Divine

III

Every women in the class sported a different sized belly. Some where in the beginning stages of pregnancy where the slight hill in their t-shirts might have gone unnoticed had the onlooker not know to look for it. Others sport full moons, navels peeking below the hem of maturity shirts and the end stage of discomfort evident on their faces. Eric was used to pregnancy. His mother birthing nine children before deciding to shut down the baby factory for good. The last time he was in the room when his youngest sister began to crown. An image that was both beautiful and stomach turning. His mother being undocumented by the time she relocated him here caused for a lot of those back room births. Sitting behind Kalija as their instruct Dawne had to him to Eric reveled in the way his soon kicked as he caresses her belly. He could easily see that he had a little athlete on his hands.

"How do you expect me to pay attention when you touch me like that?"

From the outside they looked like a perfect little family but that didn't stop the disdain that he still harbors in his heart for the woman holding his child from festering.

"That's you when you won't know how to regulate pain during a contraction."

He traces a path from the top of her belly to the bottom with his finger, chuckling as the baby follows his lead. Dawne crouches beside them showing Kalija the proper breathing technique and how to use Eric as an anchor when the pain became unbearable. He's told to rub her hips as a sign of reassurance that everything will be okay. It feels far too intimate to him but he was willing to do anything in order to ensure a safe and healthy delivery. After that their given a short break and refreshments are set out. Pulling Dawne aside he questions her about water birthing. It seemed like some new wave bullshit to him but if he was going to do it he might as well be well versed in it.

"I did a little research but I didn't want to scare myself with the negatives of birthing this way before I got all the facts from you first."

Dawne found it refreshing that a first time father was taking such careful measures when it can to the well being of his child. She could already tell he'd be a dotting and attentive father.

"There is very little that could got wrong unless the mother or baby has a preexisting medical condition that has gone unnoticed. The procedure will always be overseen by a midwife or a medical professional. The warm water is soothing to the mother and child while also simulating the amniotic sac. As long as Kalija keeps going to her checks and doesn't become too stressed out or develops any problems before her due date everything should gone smoothly." The information seems to soothe some of the worried lines in his face.

"Thank you." Dawne smiles can't helping herself from giving the young man a much needed hug.

"It's what I'm here for. You just need to relax, we don't any negative thoughts or energies to interfere with this beautiful moment y'all are about to share." He looks back at his child's mother.

If only it was that simple

__________________•

"So this is how you conduct business meetings?" Ella arched one of her sculpted brows at the specimen before her. His firm back muscles on full display as he was shirtless. She watched in awe as he effortlessly hangs an enormous painting. Without the use of a latter he simply pounces from the catwalk that hovers a couple feet above the wooden floors. Ella looks away from his sweat drenched chest. His usually light tint turning russet from his extreme exertion.

"Why not show you what you're helping me create?" Ella looks around at the decor that was visible and has to admit that it was slowly but surely coming together to be beautiful.

"I got the papers you requested." Handing them to him she admires the tattoos on his hands. References to her favorite artist inked into his skin.

"What do you know about Teddy Pendergrass?" A slow smile cracks his face but instead of answering her he grabs his phone. Seconds later one of her favorite tunes by him begins to play. Almost naturally she begins to sing along.