The Crying Bridge

The Crying Bridge--Chapter 41

 "So I guess we might need to let Karen Bradley know you'll be needing a substitute right away," Evan ventured. They had finally gotten out of bed to eat some dinner. Del was dutifully sitting at the table while Evan made some dinner. As cooking wasn't his best skill, he was making vegetable omelettes with fresh fruit.

"I feel so awful about it!" Del said. "Maybe I should just ask to be released from my contract. I mean I wouldn't be able to start until the beginning of the next school year and the babies will only be six months old. I'm not sure if I'll want to leave them." They had determined that teaching full time would mean Del would be on her feet more that the doctor recommended. Del was heartbroken because she had really wanted this job. But she wanted her children safe more and as she considered everything she just didn't think she'd want to be away from the twins all day everyday at such a young age.

"Well, that's something only you can decide," Evan told her, setting plates on the table with their late dinner. "We don't need the income, so we're fortunate in that. But even if we did, we'd figure it out. I don't want you to work if you want to be home with the babies."

"I guess I'll go in to see Karen next week," Del said. "She's going to need to find a replacement quickly. I can at least offer her all the lesson plans I've come up with so far in case she has to use a sub for a bit. And if you help with the subbing, then I can help you a little with some of the details."

"Are you going to be able to remind yourself to get off your feet regularly when I'm not around?" He asked her.

She just gave him a look. "You know I'm not going to do anything to risk this pregnancy. She patted her tummy which she was sure had grown even more just since this morning.

"You're already a great mom, you know that?" Evan said. "Now eat, these kids need some protein."

Del wasn't thrilled about eating but after the first bite, she discovered she was indeed hungry and managed to eat half the omelette and all of her fruit. She even drank a glass of soy milk which made Evan extremely happy.

Evan allowed her to help with the clean up, conceding that Dr. Parsons had said normal everyday activities were fine as long as she didn't spend more than an hour on her feet at a time and that she rested for at least ten minutes after being on her feet for that long. After they finished in the kitchen, they took cold drinks out onto the porch and sat on the swing.

"I know this sounds really crazy but I'm so glad she didn't take sex off the table," Del admitted. "I think I could live with bed rest easier than I could live without sex with you."

"I'm certainly not complaining. Although we both have to face that the time is coming when we do have to abstain at least for awhile."

"I'm hoping you were right about the sleep deprivation taking precedence," she laughed. "And of course just figuring out how to take care of two newborns!"

"I've never even held a baby," Evan said. "I hope I don't break them."

"No, you'll be amazing," she assured him. "I can't wait to see you with Emma and Caleb in your arms." She looked up at him, smiling. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too." He stretched out his legs and yawned. "Are you tired."

"I am," she said. "I didn't realize it until you yawned but I am wiped out."

"The last twenty-four hours have been kind of nuts," he said. "Go on in and get ready for bed. I'll put out the torches and I'll bring you a bottle of water."