The Guy Named Harrison: Book Two

33

Harrison found Carrie in their baby's room Saturday morning working on painting her newly chosen name on the wall above her crib. She was working on the 'i' when he came in.

There wasn't much to do now that the storm had started. Early this morning it started to rain. Now the wind was picking up. Tonight would be when it really got bad.

She didn't seem him when he entered the room. Carrie gently rested her hand on the wall and brushed more pink onto her design. He didn't want to say anything, for fear that he'd startle her and mess her up.

Carrie switched brushes and continued with the pink. Harrison leaned against the doorframe and watched her work. She was such a great artist and there wasn't anything she couldn't do.

She dipped the brush back in the paint. As she started the dot of the 'i' she started to sing to the music that was softly playing in the room. He recognized the song immediately.

Carrie had an amazing voice. He didn't get to hear it much because she didn't like to sing in front of people, but every time he got to hear it, it blew him away. He rested all of his weight against the doorframe and continued to listen to her sing. Harrison thought he might fall asleep again. Her voice was so soft and genuine. If it could almost put him asleep standing up, their baby girl was going to have no problem falling asleep in her mommy's arms.

"How long have you been standing there?"

Her voice put him in a trance in the several minutes he stood there and listened to her sing. "What?"

"You. Leaning against the doorframe. How long?" Carrie teased. "Do I need to spell it out for you?"

With a smug smile plastered across his face, Harrison crossed the room. "You have an amazing voice. You should use it more often."

"Do you want me to sing you a lullaby before bed?"

"Alright smart ass," he teased. "I wouldn't mind if you did. That voice of yours deserves to be heard."

"I don't like to sing," she answered simply. "Not in front of anybody at least. Don't think you're going to be able to get me to sing. You know my mom. I sung with her a few times. Then she tried to get me a nightclub gig. I said no."

Harrison laughed. "I can't see you singing at a nightclub."

"Me either."

➄➈

That night Hurricane Katia really started to pound North Carolina. Rain pounded the house, and wind roared. Occasionally a clap of thunder rumbled, or a flash of lightning lit up the entire bedroom.

Harrison came to bed after everyone else, and after checking to make sure everything was still holding up. Carrie couldn't be happier when he finally slipped under the covers next to her. The baby was kicking up a storm in addition to Carrie's already persistent cramps.

"How's everything look?" She asked as he settled himself behind her.

"Looks good for now, although tonight will be the real test."

Carrie grimaced as she rolled to her side. Harrison put his arm around her in its usual spot on her belly. "You okay?"

She shook her head. "She's kicking and-ah... I have cramps."

"I can help. Sit up for a second."

Carrie did as told. Harrison moved around her to sit behind her. He leaned back on the pillow and pulled her back to him. He easily placed both arms on her belly and began to rub it.

She didn't say anything for a few minutes. "Is it working?"

"She's not kicking as bad. But the cramps, I think they're the worst I've ever had."

"Okay. Try and get some sleep."

"Make sure you wake me up for my shift."

"I will."

Carrie closed her eyes as he continued to rub her belly. Harrison wasn't going to wake her up for her shift. She needed all the rest she could get being 8 and a half months pregnant. Besides, he could handle the two extra hours.