over the spot and smile. "I'm going to miss it, too."

My eyes burn with tears and mixed emotions. This is all so bittersweet. I swallow them back and remind myself that the fun part is just beginning. Slowly, I make the trek downstairs, saying goodbye to Louie.

Simon takes my hand and leads me into the car, holding an umbrella over me. He races into the car himself and then pulls out of the driveway.

"Are you ready?" He holds onto my hand.

"Ready as I'll ever be, I guess."

He gives my hand a kiss and a reassuring squeeze. "You're going to do great, I know it for a fact."

"How are you so sure?" I ask, nerves suddenly kicking in.

He turns to face me for a quick moment, then looks back at the road. "Because you're the strongest woman I know."