Settling in Seattle

Chapter 8- Another Morning to be Grateful

Rachel woke up next to Mike, and as she did every morning, thanked that she had him, and they had a little family. Her hips and back were really starting to ache now, and she was showing a petite bump, in contrast to the slim figure she had before they had conceived. She counted her blessings every day that she woke, and she was healthy, living a dream with her best friend. She was sixteen weeks now, things were getting a little safer, and they could become a little more optimistic every day that went by.

Of course, sixteen weeks also means that they could find out the sex of the baby, as well as the other tests, to do with the well-being of the baby, which of course they were praying was okay. Ruling in favour of finding out whether the baby was a boy or a girl gave them more time to prepare, and made it easier. Once they knew, they could plan things out, decorate, and buy everything they needed in time for the arrival, which was still a fair time away, but looming.

"Morning babe," Rachel heard a whisper from the other side of the bed, as well as a familiar hand rubbing against her sore back. She winced as she stretched out her back, determining how hard of a day today would be. Whether it would be office work she was doing, or actually getting up and being useful. She was well into the second trimester, thankfully the morning sickness had eased, and she only got nauseous on rare occasions. Rachel hated being sick, she wanted to do things and help people, not sit and sigh about how ill she felt, "How is your back?"

Mike frowned at her as she turned to face him scrunching her eyes to the pain.

"It's been better, but it's also been worse, so I guess okay?" Rachel couldn't help but smile at Mike as he sniggered at her optimism. He knew she just wanted to go into work today but didn't want her to push herself too hard.

"Well, I think you should come in with me with your back all strapped and gelled up, and then you can do whatever eases the pain the most. How's that?" Mike wrapped his arms around her and she led her head on his chest. One of his hands found her stomach, and he rested it there.

"Okay, yes, I think that's a wonderful idea. We have to get out of bed soon otherwise we'll never have enough time to shower, eat and get ready!" She arched her back and braced herself to get up. It wasn't as much pain as she thought it would be, and she got up with a bit of a jump making her way to the bathroom. She showered, and half way through the water stream got a lot weaker, Mike had opted to shower in the other room, at the same time. He did it to annoy her, but the fact he would be done showering at the same time as her and they would be on time balanced out her aggravation.

"Heyyy." She said in a tone much like the one of a child that had their toy plane taken of them. She was zipping up her grey skirt and tucking in her pastel pink, floral blouse. Mike strolled in wearing one half of his suit.

"You... look gorgeous," He looked at her glowing body, as she made her way over to the mirror and started to apply some make-up, rolling her eyes back at him. "You don't need that..." he made his way over to her and encased his arms tightly around her waist, "You're beautiful, just the way, you are." Mike was looking into her eyes in the mirror, simpering.

"What made you so happy this morning? Did you enjoy your half-powered shower?" Rachel placed her hands on top of his and rubbed his thumbs with hers, grinning at his face that was bent towards her belly, his chin rested on his own shoulder.

"Nope, we get to see our little bean soon, and the test tells us whether the baby is healthy, and whether it's a boy or girl." She laughed as he kissed her stomach gently, and then spun to kiss her lips. She engaged for a moment but cut it off shortly before it went too far that they couldn't break away. She brushed away and pushed him onto the bed jokingly, he fell and flopped onto the newly made bed, immediately pulling himself back up, to the shirt sitting on the stool of Rachel's dressing table. He hauled the shirt over his shoulders and started to button it up as Rachel finished up her make-up.

They both made their way downstairs and concocted their breakfast, Rachel some toast and her vitamins, folic acids, etcetera. Mike some coffee and cereal. Her back had eased about and so felt a little better, and she was pretty much ready for another day with the associates. They were working on a case that was emotionally draining, the teenagers in a orphanage were linked to a charity that keeps them there, but the charity had turned out to be doing shady things with the money they receive. These teens were in a state, the firm couldn't let this slip through the cracks. Rachel had made a friend out of it though, Hayley reminded her of herself, and was the associate for the case.

Mike had looked over the files for Rachel last night, so was packing up the papers together and placing them back in her bag. He packed everything they needed and got their shoes on. Rachel had resorted to flats. Locking the door, they set off for another day at work, where they would win another case.

"Okay, I'm going to see a client. If I'm not back, wait for me, I should be back before closing, and we can leave together, I have something planned for tonight." Mike pecked her cheek as she sat down in her puffy office chair.

"Oh no! Go kick some asses. I look forward to this something." He left the room and she smiled, wondering what he had in store for her. He always planned things on a whim, just what Rachel never did.